Thank you for interest in the SMC Respiratory Care Program!
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).
The SMC RC Program accepts an annual cohort of 30 students per calendar year. The
program starts in the fall semester. Applications for admission consideration are
accepted from May 1st to June 16th.
The SMC RC Program is open to persons regardless of sex, age, marital status, disability*,
ethnic group, religion or national origin.
Please note admission prerequisite can be in progress but must be completed with a
"C" grade or higher by June 16th.
Students are encouraged to meet with a Health Sciences counselor to evaluate courses
completed outside of SMC.
Admission Requirements
*Semester Units
Prerequisite Course – 21 units
Santa Monica College Classes
Human Anatomy
ANATOMY 1: General Human Anatomy, 4 units* with lab
Human Physiology
PHYS 3: Human Physiology, 4 units* with lab
Chemistry Intro
CHEM 19: Fundamentals of General Chemistry, Organic, and Biological Chemistry, 5 units*
with lab (preferred)
Or
CHEM 10: Introductory General Chemistry, 5 units* with lab
Microbiology
MCRBIO 1: Fundamentals of Microbiology, 5 units* with lab
Medical Terminology
HEALTH 61: Medical Terminology, 3 units*
* please note, there is no recency requirements for any of the requirements for admission.
Application and Admissions Process
Future students can apply to the SMC Respiratory Care program during the open application
period from May 1 to June 16th. Please note that applications can be submitted even if pre-requisites are in progress;
however, the courses in progress must be completed with a "C" or better, by June 16th, and official transcripts must be on file with the SMC's admissions office, no later
than June 30th.
To make an appointment with Health Sciences counselor please call 310-434-3446.
Program Application - Apply Now!
Application to the SMC Respiratory Care Program will require an applicant to login
with their SMC email account/username (not SMC student ID#) and password.
Returning students- if you have not attended SMC for two consecutive semesters, you must reapply toSMC.
Important information to note when completing the application.
The application is timed to 45 minutes, you may save and continue later.
Complete all sections of the Respiratory Care Program application.
Upload all relevant supporting documentation as a PDF, once, and in the designated
area.
Do not submit the application while filling out/reviewing application, use the save
option and return to your application later.
Important: once your application is submitted you cannot edit your application or submit a second application.
Your application will be considered incomplete if all official transcript(s), AP score report, and/or evaluated foreign transcript
are not on file with the SMC Admissions and Records Office by June 30th.
Incomplete applications will not move forward in the application process and will
be deemed ineligible.
The Respiratory Care Program Application can be accessed by clicking on the link below.
*Requirements for admission are subject to change.
Transcripts
Please submit college transcripts covering all program pre-requisite coursework and
evaluating general education requirements for the Associate in Science degree by June 30th.
Official transcripts must be submitted electronically or mailed directly to SMC Admissions
and Records. Please include transcripts from all colleges.
Students seeking admission to the Respiratory Care major should consider the following
information:
Prospective applicants should consider taking Introduction to Respiratory Care course
to find out more about the program and the profession.
To find out more about the SMC RC Program, appointments with the RC Faculty advisor
are available by calling for an appointment, Call 310-434-3463.
Applicants must have a negative criminal background check and pass a drug screening
procedure to participate in any clinical classes.
Clinical experience will be arranged in a variety of excellent medical facilities
throughout the greater LA area.
Before entering into clinical training, students are required to take a state-approved
“Legal Obligations and Ethical Responsibilities of Respiratory Care Practitioners
in CA” course.
The costs associated with the program over the two years are approximately $5,000-$6,000.
*Enrollment in the Respiratory Care program is open to persons regardless of sex,
age, marital status, disability, ethnic group, religion or national origin.