Respiratory Therapist Schools
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“Go into the profession with the idea that if you seek to treat each patient like your favorite family member, you likely always do the right thing for that person in need. Oh, and don’t forget: compassion doesn’t cost hardly anything except a bit of time and effort, so give it freely.”
Tim Gilmore, PhD, Associate Professor of Cardiopulmonary Science (CPS), Louisiana State University Health Shreveport
George Steinbrenner—a successful businessman and former Yankees owner—famously exclaimed, “Winning is the most important thing in my life, after breathing. Breathing first, winning next.” Even for a fiercely competitive man such as Steinbrenner, breathing was more important than anything.
While many take it for granted, the sad truth is that breathing is a daily struggle for some people. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 25.2 million people suffer from asthma, more than 8 percent of the population. As pollution levels continue to climb and cities grow more congested, this figure may continue to rise in the coming years. From emphysema to other chronic respiratory diseases, from smoking-related maladies to birth defects, several people rely on the help of medical professionals specializing in breathing assistance and rehabilitation. Enter the respiratory therapists.
These professionals monitor, diagnose, and treat breathing abnormalities to make people’s lives easier. Respiratory therapy is a growing career in the U.S. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2024) projects that job openings for respiratory therapists will increase 13 percent between 2023 and 2033, more robust than the average growth expected for all occupations (4 percent). Most of these jobs will be in hospitals and private practices (82 percent), and with median annual salaries of $80,340, it’s a relatively well-compensated career (BLS May 2023).
So, how does a person become a respiratory therapist? Students typically begin with a two-year associate’s degree through a school accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). Once candidates pass a national exam, they can receive the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credential. Some choose to complete a four-year degree and attain the higher Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) designation or even continue with a master’s degree in respiratory management or education.
The following sections explore possible educational paths for people interested in attending an accredited program. Many flexible and reputable respiratory therapist schools are available, including those offering traditional campus experiences and partially online (i.e., hybrid) programs. There are also hundreds of CoARC-approved programs that can help a person become certified and assist in job placement upon graduation.
“As natural as breathing” has become a clichéd expression, and people have continually compared this most essential of human activities to natural, unstoppable, or inevitable things. For people looking to make a real difference in the world, a career in respiratory therapy may be an excellent option.
| Respiratory Therapist fast facts | |
|---|---|
| Projected Jobs Created | 17,500 |
| Projected Job Growth | 13% |
| Average Salary | $80,340 |
| Low Salary | $59,180 |
| High Salary | $104,480 |
| Entry-Level EDU | Associate's Degree |
| Source: BLS 2024 | |
Meet the Expert: Tim Gilmore, PhD, RRT, RRT-NPS, RRT-ACCS, CPFT, AE-C
Dr. Tim Gilmore is an associate professor of cardiopulmonary science (CPS) and the CPS program director at Louisiana State University Health Shreveport. He earned a PhD in health science from Nova Southeastern University, a master’s in health sciences, a bachelor’s of science in cardiopulmonary science from LSU Health Shreveport, and an associate’s of science in respiratory therapy from Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC).
Dr. Gilmore’s research interests include ICU care, mechanical ventilation, asthma, and patient education. He is a member of the Louisiana Society for Respiratory Care, the American Association for Respiratory Care, and the National Board for Respiratory Care. He is a registered respiratory therapist with specialty credentials as a neonatal pediatric specialist and adult critical care specialist, and he holds national certifications as a pulmonary functions technologist and asthma educator. He also serves as a peer reviewer for the Respiratory Care Journal and an item writer for the NBRC.
MedicalTechnologySchools.com: What is something you wish the public understood about respiratory therapists?
Dr. Gilmore: I believe if the general public understood the depth of knowledge, expertise, and training that respiratory therapists (RTs) possess and the fact that the RT role on the healthcare team is deeply integrated with the physician and nurse, the profession would be less obscure.
The RT profession came from humble beginnings and has only been formalized as an occupation since the 1970s. RTs are highly trained and extremely skilled, and many are not only nationally credentialed and hold a medical license but possess additional certifications and have undergone further specialized training. To put into perspective, when someone is declared in “critical condition” on “life support,” the RT is the healthcare professional that manages the life support machine, among many other critical diagnostics and therapeutics, when patients are diseased, debilitated, and ailing.
In summary, the RT is typically the specialized clinician on site to help assess, diagnose, and treat someone when they present to an emergency department with distress from any heart or lung condition. The RT is also an integral part of the healthcare team every step of the way after patients are admitted to the hospital, and RTs play a vital role in every patient population from birth to the end of life.
MedialTechnologySchools.com: What advice would you give to aspiring respiratory therapy students?
Dr. Gilmore: Many respiratory therapists (RTs) seem to have initially stumbled upon the profession through either a personal experience (in the hospital as a patient or family member of a patient) or by a chance encounter with someone, whether it be from that acquaintance’s own experience or by happenstance through an advisor or recruiting event.
Any potential respiratory therapy student should first research the profession and, after that, seek out someone who is a respiratory therapist. In my experience, the formula is simple: the students who make the best RTs tend to have a natural interest in science, particularly anatomy and physiology, with an innate drive to help others and attention to detail.
Lastly, go into the profession with the idea that if you seek to treat each patient like your favorite family member, you likely always do the right thing for that person in need. Oh, and don’t forget: compassion doesn’t cost hardly anything except a bit of time and effort, so give it freely.
Respiratory Therapy Degree & Certification Programs – On-Campus
Several levels of respiratory therapy education can lead to certification. The first step is typically an associate degree program. An associate of science (AS) or associate of applied science (AAS) degree from an accredited CoARC school makes students eligible to sit for the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) or Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) exam.
The RRT exam is usually only taken by students who have completed a four-year or two-year degree in addition to a CRT certification. The bachelor’s of science (BS) in respiratory therapy or respiratory care is the chosen program level for students interested in the RRT certification.
Finally, students interested in respiratory research or management may want to pursue a master’s degree. This advanced degree is often required to get some of the highest-paying jobs, such as hospital administrators or research lab employees.
Pima Medical Institute (AAS)—Pima Medical Institute has campus locations offering its AAS program across the western part of the U.S., including Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, and New Mexico. Students who complete this program put in over 2,000 contact and learning hours, making it one of the most extensive associate degree programs available.
Each campus has different student success rates, but more than 85 percent of all PMI students pass the CRT examination, with some boasting success rates up to 96 percent.
- Location: Campuses across the United States
- Duration: 21 months
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC)
Georgia State University (AS, BS, MSHS-RT) – Ranked #4 on the list of Most Innovative Schools by the U.S. News and World Report (2022), Georgia State University in Atlanta offers an affordable and acclaimed respiratory therapy program in the Lewis College of Nursing and Health Professions.
