Baccalaureate Degree Program

News and Announcements:

AVC's second baccalaureate degree program, the Bachelor of Science Respiratory Therapy (BSRT) will admit its first cohort in the fall 2024 term.

Application for Enrollment form now available! 

California Community College Baccalaureate Program Background:

In September 2014, California Governor Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill 850, which permitted the California Community Colleges Board of Governors (BOG) to launch a pilot program of baccalaureate degrees in 15 California Community Colleges. Later in May 2015, the Board of Governors approved the Airframe Manufacturing Technology program proposed by Antelope Valley College, making AVC one of the first 15 California community colleges to offer a baccalaureate degree.

In October 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill No. 927, which authorized the California Community Colleges Board of Governors to expand the statewide baccalaureate degree programs indefinitely. Solidifying the need for equitable, accessible, and affordable baccalaureate degrees.

Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy

The Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy (BSRT) provides students who already possess the associate degree and licensed Respiratory Care Practitioners (RCPs) with additional knowledge, skills, and attributes in leadership, management, education, research and advanced clinical practice.

The BSRT allows students to accomplish their professional goals and prepare for advanced degrees without leaving the Antelope Valley, and at a fraction of the cost compared to other institutions offering bachelor’s degrees.

Why the BSRT?

Employers are placing greater demands on respiratory therapists (RTs), but many lack the necessary knowledge and skills to meet these demands. Respiratory Care Practitioners (RCPs) are required to expand their knowledge, skills and critical thinking abilities beyond what is taught in an associate degree program. RCPs are being asked to take on more responsibilities than ever before, and employers are seeking those with additional skills and knowledge.

What are the prerequisites for entrance to the BSRT Program:

• Students must meet a minimum GPA of 2.0 for all college courses taken.
• Complete lower division Respiratory Care coursework from a CoARC accredited program.
• Be a licensed RRT or licensure eligible.

Students should complete all prerequisites by the end of the spring term, the year of enrollment intent. The program is limited to 30 students per year. Up to 24 spaces will be prioritized for the current year's graduating class, the remaining spaces will be prioritized by the following type of applicant: 

1. Past Antelope Valley College Respiratory Care Graduates who wish to complete the BSRT program. 
    
2. Graduates from other programs who have completed an accredited Respiratory Care program equivalent to an A.S. in Respiratory Care, are California licensure eligible and have completed 30 CSU GE breadth or IGETC (CSU or UC) lower division GE units and submitted all application materials. 

For the remaining spaces, if more applications are received than spaces are allowed, admission will be determined by the multi-screening criteria and priorities 1 & 2 as listed above. A waiting list of 10 students will be formed for the current enrollment period. The multi-screening criteria may be found in this page's Program Forms and Documents section.  

Submission of an application for enrollment form does not guarantee a student's admission to the program.

Application Process:

Admission to the Bachelor of Science Respiratory Therapy Program (BSRT) will be by special application. 

All students applying for enrollment in the BSRT program should follow these instructions. All required forms are available under the Program Forms and Documents section (bottom of page). 

1. Complete the Application for Enrollment Form.
    
2. Attach official college transcripts for all post-secondary institutions attended, including Antelope Valley College. If you have Advance Placement (AP) credits, an official transcript must also be included. "Official" college transcripts must be submitted in a sealed envelope that has not been opened by the student. 
   
   • One set of transcripts is to be turned in with your application and one set must also be on file with the AVC transcript office.
   
   • For multi-screening criteria; consideration of prior degrees earned: appropriate degree name and conferral date must be listed on the official transcript.
    
3. Attach a copy of your updated Education Plan completed by the listed AVC Counselor assigned to the BSRT program (see below).  Appointments should only be made with the assigned personnel listed below. Appointments can be made through email at counseling@avc.edu or by calling (661) 722-6300 ext. 6338. Request to meet with the following Counselor: 
   • Nathasha Hong*
    
4. Submit items 1 through 3 to the Career Technical Education division office, Enterprise Lab, Room 136. Items 1 through 4 are considered your "application packet". You may also mail your application packet to: Antelope Valley College, Attn: Rosie Heasley, 3041 W. Avenue K, Lancaster, CA 93536. Call (661) 722-6300 ext. 6882 for drop-off hours.

*Approved to evaluate transcripts from other institutions