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Respiratory Therapy Degree - Online and Campus Programs

A respiratory therapist or respiratory care therapist, provides treatment and monitors and evaluates patients with breathing or cardiopulmonary problems. They work with patients of all ages and manage a wide range of pulmonary issues. You could work in a hospital, intensive care or pediatric unit, long-term care facility, sleep lab, outpatient surgery center, emergency or operating room, or private physician office. Respiratory therapists require stamina and stress management skills to maneuver through a day spent almost entirely on their feet and dealing with the urgent medical situations that can arise.

How to Prepare for a Career as a Respiratory Therapist

Respiratory therapists must complete an associate's degree program to be eligible for licensure by the National Board for Respiratory Care, which is required by 48 states. Bachelor's and master's degree programs are also available. Respiratory care therapy degree programs generally include courses in:

Biology
Anatomy and physiology
Chemistry
Physics
Pharmacology
Math

Other areas of study include patient care, equipment management, diagnostic procedures, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

What You Can Expect to Earn as a Respiratory Therapist

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, annual salaries for respiratory therapists range from the high 30's to high 60's. Those with a bachelor's or master's degree have the opportunity to advance to supervisory or management positions, thereby increasing their earning potential.

Respiratory Therapist Job Outlook

Employment opportunities are expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations, according to BLS. The majority of positions will be available in a hospital setting within the anesthesiology, respiratory care, or pulmonary departments.

Featured Schools

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Kaplan College - KHE

Get a professional education designed with your future in mind at Kaplan College.

Selected Campus Locations:

Salida
Vista
San Diego

Selected Programs:

Associate of Occupational Studies: Respiratory Therapy
Diploma: Nurse Assistant
Diploma: Therapeutic Health Technician
Diploma: Healthcare Assistant

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Pima Medical Institute

Explore a new career with Pima Medical Institute.

Selected Campus Locations:

Chula Vista

Selected Programs:

Respiratory Therapy

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San Joaquin Valley College

San Joaquin Valley College is an accredited private junior college committed to the professional success of its students and graduates.
Founded in 1977, SJVC has campuses located throughout California-including an Online division and offers a variety of accelerated Certificate and Associate of Science degree programs in the business, medical and technical fields.

Students benefit from a balance of classroom instruction and real-world experience, learning the skills they need to go straight to work in todays competitive job market.

Selected Campus Locations:

Temecula
Visalia
Ontario
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Selected Programs:

Respiratory Therapy

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California College San Diego

California College San Diego (CCSD) offers degree programs in Medical Specialties, Respiratory Therapy, Healthcare Administration, Business Management and Accounting, Computer Technology and Networking, Computer Programming, and Computer Science. Online programs are offered by our affiliated college, Stevens-Henager College, Salt Lake City/Murray.

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