Jun 13, 2025  
2025-26 Catalog 
    
2025-26 Catalog

Respiratory Care, AAS-T (Pre)


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The Respiratory Care Program Entry to Practice is designed to prepare students to enter the Respiratory Care field in the form of an advanced degree. Students learn skills to provide high level critical care to patients as well as providing them with the skills needed to take that career to the next level.  The AAS-T in Respiratory Care (Pre) degree is the first step in completing the BAS in Respiratory Care.

Associate of Applied Science-Transfer (Pre) Respiratory Care degree prepares students to enter the Bachelor of Applied Science, Respiratory Care program at Highline College.  This degree is only transferable to the Bachelor of Applied Science Respiratory Care program at Highline College.  At the completion of the AAS-T students are not eligible to take credentialing exams and are not recognized as Respiratory Therapists.  

Program Eligibility


Students may enroll in the AAS-T (pre) Respiratory Care degree at any time.  Admission to the AAS-T (pre) Respiratory Care degree does not guarantee admission into the professional portion of the Respiratory Care program.   Students can apply to the professional portion of the Respiratory Care program when 30 credits of General Education Courses are completed. If selected for acceptance all 50 credits of General Education Courses must be completed before program start.

  • Students can apply to the Respiratory Care Programwhen 30 credits of General Education Courses are completed. If selected for acceptance all 50 credits of General Education Courses must be completed before program start.
  • Transfer courses must be completed before the start of the professional portion of the Respiratory Care program.  Transfer of courses require official transcripts from a regionally accredited college or university
  • GPA 2.0 or better in all courses

Application Process


The AAS-T (pre) Respiratory Care application is combined with the BAS-Respiratory Care application and student apply for both programs with the one application.

To be considered for the Respiratory Care program, prospective students must submit the following:

  • Completed Highline bachelor “Application for Program Admissions” forms for the BAS-Respiratory Care (entry to profession) program. (combined with the AAS-T (pre) Respiratory Care application)
  • Nonrefundable application fee
  • Copy of transcripts from regionally accredited college or university

Program Requirements


Total Core Credits: 45


General Education Requirements


Total Program Credits: 95


Program Outcomes


Associate of Applied Science-Transfer (Pre) Respiratory Care degree prepares students to enter the Bachelor of Applied Science, Respiratory Care program at Highline College.  This degree is only transferable to the Bachelor of Applied Science Respiratory Care program at Highline College.  At the completion of the AAS-T students are not eligible to take credentialing exams and are not recognized as Respiratory Therapists.  

  • Students complete general education courses in science, quantitative skill, communication, social science, humanities providing foundational knowledge required for entry into the Bachelor of Applied Science Respiratory Care program.
  • Students complete introductory courses in respiratory care topics providing foundational knowledge required for completion of the Bachelor of Applied Science Respiratory Care program.

Program Notes


  • At the completion of the AAS-T students are not eligible to take credentialing exams and are not recognized as Respiratory Therapists.
  • Advising is a critical element in the completion of the AAS-T(Pre) Respiratory Care degree. Each student is strongly encouraged to contact the Respiratory Care department Program Director as early as possible.
  • Respiratory Care Program Director approval is required for completion of the AAS-T Respiratory Care degree.
  • The AAS-T(Pre) Respiratory Care degree is transferable only to the Bachelor of Applied Science Respiratory Care program at Highline College.

Internal Coding


Last Updated June 2025
Description Respiratory Care AAS-T (Pre)
Academic Plan RTTRCAAS
CIP Code 51.0812

 

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