GSU offers both a traditional BS degree and a professional AS-to-BS bridge degree for those students who have already completed an AS at a CoARC-accredited school and are Registered Respiratory Therapists but want to earn a bachelor’s degree. In addition, GSU provides an accelerated program for completing a bachelor’s and master’s of science health sciences in respiratory therapy. GSU has incredibly high student outcomes, with a 100 percent job placement and a 100 percent pass rate on the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) and CRT exams.
- Location: Atlanta, GA
- Duration: Two to four years
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC)
Bellarmine University (BS) – Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky, was named on the list of Best National Universities in the South by the U.S. News and World Report. Bellarmine offers a standard bachelor of health science (BHS) track, an AS to BHS bridge program for registered respiratory therapists, a master of health science (MHS) health promotion and social change track, and an MHS leadership track.
Students in this program earn over 800 hours of clinical experience in healthcare settings such as intensive care units, neonatal intensive care units, pediatric intensive care units, emergency rooms, and sleep laboratories. This range of options makes Bellarmine attractive to aspiring respiratory therapists at virtually any career level.
- Location: Louisville, KY
- Duration: Two to four years
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC)
Louisiana State University School of Health Sciences (BS) – LSU Health Sciences offers a four-year degree in cardiopulmonary science with an emphasis on respiratory therapy at its New Orleans campus. The bachelor of science program can be completed in two or four years and accepts students who have earned two years of general college or university credits.
This program prepares graduates to become registered respiratory therapists at the national and state levels. CoARC has awarded LSU a Distinguished RRT Credentialing Success Award for its record of credentialing 90 percent of its graduating classes in the past eight years.
- Location: Shreveport, LA
- Duration: Two to four years
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC)
List of Respiratory Therapist Schools
| School | City | State | Website | GRADS ('21) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ivy Tech Community College | Indianapolis | Indiana | https://www.ivytech.edu | 132 |
| San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia | Visalia | California | https://www.sjvc.edu | 130 |
| Pima Medical Institute-Tucson | Tucson | Arizona | https://pmi.edu | 82 |
| Weber State University | Ogden | Utah | https://www.weber.edu | 78 |
| San Joaquin Valley College-Rancho Cordova | Rancho Cordova | California | https://www.sjvc.edu | 77 |
| University of North Carolina at Charlotte | Charlotte | North Carolina | https://www.charlotte.edu | 71 |
| Concorde Career College-Garden Grove | Garden Grove | California | https://www.concorde.edu/campus/garden-grove-california | 68 |
| San Joaquin Valley College-Bakersfield | Bakersfield | California | https://www.sjvc.edu | 66 |
| San Joaquin Valley College-Ontario | Ontario | California | https://www.sjvc.edu | 61 |
| Texas State University | San Marcos | Texas | https://www.txst.edu | 58 |
| Victor Valley College | Victorville | California | https://www.vvc.edu | 56 |
| American Career College-Anaheim | Anaheim | California | https://americancareercollege.edu | 55 |
| Butte College | Oroville | California | https://www.butte.edu | 54 |
| Pima Medical Institute-Mesa | Mesa | Arizona | https://pmi.edu | 54 |
| Pima Medical Institute-Las Vegas | Las Vegas | Nevada | https://pmi.edu | 50 |
| Platt College-Los Angeles | Alhambra | California | https://plattcollege.edu | 49 |
| Pima Medical Institute-Renton | Renton | Washington | https://pmi.edu | 47 |
| Los Angeles Valley College | Valley Glen | California | https://www.lavc.edu | 46 |
| Valencia College | Orlando | Florida | https://valenciacollege.edu | 46 |
| Concorde Career College-North Hollywood | North Hollywood | California | https://www.concorde.edu/campus/north-hollywood-california | 45 |
| Concorde Career College-Memphis | Memphis | Tennessee | https://www.concorde.edu/campus/memphis-tennessee | 43 |
| Lone Star College System | The Woodlands | Texas | https://www.lonestar.edu | 40 |
| Miami Dade College | Miami | Florida | https://www.mdc.edu | 40 |
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville | Alabama | https://www.jsu.edu | 39 |
| San Jacinto Community College | Pasadena | Texas | https://www.sanjac.edu | 39 |
| American Career College-Ontario | Ontario | California | https://americancareercollege.edu | 38 |
| El Camino Community College District | Torrance | California | https://www.elcamino.edu | 38 |
| GateWay Community College | Phoenix | Arizona | https://www.gatewaycc.edu | 38 |
| J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Richmond | Virginia | https://www.reynolds.edu | 38 |
| St Louis College of Health Careers-Fenton | Fenton | Missouri | https://slchc.edu | 38 |
| Platt College-Ontario | Ontario | California | https://plattcollege.edu | 37 |
| Concorde Career College-Aurora | Aurora | Colorado | https://www.concorde.edu/campus/aurora-colorado | 36 |
| Florida State College at Jacksonville | Jacksonville | Florida | https://www.fscj.edu | 36 |
| San Joaquin Valley College-Temecula | Temecula | California | https://www.sjvc.edu | 36 |
| East Los Angeles College | Monterey Park | California | https://www.elac.edu | 35 |
| Skyline College | San Bruno | California | https://skylinecollege.edu | 35 |
| Southeast Community College Area | Lincoln | Nebraska | https://www.southeast.edu | 33 |
| Pima Medical Institute-San Marcos | San Marcos | California | https://pmi.edu | 32 |
| Concorde Career College-San Bernardino | San Bernardino | California | https://www.concorde.edu/campus/san-bernardino-california | 31 |
| Foothill College | Los Altos Hills | California | https://foothill.edu | 31 |
| Jefferson Community and Technical College | Louisville | Kentucky | https://jefferson.kctcs.edu | 30 |
| Modesto Junior College | Modesto | California | https://www.mjc.edu | 30 |
| Bergen Community College | Paramus | New Jersey | https://bergen.edu | 29 |
| Concorde Career Institute-Miramar | Miramar | Florida | https://www.concorde.edu/campus/miramar-florida | 29 |
| Georgia State University | Atlanta | Georgia | https://www.gsu.edu | 29 |
| Tennessee State University | Nashville | Tennessee | https://www.tnstate.edu | 29 |
| Crafton Hills College | Yucaipa | California | https://www.craftonhills.edu | 28 |
