The respiratory therapy (RT) program is offered in collaboration with Ohlone College in Newark. Students complete general education courses at DVC, laboratory and clinical courses at Ohlone College, and have supervised clinical practice at local hospitals. This program prepares students to be respiratory therapists in one of the fastest growing allied health professions in the nation. Therapists are involved in the diagnosis, treatment, management and care of patients with deficiencies and abnormalities associated with the cardio respiratory system, in both hospital and home environments. Completion of this CoARC (Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care) program makes graduates eligible for the California state license examination for respiratory care practitioner (RCP) and the registered respiratory therapist (RRT) credentialing examination of the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).
By completing the general education coursework at DVC and the RT coursework at Ohlone, students will receive an associate in science degree from Ohlone College. Students must maintain a minimum of a “C” grade or higher in all program courses.