Respiratory Care Education Program Features

The Respiratory Care Board is proud to feature accredited respiratory care education programs that are shaping the future RCPs in California.

These features highlight the strengths and unique qualities of each program, showcasing innovative teaching practices, faculty leadership, student success stories, and partnerships with clinical training sites. From classroom to clinic, these programs are committed to preparing competent, compassionate, and practice-ready respiratory care practitioners.

Through this series, the RCB seeks to raise awareness of the vital role education plays in respiratory care and to recognize the schools and educators preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals.

• American Career College – Orange

  Location:
  American Career College
  1200 North Magnolia Avenue
  Anaheim, California 92801

  For more than a decade, the Respiratory Therapy Program at American Career College in Orange has been equipping students to become highly skilled and compassionate respiratory care practitioners. With approximately eighty students admitted each year, the program blends accessibility with personalized support, ensuring that every student has the tools and encouragement needed to succeed.

  What Makes the Program Unique
  The program distinguishes itself as one of the region’s most dynamic and respected respiratory care programs, built on strong clinical partnerships, immersive simulation-based learning, and a deeply supportive academic environment. Students train in state-of-the-art laboratories using real-world equipment and participate in clinical rotations across some of Southern California’s most respected healthcare institutions.

  What truly sets the program apart is its sense of community. Faculty, students, and alumni describe it as a professional family that challenges, supports, and celebrates each member’s success. Graduates leave not only as competent clinicians but as confident, compassionate professionals who are recognized and sought after by hospitals and healthcare organizations across the region.

  Recent Achievements
  The program continues to raise the standard for excellence, with milestones that reflect its ongoing innovation and commitment to quality education:

  • Launch of the Peer Assisted Learning (PALs) Program, creating meaningful opportunities for mentorship, leadership development, and collaborative growth among students.
  • Achievement of the CoARC ninety percent RRT credentialing benchmark, a reflection of the program’s dedication to student outcomes and professional readiness.
  • Strong engagement with the respiratory care community, including active participation in professional associations, advocacy events, and continuing education initiatives that connect students to the heart of their profession from day one.

  Philosophy and Approach
  Guided by a philosophy of student-centered learning and evidence-based practice, the faculty focus on developing graduates who combine clinical skill with compassion, integrity, and a lifelong commitment to learning. Through simulation-based education, extensive clinical rotations, and interprofessional collaboration, students gain the confidence and competence to meet the needs of diverse patient populations in a variety of healthcare settings.

  Supporting Student Success
  At the core of the program is an unwavering commitment to student success. Faculty mentorship, structured tutoring, exam preparation sessions, and wellness resources are intentionally designed to help students achieve balance and reach their goals. Many alumni credit these supports and the dedication of their instructors as the foundation of their professional success.

  Partnerships and Clinical Experience
  Through a network of hospitals, clinics, and community organizations, students experience a broad spectrum of respiratory care practices, from neonatal and pediatric to adult critical care. These partnerships provide a seamless bridge between classroom learning and clinical application, ensuring that graduates enter the workforce confident, capable, and ready to make an immediate impact.

  Students Who Thrive Here
  Students who are motivated, adaptable, and driven by a desire to serve others thrive in this program. The environment encourages teamwork, accountability, and perseverance—qualities that mirror the realities of healthcare and prepare graduates for the demands of the profession.

  Looking Ahead
  As the field of respiratory care advances, the American Career College Orange program remains at the forefront, preparing students for emerging roles in advanced practice, technology integration, and leadership. The faculty’s forward-thinking approach ensures graduates are not only ready for today’s workforce but also positioned to shape the future of the profession.

  Advice for Future Students

  “This program will challenge you, but it will also shape you into the kind of professional who makes a difference when it matters most. Lean into every opportunity, ask questions, support your classmates, and never stop striving for excellence. When you graduate, you will not just earn a credential, you will carry the confidence, skill, and compassion that define a great respiratory therapist.”
  
  — Curtis Cates, MBA, RCP, RRT-ACCS, CPFT
  Program Director, Respiratory Therapy
  American Career College - Orange

  Fun Fact
  Students often describe the program as a second family—a place where lasting friendships, mentorship, and professional connections continue well beyond graduation. Many alumni return as guest speakers, preceptors, and mentors, giving back to the same community that helped launch their careers.

  The American Career College Orange Respiratory Therapy Program continues to define excellence in respiratory care education through academic rigor, immersive clinical training, and a culture of support that empowers students to lead with skill, purpose, and compassion.

  Photo Gallery

  

  The RCB proudly features the American Career College – Orange Respiratory Therapy Program for its leadership in education, commitment to student success, and dedication to advancing the respiratory care profession in California.