| George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville | Hanceville | Alabama | https://www.wallacestate.edu | 28 |
| Florida SouthWestern State College | Fort Myers | Florida | https://www.fsw.edu | 27 |
| Ohio State University-Main Campus | Columbus | Ohio | https://www.osu.edu | 27 |
| Oklahoma City Community College | Oklahoma City | Oklahoma | https://www.occc.edu | 27 |
| Piedmont Technical College | Greenwood | South Carolina | https://www.ptc.edu | 27 |
| Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Cupey Campus | San Juan | Puerto Rico | https://uagm.edu/es | 27 |
| County College of Morris | Randolph | New Jersey | https://www.ccm.edu | 26 |
| Allegany College of Maryland | Cumberland | Maryland | https://www.allegany.edu | 25 |
| Bluegrass Community and Technical College | Lexington | Kentucky | https://bluegrass.kctcs.edu | 25 |
| CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College | New York | New York | https://www.bmcc.cuny.edu | 25 |
| Tallahassee Community College | Tallahassee | Florida | https://www.tcc.fl.edu | 25 |
| Community College of Philadelphia | Philadelphia | Pennsylvania | https://www.ccp.edu | 24 |
| Milwaukee Area Technical College | Milwaukee | Wisconsin | https://www.matc.edu | 24 |
| Napa Valley College | Napa | California | https://www.napavalley.edu | 24 |
| Pima Community College | Tucson | Arizona | https://www.pima.edu | 24 |
| SUNY Westchester Community College | Valhalla | New York | https://www.sunywcc.edu | 24 |
| Grossmont College | El Cajon | California | https://www.grossmont.edu | 23 |
| Hillsborough Community College | Tampa | Florida | https://www.hccfl.edu | 23 |
| Ohlone College | Fremont | California | https://www.ohlone.edu | 23 |
| Salisbury University | Salisbury | Maryland | https://www.salisbury.edu | 23 |
| City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College | Chicago | Illinois | https://www.ccc.edu/colleges/malcolm-x | 22 |
| Concorde Career College-San Antonio | San Antonio | Texas | https://www.concorde.edu/campus/san-antonio-texas | 22 |
| Sinclair Community College | Dayton | Ohio | https://www.sinclair.edu | 22 |
| South Dakota State University | Brookings | South Dakota | https://www.sdstate.edu | 22 |
| Stony Brook University | Stony Brook | New York | https://www.stonybrook.edu | 22 |
| Concorde Career College-Kansas City | Kansas City | Missouri | https://www.concorde.edu/campus/kansas-city-missouri | 21 |
| Concorde Career College-Portland | Portland | Oregon | https://www.concorde.edu/campus/portland-oregon | 21 |
| East Tennessee State University | Johnson City | Tennessee | https://www.etsu.edu/ehome | 21 |
| Hartnell College | Salinas | California | https://www.hartnell.edu | 21 |
| Macomb Community College | Warren | Michigan | https://www.macomb.edu | 21 |
| Madison Area Technical College | Madison | Wisconsin | https://madisoncollege.edu | 21 |
| Mt San Antonio College | Walnut | California | https://www.mtsac.edu | 21 |
| Pueblo Community College | Pueblo | Colorado | https://pueblocc.edu | 21 |
| The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston | Galveston | Texas | https://www.utmb.edu | 21 |
| Bowling Green State University-Firelands | Huron | Ohio | https://www.bgsu.edu/firelands | 20 |
| Brookdale Community College | Lincroft | New Jersey | https://www.brookdalecc.edu | 20 |
| Central Piedmont Community College | Charlotte | North Carolina | https://www.cpcc.edu | 20 |
| College of DuPage | Glen Ellyn | Illinois | https://www.cod.edu | 20 |
| Community College of Allegheny County | Pittsburgh | Pennsylvania | https://www.ccac.edu | 20 |
| Erie Community College | Buffalo | New York | https://www.ecc.edu | 20 |
| Fresno City College | Fresno | California | https://www.fresnocitycollege.edu | 20 |
| Kalamazoo Valley Community College | Kalamazoo | Michigan | https://www.kvcc.edu | 20 |
| Nassau Community College | Garden City | New York | https://www.ncc.edu | 20 |
| Rose State College | Midwest City | Oklahoma | https://www.rose.edu | 20 |
| St Philip's College | San Antonio | Texas | https://www.alamo.edu/spc | 20 |
| University of Akron Main Campus | Akron | Ohio | https://www.uakron.edu | 20 |
| Frederick Community College | Frederick | Maryland | https://www.frederick.edu | 19 |
| Gwinnett Technical College | Lawrenceville | Georgia | https://gwinnetttech.edu | 19 |
| Illinois Central College | East Peoria | Illinois | https://icc.edu | 19 |
| Pima Medical Institute-Houston | Houston | Texas | https://pmi.edu | 19 |
| Seminole State College of Florida | Sanford | Florida | https://www.seminolestate.edu | 19 |
| Tulsa Community College | Tulsa | Oklahoma | https://www.tulsacc.edu | 19 |
| Delgado Community College | New Orleans | Louisiana | https://www.dcc.edu | 18 |
| Fayetteville Technical Community College | Fayetteville | North Carolina | https://www.faytechcc.edu | 18 |
| Hudson Valley Community College | Troy | New York | https://www.hvcc.edu | 18 |
| Jefferson State Community College | Birmingham | Alabama | https://www.jeffersonstate.edu | 18 |
| Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale | Fort Lauderdale | Florida | https://www.keiseruniversity.edu | 18 |
| McLennan Community College | Waco | Texas | https://www.mclennan.edu | 18 |
| Metropolitan Community College Area | Omaha | Nebraska | https://www.mccneb.edu | 18 |
| Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College | Perkinston | Mississippi | https://mgccc.edu | 18 |
| Orange Coast College | Costa Mesa | California | https://orangecoastcollege.edu | 18 |
| Pearl River Community College | Poplarville | Mississippi | https://prcc.edu | 18 |
| Southern Crescent Technical College | Griffin | Georgia | https://www.sctech.edu | 18 |
| Stark State College | North Canton | Ohio | https://www.starkstate.edu | 18 |
| University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College | North Little Rock | Arkansas | https://uaptc.edu | 18 |
| Utah Valley University | Orem | Utah | https://www.uvu.edu | 18 |
| Bellarmine University | Louisville | Kentucky | https://www.bellarmine.edu | 17 |
| Broward College | Fort Lauderdale | Florida | https://www.broward.edu | 17 |
| Collin County Community College District | McKinney | Texas | https://www.collin.edu | 17 |
| Community College of Baltimore County | Baltimore | Maryland | https://www.ccbcmd.edu | 17 |
| Del Mar College | Corpus Christi | Texas | https://www.delmar.edu | 17 |
| Georgia Southern University | Statesboro | Georgia | https://www.georgiasouthern.edu | 17 |
| Hutchinson Community College | Hutchinson | Kansas | https://www.hutchcc.edu | 17 |
| Manchester Community College | Manchester | Connecticut | https://www.manchestercc.edu | 17 |
| Massasoit Community College | Brockton | Massachusetts | https://massasoit.edu | 17 |
