LA Valley College Receives Conditional Approval for a Baccalaureate Program in Respiratory Therapy

The California State Chancellor’s Office has provisionally approved Los Angeles Valley College (LAVC) to offer a Bachelor of Science degree in respiratory therapy.

“LAVC is excited to receive provisional approval to offer the baccalaureate degree in Respiratory Therapy (RT),” said Barry Gribbons, LAVC president. “Our graduates will help meet the critical need for high quality respiratory care in hospital and physician care settings.”

The new program will help meet the demand for respiratory therapists due to an aging population, retirements of current practitioners and the impact of COVID-19. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in the field of respiratory therapy is expected to grow by 23% from 2020-2030.

Valley College currently offers an associate’s degree and certificate of achievement in respiratory therapy. The new bachelor’s degree program will be open to current students, current practitioners and new graduates from other accredited Respiratory Care programs, and gives a path for an advanced level of training and education.

“This rigorous program will prepare registered respiratory therapists for management opportunities and advanced clinical practice,” said Matt Jordan, vice president of academic affairs. “Students will gain advanced training and education to help them meet the demands of providing services that require complex decision-making and patient management skills.”

LAVC’s program is currently affiliated with 12 active clinical sites in Los Angeles and Ventura County such as UCLA, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and offers hands-on learning in state-of-the-art facilities featuring simulation manikins and hospital-grade equipment in a simulated hospital room setting.

The next steps to move from provisional approval to full approval include a review by intersegmental partners, and final approval by the Board of Governors. Enrollment in the program is slated to begin in the fall of 2024. For more information, contact the LAVC Respiratory Therapy Program at www.lavc.edu/respiratorytherapy.