Learn to Help People Breathe Easier
As a Respiratory Therapist you can help those having issues breathing, whether it from a blocked passageway, intense asthma attack, or another life-threatening experience. Earn your Respiratory Therapy Associate degree in as few as 18-months.*
As a Respiratory Therapist you can help those having issues breathing, whether it from a blocked passageway, intense asthma attack, or another life-threatening experience.
Respiratory therapy focuses on caring for patients breathing and/or other cardiopulmonary issues based upon:
- Prevention
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Management
- Rehabilitation
Respiratory Therapy Program Overview
The Respiratory Therapy Associate Degree program at Concorde focuses on preparing students for the knowledge and skills of a Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) or a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT), which includes oxygen therapy, bronchodilator, chest physiotherapy, ECG and more.
Next Steps
Have you been searching for the right respiratory therapy program near you? Do you aspire to help others overcome respiratory challenges? Look no further because Concorde has an accredited Respiratory Therapist program that can teach you the skills needed for a successful career in healthcare. You’ll be prepared with real-world training and experience in this high-demand field. Schedule an in-person campus tour or virtual Career Planning Session to learn more about our curriculum, education requirements and when next classes start!
*Program length may be subject to change dependent on transfer credits and course load. Please refer to current course catalog for more information. Concorde does not guarantee admittance, graduation, subsequent employment or salary amount.
**Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics 2020-2030 projected job demand https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/respiratory-therapists.htm local job market demand may vary.
†Professional certification is not a requirement for graduation, may not be a requirement for employment nor does it guarantee employment.
ᶛᶛClinical hour requirements and delivery may vary by campus location and may be subject to change. Concorde does not guarantee clinical site assignments based upon student preference or geographic convenience; nor do clinical experiences guarantee graduation, post-clinical employment or salary outcomes.
18* Mo
Program Length
23%**
National Employment Demand (2020-2030)
76.0
Credit Hours
190
Lab Hours
900
Clinical Hours
Get Started
Curriculum
As a Respiratory Therapist, you are on the front lines of respiratory care on a daily basis. Concorde helps equip you through real-world training to serve in this critical healthcare role through a comprehensive skills foundation.
Respiratory Therapy Program Goals
To prepare graduates with demonstrated competence in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills) and affective (behavior) learning domains of respiratory care practice as performed by registered respiratory therapists (RRTs).
Respiratory Therapy Program Curriculum
Concorde's respiratory therapist programs emphasize the following:
- Oxygen therapy
- Bronchodilator
- Chest physiotherapy
- Patient teaching and instruction
- ECG
Respiratory Therapy Learning Outcomes
CoARC accredits respiratory therapy education programs in the United States. To achieve this end, it utilizes an ‘outcomes based’ process. Programmatic outcomes are performance indicators that reflect the extent to which the educational goals of the program are achieved and by which program effectiveness is documented.
Concorde's Student Learning outcomes are based upon CoARC's criteria as of the 2019 calendar year, along with definitions; are available on the CoARC website and in the following table.