| Monroe County Community College | Monroe | Michigan | https://www.monroeccc.edu | 17 |
| St Petersburg College | St. Petersburg | Florida | https://www.spcollege.edu | 17 |
| Tyler Junior College | Tyler | Texas | https://www.tjc.edu | 17 |
| American River College | Sacramento | California | https://arc.losrios.edu | 16 |
| Big Sandy Community and Technical College | Prestonsburg | Kentucky | https://bigsandy.kctcs.edu | 16 |
| El Paso Community College | El Paso | Texas | https://www.epcc.edu | 16 |
| George C Wallace Community College-Dothan | Dothan | Alabama | https://www.wallace.edu | 16 |
| Gulf Coast State College | Panama City | Florida | https://www.gulfcoast.edu | 16 |
| Gwynedd Mercy University | Gwynedd Valley | Pennsylvania | https://www.gmercyu.edu | 16 |
| Harrisburg Area Community College | Harrisburg | Pennsylvania | https://www.hacc.edu | 16 |
| Kapiolani Community College | Honolulu | Hawaii | https://www.kapiolani.hawaii.edu | 16 |
| Madisonville Community College | Madisonville | Kentucky | https://madisonville.kctcs.edu | 16 |
| NorthWest Arkansas Community College | Bentonville | Arkansas | https://www.nwacc.edu | 16 |
| Shawnee State University | Portsmouth | Ohio | https://www.shawnee.edu | 16 |
| Springfield Technical Community College | Springfield | Massachusetts | https://www.stcc.edu | 16 |
| Walters State Community College | Morristown | Tennessee | https://www.ws.edu | 16 |
| Cisco College | Cisco | Texas | https://www.cisco.edu | 15 |
| Concorde Career College-Dallas | Dallas | Texas | https://www.concorde.edu/campus/dallas-texas | 15 |
| Dallas College | Dallas | Texas | https://www.dallascollege.edu | 15 |
| Delta College | University Center | Michigan | https://www.delta.edu | 15 |
| Edgecombe Community College | Tarboro | North Carolina | https://edgecombe.edu | 15 |
| Ferris State University | Big Rapids | Michigan | https://www.ferris.edu | 15 |
| Marshall University | Huntington | West Virginia | https://www.marshall.edu | 15 |
| Missouri Southern State University | Joplin | Missouri | https://www.mssu.edu | 15 |
| Mott Community College | Flint | Michigan | https://www.mcc.edu | 15 |
| New England Institute of Technology | East Greenwich | Rhode Island | https://www.neit.edu | 15 |
| Northern Virginia Community College | Annandale | Virginia | https://www.nvcc.edu | 15 |
| Norwalk Community College | Norwalk | Connecticut | https://norwalk.edu | 15 |
| Saint Paul College | Saint Paul | Minnesota | https://www.saintpaul.edu | 15 |
| Shelton State Community College | Tuscaloosa | Alabama | https://www.sheltonstate.edu | 15 |
| South Texas College | McAllen | Texas | https://www.southtexascollege.edu | 15 |
| Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College | Cumberland | Kentucky | https://southeast.kctcs.edu | 15 |
| Tarrant County College District | Fort Worth | Texas | https://www.tccd.edu | 15 |
| Union County College | Cranford | New Jersey | https://www.ucc.edu | 15 |
| Columbia State Community College | Columbia | Tennessee | https://www.columbiastate.edu | 14 |
| Georgia Northwestern Technical College | Rome | Georgia | https://www.gntc.edu | 14 |
| Luzerne County Community College | Nanticoke | Pennsylvania | https://www.luzerne.edu | 14 |
| Midlands Technical College | West Columbia | South Carolina | https://www.midlandstech.edu | 14 |
| North Central State College | Mansfield | Ohio | https://ncstatecollege.edu | 14 |
| Northeast Wisconsin Technical College | Green Bay | Wisconsin | https://www.nwtc.edu | 14 |
| Ozarks Technical Community College | Springfield | Missouri | https://www.otc.edu | 14 |
| Pickens Technical College | Aurora | Colorado | https://www.pickenstech.org | 14 |
| Somerset Community College | Somerset | Kentucky | https://somerset.kctcs.edu/about | 14 |
| University of Toledo | Toledo | Ohio | https://www.utoledo.edu | 14 |
| Washburn University | Topeka | Kansas | https://www.washburn.edu | 14 |
| Weatherford College | Weatherford | Texas | https://www.wc.edu | 14 |
| Black River Technical College | Pocahontas | Arkansas | https://blackrivertech.edu | 13 |
| Community College of Aurora | Aurora | Colorado | https://ccaurora.edu | 13 |
| Concorde Career Institute-Tampa | Tampa | Florida | https://www.concorde.edu/campus/tampa-florida | 13 |
| Eastern Florida State College | Cocoa | Florida | https://www.easternflorida.edu | 13 |
| Hawkeye Community College | Waterloo | Iowa | https://www.hawkeyecollege.edu | 13 |
| Horry-Georgetown Technical College | Conway | South Carolina | https://www.hgtc.edu | 13 |
| Johnson County Community College | Overland Park | Kansas | https://www.jccc.edu | 13 |
| Loma Linda University | Loma Linda | California | https://llu.edu | 13 |
| Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health | Omaha | Nebraska | https://www.methodistcollege.edu | 13 |
| Northwest Kansas Technical College | Goodland | Kansas | https://www.nwktc.edu | 13 |
| Oakland Community College | Bloomfield Hills | Michigan | https://www.oaklandcc.edu | 13 |
| Pima Medical Institute-Albuquerque | Albuquerque | New Mexico | https://pmi.edu | 13 |
| Pittsburgh Career Institute | Pittsburgh | Pennsylvania | https://www.pci.edu | 13 |
| Rock Valley College | Rockford | Illinois | https://www.rockvalleycollege.edu | 13 |
| Santa Fe Community College | Santa Fe | New Mexico | https://www.sfcc.edu | 13 |
| St Catherine University | Saint Paul | Minnesota | https://www.stkate.edu | 13 |
| Trident Technical College | Charleston | South Carolina | https://www.tridenttech.edu | 13 |
| Alvin Community College | Alvin | Texas | https://www.alvincollege.edu | 12 |
| BridgeValley Community & Technical College | South Charleston | West Virginia | https://www.bridgevalley.edu | 12 |
| Chattanooga State Community College | Chattanooga | Tennessee | https://www.chattanoogastate.edu | 12 |
| Chippewa Valley Technical College | Eau Claire | Wisconsin | https://www.cvtc.edu | 12 |
| Concorde Career Institute-Jacksonville | Jacksonville | Florida | https://www.concorde.edu/campus/jacksonville-florida | 12 |
| Cuyahoga Community College District | Cleveland | Ohio | https://www.tri-c.edu | 12 |
| Dixie State University | Saint George | Utah | https://utahtech.edu | 12 |
| Eastern Oklahoma State College | Wilburton | Oklahoma | https://www.eosc.edu | 12 |
| Goodwin University | East Hartford | Connecticut | https://www.goodwin.edu | 12 |
| Itawamba Community College | Fulton | Mississippi | https://www.iccms.edu | 12 |
| Kankakee Community College | Kankakee | Illinois | https://www.kcc.edu | 12 |
| Kaskaskia College | Centralia | Illinois | https://www.kaskaskia.edu | 12 |
| Louisiana State University-Eunice | Eunice | Louisiana | https://www.lsue.edu | 12 |
| Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science | Rochester | Minnesota | https://college.mayo.edu | 12 |
| Mohawk Valley Community College | Utica | New York | https://www.mvcc.edu | 12 |
| Molloy College | Rockville Centre | New York | https://www.molloy.edu | 12 |
| Moraine Valley Community College | Palos Hills | Illinois | https://www.morainevalley.edu | 12 |
| Mountain Empire Community College | Big Stone Gap | Virginia | https://www.mecc.edu | 12 |
| Naugatuck Valley Community College | Waterbury | Connecticut | https://nv.edu | 12 |
| North Shore Community College | Danvers | Massachusetts | https://www.northshore.edu | 12 |
| Santa Monica College | Santa Monica | California | https://www.smc.edu | 12 |
| Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College | Mount Gay | West Virginia | https://www.southernwv.edu | 12 |
| Western Technical College | La Crosse | Wisconsin | https://www.westerntc.edu | 12 |
| Albany State University | Albany | Georgia | https://www.asurams.edu | 11 |
| Ball State University | Muncie | Indiana | https://www.bsu.edu | 11 |
| Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University | Tallahassee | Florida | https://www.famu.edu | 11 |
| Forsyth Technical Community College | Winston-Salem | North Carolina | https://www.forsythtech.edu | 11 |
| Houston Community College | Houston | Texas | https://www.hccs.edu | 11 |
| Kennebec Valley Community College | Fairfield | Maine | https://www.kvcc.me.edu | 11 |
| Lake Superior College | Duluth | Minnesota | https://www.lsc.edu | 11 |
| Long Island University | Brookville | New York | https://www.liu.edu | 11 |
| Mid-State Technical College | Wisconsin Rapids | Wisconsin | https://www.mstc.edu | 11 |
| Moraine Park Technical College | Fond du Lac | Wisconsin | https://www.morainepark.edu | 11 |
| North Dakota State University-Main Campus | Fargo | North Dakota | https://www.ndsu.edu | 11 |
| Palm Beach State College | Lake Worth | Florida | https://www.palmbeachstate.edu | 11 |
| Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College | Bowling Green | Kentucky | https://southcentral.kctcs.edu | 11 |
| Stanly Community College | Albemarle | North Carolina | https://www.stanly.edu | 11 |
| Texas Southmost College | Brownsville | Texas | https://www.tsc.edu | 11 |
| The University of Montana | Missoula | Montana | https://www.umt.edu | 11 |
| Tidewater Community College | Norfolk | Virginia | https://www.tcc.edu | 11 |
| University of Cincinnati-Clermont College | Batavia | Ohio | https://www.ucclermont.edu | 11 |
| University of Mary | Bismarck | North Dakota | https://www.umary.edu | 11 |
| Antelope Valley Community College District | Lancaster | California | https://www.avc.edu | 10 |
| Augusta Technical College | Augusta | Georgia | https://www.augustatech.edu | 10 |
| Community College of Rhode Island | Warwick | Rhode Island | https://www.ccri.edu | 10 |
| Des Moines Area Community College | Ankeny | Iowa | https://www.dmacc.edu | 10 |
| Greenville Technical College | Greenville | South Carolina | https://www.gvltec.edu | 10 |
| Idaho State University | Pocatello | Idaho | https://www.isu.edu | 10 |
| Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus | Indiana | Pennsylvania | https://www.iup.edu | 10 |
| Jackson State Community College | Jackson | Tennessee | https://www.jscc.edu | 10 |
| Kent State University at Ashtabula | Ashtabula | Ohio | https://www.kent.edu/ashtabula | 10 |
| New Mexico State University-Dona Ana | Las Cruces | New Mexico | https://dacc.nmsu.edu | 10 |
| Oconee Fall Line Technical College | Sandersville | Georgia | https://oftc.edu | 10 |
| Saint Louis Community College | Bridgeton | Missouri | https://stlcc.edu | 10 |
| Southern Maine Community College | South Portland | Maine | https://www.smccme.edu | 10 |
| Spartanburg Community College | Spartanburg | South Carolina | https://www.sccsc.edu | 10 |
| Volunteer State Community College | Gallatin | Tennessee | https://www.volstate.edu | 10 |
| Amarillo College | Amarillo | Texas | https://www.actx.edu | 9 |
| Baltimore City Community College | Baltimore | Maryland | https://www.bccc.edu | 9 |
| Carteret Community College | Morehead City | North Carolina | https://carteret.edu | 9 |
| Casper College | Casper | Wyoming | https://www.caspercollege.edu | 9 |
| Copiah-Lincoln Community College | Wesson | Mississippi | https://www.colin.edu | 9 |
| Delaware County Community College | Media | Pennsylvania | https://www.dccc.edu | 9 |
| Fletcher Technical Community College | Schriever | Louisiana | https://www.fletcher.edu | 9 |
| Hinds Community College | Raymond | Mississippi | https://www.hindscc.edu | 9 |
| Howard College | Big Spring | Texas | https://howardcollege.edu | 9 |
| Indian River State College | Fort Pierce | Florida | https://irsc.edu | 9 |
| Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis | Indianapolis | Indiana | https://www.iupui.edu | 9 |
| Jackson College | Jackson | Michigan | https://www.jccmi.edu | 9 |
| Lakeland Community College | Kirtland | Ohio | https://www.lakelandcc.edu | 9 |
| Lincoln Land Community College | Springfield | Illinois | https://www.llcc.edu | 9 |
| Northeast Iowa Community College | Calmar | Iowa | https://www.nicc.edu | 9 |
| Northeast Mississippi Community College | Booneville | Mississippi | https://www.nemcc.edu | 9 |
| Northern Oklahoma College | Tonkawa | Oklahoma | https://www.noc.edu | 9 |
| O C Collins Career Center | Chesapeake | Ohio | https://www.collins-cc.edu | 9 |
| Parkland College | Champaign | Illinois | https://www.parkland.edu | 9 |
| Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences | Lancaster | Pennsylvania | https://www.pacollege.edu | 9 |
| Pima Medical Institute-Denver | Denver | Colorado | https://pmi.edu | 9 |
| Rush University | Chicago | Illinois | https://www.rushu.rush.edu | 9 |
| Southeastern Community College | West Burlington | Iowa | https://www.scciowa.edu | 9 |
| Southwestern Community College | Sylva | North Carolina | https://www.southwesterncc.edu | 9 |
| Southwestern Illinois College | Belleville | Illinois | https://www.swic.edu | 9 |
| St. Augustine College | Chicago | Illinois | https://www.staugustine.edu | 9 |
| Sullivan County Community College | Loch Sheldrake | New York | https://sunysullivan.edu | 9 |
| Temple College | Temple | Texas | https://www.templejc.edu | 9 |
| York College of Pennsylvania | York | Pennsylvania | https://www.ycp.edu | 9 |
| Augusta University | Augusta | Georgia | https://www.augusta.edu | 8 |
| Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center | Cape Girardeau | Missouri | https://www.capectc.org | 8 |
| Catawba Valley Community College | Hickory | North Carolina | https://www.cvcc.edu | 8 |
| Cincinnati State Technical and Community College | Cincinnati | Ohio | https://www.cincinnatistate.edu | 8 |
