Respiratory, Health Information & Nutrition
Help patients breathe easier with Butte College’s Respiratory, Health Information, and Nutrition programs. Through hands-on learning and real-world experience, you’ll gain the skills to become a vital healthcare professional. Explore degree options in Respiratory Therapy, Nutrition, Paramedic, and Public Health Science to prepare for a meaningful career supporting health and wellness in your community.
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Programs
Goal
Transfer or CareerLength
3 yearsFlexibility
- Main Campus
- Offsite Clinicals
Associate Degree in Respiratory Care
The Butte College Respiratory Care program, accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC), prepares students to become licensed Respiratory Care Practitioners in California and to participate in the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) examinations administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). Respiratory Care Practitioners are highly skilled allied health professionals involved in therapy, management, rehabilitation, diagnostic evaluation, and patient care for cardiopulmonary deficiencies and abnormalities.
Flexibility
You'll need to plan on attending Main Campus for most of your major's required coursework, since that's where the core classes reliably run. You can fill in gaps by taking some courses online or completing your general education requirements at any of our centers. Meeting with a counselor to map out your specific semester plan will help you coordinate locations efficiently.
Goal
Career or TransferLength
2 yearsFlexibility
- Main Campus
Associate Degree for Transfer in Nutrition and Dietetics
The Associate in Science in Nutrition and Dietetics for Transfer degree (AS-T in Nutrition and Dietetics) is designed for students who plan to complete a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics or a related program at a California State University. This degree provides foundational knowledge in chemistry, biology, math, and nutrition that aligns with the first two years of many four-year programs and meets lower-division major preparation for CSU, Chico. Students transferring into the General Dietetics option will also study psychology, while those pursuing the Food Administration option will gain accounting and business knowledge.
Associate Degree in Nutrition and Food Science
The Associate of Science Degree in Nutrition and Food Science prepares students to be able to apply core scientific concepts from microbiology, human physiology, chemistry, and statistics to the study of nutrition and food systems. They will understand how food can become contaminated and identify effective prevention methods to ensure food safety. Students will demonstrate academic and professional skills that prepare them for transfer and continued success in upper-division nutrition, dietetics, and related programs.
Flexibility
The programs in this cluster let you complete general education requirements flexibly across any of our centers or online. However, your major coursework is primarily available at Main Campus, and depending on your program, you may need to take courses at additional locations like the Glenn Center or Online to fit your schedule. We recommend meeting with a counselor to map out your major courses first, since course availability varies by location and term.
Goal
CareerLength
1 yearFlexibility
Certificate of Achievement in Medical Coding
The Certificate of Achievement in Medical Coding prepares students for careers as medical coders and billers. Medical coders and billers review patient health records, assign appropriate codes to diagnoses and procedures performed by healthcare providers, and submit claims for reimbursement and payment collection. Employment opportunities in this field are expanding due to an aging population and increased access to health insurance.
Flexibility
You can complete the required courses for the Medical Coding certificate primarily online or by combining Main Campus with online sections. Glenn Center and Chico Center don't reliably offer the major coursework you'll need, so you'd want to plan on taking most of your program requirements either online or at Main Campus supplemented with online courses.
Goal
TransferLength
2 yearsFlexibility
Associate Degree for Transfer in Public Health Science
The Associate in Science in Public Health Science for Transfer is designed for students planning to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Public Health Science at a California State University (CSU) campus. Students completing this degree are guaranteed admission to the CSU system, though not to a specific campus or major, and will be required to complete no more than 60 additional units after transfer to earn a bachelor’s degree.
Flexibility
You can complete most of your Public Health Science major requirements at Main Campus or Online, though you'll need to combine either location with Glenn Center or the Chico Center to fill in a few gaps. Your general education can be finished at any Butte location or online, so you have flexibility there once you've planned your major courses.
Goal
Career or TransferLength
1.5-2 yearsFlexibility
- Main Campus
Associate Degree or Certificate of Achievement in Paramedic
The Paramedic program is designed to prepare students for licensure as paramedics in the State of California and meets all state requirements. Accredited by the Committee on Accreditation for the EMS Professions (CoAEMSP), the two-semester program qualifies graduates to sit for national and state licensure examinations. Successful paramedics must be able to work effectively with a wide variety of people, demonstrate knowledge of anatomy and physiology, possess strong math and English skills, adapt to new situations, and maintain good physical condition. With additional GE graduates can attain an Associate Degree.
Flexibility
The programs in this cluster require you to complete your major coursework at Main Campus, where classes are consistently available. Your general education requirements offer more flexibility—you can take them at Main Campus, at the Chico Center, at Glenn Center, or Online, depending on what fits your schedule best.
Goal
CareerLength
1 semesterFlexibility
- Main Campus
- Glenn Center
- Online
Certificate of Completion in Allied Health
(Not Eligible for Financial Aid) The Allied Health Certificate introduces students to careers in healthcare while providing an understanding of medical terminology, public health issues, and professional “soft skills” such as communication and teamwork. The program prepares students for entry-level positions in the healthcare industry and can also strengthen applications to other healthcare programs.
Certificate of Completion in Emergency Medical Responder
(Not Eligible for Financial Aid) The Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) Certificate prepares students to provide immediate lifesaving care to critically ill or injured patients while awaiting additional EMS response and to assist higher-level personnel at the scene or during transport. This certificate serves as the first step in the EMS training ladder and supports career paths such as firefighter, lifeguard, law enforcement officer, or emergency response team member in private industry. To strengthen preparation, the department recommends taking Medical Terminology (ALH 104) and The Critical Six Soft Skills in the Professional Healthcare Environment (ALH 6).
Certificate of Completion in Emergency Medical Technician
(Not Eligible for Financial Aid) The Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Certificate prepares students to provide basic emergency medical care and transportation for patients accessing the emergency medical system. EMTs function as part of a comprehensive EMS response, using basic ambulance equipment to deliver essential care and serve as the vital link between the scene and the healthcare system. To support success in the field, the department recommends taking Medical Terminology (ALH 104), The Critical Six Soft Skills in the Professional Healthcare Environment (ALH 6), Introduction to Human Biology (BIOL 2), and Survey of Human Systems (BIOL 10).
Flexibility
The programs in this cluster have varying course availability across our locations, so you'll likely need to combine multiple campuses to complete your certificate. Most programs offer general education requirements at multiple locations or online, giving you flexibility with those courses, but required major coursework is concentrated at specific sites—check with an advisor to map out where your required classes are scheduled and build a plan that works for your situation.
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