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Transfer Information

This program has a transfer agreement with Concordia University in St. Paul in Health Medicine. 
 

Gainful Employment

This information is provided as a federal requirement in an effort to help students make informed educational decisions. Specifically, Gainful Employment aims to provide information related to future potential debt burden in comparison to the expected earnings in a chosen program or field.
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Respiratory Therapy

Respiratory Therapy

Associate Degree - Two Years

Program/Certificate Code: 10-515-1

This program is offered in Eau Claire and can be started in August. This program is eligible for Financial Aid.

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Accreditation

This program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, on recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). View Programmatic Outcomes. 

​​​​​​​​Careers

  • Pulmonary Function Technologist
  • Respiratory Care Practitioner
  • Respiratory Care Therapist

Related Programs

Related Certificates

  • There are no related certificates
Description

Respiratory therapists, as members of a team of health care professionals, work to evaluate, treat, and manage patients of all ages with respiratory illnesses and other cardiopulmonary disorders in a wide variety of clinical settings. Respiratory therapists must behave in a manner consistent with the standards and ethics of all health care professionals. In addition to performing respiratory care procedures, respiratory therapists are involved in clinical decision making (such as patient evaluation, treatment selection, and assessment of treatment efficacy) and patient education. The scope of practice for respiratory therapy includes, but is not limited to:

• assessing the cardiopulmonary status of patients.
• drawing blood samples, performing blood gas analysis, and pulmonary function testing.
• initiating ordered respiratory care, evaluating and monitoring patient responses to such care, modifying the prescribed respiratory therapy and cardiopulmonary procedures and life support endeavors to achieve desired therapeutic objectives.
• providing patient, family, and community education.
• participating in life support activities as required.

At graduation, the student is qualified for admission to the entry-level and advanced practitioner examinations to become a registered respiratory therapist. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, on recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).

Respiratory Therapy is a full time program. When a student is admitted as a program student he/she must complete the program as outlined on the program requirement sheet. Certain third and fourth semester clinical sites require travel and overnight stays. Students should be aware that this adds additional expenses to the third and fourth semester.

Courses
  • Course Number
  • Course Title
  • Credits
  • Available Sections
Minimum Program Credits Required - 70
Admissions Requirements

Admission Overview

The admissions process has been broken down into phases. Some programs only have one phase, while others have multiple phases.

Phase One: General Admission

  • If you have an international degree/diploma you must take the TOEFL® exam and receive a minimum score of 61 on the internet-based test, or 500 on the paper-based test. If you want to be included in a study group to prepare for the TOEFL exam contact Lynette Neibauer at 715-858-1892 or lneibauer@cvtc.edu.
  • Submit a Background Information Disclosure form, the Wisconsin Criminal History Single Name Record Request form, and a $20.00 background processing fee. View admission forms.

Entrance Assessment

A Bachelor's Degree or higher may be used as a substitution for an Entrance Exam (transcript required).

COMPASS Reading: 85 (required for admission)
COMPASS Writing: 60 (only used for course placement)
COMPASS Pre-Algebra: 45 (only used for course placement)
COMPASS Algebra: 35 (required for admission)
ACT Reading: 22
ACT English: 18 (only used for course placement)
ACT Math: 19

Phase Two

Students whose COMPASS® scores do not meet the minimum levels must re-test until they meet the required minimums.

Submit proof through a transcript that you have received a grade of C or better in the course(s) below.

  • Algebra
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Submit proof of completion of Nursing Assistant training that includes a clinical component. Acceptable documentation is a Nurse Aide Directory card, a transcript or diploma from a technical college, training agency or nursing home.

Phase Three: Core Course Eligibility

Once you have successfully completed Phase One and Two you will either be accepted into your program, or placed on a waiting list if your program is full.

Applicants in the process of satisfying COMPASS® minimums and completing academic prerequisites coursework must submit a Core Course Eligibility Form (CCE Form) to the Admissions Office after all coursework is completed and grades have been processed.

Additional Requirements

A pre-entrance health history and physical examination must be on file three weeks prior to entering the core courses of this program. The Admissions Office will notify you at the appropriate time with a specified deadline.

International Students

See our International Students website for more information.

Estimated Costs

2012-2013 Tuition & Fees

View a breakdown of additional fees, on our Tuition & Fees page.

  • $116.90 per credit (resident)
  • $175.35 (out-of-state resident)

Estimated Term Costs

1st Term
$2,127
2nd Term
$2,017
Summer Term
$790
3rd Term
$2,166
4th Term
$2,250

Books

The figure below is an estimate of what you will pay for books throughout the duration of your program if you purchase your books through the CVTC bookstore. For more details visit www.efollet.com

Estimated Book Fees: $1,862

Additional Fees

Additional fees vary by program and may include tool boxes, shop/lab coats, safety glasses, parts room deposit, shirts, etc.

$106

Total Program Cost

The figure below is an estimate based on current tuition and fee rates and is intended for planning purposes only.

$11,318