Topic: El Camino College’s online-format Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care—ECC’s first baccalaureate program—and how it differs from the college’s hybrid Associate of Science in Radiologic Technology pathway for imaging careers.
Angle: Source-aligned overview with links to ECC’s official Bachelor’s Degree in Respiratory Care, Radiologic Technology, admission, and news pages—plus realistic notes on format, prerequisites, and costs.
Outcome: You can decide whether ECC’s respiratory-care bachelor’s or hybrid imaging track fits your credentials, then confirm deadlines and fees directly with the college. Continue exploring via our colleges hub, course directory, and how to choose the right online college.
In this guide
- Why El Camino College stands out
- El Camino College history
- ECC today
- Online B.S. in Respiratory Care
- Who should consider this program
- Hybrid A.S. in Radiologic Technology
- Cost and format
- Why health-care students choose ECC
- Interesting facts about ECC
- People Also Ask
- Sources
Why El Camino College stands out
El Camino College in Torrance has served the South Bay since 1947 and remains one of the region’s most important public colleges for affordable education, transfer preparation, and career-focused health programs. Today, one of its most notable developments is the Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care offered in an online-accelerated format—designed for graduates who already hold an associate degree in respiratory care.
Students exploring medical imaging should also know that ECC offers a separate Radiologic Technology pathway at the associate level: a hybrid-style program with some remote lectures and exams plus required in-person labs and clinical training—not a bachelor’s in radiology earned entirely online at ECC.
For national context on picking accredited online programs, see our best online colleges for 2026 overview after you review ECC’s official requirements.
El Camino College history
El Camino College was officially established on July 1, 1947, when South Bay communities invested in a local public college for a fast-growing postwar population. Early classes used temporary wartime barracks before permanent facilities took shape on campus; the institution’s physical growth tracked decades of regional demand for workforce and transfer education. ECC History
The name El Camino references El Camino Real, the historic California mission corridor; campus imagery often reflects that heritage. Bond-supported modernization later helped ECC expand facilities and student services while preserving its core mission—access, equity, and student success. ECC Bond FAQ
ECC today
Today, El Camino balances transfer pathways, workforce programs, and flexible learning. Its online education infrastructure supports students who need alternatives to a fully traditional schedule—especially working adults and career-advancing learners in allied health. ECC Online Education
According to ECC’s general college overview, the campus spans about 126 acres near Torrance and offers roughly 200 degree and certificate programs, with enrollment on the order of tens of thousands of students per semester—making ECC a regional anchor rather than a small neighborhood college. About El Camino College
Online B.S. in Respiratory Care
El Camino College offers a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care intended for students who already completed (or are completing) prerequisite respiratory-care education at the associate level. ECC describes the program as an accelerated bachelor’s delivered in an online format across three semesters, using eight-week terms, with a total timeline of about 18 months for the published plan. The program is also highlighted as ECC’s first bachelor’s degree, launched to expand opportunity beyond the traditional community-college credential ladder. Bachelor’s Degree in Respiratory Care (ECC) ECC news: New bachelor’s in Respiratory Care
Academically, ECC positions the bachelor’s as preparation for leadership, education, policy, and advanced clinical practice responsibilities—often building on the college’s long-running respiratory care associate pathway. Always confirm the current unit total, course list, and term calendar on ECC’s official bachelor’s program page before you budget time or money.
Who should consider this program
This bachelor’s is a completion-style path—not for students seeking first-time entry into respiratory care without prior accredited training. ECC’s admission information outlines expectations such as completion of a COARC-accredited respiratory care program and an associate degree in respiratory care from an accredited community college, along with progress on CSU-GE or IGETC transferable general education patterns (including minimum completed units before admission). Respiratory Care — Admission Information
If that matches your background—often working respiratory therapists or associate-degree graduates aiming upward—ECC’s online-format bachelor’s can be a practical South Bay option. If you are not yet respiratory-care credentialed, start with ECC’s associate-level respiratory care information and licensing pathways rather than the bachelor’s page.
Hybrid A.S. in Radiologic Technology
Students interested in medical imaging should track a different ECC program than the respiratory-care bachelor’s. ECC’s Radiologic Technology pathway leads to associate-level outcomes (and related certificate options), includes about 26 months of structured progression, and combines didactic learning, labs, and clinical assignments—with ECC describing some lectures and exams presented remotely while clinical education remains in person. Radiologic Technology (ECC) Radiologic Technology — Degree & Certificate
Key distinction for readers and search engines: ECC’s online-format bachelor’s featured in this guide is Respiratory Care. ECC’s radiologic technology route is best described as hybrid clinical training toward entry-to-practice imaging eligibility (including ARRT-oriented preparation as described by ECC), not a fully online bachelor’s in radiology at El Camino College.
