About the Respiratory Care Program
Respiratory Care Practitioners are healthcare professionals that specialize in providing optimal cardiopulmonary care to patients with disorders such as asthma, pneumonia, COPD and infants with immature lungs, etc. Santa Monica College’s Respiratory Care Program is a two-year, Associate of Sciences Degree program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). Through transforming competency-based medical education curriculum, the program prepares the respiratory care practitioner of the future to possess great medical knowledge, apply it, and be clinically competent to provide high quality care in challenging settings likely to be encountered upon entry into practice.
Program Paths
Respiratory Care
Associate in Science Degree
This program prepares students to meet the standards of the California Board of Registered Nursing. The program is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing and accredited by the Accreditation Commission of Education in Nursing, Inc. Upon completion of the program, graduates receive an Associate in Science Degree and are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to become a Registered Nurse. Students are encouraged to transfer to BSN programs. In order to pursue this LVN to ADN Career Ladder Program, a student must have a valid CA LVN license, and one year experience in direct patient care within the past two years.
Potential Career Options
Resources
Student Resources
We know college isn't always easy. We are here to help as you navigate through your SMC journey. This resource connects to information about Financial Aid, Tutoring Services, the Center for Wellness and Wellbeing and much more!
Career Opportunities
Our Health Science programs are designed to have students' career ready. Consider scheduling an appointment with a career advisor with knowledge of the profession you plan to pursue to discuss internship and jobs as well as steps you can take to become job ready.
Satellite Campuses
SMC's Bundy Campus features a modern, four-story building (which on upper floors has sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean), plenty of free parking, and beautiful landscaping. Bundy houses the nursing program, teacher-training program, continuing and community education classes, and a host of general-education courses.