| Columbus Technical College | Columbus | Georgia | https://www.columbustech.edu | 8 |
| Dalton State College | Dalton | Georgia | https://www.daltonstate.edu | 8 |
| Mineral Area College | Park Hills | Missouri | https://mineralarea.edu | 8 |
| Northern Essex Community College | Haverhill | Massachusetts | https://www.necc.mass.edu | 8 |
| Saint Johns River State College | Palatka | Florida | https://www.sjrstate.edu | 8 |
| Seward County Community College | Liberal | Kansas | https://sccc.edu | 8 |
| Texas Southern University | Houston | Texas | https://www.tsu.edu | 8 |
| Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Gurabo Campus | Gurabo | Puerto Rico | https://uagm.edu/es | 8 |
| University of Hartford | West Hartford | Connecticut | https://www.hartford.edu | 8 |
| Washington State Community College | Marietta | Ohio | https://www.wscc.edu | 8 |
| Arkansas State University Mid-South | West Memphis | Arkansas | https://www.asumidsouth.edu | 7 |
| Blessing Rieman College of Nursing and Health Sciences | Quincy | Illinois | https://www.brcn.edu | 7 |
| Coastal Pines Technical College | Waycross | Georgia | https://coastalpines.edu | 7 |
| Durham Technical Community College | Durham | North Carolina | https://www.durhamtech.edu | 7 |
| Florence-Darlington Technical College | Florence | South Carolina | https://www.fdtc.edu | 7 |
| Florida National University-Main Campus | Hialeah | Florida | https://www.fnu.edu | 7 |
| Kirkwood Community College | Cedar Rapids | Iowa | https://www.kirkwood.edu | 7 |
| Laurel Business Institute | Uniontown | Pennsylvania | https://www.laurel.edu | 7 |
| Meridian Community College | Meridian | Mississippi | https://www.meridiancc.edu | 7 |
| Northwest Mississippi Community College | Senatobia | Mississippi | https://www.northwestms.edu | 7 |
| River Valley Community College | Claremont | New Hampshire | https://www.rivervalley.edu | 7 |
| Robeson Community College | Lumberton | North Carolina | https://www.robeson.edu | 7 |
| Rockingham Community College | Wentworth | North Carolina | https://www.rockinghamcc.edu | 7 |
| Southern Regional Technical College | Thomasville | Georgia | https://southernregional.edu | 7 |
| University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown | Johnstown | Pennsylvania | https://www.johnstown.pitt.edu | 7 |
| Victoria College | Victoria | Texas | https://www.victoriacollege.edu | 7 |
| Andrew College | Cuthbert | Georgia | https://www.andrewcollege.edu | 6 |
| Angelina College | Lufkin | Texas | https://www.angelina.edu | 6 |
| Central Virginia Community College | Lynchburg | Virginia | https://centralvirginia.edu | 6 |
| Eastern Gateway Community College | Steubenville | Ohio | https://egcc.edu | 6 |
| Gannon University | Erie | Pennsylvania | https://www.gannon.edu | 6 |
| Great Falls College Montana State University | Great Falls | Montana | https://www.gfcmsu.edu | 6 |
| Maysville Community and Technical College | Maysville | Kentucky | https://maysville.kctcs.edu | 6 |
| Prince George's Community College | Largo | Maryland | https://www.pgcc.edu | 6 |
| South Plains College | Levelland | Texas | https://www.southplainscollege.edu | 6 |
| Berkshire Community College | Pittsfield | Massachusetts | https://www.berkshirecc.edu | 5 |
| Bowling Green State University-Main Campus | Bowling Green | Ohio | https://www.bgsu.edu | 5 |
| Coahoma Community College | Clarksdale | Mississippi | https://www.coahomacc.edu | 5 |
| Mansfield University of Pennsylvania | Mansfield | Pennsylvania | https://www.mansfield.edu | 5 |
| Missouri State University-Springfield | Springfield | Missouri | https://www.missouristate.edu | 5 |
| NUC University | Bayamon | Puerto Rico | https://university.nuc.edu | 5 |
| Radford University | Radford | Virginia | https://www.radford.edu | 5 |
| Wilkes Community College | Wilkesboro | North Carolina | https://www.wilkescc.edu | 5 |
| Baptist Health Sciences University | Memphis | Tennessee | https://www.baptistu.edu | 4 |
| CEM College-San Juan | San Juan | Puerto Rico | https://cemcollege.edu/cem | 4 |
| Huertas College | Caguas | Puerto Rico | https://huertas.edu/hc | 4 |
| Labette Community College | Parsons | Kansas | https://www.labette.edu | 4 |
| Marywood University | Scranton | Pennsylvania | https://www.marywood.edu | 4 |
| Midland College | Midland | Texas | https://www.midland.edu | 4 |
| Morehead State University | Morehead | Kentucky | https://www.moreheadstate.edu | 4 |
| Newman University | Wichita | Kansas | https://newmanu.edu | 4 |
| Quinsigamond Community College | Worcester | Massachusetts | https://www.qcc.edu | 4 |
| Reading Area Community College | Reading | Pennsylvania | https://www.racc.edu | 4 |
| Sandhills Community College | Pinehurst | North Carolina | https://www.sandhills.edu | 4 |
| Southeast Arkansas College | Pine Bluff | Arkansas | https://www.seark.edu | 4 |
| St Luke's College | Sioux City | Iowa | https://www.stlukescollege.edu | 4 |
| CEM College-Humacao | Humacao | Puerto Rico | https://cemcollege.edu/cem | 3 |
| College of Southern Nevada | Las Vegas | Nevada | https://www.csn.edu | 3 |
| Columbus State Community College | Columbus | Ohio | https://www.cscc.edu | 3 |
| University of Rio Grande | Rio Grande | Ohio | https://www.rio.edu | 3 |
| Ashland Community and Technical College | Ashland | Kentucky | https://ashland.kctcs.edu | 2 |
| Clarion University of Pennsylvania | Clarion | Pennsylvania | https://www.clarion.edu | 2 |
| Midland University | Fremont | Nebraska | https://www.midlandu.edu | 2 |
| Mountwest Community and Technical College | Huntington | West Virginia | https://www.mctc.edu | 2 |
| Polk State College | Winter Haven | Florida | https://www.polk.edu | 2 |
| San Juan College | Farmington | New Mexico | https://www.sanjuancollege.edu | 2 |
| Southern University at Shreveport | Shreveport | Louisiana | https://www.susla.edu | 2 |
| University of Indianapolis | Indianapolis | Indiana | https://uindy.edu | 2 |
| Blue Ridge Community College | Weyers Cave | Virginia | https://www.brcc.edu | 1 |
| Southern Illinois University-Carbondale | Carbondale | Illinois | https://siu.edu | 1 |
| YTI Career Institute-Altoona | Altoona | Pennsylvania | https://yti.edu | 1 |
Hybrid & Online Respiratory Therapy Degree Programs
There are hybrid and fully online programs for students who need more flexibility in getting their degree. Usually, a fully online program requires a student to already have an associate degree from a school accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). For students without any prior experience, a hybrid program is a good option. This allows students to take didactic courses online and complete hands-on components in an approved on-site clinical location.
