Respiratory Care Practitioner

Progression:  To meet graduation requirements for this program, students must successfully complete the specified courses listed below with a “C” average (GPA of 2.00) or better. A grade of “C” or higher is required in each RCT course to progress in the program.  A passing grade must be earned in all other coursework.

Minimum admission requirements (in addition to general admission requirements) must include one of the following:

• Attain a 17 composite score on the ACT;
• Score a 240 or higher on the ACCUPLACER NG Reading Section, 231 on the ACCUPLACER NG Algebra QAS Section and a 275 or above on the ACCUPLACER NG Arithmetic Section;
• Complete at least 15 semester hours of program specific coursework with a “C” average or above at an accredited college or university.  Courses must include A&P I w/Lab, A&P II w/Lab (required as prerequisites). Remaining credit hours can be chosen from English Composition I, Public Speaking, Computer Concepts or Applications, Behavioral Science and a Humanities or Fine Arts; and
• Have a cumulative grade point average (cGPA) of 2.00 (“C” average) on all previous college coursework; and
• Earn a “C” or higher in BIO 2513/2511 Anatomy and Physiology I and BIO 2523/2521 Anatomy and Physiology II prior to admission; and Attend an RCT Information Session. Students will receive notice from the Registrar’s Office about scheduling their information/interview session.

The Respiratory Care Admissions Committee will select each year’s class from the pool of applicants who meet minimum admission requirements.  Any application with incomplete records will not be considered for admission.

Priority consideration for admission will be given as follows:

1. In-district students who complete program prerequisites and/or general education coursework at MCC;
2. Out-of-district students who complete program prerequisites and/or general education coursework at MCC;
3. Mississippi residents who complete program prerequisites and/or general education coursework elsewhere;
4. Out-of-state students check with the Health Education Advisor for selection details and deadlines.

After program admission, students must provide proof of immunization for MMR. A Mantoux Two-Step TB Skin Test. A drug screening test will be scheduled after enrollment.

All students admitted into the program will be required to pay for fingerprinting and background checks, which will be performed after admission and prior to clinical laboratories.  These fees will be attached as registration fees.  There are certain convictions that will prevent an individual from being eligible to participate in clinical experiences.  If a student is unable to participate in clinical experiences, he/she will be dismissed from the program.  For additional information, contact the Health Education Advisor.

Students in the Respiratory Care Practitioner Program must attend MCC full-time (15 or more semester credit hours).

The Respiratory Care Practitioner Program, #200478, awarding an Associate of Applied Science at the campus in Meridian, MS, is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) (www.coarc.com). The program has been placed on Probationary Accreditation as of November 12, 2022

Students graduating under the Probationary Accreditation status are considered graduates of a CoARC accredited program. Additionally, successful completion of the program under Probationary Accreditation enables the student to become a CRT/RRT after completing the National Board for Respiratory Care exams.

The Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) accredits respiratory therapy education programs in the United States. To achieve this end, it utilizes an ‘outcomes based’ process. Programmatic outcomes are performance indicators that reflect the extent to which the educational goals of the program are achieved and by which program effectiveness is documented.