Respiratory Therapy Associate Degree Program

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 Projections are national. 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

76.0

Credit Hours

190

Lab Hours

900

Clinical Hours

Get Started

Have an Associate Degree in Healthcare?
Currently Licensed Dental Hygienist?
Currently a Licensed Surgical Technologist?
Currently a Registered Nurse (RN)?
Currently a LDA or RDA?

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.

Student Learning Outcome Data

Program IDInstitutionTotal 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%)
200593Concorde Career College - San Antonio23152136261527100%90%76%69%100%100%
200597Concorde Career College- Dallas1721183627192296%48%54%41%100%100%
200510Concorde Career College- Denver454127100424642100%90%88%85%100%100%
200472Concorde Career College- Garden Grove53432910070446798%85%94%90%100%100%
200437Concorde Career College- Kansas City22101010026261198%93%81%79%98%100%
200469Concorde Career College- Memphis47234910062585385%68%76%69%100%100%
200440Concorde Career College- North Hollywood48354810054444396%73%84%82%100%100%
200563Concorde Career College- Portland2727283422342889%93%93%93%100%100%
200498Concorde Career College- San Bernardino3319211003202998%79%90%88%100%100%
200545Concorde Career Institute- Jacksonville141618608161389%85%85%83%100%94%
200559Concorde Career Institute- Miramar106143031151195%80%83%70%100%100%
200573Concorde Career Institute- Tampa2212112625221592%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. 


**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?

Respiratory Therapy (RT) Infographic

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.

FAQ

Respiratory Therapy Program FAQ

Frequently asked questions and answers.

10 Questions
At Concorde Career College, you could finish schooling in as few as 18 months or less than 2 years. Contact us to find out when the Respiratory Therapy Program starts at a Concorde campus location near you.
According to BLS.gov, the respiratory therapist job field is projected to grow by 19 percent through 2029. As the health care industry expands to meet the needs of those with conditions correlating to an aging population, such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema, the need for respiratory therapists is expected to rise.
Become a respiratory therapist to work with other medical practitioners to save lives every day. There are many illnesses that cause breathing problems, and respiratory therapists play an essential role in regulating patients' breathing while undergoing treatment. Enjoy a rewarding opportunity to positively affect people's lives.
Concorde incorporates real-world training and off-site clinical experiences in our programs.
For program-specific tuition information, please see the campus catalog.
The respiratory therapy program can be completed in as few as 18 months, but this varies by location. Please check with an admissions adviser for program length information.
Contact Concorde Career College to find out when the Respiratory Therapy program starts at a Concorde campus location near you.
According to BLS.gov, the respiratory therapist job field is expected to grow by 19 percent through 2029. As the health care industry grows to meet the needs of those with conditions correlating to an aging population, such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema, the need for respiratory therapists is expected to rise.
Concorde incorporates real-world training and off-site clinical experiences in our programs.
For program-specific tuition information, please see the campus catalog.