Respiratory therapy is a required field in healthcare that focuses on treating and managing respiratory conditions and illnesses.
Respiratory therapists work with physicians and other healthcare professionals to provide care and support to patients with chronic diseases such as asthma and COPD and acute conditions such as pneumonia and heart failure.
RT Programs
RTs are highly trained professionals who have completed a comprehensive education program with classroom instruction and hands-on clinical experience.
They possess a wide range of knowledge and skills to perform procedures like chest physical therapy, bronchopulmonary hygiene, and arterial blood gas analysis and use respiratory therapy equipment to help patients manage their conditions.
As the population ages, the demand for respiratory therapists will increase. This field offers high job security, flexibility, diversity, and the ability to work in various settings, such as hospitals and nursing homes.
It’s a challenging and rewarding field that provides many career opportunities and the chance to make a real difference in patients’ lives.
Top 20 Respiratory Therapist (RT) Schools
Are you looking for respiratory therapy schools near you? Then you’ve come to the right spot.
This article will list the top 20 schools that offer this fantastic course in the country. You’ll learn about their study outcome and what you’ll become after graduation.
Let’s start right away.
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Jacksonville University
Jacksonville University offers bachelor’s degree courses that CoARC and other authorizing agencies fully approve. One of their program missions is to prepare students to meet their goals and become future professionals in the field.
For this reason, their study curriculum is designed to enhance RRT graduates’ skills, knowledge, and attributes.
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Foothill College
Foothill College is another fantastic place to earn your degree in this field. Their courses will prepare you for employment in an exciting high-tech healthcare field.
You’ll learn how to manage the ventilation of critically ill patients. After your studies, you’ll be eligible to take the national board exams.
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Bellarmine University
If you want to obtain a master’s degree, this is the right place for you. The school offers a two-year graduate program that prepares individuals for a career as respiratory therapists.
Students will receive extensive training in diagnosing, treating, and managing cardiopulmonary diseases, including mechanical ventilation, in emergency, critical care, and long-term care settings.
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Alvin Community College
Come to Alvin Community College if you need quality education.
The school offers respiratory programs that prepare students for an allied health specialty in the clinical care and management of respiratory disorders.
You’ll also be competent in cognitive, psychomotor, and practical learning domains.
Finishing your studies, you’ll possess advanced, intensive-care skills to assess, monitor, and evaluate adult, pediatric, and neonatal patients on mechanical ventilation.
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Boise State University
Boise State University offers certified courses in the field. These courses are engaging and provide hands-on learning experiences.
Students with no prior competency in respiratory care but the knowledge and clinical skills required to function competently will find this school ideal for their career needs.
After your schooling, you’ll be eligible to take the national exams.
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El Centro College
Are you a problem-solver who’s also compassionate, sensitive, and personable? El Centro College is the right place for you.
The school offers classes with hands-on experiences and knowledge to help patients recover from various medical conditions affecting the lungs. Upon graduation, you’ll be eligible to take the national exams.
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Gateway Community College
GateWay Community College can provide a quality education in your chosen field. Their courses are fully certified by CoARC, among other authorized agencies.
The school aims to train students in theoretical and practical aspects of the field. Because their courses are accredited, graduates can take the national board exams upon graduation.
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Loma Linda University
You can enroll for respiratory therapy studies at Loma Linda University. The school emphasizes the theoretical aspects of the field. Students complete the introductory clinical framework in twenty weeks.
Then, clinical training will be combined for three to four days per week in the remaining year. During this period, you’ll take advanced classroom topics in management and research.
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American River College
American River College is an excellent place to advance your education. The school offers classes that prepare students to become licensed practitioners in the field.
Their study curriculum focuses on diagnostic procedures, treatment, and management of patients with conditions affecting the cardiopulmonary system.
Because it’s CoARC accredited, you can sit for the national exams after graduation.
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Andrew College
Andrew College is renowned for providing the best education in the country.
The institution’s mission is to prepare students to become qualified practitioners who can provide optimum patient care through competency and professional conduct.
To achieve this goal, the school trains students to safely practice respiratory care in evolving healthcare settings. Additionally, students are trained to apply professional and ethical principles sensitive to people’s diverse needs.
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Angelina College
Angelina College can provide you with the quality education you desire. Their courses are competitive and will help you understand proficiency and skills in respiratory care.
Moreover, students will gain hands-on experience in various settings, including acute/post-acute adult critical care. Upon successful graduation, you will be eligible to take the national exams.
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Midwestern State University
Midwestern State University is another excellent place to obtain your degree in the field.
The school is dedicated to providing state-of-the-art instruction, emphasizing clinical practice based on scientific inquiry, and meeting the needs of a diverse healthcare community.
Moreover, the educational framework focuses on the unique skills of the respiratory therapist and emphasizes the importance of lifelong learning for healthcare professionals.
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Muskegon Community College
Muskegon Community College offers CoARC-accredited courses in this field.
Their classes are designed to prepare students who graduate with the ability to demonstrate competence in diverse areas, including cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains of respiratory therapy.
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Nova Southeastern University
Nova Southeastern University offers some of the best training in the country. Students who take their courses are equipped with extensive knowledge of high-tech simulation.
That way, they can handle the most critical situations in the medical field. Students will also experience real-life hospital emergencies in these simulation suites without the pressure of having a professor over their shoulders.
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The Ohio State University
The Ohio State University trains students interested in this field to become experts. Students will work with the full spectrum of patients, from infants to the elderly.
It takes an average of two years to finish a program of your choice at this institution. In addition to coursework, you’ll also carry a variety of clinical experiences and opportunities to develop specialized leadership skills.
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Oregon Institute Of Technology
This institution offers programs integrating therapeutic, diagnostic, and general education core with scientific and leadership principles coursework.
