El Camino to Open Fall 2024 Applications for Respiratory Care Bachelor’s Degree
El Camino College will accept applications for its new bachelor’s degree in respiratory care from Jan. 22 through June 7, 2024. This will be the program’s second class of students since opening in Fall 2023.
The first baccalaureate degree offered in the community college’s 76-year history, the program expands on El Camino’s existing two-year accredited associate degree, offering an accelerated 40-unit, 18-month course of study in an eight-week, online format across three semesters. Students in the program have the opportunity to advance their education in respiratory care while training in areas such as personnel management, policy design, and patient case management.
“The Bachelor of Science degree program is a fantastic opportunity for students who, if not for this low-cost option, would not be able to afford to pursue a bachelor’s degree,” said Russell Serr, dean of El Camino’s health sciences and athletics division.
El Camino’s respiratory care graduates have consistently high licensure exam pass rates, among numerous other indicators of student success. Many graduates find employment throughout the South Bay in respiratory therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation, home respiratory care, and other specialties, putting their skills to work in their communities.
The new baccalaureate program provides an additional excellent pathway for students to access education and training, while expanding their access to job opportunities and increased salaries. Students in El Camino’s program can also complete a bachelor’s degree at a significantly lower cost than a university degree.
Program applicants must already have graduated from an accredited respiratory care program and have an associate degree in respiratory care from an accredited community college. Applicants must also have completed 30 of the required CSU-GE or IGETC transfer units to be accepted and must complete 39 of the units to graduate.
The degree includes nine upper-division respiratory care classes and three upper-division general education courses. Upper-division course fees are $130 per unit for a total of $5,330. Financial aid is available for those who qualify. Students can make an appointment to see a counselor for transcript review or connect with program coordinator Roy Mekaru at rmekaru@elcamino.edu for more information.