Here are some featured flexible online programs in respiratory therapy.
Southeast Community College (AAS) – Southeast Community College offers an associate of applied science in respiratory care, which can be completed in just over one year. With a comprehensive curriculum, graduates will be prepared to take the National Board for Respiratory Care exams and apply for state licensure.
The respiratory therapy program accepts students for fall and spring semesters and is recognized in all 50 states. As a State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement Institution (NC-SARA), Southeast Community College is dedicated to providing quality education to students nationwide.
- Location: Campuses across Nebraska
- Duration: Four semesters
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC)
University of Missouri Online (BS) – The University of Missouri’s online Bachelor of Health Science in Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences with an emphasis in respiratory therapy is designed for those already working in the field. Up to 30 transfer credits can be accepted, making it easy for respiratory therapists to continue their education while maintaining their current job. The program is 100 percent online, allowing students flexibility and convenience.
Students are taught by faculty from the University of Missouri-Columbia’s School of Health Professions and Department of Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences. Applicants with the NBRC RRT credential or Canadian equivalent are eligible for this program, ensuring a high level of education and expertise. And with a 100 percent job placement rate, graduates can feel confident in their future career prospects. This program offers respiratory therapists the opportunity to advance their knowledge and skills while remaining in the field.
- Location: Columbia, MO
- Duration: Two years
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC)
Oregon Institute of Technology (BS) – The bachelor’s degree of respiratory care at the Oregon Institute of Technology is one of the finest hybrid programs in the nation, with a CRT pass rate of more than 97 percent and a job placement rate of over 95 percent. Students in this program must already have an associate degree from a CoARC-accredited school and be working at an approved respiratory therapy practice.
- Location: Klamath Falls, OR
- Duration: Two years
- Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
University of Kansas (BS) – The University of Kansas Medical Center offers a fully online RT-to-bachelor’s-degree program for students who already have a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) certification. In addition to being one of the most flexible programs for gaining a bachelor’s degree, it also has a good CRT success rate, with 97 percent of graduates passing the exam.
Graduates from this program are eligible to take specialized credentialing exams, including adult critical care specialist (ACCS), neonatal and pediatric specialist (NPS), and/or the asthma educator (AE-C) national board exams.
- Location: Kansas City, KS
- Duration: Four semesters
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC)
| School | City | State | Website | GRADS ('21) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boise State University | Boise | Idaho | https://www.boisestate.edu | 178 |
| San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia | Visalia | California | https://www.sjvc.edu | 130 |
| Midwestern State University | Wichita Falls | Texas | https://www.msutexas.edu | 85 |
| Pima Medical Institute-Tucson | Tucson | Arizona | https://pmi.edu | 82 |
| University of North Carolina at Charlotte | Charlotte | North Carolina | https://www.charlotte.edu | 71 |
| University of Cincinnati-Main Campus | Cincinnati | Ohio | https://www.uc.edu | 56 |
| Platt College-Los Angeles | Alhambra | California | https://plattcollege.edu | 49 |
| St Louis College of Health Careers-Fenton | Fenton | Missouri | https://slchc.edu | 38 |
| The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio | San Antonio | Texas | https://uthscsa.edu | 36 |
| Southeast Community College Area | Lincoln | Nebraska | https://www.southeast.edu | 33 |
| Santa Fe College | Gainesville | Florida | https://www.sfcollege.edu | 28 |
| Liberty University | Lynchburg | Virginia | https://www.liberty.edu | 26 |
| University of Southern Indiana | Evansville | Indiana | https://www.usi.edu | 25 |
| Siena Heights University | Adrian | Michigan | https://www.sienaheights.edu | 24 |
| Kansas City Kansas Community College | Kansas City | Kansas | https://www.kckcc.edu | 23 |
| Youngstown State University | Youngstown | Ohio | https://ysu.edu | 23 |
| Oregon Institute of Technology | Klamath Falls | Oregon | https://www.oit.edu | 23 |
| Bossier Parish Community College | Bossier City | Louisiana | https://www.bpcc.edu | 22 |
| University of Kansas | Lawrence | Kansas | https://ku.edu | 22 |
| Nova Southeastern University | Fort Lauderdale | Florida | https://www.nova.edu | 21 |
| Pueblo Community College | Pueblo | Colorado | https://pueblocc.edu | 21 |
| Mt Hood Community College | Gresham | Oregon | https://www.mhcc.edu | 19 |
| Utah Valley University | Orem | Utah | https://www.uvu.edu | 18 |
| Middle Georgia State University | Macon | Georgia | https://www.mga.edu | 18 |
| Northern Kentucky University | Highland Heights | Kentucky | https://www.nku.edu | 17 |
| Henry Ford College | Dearborn | Michigan | https://www.hfcc.edu | 17 |
| James A. Rhodes State College | Lima | Ohio | https://www.rhodesstate.edu | 16 |
| Lamar Institute of Technology | Beaumont | Texas | https://www.lit.edu | 15 |
| University of Toledo | Toledo | Ohio | https://www.utoledo.edu | 14 |
| Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell Campus | Roswell | New Mexico | https://www.roswell.enmu.edu | 14 |
| Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health | Omaha | Nebraska | https://www.methodistcollege.edu | 13 |
| Roane State Community College | Harriman | Tennessee | https://www.roanestate.edu | 13 |
| Loma Linda University | Loma Linda | California | https://llu.edu | 13 |
| Upstate Medical University | Syracuse | New York | https://www.upstate.edu | 12 |
| University of Mary | Bismarck | North Dakota | https://www.umary.edu | 11 |
| Kent State University at Ashtabula | Ashtabula | Ohio | https://www.kent.edu/ashtabula | 10 |
| University of Michigan-Flint | Flint | Michigan | https://www.umflint.edu | 9 |
| Cardinal Stritch University | Milwaukee | Wisconsin | https://www.stritch.edu | 8 |
| National Park College | Hot Springs | Arkansas | https://np.edu | 8 |
| Florida National University-Main Campus | Hialeah | Florida | https://www.fnu.edu | 7 |
| Northland Community and Technical College | Thief River Falls | Minnesota | https://www.northlandcollege.edu | 7 |
| Concordia University-Saint Paul | Saint Paul | Minnesota | https://www.csp.edu | 7 |
| Carlow University | Pittsburgh | Pennsylvania | https://www.carlow.edu | 7 |
| Columbia College | Columbia | South Carolina | https://www.columbiasc.edu | 4 |
| Northeastern University Professional Programs | Boston | Massachusetts | https://www.northeastern.edu | 4 |
| Canisius College | Buffalo | New York | https://www.canisius.edu | 2 |
Core & Elective Courses in Respiratory Therapy Programs
At typical respiratory therapy schools, students complete both classwork and hands-on training throughout the program. Initially, students may need to complete core curriculum like English, math, and biology. This eventually gives way to studies of anatomy, medical terminology, medical law, and ethics.