Upon graduation, students will be prepared for entry-level jobs. Because their courses are fully certified by CoARC, you can take the NBRC exams after school.
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Texas State University
Texas State University is among the institutions that offer quality education in the country. They offer undergraduate programs in respiratory therapy that you’ll be interested in.
Students are required to complete 42 hours of general education core curriculum, which includes major-specific core courses and practical experiences in a real-world setting.
It is one of the most popular online respiratory therapy programs in Texas.
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University of Kansas
If you want a bachelor’s degree in this medical field, opt for KU. Students will have extensive experience in advanced respiratory therapy techniques and classroom instruction.
Some areas of specialty you can choose from include neonatology, adult critical care, management, pulmonary rehabilitation, respiratory therapy, degree specializations, and more.
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Augusta University
Augusta University is renowned for offering the best training in the country. Their courses will prepare you for the challenges you’ll encounter in practice.
During your study period, you’ll take human physiology and respiratory care fundamentals classes. Other courses include research in health care, cardiopulmonary disease, diagnostic testing, public health, pediatric care, and more.
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Millersville University
For several reasons, you should consider studying at Millersville University.
First, the school offers courses that are among the longest and accredited in the country—secondly, students with all the skills needed to practice as a graduate respiratory therapist.
Upon graduation, you can take the national board exams.
It is one thing to want to become a respiratory therapist, but another to get into the right school. Worry no more if you’re wondering which school to enroll in for training in this field.
You can choose from the top 20 listed schools that offer this program.
RT Training Curriculum
A physical or online respiratory therapy program is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to work as respiratory therapists.
The curriculum typically includes a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on clinical experience. This allows students to thoroughly understand and apply the subject in real-world settings.
Students will take courses such as anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, and patient assessment in the classroom. These courses will provide a foundation of knowledge essential for respiratory therapy.
Additionally, students will learn about respiratory therapy equipment and how to perform various procedures.
One critical procedure that students will learn is chest physical therapy, which helps patients with respiratory conditions clear their lungs.
Other procedures that students will learn include bronchopulmonary hygiene and arterial blood gas analysis.
These procedures diagnose and treat respiratory conditions, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
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Clinical Experience in Respiratory Therapy
Clinical experience is essential to respiratory therapy programs as it allows students to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in the classroom to real-world patients.
This type of hands-on experience is vital for students to gain a deeper understanding of the field and to develop the necessary skills to work effectively with patients.
Clinical experience typically occurs in healthcare facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare settings.
These settings allow students to work with a diverse group of patients, which helps them develop the necessary skills and knowledge to work in different healthcare environments.
Clinical experience also allows students to gain experience working with different types of respiratory equipment and technologies, which is crucial for working effectively in the field.
Overall, clinical experience is an essential component of respiratory therapy programs, as it provides students with the hands-on experience they need to become effective and competent respiratory therapists.
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RT Degree Levels
Respiratory therapy programs are available at various degree levels, including associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s.
Associate’s degree programs in respiratory therapy typically take two years to complete and prepare students for entry-level positions as respiratory therapists.
These programs generally cover the essential knowledge and skills required to be a respiratory therapist, including anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, and patient assessment and care.
Bachelor’s degree programs in respiratory therapy typically take four years to complete and may include additional leadership, research, and healthcare management coursework.
These programs give students a more in-depth understanding of the field and the skills needed to advance in their careers.
They also offer opportunities to specialize in certain respiratory therapy areas, such as pediatrics or critical care.
Master’s degree programs in respiratory therapy are less common, but they are available for those interested in teaching or researching the field.
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What More?
These programs may take one to two years to complete and typically require a bachelor’s degree in respiratory therapy as a pre-requisite.
They provide advanced knowledge in research methods, healthcare administration, and education.
In summary, respiratory therapy education and training options available at different degree levels offer students a range of career opportunities, from entry-level positions to advanced roles in teaching and research.
These programs equip students with the knowledge and skills to provide high-quality care to patients with breathing problems and advance in their careers.
RT Certification and Licensing
After completing a respiratory therapy program, graduates must pass a certification exam to practice as respiratory therapists.
The National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) offers two respiratory therapist credentials: the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) and the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).
The CRT credential is for entry-level respiratory therapists, while the RRT credential is for more advanced practitioners.
The requirements for each credential vary, and individuals must meet specific education and experience requirements to be eligible to take the corresponding exam.
In addition to the NBRC certification, some states require respiratory therapists to be licensed.
The licensing requirements vary by state but generally include passing the NBRC certification exam and meeting continuing education requirements.
Obtaining certification and licensure is an essential step for respiratory therapists, as it demonstrates that they have met the necessary education and experience requirements and have demonstrated the knowledge and skills required to practice safely and effectively.
It also helps ensure respiratory therapists provide high-quality care to patients with breathing problems.
Respiratory Therapy Career Outlook
The demand for respiratory therapists is expected to increase in the coming years due to an aging population and a rise in chronic respiratory conditions such as COPD and asthma.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that respiratory therapist employment will grow by 7% from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations.
Respiratory therapists play a crucial role in the healthcare system. They help patients with breathing problems by assessing, diagnosing, and treating respiratory conditions.
They also work with physicians and other healthcare professionals to develop and implement patient treatment plans.
They may also educate patients and their families about managing their condition.
With the growing number of people suffering from chronic respiratory diseases, the demand for respiratory therapists is expected to continue to increase, providing opportunities for those interested in pursuing a career in this field.
In summary, respiratory therapy programs are educational programs that prepare students for a career as respiratory therapists. They include classroom instruction, hands-on clinical experience, and various degrees.
Graduates must pass the certification exam and may require licensure to practice. The field is expected to grow in the coming years.