Respiratory Therapist Schools

So you want to become a respiratory therapist! Congratulations. You’ve made an excellent career choice.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that respiratory therapy is an occupation that will grow faster than average in the coming decade. But before you can participate in this in-demand occupation, you must be trained by one of the many respiratory schools around the country.

About Respiratory Therapy Schools

Finding a good respiratory therapy school should not be too difficult. According to the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, there were a total of 379 such accredited programs in the United States (as of 2006).

The minimum training that you need to enter this career field is a 2-year associate’s degree in respiratory therapy. But to advance beyond an entry-level position, you will likely need a 4-year bachelor’s or a master’s degree. Many colleges, universities, technical schools, and medical schools offer respiratory therapy programs. You can even find such programs in the Armed Forces.

A good place to start your search for the best respiratory schools is to visit the Committees on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs’ website. They have the listings for over 350 accredited respiratory therapy programs. With so many respiratory programs to choose from, you are sure to find one that meets all of your needs.

Choosing the Right Respiratory Therapy School

A good indication of the quality of a respiratory therapy program lies in its accreditation. In order for a school to maintain its accreditation status, it has to demonstrate a certain level of academic excellence. It has to prove, for instance, that its courses meet industry standards. By attending an accredited respiratory therapy program, you can be sure that you are receiving the quality of education that you need to enter this demanding field.

Before registering for classes, therefore, make sure that the respiratory therapy program is accredited by one of these two agencies—the Committees on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). .

But accreditation does more than just assure you a quality education. It will determine your ability to work in this profession. To work as a respiratory therapist in any state of the United States—except in Alaska and in Hawaii—you must be licensed. To be eligible to take the licensing exam (called the Certified Respiratory Therapist Exam or CRT), you must have graduated from a respiratory therapy program that has been accredited by the either CAAHEP or the CoARC.

So…

NOT attending a school that has been accredited by one of these two agencies will prevent you from working as a respiratory therapist.

Training for Respiratory Therapist

But whatever respiratory therapy school you choose to attend, you can be sure to receive intensive training in all aspects of respiratory care.

You will take such medical/scientific courses as:

  • Microbiology
  • Anatomy
  • Physics
  • Pharmacology
  • Chemistry
  • Human Anatomy
  • Mathematics

…and such respiratory therapy specific courses as:

  • Medical recordkeeping and reimbursement
  • Diagnostic procedures and tests
  • Clinical practice procedures
  • Cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation
  • Patient Assessment
  • Medical equipment usage

Top Respiratory Therapist Schools

  • Grand Canyon University

    If you are driven to pursue a higher standard of success and require flexibility in your schedule to get there, Grand Canyon University, one of the Top 10 Christian colleges, is the right choice for you! GCU emphasizes individual attention for both traditional undergraduate students, as well as the working professional. With our cutting-edge curriculum, you will gain the real-world experience you need to succeed in today’s global marketplace. Online and campus-based bachelor’s and master’s degree programs are offered through the College of Education, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Ken Blanchard College of Business, and the College of Liberal Arts.

  • Platt College

    Find out where the future can take you with an outstanding college education. At Platt College, you’ll find the career-specific programs and training for the careers you really want. Come explore a variety of career paths that fit your lifestyle in a positive learning environment that combines real-world experience with small, private college instruction.

  • Carrington College

    Carrington College®, a recognized leader in private education, opened in 1976 and currently provides practical, real-world education to more than 4,000 students annually. Carrington College® offers small classes with hands-on learning taught by experienced faculty.

  • ATI Career Training Center

    For more than three decades, ATI has operated schools throughout Texas, Florida, New Mexico, Arizona, and Oklahoma with the primary objective of preparing its graduates for rewarding careers. These exciting employment opportunities include such fields as health care, personal fitness and wellness, business technology, information technology, automotive repair, air conditioning and refrigeration repair, and welding.

    At ATI you are a member of our extended family. Faculty and staff work with you to achieve your educational and career training objectives and secure the necessary skills you need to be successful in today’s competitive workplace environment.

    We have the experience, the tools, the instructors and the student support and benefits to help you change your life and earn a new career! Make today “the first day of the rest of your life” & make the call that will change your life and get you on the right track toward a rewarding future.

  • Sanford-Brown Institute

    Sanford-Brown can help prepare you for a rewarding career in health and dental care, business, paralegal, criminal justice or information technology. With nearly 20 campuses in the Sanford-Brown Institute and Sanford-Brown College divisions, selecting a school that suits your particular career training and education needs is easy.

  • Sanford-Brown College

    For over 140 years, Sanford-Brown College has provided career-oriented postsecondary educational programs. Our institution offers focused, innovative, quality short-term programs in the fields of business and healthcare. At Sanford-Brown, we have focused our study programs, which enable you the opportunity to develop your skills effectively to meet your specific career goals. Plus, our programs focus on the essential concepts and skills most employers look for in entry-level employees. Our goal is to provide you with the practical information and experience you need to get your foot in the door. The secret to our success is that we do not require students to take courses that are not directly supportive of their career goals.

  • Concorde Career College

    With over 15 years of experience in preparing adults for rewarding careers, Concorde is a recognized leader in training Healthcare Professionals. We offer short, manageable programs with day and evening classes to fit your busy schedule.

  • Kaplan Career Institute

    At Kaplan Career Institute, we provide affordable, career-focused programs that not only meet the demands of the market, but also the demands of your busy life. We offer day and evening classes to accommodate your busy schedule. Our accelerated curricula give you the opportunity to earn a diploma in as little as 9 to 15 months or an associate’s degree in less than 2 years. Our instructors have professional experience and provide an inside look into some of today’s hottest careers.

    Kaplan Higher Education or its authorized agents and representatives may contact me via email or telephone to discuss these and other educational opportunities in the future.

  • American Career College

    American Career College (ACC) offers training to students interested in pursuing a career in the fast-growing healthcare industry.* ACC’s three campuses in Los Angeles, Ontario, and Orange County all offer hands-on training with the same tools and technology found in professional healthcare facilities.

    ACC’s faculty and staff are committed to helping students achieve their educational goals. Our faculty members draw upon their own experiences in the healthcare industry to provide our students with in-depth training and education. All programs are a blend of classroom and hands-on training, with many programs ending with an externship in a local healthcare facility.

  • Keiser University

    At Keiser University we are here to help you succeed by providing the professional and academic foundation to meet your educational goals and objectives. Keiser University continues to be a valuable partner to employers, the community, and, above all, a valued choice for students serious about their education and career.