Respiratory Care Information: Bachelor of Science
The bachelor of science program in respiratory care at Loma Linda University meets the "Essentials" and "Guidelines" for accredited programs for the respiratory therapist as set by the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). Our program accreditation is granted through the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), of which CoARC is their accrediting authority to evaluate respiratory programs.
Our program also meets the educational requirements set by the Respiratory Care Board (RCB) of California. The RCB is the licensing authority for respiratory care practitioners in the State of California.
What makes Loma Linda University unique from other schools?
Courses are taught in a student friendly Christian environment. - We encourage a personal Christian faith that permeates the lives of those we educate.
- Students are on a first-name basis with faculty and staff.
- Loma Linda University strives to be an alcohol, drug, and smoke free campus.
- Students are encouraged to stay healthy and exercise at our state-of-the-art health wellness facility, the Drayson Center. All students have full access as part of their tuition.
- Loma Linda University's curriculum offers primarily health-related courses and programs. General education requirements are taken at community or other accredited Universities prior to admission.
- Loma Linda University accepts students from many backgrounds and religious affiliations and offers a rich diversity within our student body.
- Smaller class sizes with more one-on-one attention from our respiratory care faculty.
- Once you are accepted into a program, you are enrolled in block classes required for that program. You do not have to challenge or wait for filled classes.
- You may clear your registration online or over the phone each quarter.
- Loma Linda University only requires you to complete one application for both school and program.
- Loma Linda University offers different missionary opportunities for students.
Our program provides:
- Scholarships to our students and assistance with pursuing student financial aid to help fund your respiratory care education.
- Professional skills necessary for rapid advancement in respiratory management, education, or as a clinician.
- Advanced knowledge and clinical skills to meet the demands requested of respiratory care practitioners.
- Development of communication skills as a member of the interdisciplinary health-care team, in patient education and in community health and wellness.
- A strong foundation for graduate work in medicine, dentistry, our master's physician assistant program, and other programs in health, science, education, or management.
- Knowledge necessary for success in licensure and obtaining the respiratory credentials offered by the National Board for Respiratory Care.
Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate should be qualified to:
- Is eligible to sit for a national board exam
- Review, collect, and recommend obtaining additional clinical data, evaluate all data to determine the appropriateness of the prescribed respiratory care, and participate in the development of the respiratory care plan.
- Select, assemble, and check all equipment used in providing respiratory care, recognize malfunction of such equipment, and initiate appropriate corrective actions.
- Initiate and conduct therapeutic procedures to achieve one or more specific objectives: (a) provide and maintain a patent airway, adequate ventilation and tissue oxygenation, (b) initiate procedures, explaining therapy and goals to the patient, (c) initiate emergency cardiopulmonary procedures, and (d) document therapeutic procedures.
- Maintain patient records and communicate relevant information to members of the health-care team.
- Assist the physician in the performance of special procedures in the clinical laboratory or operating room.
- Assure cleanliness and sterility by the use of appropriate disinfecting techniques; monitor effectiveness of techniques.
University Catalog
University Catalog (PDF - 4.70 MB)
The SAHP BS Respiratory Care information is located on page 383 to 386 in the 2006 to 2007 University student catalog.
Ways to navigate the University Catalog PDF:
- Scroll through the pages one at a time.
- Use the bookmarks that are always available on the side panel.
- Use the links that are provided on the Interactive Table of Contents pages.
- Use the links that are provided on the Interactive Index pages.
- Use the "Find" and "Search" tools. Select "Edit > Find"
(shortcut: Ctrl + F) or "Edit > Search" (shortcut: Shift + Ctrl + F). 
About the Program
Course requirements
- Human anatomy and physiology with laboratory; or general biology with laboratory; complete sequences
- Introductory chemistry with laboratory, complete sequence or general chemistry with laboratory, complete sequence
- Microbiology with laboratory
- Physics - If applicant does not have high-school-level physics, one quarter or semester of introductory or general college-level physics is required.
- General psychology
- A course on cultural diversity
- 1-4 quarter units (1-3 semester units) in the social sciences (anthropology, sociology, geography, etc.)
- 20 quarter units (13 semester units) in Humanities and Religion (art, music, philosophy, literature, history, foreign language, etc.) in three areas of study listed above
- Mathematics. Two-years of high-school-level mathematics selected from: algebra I (elementary algebra), algebra II (intermediate), or geometry with a grade of C (2.0) or better (May be taken in high school or in college.)
- Freshman English, complete sequence
- Introduction to computers, high-school- or college-level
- Speech
- Two physical education activities or courses
- One course in personal health or nutrition
A minimum of 82 quarter units (55 semester units) in general education/electives above is required for the degree. Loma Linda University will transfer a maximum of 105 quarter units (70 semester units) from accredited two-year colleges. All transferable coursework from a four-year college or university is accepted at Loma Linda University. See program web site for complete admissions requirements when transferring.
All official transcripts must be received from all previous institutions before final admissions decisions can be granted.
Required prerequisite check sheet for 2007-2008 - Downloadable PDF form
Program of Instruction
Contact Us
To set up an advising appointment or to ask questions regarding respiratory care, email our office at cps.sahp@llu.edu or call (909) 558-4932. You may also find answers to your questions on our FAQs page.