Cost and format
ECC publishes bachelor’s respiratory-care planning details—including upper-division per-unit fees—on its official pages. Third-party summaries have cited approximate total tuition bands for the full bachelor’s unit load, but tuition and fees change; use ECC’s current bachelor’s and fiscal pages for budgeting and financial aid questions. Bachelor’s program overview
Application timing also shifts by cohort year. ECC’s admission materials typically list filing periods for upcoming fall starts—verify the open/close dates on the official admission page rather than relying on blog copies of older calendars.
Why health-care students choose ECC
ECC appeals to health-care students because it pairs public college affordability with programs tied to licensure and workforce outcomes. The Respiratory Care bachelor’s targets upward mobility for credentialed professionals, while Radiologic Technology supports students entering imaging through a hybrid clinical model. For South Bay residents, that can mean lower total cost and less disruption than relocating for a private program—provided you meet ECC’s selective admission rules for the bachelor’s completion track.
Nursing at ECC: The college’s Associate Degree Nursing program is well established, ACEN-accredited, and designed to prepare graduates for the NCLEX-RN; ECC also publishes strong NCLEX pass rates on its program page. If you are working on nursing prerequisites, you may be able to complete some requirements through online or distance options (including courses offered via ECC’s online education model) and then apply or transfer those credits subject to nursing program rules—but do not assume any online course will count until a nursing program counselor reviews your plan. Start with the official Nursing program, nursing counseling & information sessions, and ECC Online Education overview. (For general background on prerequisite topics—not a substitute for ECC—see our prerequisite courses for nursing school guide.)
Interesting facts about ECC
- Founded in 1947 as a South Bay public college district. ECC History
- Large Torrance-area campus (ECC cites about 126 acres in overview materials). About ECC
- Broad catalog—on the order of 200 degree and certificate programs in ECC overview materials. About ECC
- First bachelor’s degree in ECC history: the Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care (launch announced for Fall 2023 in ECC news materials). ECC news announcement
- Brian Wilson (The Beach Boys) is among ECC’s celebrated alumni in institutional materials. Distinguished Alumni bios (PDF)
People Also Ask
Does El Camino College offer an online bachelor’s degree?
Yes. El Camino College offers a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care described as an online-format accelerated bachelor’s for qualified applicants—see ECC’s official bachelor’s program page. Bachelor’s Degree in Respiratory Care
Is ECC’s respiratory care bachelor’s fully online?
ECC describes the bachelor’s as an online-format program with eight-week terms across three semesters. You should still confirm any residency, orientation, or clinical-adjacent requirements directly with ECC before enrolling. Program overview
Does El Camino College offer radiology or radiologic technology?
ECC offers a Radiologic Technology pathway at the associate level (not a bachelor’s in radiology). It is best described as hybrid: some remote lectures/exams with required in-person labs and clinical training. Radiologic Technology
What is El Camino College’s first bachelor’s degree?
ECC’s first bachelor’s program is the Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care, announced to launch in Fall 2023 in college news materials. ECC news
Who can apply to ECC’s B.S. in Respiratory Care?
Applicants must meet ECC’s published prerequisites—typically including an accredited respiratory care associate pathway and COARC-accredited training expectations, plus general-education progress—outlined on ECC’s admission page. Admission information
Does ECC offer other flexible health-care programs?
Yes. Beyond the online-format respiratory-care bachelor’s, ECC offers multiple health programs—including a hybrid-style A.S. track in Radiologic Technology with remote components and in-person clinical education. Radiologic Technology
Did Brian Wilson go to El Camino College?
Yes. Brian Wilson is documented among ECC’s notable alumni in college materials. Distinguished Alumni
Sources
- El Camino College — Bachelor’s Degree in Respiratory Care
- El Camino College — Respiratory Care Admission Information
- El Camino College — News: New bachelor’s in Respiratory Care
- El Camino College — Radiologic Technology
- El Camino College — Radiologic Technology Degree & Certificate
- El Camino College — Nursing Program
- El Camino College — Nursing Counseling & Information Sessions
- El Camino College — Online Education
- El Camino College — About
- El Camino College — History
- El Camino College — Distinguished Alumni
Programs, prerequisites, tuition, fees, application dates, and delivery formats change. This article is general information—not admissions or licensure advice—and is not affiliated with El Camino College. Confirm every requirement and cost on ECC’s official website and with relevant regulators (e.g., COARC, respiratory care licensure, ARRT rules for imaging pathways).
Have a question?
Ask below — no account needed. Or visit the community forum to browse all questions by topic.
Ask a question
No account needed. For a public answer, visit the community forum.