Once fully accepted into a respiratory care program, students will need to complete vital courses such as:
- Mechanical ventilation – This course is focused on teaching students the theory and practical applications of using typical mechanical respiration devices. Specific topics include negative pressure ventilation, correcting gas exchange abnormalities, and identifying different types of respiratory monitoring for various illnesses.
- Cardiovascular diagnostics – Students in this course identify and analyze the various diagnostic assessments used in cardiopulmonary healthcare. Specific diagnostic exams may include blood gas levels, pulmonary function testing, EKGs, chest radiographs, spirometry, and other advanced diagnostic studies.
- Pediatric and geriatric pathobiology and critical care – These two courses study the respiratory care of the very young and very old. Specifically, students will learn how to monitor respiratory diagnostics during sleep, set up initial monitoring equipment for those with high potential risks, and use different therapeutic interventions for these demographic groups.
- Pharmacology – In this course, students learn the effects of typical cardiopulmonary medications and what they are typically prescribed for. They also learn the typical side effects and what medicines cannot be prescribed concurrently (i.e., contraindications). Specific types of medicines include adrenergic bronchodilators, mucus-controlling medications, and xanthines.
- Clinical practicum – This is a series of hands-on training sessions in an approved hospital or clinical setting. Students will learn how to assess and monitor the respiration of various types of patients. They will also learn to analyze diagnostic results in a real-world setting and counsel attending professionals regarding diagnosis and pharmacological options. In the later stages of the practicum, students may also receive direct training on how to pass the CRT exam.
Accreditation of Respiratory Therapy Programs
Students must carefully choose an appropriately accredited program or may not be eligible for certification upon graduation. To receive a license in all states except Alaska, students must complete a degree program from a college approved by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). The CoARC has a list of approved programs and their student outcomes—including graduation rate, job placement rate, and CRT exam pass rate—available on its website.
Universities must undergo a rigorous process to meet the criteria CoARC sets. First, the university must be regionally accredited by a body approved by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE). Then, the program undergoes a thorough review, which includes an assessment of the staff, facilities, and curriculum. Finally, several on-site visits verify the program’s strength and that all areas of the program correlate with the proposed plan.
Remember, applicants need to ensure that a school has also been regionally accredited through a body affiliated with the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
In addition, it is in a student’s best interest to ensure that their chosen school is endorsed by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs (CAAHEP). These two endorsements guarantee that the degree will allow graduates to sit for the national exam and receive a CRT license.
Career Outlook
Respiratory therapy is one of the fastest-growing industries in the nation, probably due to the increased need for healthcare among the baby boomer generation. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024), jobs in the respiratory therapy industry are projected to increase by 13 percent from 2023 to 2033—much faster than the average for all occupations. This figure may also reflect an increased need for respiratory specialization due to potentially declining air quality over the next decade.
Respiratory therapists have a large projected job pool and can expect to be some of the highest-paid non-doctoral healthcare workers in the next decade. Although the average wage is $80,340 annually, the highest-paid respiratory therapists can make more than $104,480 annually.
Like many other healthcare careers, education is major in whether graduates can land top-paying jobs. Those who become Certified Respiratory Therapists (CRTs) or Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRTs) often have the best job prospects in the highest-paying areas—outpatient care centers and universities.
Although California, Texas, and Florida are the most highly concentrated areas for jobs in the respiratory therapy industry, they are not the only states that need these healthcare professionals the most. In fact, some of the best-paying jobs are in more rural areas—such as Alaska and Hawaii—with average wages hovering around $95,000 per year. The BLS suggests that respiratory therapists who are willing to commute to these remote areas will have the best job prospects in the next decade, from 2023 to 2033.
| Career Facts | Respiratory Therapist |
|---|---|
| Related Careers | Radiation Therapist, Diagnostic Medical Sonographer, Radiologic Technician |
| Common Job Titles | Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Respiratory Therapist, Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) |
| Technology & Equipment | Arterial Blood Gas Monitors, Medical Aerosol Tents, Nebulizer |
| Source: BLS Nov. 2024 | |
Licensing & Certification
To become licensed as a respiratory therapist, it is necessary to gain certification through the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). This requires that a prospective respiratory therapist not only complete a program that has been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) or the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Care Education Programs (CAAHEP) but also pass the Therapist Multiple Choice Examination.
Once a student has completed an accredited program and passed the CRT examination, they are credentialed with the NBRC and eligible to be certified in whatever state they choose. Successful completion of the CRT exam makes an individual eligible to go on to complete the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential by sitting for another exam and submitting to a clinical skills simulation examination. Additionally, most states require a state-specific medical law and ethics course to receive a license to practice as a CRT or RRT.
Licensure is required to become a respiratory therapist in all states except Alaska. While completing an accredited program is the most traditional way to gain a license, it is possible to gain certification with an appropriate set of passing exam scores in addition to significant experience as a respiratory therapist in a professional setting.
