Respiratory Therapy

Associate of Science in Respiratory Therapy

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Earn your associate degree in respiratory therapy with a mix of online and in-person learning. Start working toward tomorrow’s professional opportunities in respiratory care today.

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Respiratory therapists consult with and assist physicians to diagnose, treat, and manage breathing problems and cardiopulmonary diseases and disorders. Our AS in Respiratory Therapy program is designed to assist in the development of the critical thinking skills, technical knowledge, clinical competencies, and professional approach required to evaluate patients and deliver the highest quality of respiratory care. As a student, you’ll study a wide variety of respiratory care therapies, devices, and techniques. Through labs and clinical practice, you’ll also have the chance to gain hands-on experience with respiratory therapy equipment, procedures, imaging and lab data, and patient care. Our Associate of Science in Respiratory Therapy is designed to prepare graduates for national credential examinations administered by the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC).

Develop Essential Skills in:
  • Cardiopulmonary pharmacology
  • Mechanical ventilation and airway management
  • Emergency and critical respiratory care
  • Neonatal and pediatric respiratory care
  • Pulmonary rehabilitation and home care
  • Cardiopulmonary testing and sleep studies

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Tuition and Fees

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Available Locations
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Examples of Scholarships and Grants That May Be Available (Check with Your Campus Financial Aid Office For More Information)

Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program

South College is an approved educational institution for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program. The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program establishes lottery-funded scholarships to reward Florida high school graduates for high academic achievement.

South College Promise

This Grant is offered to provide assistance for recent high school graduates in order to help keep student loan debt to a minimum. Qualifications are required.

TN Promise

South College is proud to offer the TNP Scholarship for those that qualify helping to offset the first 2 years of tuition with required Community Service hours.

Yellow Ribbon

South College proudly participates in this program with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to help pay for education for military members and Veterans.

Concentrations in this Program

You May Enjoy This Line of Study If You…

  • Are drawn to the areas of science and healthcare
  • Want to help patients with heart and lung conditions or diseases
  • Excel at on-the-spot critical thinking and problem solving
  • Can picture yourself working in a hospital, ER, lab, or home care
  • Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Additional Information

Accreditation

South College is currently in the process of seeking CoARC accreditation for a respiratory care program.  However, South College can provide no assurance that accreditation will be granted by the CoARC.

The South College Associate of Science in Respiratory Therapy program (Program Number 200674) at the Asheville Campus holds Provisional Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (www.coarc.com).This status signifies that a program with an Approval of Intent has demonstrated sufficient compliance with the Standards (through submission of an acceptable Provisional Accreditation Self-Study Report (PSSR) and any other documentation required by the CoARC, as well as satisfactory completion of an initial on-site visit), to be allowed to admit students. It is recognized as an accredited program by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC), which provides enrolled students who complete the program with eligibility for the Respiratory Care Credentialing Examination(s). The program will remain on Provisional Accreditation until it achieves Continuing Accreditation.

The South College Associate of Science in Respiratory Therapy program (Program Number 200660) at the Knoxville Campus holds Provisional Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (www.coarc.com).This status signifies that a program with an Approval of Intent has demonstrated sufficient compliance with the Standards (through submission of an acceptable Provisional Accreditation Self-Study Report (PSSR) and any other documentation required by the CoARC, as well as satisfactory completion of an initial on-site visit), to be allowed to admit students. It is recognized as an accredited program by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC), which provides enrolled students who complete the program with eligibility for the Respiratory Care Credentialing Examination(s). The program will remain on Provisional Accreditation until it achieves Continuing Accreditation.

The South College Associate of Science in Respiratory Therapy program (Program Number 200683) at the Orlando Campus holds Provisional Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (www.coarc.com).This status signifies that a program with an Approval of Intent has demonstrated sufficient compliance with the Standards (through submission of an acceptable Provisional Accreditation Self-Study Report (PSSR) and any other documentation required by the CoARC, as well as satisfactory completion of an initial on-site visit), to be allowed to admit students. It is recognized as an accredited program by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC), which provides enrolled students who complete the program with eligibility for the Respiratory Care Credentialing Examination(s). The program will remain on Provisional Accreditation until it achieves Continuing Accreditation.

The South College Associate of Science in Respiratory Therapy program (Program Number 200673) at the Pittsburgh Campus holds Provisional Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (www.coarc.com).This status signifies that a program with an Approval of Intent has demonstrated sufficient compliance with the Standards (through submission of an acceptable Provisional Accreditation Self-Study Report (PSSR) and any other documentation required by the CoARC, as well as satisfactory completion of an initial on-site visit), to be allowed to admit students. It is recognized as an accredited program by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC), which provides enrolled students who complete the program with eligibility for the Respiratory Care Credentialing Examination(s). The program will remain on Provisional Accreditation until it achieves Continuing Accreditation.

The South College Associate of Science in Respiratory Therapy program (Program Number 200675) at the Atlanta Campus holds Provisional Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (www.coarc.com).This status signifies that a program with an Approval of Intent has demonstrated sufficient compliance with the Standards (through submission of an acceptable Provisional Accreditation Self-Study Report (PSSR) and any other documentation required by the CoARC, as well as satisfactory completion of an initial on-site visit), to be allowed to admit students. It is recognized as an accredited program by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC), which provides enrolled students who complete the program with eligibility for the Respiratory Care Credentialing Examination(s). The program will remain on Provisional Accreditation until it achieves Continuing Accreditation.

Student Respiratory Therapist in mock hospital room learning to apply respiratory device to a medical simulation plastic mannequin.
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South College is a regionally accredited private co-educational, institution with non-residential campuses in Knoxville and Nashville, Tennessee; Asheville, North Carolina; Atlanta, Georgia; Indianapolis, Indiana; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Orlando, Florida. Students can pursue academic programs at all levels, including professional certificates and associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. New academic programs are added frequently in response to local, regional, and national employment trends, and South College is committed to providing programs at all levels with innovative course content and teaching platforms.  Explore all the programs and come back often as we regularly add new programs that may spark your interest!

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As an institution of higher education, South College recognizes its responsibility to society and supports both institutional and individual commitments to service. South College encourages its administration, faculty, and staff to invest their knowledge, experience, and expertise in community, professional, and institutional service. South College’s core values of excellence, responsibility, and integrity serve as the foundation for assessing the quality of institutional, school/departmental, and individual performance in achieving this mission. South College is grateful for the service and sacrifice of our military and their families. We are happy to provide the South College Military Grant to support our military – past and present – in the pursuit of their education and skill development. The South College Application Fee is waived for all active-duty military members, veterans, their spouses, and their dependent children who receive this Grant.

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