BS in Respiratory Care
Earn a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care Fully Online
The Respiratory Care baccalaureate degree program is intended for students who have completed an associate degree in the field of respiratory care, approved by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) as a pathway to complete a four-year degree.
The curriculum focuses on advanced level scope of practice, including clinical specialist, interventional pulmonology, and pulmonary diagnostics.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
The respiratory care bachelor's in science degree graduate will have the skills to implement their role as a health professional and will possess the ethics, values, skills, and knowledge integral to all aspects of the profession with an emphasis on clinical specialist, interventional pulmonology, and pulmonary diagnostics.
The graduate will be able to exercise evidence-based practice, critical thinking and communicate effectively in all professional employment settings.
BSRC Program Eligibility Requirements
- Admission to Foothill College and
- Possession of an Associate of Science in Respiratory Care/Therapy or be degree eligible by June 30, 2026 and >
- Graduation from a CoARC accredited Respiratory Care Program and
- Possession of a California Respiratory Care Practitioner license or be eligible for licensure.
BSRC Degree Requirements
- Completion of courses listed below in the tentative schedule of classes
- Completion of the California State University General education (CSU-GE) breadth requirements or IGETC.
Program Costs
- California Residents: Course fees are $87 per unit ($31 regular course fee, plus $56 for upper division course fee)
- Non-CA Residents: Course fees are $336 per unit ($249 out of state tuition, $31 regular course fee, plus $56 for upper division course fee)
Apply to the Fall 2026 BSRC Program
First, apply to admission to Foothill College for the current term for a campuswide ID for access to MyPortal and the Allied Health app.
Once you receive your CWID, follow these steps to apply for the Fall 2026 BSRC program via Allied Health App.
- LOG IN to MyPortal.
- From the Apps menu, under Students, FIND and CLICK the Allied Health tile.
- From the list of programs, NAVIGATE to Respiratory Therapy AS to BSRC and CLICK Apply button.
- Complete and submit the application.
Tentative Schedule for BSRC Program Starting Fall 2026
| QUARTER | COURSES | UNITS |
|---|---|---|
| FALL |
BIOL 300: Human Pathophysiology & Pharmacology |
4 |
|
HLTH 300: Health Across the Lifespan |
5 |
|
| WINTER |
RSPT 300: Leadership and Management in Health Care |
5 |
|
IDS 300: Research Methodology For Health Professionals |
5 | |
| SPRING |
RSPT 307: Interventional Pulmonology Theory and Application |
5 |
|
RSPT 304: Clinical Specialist and Chronic Disease Management
|
5 | |
| SUMMER 6-Week Session 1 |
RSPT 306: Advanced Pulmonary Diagnostics |
5 |
|
SUMMER 12-Week or |
RSPT 305: Respiratory Care Capstone Research Project (12 Weeks) |
5 |
|
RSPT 308: Interventional Pulmonology Procedures |
5 |
Course Descriptions
This course is designed to introduce students to the research process and how it applies to evidence-based patient care. Emphasis on research design and methods, scientific databases, and evidence-based resources. Application of research methods and statistical techniques to the critical evaluation of current scientific literature. Evidence-based decision-making and development of critical thinking skills will be discussed. This is an upper-division General Education course, intended for students in the Dental Hygiene or Respiratory Care Baccalaureate Degree Program; enrollment is limited to students accepted in these programs.
This course introduces students to various methods and styles of leadership and management in the healthcare setting. Critical analysis of leadership and management theory will be explored and put into practice. Emphasis on the development of skills in leadership and management, such as communication, conflict resolution, team building, interprofessional collaboration, ethical decision-making, and interpersonal skills.
Respiratory Care departments utilize clinical specialists to assist departments with training, policy development, and research, as well as perform other functions. The role of the Clinical Specialist may involve chronic disease management, serving as a liaison between patients and other members of the care team, pulmonary rehab, and asthma education. Respiratory Therapists can acquire credentialing in the areas of Neonatal Pediatric Specialty (NPS), Asthma Educator (AE-C), and Adult Critical Care Specialty (ACCS). Clinical Specialists may also be utilized in other areas, such as sleep medicine, pulmonary function, pulmonary rehab, home care, and interventional pulmonology.
Respiratory care capstone course with a focus on an area related to case management, clinical specialty, pulmonary diagnostics, interventional pulmonology, and/or research. Students work with faculty to choose, develop, and complete a project in the chosen area of interest.
Advanced study of tests and procedures used to diagnose cardiopulmonary abnormalities and disease. Emphasis will be placed on the evaluation and interpretation of results.
Provides the general principles of interventional pulmonology. Disease-specific application, including diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, techniques, and procedures, will be introduced.
Basic and advanced interventional pulmonology procedures. Procedures to be covered will include bronchoscopy, thoracoscopy, endoscopy, airway access procedures, and novel techniques.
Contact UsBrenda Hanning, RRT, RCPProgram Director, Respiratory Therapy650.949.7466 hanningbrenda@foothill.edu
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