Respiratory Therapy

Overview

Respiratory therapy programs prepare people to work under the supervision of physicians to help patients with breathing problems. These programs are sometimes called respiratory care programs.

Respiratory therapy programs include topics such as:

Clinical medicine
Pathology of the respiratory system
Anatomy and physiology
Respiratory care plans
Treatment administration
Patient communication
Recordkeeping

Schools

Many community colleges and two-year schools offer associate degree programs in respiratory therapy. An associate degree program usually takes two years of full-time study.

Many colleges and universities offer bachelor's degrees in respiratory therapy. A bachelor's degree usually takes about four years of full-time study.

A few universities offer master's degrees in respiratory therapy. A master's degree typically requires two years of study beyond a bachelor's degree.

See schools that offer this program.

Related Educational Programs

Related Careers

Careers Directly Related to this Program of Study

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Program Admission

You can prepare for this program by taking courses in high school that prepare you for college. This typically includes four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies, and two years of science. Some colleges also require two years of a second language.

Additional requirements at most schools include:

High school diploma or equivalent
Knowledge of CPR and first aid
Ability to speak, read, write, and understand English well
Immunizations and physical exam

Furthermore, many four-year colleges and universities also require ACT or SAT scores.

Below is a list of high school courses that will help prepare you for this program of study:

Advanced Biology courses
Advanced Chemistry courses
Anatomy and Physiology

Typical Course Work

Program Courses

This undergraduate program typically includes courses in the following subjects:

Anatomy and Physiology
Cardiopulmonary Physiology
Chemistry
Disease Pathology
Fundamentals of Respiratory Therapy
Microbiology
Patient Assessment and Treatment
Pediatric/Neonatal Respiratory Care
Pharmacology
Psychology
Pulmonary Function Testing
Respiratory Therapy Equipment

Nearly all respiratory therapy programs require you to participate in several clinical and laboratory rotations. This means that you work and study in hospitals and medical centers under the supervision of certified respiratory therapists and professors. Students learn practical skills firsthand while also learning what it's like to be a respiratory therapist. They monitor patients and respiratory equipment. They also learn how to perform and interpret pulmonary function tests. In addition, they administer different lung medications.

Things to Know

Every state but Alaska requires you to become licensed in order to treat patients. In addition, many states require you to take continuing education courses in order to maintain your license.

Respiratory therapists who have a bachelor's degree in the field are eligible to take specialty certification exams.

Many respiratory therapy programs give credit to students who enter the program with experience and training in the field.