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Respiratory Therapy Associate of Science Degree Program

Memphis, TN

As a Respiratory Therapist you can help those having issues breathing, whether from a blocked passageway, intense asthma attack, or another life-threatening experience. You can make a difference as a respiratory therapist.

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17

Months

77.5

Credit Hours

220

Lab Hours

870

Clinical Hours

Now Enrolling

  • Gain skills to treat people with asthma, cystic fibrosis, emphysema and other conditions.
  • Curriculum prepares you for Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) exams from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).
  • Complete your AAS degree program at our Memphis campus in as few as 17-months of study.  

Program Overview

RTs need to understand the anatomy and physiology of the lungs and heart, as well as various disorders and diseases which can affect them. RTs also need to understand therapies and interventions available and what clinical situations call for them. They offer patients a calm, caring professional they can rely on.

Now Enrolling for the Respiratory Therapy Associate Degree Program

Think a career as a respiratory therapist could be a breath of fresh air? Contact Concorde in Jacksonville today to find out if our associate degree program is right for you!

  1. **Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics 2023-2033 projected job demand https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/respiratory-therapists.htm Projections are national. Local job market demand may vary.

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Curriculum

  • 220

    Lab Hours

    Practice On-Campus

    Students will complete on-campus labs including OR simulations and patient prep settings.

  • 870

    Clinical Hours

    Real-World Application

    Taking what you've learned in the classroom and practiced in a lab will culminate with real-world application through clinical rotation(s).

  • The cost for your certification exam as well as pre-certification exam prep coursework is covered by Concorde.

    Tuition fee for the program of study includes the cost for an eligible graduate's first attempt to sit for professional certification.

    Concorde expects all students to complete pre-certification exam prep training through the campus resources at no additional cost to the student.

  1. Prep does not guarantee certification, employment or subsequent salary.

To prepare graduates with demonstrated competence in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills) and affective (behavior) learning domains of respiratory care practice as performed by registered respiratory therapists (RRTs).

Concorde's respiratory therapist programs emphasize the following:

  • Oxygen therapy
  • Bronchodilator
  • Chest physiotherapy
  • Patient teaching and instruction
  • ECG

The clinical experience provides Concorde graduates with a variety of cases and medical professional interactions - helping you better prepare for a career as a respiratory therapist.

Our associate degree program teaches a combination of general knowledge, clinical knowledge and practical skills for treating patients with breathing disorders. Students also complete clinical rotations to apply knowledge and skills in real-world care settings.  All in as few as 17-months.

  • General Education
  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • Microbiology
  • General Psychology
  • Introduction to Applied Respiratory Therapeutics
  • Clinical Medicine

For a complete list of courses visit the campus' PROGRAM CATALOG.

Concorde's Student Learning outcomes are available on the CoARC website at the link below.
Student Learning Outcome Data

When you graduate, you’ll be eligible to sit for the Therapist Multiple-Choice Examination (TMC) of the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). If you meet the RRT score on the TMC, you'll then be eligible to sit for the Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE) of the NBRC.

Achieving the minimum acceptable score on the TMC will result in receiving the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credential. To receive the RRT credential, you must pass the TMC, at the RRT level, and the CSE exams.

The cost for your certification exam as well as pre-certification exam prep coursework is covered by Concorde.

NBRC logo

  1. Prep does not guarantee certification, employment or subsequent salary.

Career Outlook

Respiratory Therapists Continue to be in Demand

Respiratory Therapist jobs are projected to grow nationally at a much-faster-than-average rate.

The spread of respiratory infections caused by the Coronavirus pandemic is one factor driving national employment demand projections. Pre-pandemic the field was forecasted to grow based upon the increasing middle-age and elderly populations where increases in respiratory conditions such as emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and pneumonia can increase the need for respiratory care. 

What are possible career paths for a Respiratory Therapist?

