Respiratory Therapy Associate Degree Program
Program Type
Associate Degree
Delivery Method
On Campus
Course Length
Approximately
21 Months
Program Objective
A respiratory therapist is a valuable member of a medical care team who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, management and rehabilitation of patients with breathing or cardiopulmonary disorders.
The day-to-day responsibilities of respiratory therapists vary by environment and required patient care. Respiratory therapists working in emergency rooms, intensive care units or hospitals may care for patients with blocked passageways, intense asthma attacks or other life-threatening respiratory problems.
Respiratory therapists working in long-term facilities may care for patients with chronic conditions like COPD or cystic fibrosis.
Students in the Respiratory Therapy program will be guided by expert instructors in treating a number of respiratory related issues including monitoring/managing life support equipment, resuscitating patients, developing patient treatment plans and administering breathing treatments and other therapies.
Program classes, hands-on training and lab exercises focus on how to interview and assess patients, consult physicians to diagnose lung diseases, perform diagnostics to measure lung function, assess the severity of diseases and educate patients on their conditions/how to properly use medication and equipment.
Graduate of the program from this school may sit for credentialing exams conducted by the National Board for Respiratory Care for the following positions:
- Respiratory Therapist
- Registered Respiratory Therapist
- Certified Respiratory Therapist
All Locations
Careers as a Respiratory Therapist
What Are My Career Opportunities as a Respiratory Therapist?
What Are My Career Opportunities as a Respiratory Therapist?
This associate degree program will prepare graduates to apply their skills in a number of different roles, such as:
- Respiratory therapist
- Educator
- Sleep disorder specialist
- Pulmonary function technologist
They can work in a variety of environments:
- Hospitals
- Specialty clinics such as those for asthma or cystic fibrosis
- Long-term care facilities
- Pulmonologists’ offices
- Sleep labs
- Air and ambulance transport companies
Job Outlook
Job Outlook
Growth in the middle-aged and elderly population will lead to an increased incidence of respiratory conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pneumonia. These respiratory disorders can permanently damage the lungs or restrict lung function.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of respiratory therapists is projected to grow significantly from 2020 to 2030.
Continued Education
Continued Education
Graduating with an associate degree is a vital pathway toward pursuing higher education later on. At Pima Medical Institute, we offer an online Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy. This degree gives working respiratory therapy professionals the skills needed to move up within their field, with the flexibility of virtual instruction. Work on your degree anywhere, anytime.Online B.S. in Respiratory Therapy
Interested in breaking into leadership or healthcare administration? We also offer an online Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration.Online B.S. in Health Care Administration
When you’re a Pima Medical Institute student, you get access to our Career Services team—here for you when you need extra help with finding the right job opportunities, building a resume, strengthening your interview skills or just looking for general guidance.
Clinical Externships
At Pima Medical Institute, most programs allow students to work in their field through clinical externships—a chance to be mentored by full-time professionals and interface with real patients.
In addition to real-world experience, clinical externships offer students resume-worthy opportunities, letters of recommendation from supervisors and sometimes job placement directly after graduation.
Program Outline
Learn more about the courses in this program.
Program Outline for All Locations Except Albuquerque and Houston
Semester l
Semester lI
Semester III
Semester IV
Semester V
*The total number of program hours is 1,955 at all campuses except Las Vegas, which has 2,000 hours. The Las Vegas program includes one additional 3 credit class (HST 205 Nevada History and US Constitution). Graduates of the program receive an Occupational Associate degree. Graduates are eligible to apply to take the National Board for Respiratory Care Therapist Multiple- Choice Examination (TMC). Following successful performance on the TMC, the graduate is then eligible to take the Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE) for credentialing as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).
Program Outline for Albuquerque
Semester I
Semester lI
Semester III
Semester IV
Semester V
Semester VI
Program Outline for Houston
Semester I
Semester lI
Semester III
Semester IV
Semester V
*The total number of program hours is 2,025. Graduates of the program receive an Associate of Applied Science degree. Graduates are eligible to apply to take the National Board for Respiratory Care Therapist Multiple-Choice Examination (TMC). Following successful performance on the TMC, the graduate is then eligible to take the Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE) for credentialing as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).
Interested In Starting This Program?
Find out more about our Admissions Requirements or view our How to Apply page.
Success Is Within Reach
We are truly invested in making sure our students succeed.
“After completing my clinical experience, I was hired at St. Anthony North Medical Health Center in Westminster, Colorado. I love my job! Recently, I have been working in the COVID-19 ICU. I help intubate, manage ventilators and endotracheal tubes and give breathing treatments to those struggling to breathe. I feel like I have found my calling.”
Bryanna Bow, Respiratory Therapy Graduate
Pima Medical Blog
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Disclosures And Accreditations
State Licensure Determination Disclosure
The Respiratory Therapy program is offered via on-ground and hybrid delivery methods. The program is available to residents of Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, and Washington, and meets applicable licensure requirements in those states. While there may be online components, completion of this program requires on-ground attendance at the campus at which the student is enrolled and cannot be completed solely via distance education. Prospective students and enrolled students should understand that moving out of the state in which they enrolled may adversely impact a student’s ability to complete the program. If a student is planning to relocate outside of their state of enrollment he or she is required to discuss this with the Student Services Coordinator and/or Program Director.
In compliance with 34 CFR 668.43 Pima Medical Institute has made a reasonable effort to determine graduate eligibility for licensure in all states for programs designed and advertised as leading to licensure. The document below lists Pima Medical Institute programs and states where the curriculum meets licensure requirements, states where the curriculum does not meet licensure requirements, and states in which Pima Medical Institute has been unable to determine if the curriculum meets state licensure requirements. All consumers should be advised that due to the frequent changes to state statutes, rules, and regulations Pima Medical Institute cannot guarantee licensure based on the lists below.
Accreditation and Program Information
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. Outcomes data from the latest Annual Report of Current Status has been posted on the CoARC website. Follow this link directly to the Programmatic Outcomes Data page: https://coarc.com/students/programmatic-outcomes-data/
Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC)
Website: http://www.coarc.com
264 Precision Blvd
Telford, TN 37690
(817)283-2835
View accreditation information for all programs by campus
View program costs, additional disclosures and outcomes for this program (if applicable)