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Program Details
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Associate of Applied Science
Northern Virginia Community College
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Program Details
Respiratory Therapy, A.A.S.
Associate of Applied ScienceRespiratory Therapy, A.A.S.
Northern Virginia Community College
The curriculum is designed to prepare students to be effective members of the healthcare team in assisting with diagnosis, treatment, management, and preventive care of patients with cardiopulmonary problems. Upon successful completion of the program, students are eligible to take the entry-level and advanced practitioner examinations leading to certification as a Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) and registration as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).
Program Overview & Guidance

Delivery Mode
In-Person
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Delivery Mode
Online
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Delivery Mode
Hybrid
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Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Considerations for Selecting Degree | |
Considerations When Selecting Courses |
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Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
Doing More With Your Degree | |
Program Successes & Highlights |
Program Credit Requirements

The table below provides the requirements to complete this program. If you have an account and have created a Portfolio, the table includes the "Applied Credits" column. This column shows how the credits you earned based on the experiences you entered may be applied to satisfy these requirements. You should consult an advisor or counselor to find courses you can take at your current institution that will transfer to this degree.
Please note that some courses may count towards more than one requirement such as meeting a general education requirement and a major specific requirement. The course will be listed under the first matching requirement. Please contact the institution with questions.
Please note that some courses may count towards more than one requirement such as meeting a general education requirement and a major specific requirement. The course will be listed under the first matching requirement. Please contact the institution with questions.
The program map provided below is an estimate based on courses identified as a result of reviewing your portfolio
and the requirements for the selected program.
A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
Requirements
Required Credits
Respiratory Therapy, A.A.S.
71
Respiratory Therapy, AAS
71
1810 Plan GPA/Cum GPA 202425
71
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
OR
Transfer credits will be evaluated, and as applicable, up to 53 credits may be applied to this program.
BIO Requirements (Prerequisite)
8
BIO 141
4
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
BIO 142
4
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
ENG Requirement (Prerequisite)
3
ENG 111
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
HLT Requirement (Prerequisite)
1
HLT 141
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
SDV Requirement (Prerequisite)
1
SDV 101
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
CST Requirement
3
CST 229
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
PED Requirement
1
PED 116
8
Earn 8 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
RTH Requirements
48
RTH 102
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
RTH 111
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
RTH 120 (Prerequisite)
2
Earn 2 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
RTH 121
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
RTH 131
4
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
RTH 135
2
Earn 2 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
RTH 145
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
RTH 151
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
RTH 196
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
RTH 215
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
RTH 222
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
RTH 223
2
Earn 2 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
RTH 225
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
RTH 227
2
Earn 2 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
RTH 236
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
RTH 245
2
Earn 2 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
RTH 290
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
RTH 290
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
RTH 296
2
Earn 2 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Social/Behavioral Science Elective Requirement
3
Social/Behavioral Science Elective Â
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category list:
Humanities/Fine Arts Elective Requirement
3
Humanities/Fine Arts ElectiveÂ
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category list:
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
---|---|
Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Students who have graduated with at least an associate or bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited United States institution of higher education are considered to have fulfilled NOVA's SDV requirement. Any other course transfers are evaluated based on the student's transcript, https://www.nvcc.edu/cro/transfercredit/index.html |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | Students who have graduated with at least an associate or bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited United States institution of higher education are considered to have fulfilled NOVA's SDV requirement. Any other course transfers are evaluated based on the student's transcript. |
Credit for Prior Learning | NOVA strives to provide students with opportunities to receive credit for prior learning while still maintaining the integrity of our academic programs. Credit for prior learning (CPL) generally refers to the process of granting college credit for learning gained in nontraditional. ways; https://www.nvcc.edu/prior-learning/ |
Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information

Number of Transfer Students
43891
College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
---|---|
Is This College Right For Me? | Our classes feature up-to-date technology and course content to prepare you for a competitive job market; We also offer courses that will transfer to colleges all over Virginia and the nation. In fact, NOVA has guaranteed admission agreements with more than 40 colleges and universities for students who meet specific requirements. |
Transfer Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined by first semester of program placement. |
First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined by first semester of program placement. |
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | https://www.nvcc.edu/gaa/ |
Where Can This Degree Transfer

This section displays VCCS degrees most closely related to this
program and to which you may be able to most efficiently transfer your
current course work. So, you can use this list to find a degree you can
complete in your major. Please click the degree name to visit that program
page.
If you are interested in transferring to a four-year degree view this degree on the Transfer Virginia site to explore degrees aligned with this program at Virginia's 4-year institutions.
If you are interested in transferring to a four-year degree view this degree on the Transfer Virginia site to explore degrees aligned with this program at Virginia's 4-year institutions.
Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Central Virginia Community College | AAS in Respiratory Therapy Technology | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Respiratory Therapy | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Mountain Empire Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Respiratory Therapy | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Science - Respiratory Therapy | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
---|---|---|---|
25-1071.00 | Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
29-2099.00 | Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | All health technologists and technicians not listed separately. | Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations |
29-2099.01 | Neurodiagnostic Technologists | Conduct electroneurodiagnostic (END) tests such as electroencephalograms, evoked potentials, polysomnograms, or electronystagmograms. May perform nerve conduction studies. | Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations |
29-2099.05 | Ophthalmic Medical Technologists | Assist ophthalmologists by performing ophthalmic clinical functions and ophthalmic photography. Provide instruction and supervision to other ophthalmic personnel. Assist with minor surgical procedures, applying aseptic techniques and preparing instruments. May perform eye exams, administer eye medications, and instruct patients in care and use of corrective lenses. | Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations |
29-2099.08 | Patient Representatives | Assist patients in obtaining services, understanding policies and making health care decisions. | Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations |
29-1126.00 | Respiratory Therapists | Assess, treat, and care for patients with breathing disorders. Assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care modalities, including the supervision of respiratory therapy technicians. Initiate and conduct therapeutic procedures; maintain patient records; and select, assemble, check, and operate equipment. | Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations |
Cost To Complete

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