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Career Area: Health Science
Associate Degree
Program Number: 10-515-1
Approximately 2 Years to Complete
This is based on full-time enrollment. Actual time to completion may vary based on the availability of courses a college offers and the number of credits the student takes in any given time period.
Credit Program
Most credit programs are eligible for financial aid, while most non-credit certificates provide valuable work-related skills on a short timeline. Check with the college offering the program to determine if it is eligible for financial aid.
Average Annual Tuition: $4386
This is based on one year of full-time enrollment for in-state students. WTCS tuition is set by the Wisconsin Technical College System Board in March for the following year. It does not include books, materials or program/college-related fees.
Respiratory therapists examining chest x-rays

Respiratory Therapy Careers

Recent Wisconsin job postings for this degree:

Certified Respiratory Therapist
Respiratory Care Practitioner
Respiratory Therapist
Respiratory Therapy Technician

Average Median Wage

$50253

Respiratory Therapy Programs

This program prepares therapists to work with physicians in diagnosing, treating and monitoring patients of all ages with lung diseases or disorders. Respiratory therapists are responsible for delivery and monitoring of patients on oxygen, inhaled medications and breathing exercises/treatments, and for the management of patients requiring artificial airways and mechanical ventilation. Career opportunities are within hospitals, home health care agencies, clinics and extended care facilities. Emphasis throughout the program is on developing a knowledge and skills foundation that enables students to independently practice assessing and evaluating patients and making recommendations regarding their care. The graduate must be prepared to work in a highly technical environment under pressure to perform life-preserving procedures at times.

Shared programs give students access to career majors that might not otherwise be available at their local college. Where these career fields are in high demand, two or more colleges may agree to share program components at the individual colleges. Because the colleges are collaborating, students may need to attend certain classes at another college to fulfill the program requirements. For more information please contact one of the colleges listed.

Respiratory Therapy Part of a Career Pathway Program Transfers Offered completely online Shared Program
CVTC Respiratory Therapy at CVTC
Madison College Respiratory Therapy at Madison College
Mid-State Respiratory Therapy at Mid-State
Milwaukee Area Respiratory Therapy at Milwaukee Area
Moraine Park Respiratory Therapy at Moraine Park
Northcentral Respiratory Therapy at Northcentral
Northeast Respiratory Therapy at Northeast
Western Respiratory Therapy at Western