Respiratory Therapy (RT) Infographic

13%

Projected national job demand for Respiratory Therapists from 2023-2033 

Where do Respiratory Therapists Work

  • Hospitals and clinical environments
  • Skilled nursing facilities
  • Pulmonary physicians’ offices and clinics
  • Home care companies
  • Rehabilitation hospitals

Address and Hours

Memphis Campus

Campus Hours of Operation

  • Monday - Thursday 8 am - 7 pm
  • Friday 8 am - 5 pm
  • Saturday By Appointment
  • Sunday Closed
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Financial Aid

As part of our commitment to your success, Concorde ensures that you have access to comprehensive information and guidance in navigating the financial aid process. Concorde offers financial aid and scholarship programs to those who qualify.

Concorde Graduate

Financial Aid

Get financial support for your education with our dedicated financial aid team by your side.

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Concorde Student

Scholarships

Find the perfect scholarship for your health care goals based on your background, programs or other criteria.

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Institutional Accreditation and Licensure

Accreditation and licensure are an important part of an academic institution’s operation.

Visit our Accreditations and Licensure page for more details about our accreditations and licensure.

  • COARC: Accredited

    The Respiratory Therapy program (#200469) is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care; https://www.coarc.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

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At Concorde Career College, you could finish schooling in as few as 17 months or less than 2 years. Contact us to find out when the Respiratory Therapy Program starts at a Concorde campus location near you.

According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the projected national respiratory therapist job field from 2022 to 2032 is expected to grow by 13%. As the healthcare industry grows to meet the needs of those affected by respiratory illness including COVID, as well as chronic conditions like asthma, bronchitis and emphysema, the need for respiratory therapists is expected to rise.

**Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics 2023-2033 projected job demand https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/respiratory-therapists.htm Projections are national. Local job market demand may vary.

Become a respiratory therapist to work with other medical practitioners to save lives every day. There are many illnesses that cause breathing problems, and respiratory therapists play an essential role in regulating patients' breathing while undergoing treatment. Enjoy a rewarding opportunity to positively affect people's lives.

Concorde incorporates real-world training and off-site clinical experiences in our programs.

For program-specific tuition information, please see the campus catalog.

The respiratory therapy program can be completed in as few as 17 months, but this varies by location. Please check with an admissions adviser for program length information.

Contact Concorde Career College to find out when the Respiratory Therapy program starts at a Concorde campus location near you.

According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, from 2022 to 2032 the projected national respiratory therapist job field is expected to grow by 13%. As the healthcare industry grows to meet the needs of those affected by COVID, as well as with chronic conditions like bronchitis and emphysema, the need for respiratory therapists is expected to rise.

**Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics 2023-2033 projected job demand https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/respiratory-therapists.htm Projections are national. Local job market demand may vary.

Concorde incorporates real-world training and off-site clinical experiences in our programs.

For program-specific tuition information, please see the campus catalog.
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  1. Program length may be subject to change dependent on transfer credits and course load. Please refer to current course catalog for more information. Concorde does not guarantee admittance, graduation, subsequent employment or salary amount.

  2. Professional certification is not a requirement for graduation, may not be a requirement for employment nor does it guarantee employment.

  3. Financial aid is available to those who qualify but may not be available for all programs. Concorde does not guarantee financial aid or scholarship awards or amounts.

  4. Clinical hour requirements and delivery may vary by campus location and may be subject to change. Concorde does not guarantee clinical site assignments based upon student preference or geographic convenience; nor do clinical experiences guarantee graduation, post-clinical employment or salary outcomes.

  5. Registration and certification requirements for taking and passing these examinations are not controlled by Concorde, but by outside agencies, and are subject to change by the agency without notice. Therefore, Concorde cannot guarantee that graduates will be eligible to take these exams, at all or at any specific time, regardless of their eligibility status upon enrollment.

  6. Externships are a non-paid in-person learning experience, whose length and location may be subject to change. Concorde does not guarantee externship placement, graduation, post-externship employment or salary outcomes.