Respiratory Therapy Overview
Looking for an exciting and rewarding career that pays well? Check out CVTC’s Respiratory Therapy program and earn your associate degree in two years.
As a respiratory therapist you will evaluate, treat, and care for patients with breathing or other cardiopulmonary disorders. You will interview patients, perform limited physical examinations, and conduct diagnostic tests.
In the program, you will learn how to:
- Assess the cardiopulmonary status of patients
- Care for patients of all age groups and demographics
- Perform pulmonary function testing
- Deliver respiratory care
- Evaluate and monitor patient responses to respiratory care
- Provide patient, family, and community education
- Participate in life support activities in critical care
You will gain the following skills:
- Patient assessment
- Critical care skills
- Effective communication
- Critical thinking
- Patient education
The program is a combination of classroom and clinical training. As part of the respiratory therapist training, students will complete a clinical internship, allowing them to apply their education right away.
Earn credit for prior learning! Do you have previous educational or work experience in the field? You could be eligible to receive credit for prior learning.
Explore This Program
Just the Facts
Respiratory Therapy
67 Credit Associate Degree
Program Length
Two Years
Delivery Method
Face-to-Face
Program Location
Eau Claire, River Falls
Start Months
August
Bloodborne Pathogens
Students in this program should be aware of the risks associated with bloodborne pathogens. Learn more.
Learn more about the cost of attendance.
Term 1
$ 667
Term 2
$ 2,417
Term 3
$ 2,556
Term 4
$ 1,034
Term 5
$ 2,623
Term 6
$ 2,880
Materials
$ 448
Books
$ 1,000
License, Certificate, or Credential
$ 540
What are estimated program costs? Estimated Total: $14,165
Career Opportunities
Respiratory Therapist
Graduate Employers
Dove Healthcare
Mayo Clinic Health System
M Health Fairview
Regions Hospital
Program Outcomes
CVTC graduates are ready for the workforce. Each year, we send our graduates the Graduate Follow-Up Survey asking several questions related to employment. Here are the program outcomes and job data.
// Program Scorecard$68K Yearly Salary
Our recent Respiratory Therapy graduates reported an average starting salary of $67,896.
100% Employed
100% of our recent Respiratory Therapy graduates got a job in the industry.
21 Regional Jobs
There are 21 job openings in the CVTC district for the Respiratory Therapy industry.
Transfer
Credits to Other Institutions
Should you choose to continue your education after you leave CVTC, we have agreements in place with several institutions to ensure an easy transfer.
Program Courses
These are a few of the courses you will take in this program. Courses and the recommended sequence change from year to year; once you are enrolled in a program at CVTC you will be given a recommended course sequence that outlines what courses you should take and the order in which to take them.
You may search for available courses. If you are ever unsure of what courses to take, talk to your academic advisor. If you are looking for course information for previous years, check out our past catalogs.
Here are a few of the courses you can take in the Respiratory Therapy program.
Sample Courses
Respiratory Pharmacology
Examines basic pharmacology principles, drug dosage, and calculations. Medications for inhalation including mucolytics, bronchodilators, and anti-inflammatories.
Respiratory Neo/Peds Care
Provides a comprehensive orientation to the field of neonatal and pediatric respiratory care to include fetal development, birth, neonatal physiology, pulmonary dynamics, abnormal cardiopulmonary conditions, diseases, noninvasive and invasive therapeutic interventions.
Respiratory/Cardio Diagnostics
Advanced invasive and noninvasive diagnostic cardiopulmonary procedures including pulmonary function, hemodynamics, and rescue medicine.
Request More Information
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Your future is waiting…Are you ready to get started?
Apply NowStudent Testimonial
I feel more prepared than many grads from other Respiratory Therapy programs that are 4-year degree programs!
Respiratory Therapy Graduate
Related Programs & Certificates
Whether you're looking to continue your learning to another program or to gain continuing education credit, CVTC offers a variety of learning opportunities for students.
Degrees & Diplomas
Medical Assistant, Technical Diploma
Medical Laboratory Technician, Associate Degree
Nursing, Associate Degree
Physical Therapist Assistant, Associate Degree
Radiography, Associate Degree
Certificates
Continue Your Learning
CVTC can help you achieve your learning goals whether you are looking to advance your career or enrich your personal life.
// Explore Continuing Ed OpportunitiesUnsure of which program you'd like to go into? Learn more about our Career Assessment to help narrow down your options.
A Program You Can Trust
Program Accreditation
The Chippewa Valley Technical College Respiratory Therapy Program, CoARC program number (200476), which confers an Associate of Applied Science, (A.A.S) degree, is located at Eau Claire, WI 54701 and Is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (www.coarc.com).
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.
View accreditation information. | View program outcome data.
Additional Admissions Resources
Admission Requirements
Each program requires specific requirements a student must meet to be considered for admissions to this program.
// View Admission RequirementsAdvising Tips
We have compiled helpful tips and general information for students in this program.
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