Discover a Rewarding Career in Respiratory Care
St. Louis Community College offers two degree programs in respiratory care. The associate degree is an entry-level program. The two-year program provides a perfect fit for someone who doesn't have four years to commit to earning a bachelor's degree or would prefer to advance their education later while working in the field. The respiratory care bachelor's path prepares students for roles not historically open to people with a two-year degree. Bachelor degree-seeking students receive training that prepares them for positions in management, research, education and advanced clinical practice.
With both programs, students will have access to:
- Expert instruction by experienced faculty
- Learning with the latest technology
- Affordable education
- Real life practice with a career focus
Becoming a Registered Respiratory Therapist
When you graduate from either respiratory care degree program, you will be eligible to sit for the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) exams to obtain the Registered Respiratory Therapy (RRT) credential.
You can enhance your employment prospects and demonstrate specialty by sitting for exams for other credentials that you will be eligible to earn from the NBRC.
These exams include:
- Adult Critical Care Specialist (ACCS)
- Neonatal/Pediatric Specialist (NPS)
- Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT)
- Sleep Disorders Specialist (SDS)
- Asthma Educator Specialist (AE-C)
Respiratory Therapy Program Options
Learn more about the respiratory care programs offered at St. Louis Community College
Bachelor of Science
This program prepares 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.
As a Bachelor of science in respiratory care degree, this program additionally prepares leaders for the field of respiratory care by including curricular content with objective related to the acquisition of skills in one or more of the following: management, education, research and advanced clinical practice (which may include an area of clinical specialization).
Associate in Applied Science
This program prepares students for positions as respiratory therapists. Students learn to assess, perform diagnostic tests, treat and educate patients with cardiopulmonary disease. The program includes general education courses as well as respiratory care didactic, laboratory and clinical practice in area health facilities.
The overall goal of the respiratory care program is 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.
Program Highlights
Syeeda Ali - Respiratory Care Program Graduate
"It's the best decision I've ever made. It provided me with a great education at an affordable price. It got me into a career that I love and that allows me to support my family. School can be challenging, but the payoff is well worth it."
Respiratory Care Program Honored for Credentialing Success
St. Louis Community College's respiratory care program recently received the Distinguished Registered Respiratory Therapist Credentialing Award from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Therapy Care.
STLCC's New Bachelor's in Respiratory Care Opening Doors For Graduates
While STLCC has always provided a pipeline to Mercy, one of the College's clinical partners, the new bachelor's program is especially exciting for the St. Louis region.
Have a question?
If you have a general question about the respiratory care programs, please complete the contact form and we will be happy to help.
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