| Program ID | Institution | Total Grads 2019 (National Avg=17) | Total Grads 2018 (National Avg=16) | Total Grads 2017 (National Avg=15) | Max Annual Enroll 2019 (National Avg=31) | Total 2019 Enroll (National Avg=19) | Total 2018 Enroll (National Avg=20) | Total 2017 Enroll (National Avg=18) | Retention (Threshold=70%; National Avg=92%) | Job Placement (National Avg=87%) | TMC High Cut Score (Threshold =60%; National Avg=87%) | RRT Success (National Avg=78%) | Employer Satisfaction (Threshold=80%; National Avg=99%) | Graduate Satisfaction (Threshold=80%; National Avg=99%) |
| 200593 | Concorde Career College - San Antonio | 23 | 15 | 21 | 36 | 26 | 15 | 27 | 100% | 90% | 76% | 69% | 100% | 100% |
| 200597 | Concorde Career College- Dallas | 17 | 21 | 18 | 36 | 27 | 19 | 22 | 96% | 48% | 54% | 41% | 100% | 100% |
| 200510 | Concorde Career College- Denver | 45 | 41 | 27 | 100 | 42 | 46 | 42 | 100% | 90% | 88% | 85% | 100% | 100% |
| 200472 | Concorde Career College- Garden Grove | 53 | 43 | 29 | 100 | 70 | 44 | 67 | 98% | 85% | 94% | 90% | 100% | 100% |
| 200437 | Concorde Career College- Kansas City | 22 | 10 | 10 | 100 | 26 | 26 | 11 | 98% | 93% | 81% | 79% | 98% | 100% |
| 200469 | Concorde Career College- Memphis | 47 | 23 | 49 | 100 | 62 | 58 | 53 | 85% | 68% | 76% | 69% | 100% | 100% |
| 200440 | Concorde Career College- North Hollywood | 48 | 35 | 48 | 100 | 54 | 44 | 43 | 96% | 73% | 84% | 82% | 100% | 100% |
| 200563 | Concorde Career College- Portland | 27 | 27 | 28 | 34 | 22 | 34 | 28 | 89% | 93% | 93% | 93% | 100% | 100% |
| 200498 | Concorde Career College- San Bernardino | 33 | 19 | 21 | 100 | 3 | 20 | 29 | 98% | 79% | 90% | 88% | 100% | 100% |
| 200545 | Concorde Career Institute- Jacksonville | 14 | 16 | 18 | 60 | 8 | 16 | 13 | 89% | 85% | 85% | 83% | 100% | 94% |
| 200559 | Concorde Career Institute- Miramar | 10 | 6 | 14 | 30 | 31 | 15 | 11 | 95% | 80% | 83% | 70% | 100% | 100% |
| 200573 | Concorde Career Institute- Tampa | 22 | 12 | 11 | 26 | 25 | 22 | 15 | 92% | 87% | 87% | 84% | 100% | 100% |
Career Outlook
Respiratory Therapist jobs are projected to grow nationally at a much-faster-than-average rate. The spread of respiratory infections caused by the Coronavirus pandemic is one factor driving national employment demand projections. Pre-pandemic the field was forecasted to grow based upon the increasing middle-age and elderly populations where increases in respiratory conditions such as emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and pneumonia can increase the need for respiratory care.
- 23% National Job Growth projected from 2020-2030**
**Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics 2020-2030 projected job demand https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/respiratory-therapists.htm Projections are national. Local job market demand may vary..
What are the possible career paths for a Respiratory Therapist?
Where can a respiratory therapist work?
Respiratory therapists are in demand in a variety of job settings, including:
- Hospitals and clinical environments
- Skilled nursing facilities
- Pulmonary physicians’ offices and clinics
- Home care companies
- Rehabilitation hospitals
Financial Aid
As part of our commitment to your success, Concorde ensures that you have access to comprehensive information and guidance in navigating the financial aid process. Concorde offers financial aid and scholarship programs to those who qualify.
Accreditation
Respiratory Therapy Programmatic Accreditation
- GARDEN GROVE: The Respiratory Therapy program (#200472) is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care; www.coarc.com.
- NORTH HOLLYWOOD: The Respiratory Therapy program (#200440) is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care ; www.coarc.com.
- SAN BERNARDINO: The Respiratory Therapy program (#200498) is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care ; www.coarc.com.
- AURORA: The Respiratory Therapy program (#200510) is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care ; www.coarc.com.
- JACKSONVILLE: The Respiratory Therapy program (#200545) is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care: www.coarc.com.
- MIRAMAR: The Respiratory Therapy program (#200559) is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care ; www.coarc.com.
- TAMPA: The Respiratory Therapy program (#200573) is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care; www.coarc.com.
- KANSAS CITY: The Respiratory Therapy program (#200437) is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care; www.coarc.com.
- PORTLAND: The Respiratory Therapy program (#200563) is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care; www.coarc.com.
- MEMPHIS: The Respiratory Therapy program (#200469) is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care: www.coarc.com.
- DALLAS: The Respiratory Therapy program (#200597) is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care; www.coarc.com.
- SAN ANTONIO: The Respiratory Therapy program (#200593) is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care; www.coarc.com.