Respiratory Therapy

Associate’s Degree in Respiratory Therapy

Our Associate of Applied Sciences (AAS) degree in Respiratory Therapy is designed to train you in the growing field of respiratory care. As a student in this (80 credit hours) program, you will receive the training needed to work as a respiratory therapist in hospitals, home care, pulmonary clinics, and other healthcare environments. St. Augustine’s Respiratory Therapy Associate’s degree prepares graduates for a medical career as a respiratory therapist. Our classes are designed for recent high school graduates and working students.

Our Respiratory Therapy program prepares students to provide specialized diagnostic and therapeutic procedures such as:

• Pulmonary function testing 
• Arterial blood gas analysis
• Medical gas administration
• Humidity and aerosol therapy
• Airway management
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
• Ventilatory support of neonatal/pediatric and adult populations
• Hemodynamics and cardiac monitoring

In addition to learning these diagnostic and therapeutic skills and procedures, students receive hands-on training in a variety of patient care-focused Chicagoland leading medical facilities and Long-Term Care Centers.

St. Augustine’s Respiratory Therapy Program at Lewis University prioritizes our RT students’ long-term success, ensuring that you not only graduate with an Associate Applied Science Degree, but also receive the skills needed for an in-demand career in Respiratory Therapy. 

Respiratory Therapy Program Details

The program comprises of six (6) semesters of coursework. Graduates are eligible to take the National Board for Respiratory Care (www.nbrc.org) Therapist Multiple Choice Exam.  Candidates with a minimum score of 86 will receive a Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT)credential and candidates who score 92 or higher are eligible to sit for the NBRC Clinical Simulation Examination, and upon successful passing receive a Registered Respiratory Therapist credential.

This is a unique therapy program, with a structure that differs somewhat from the rest of the curricula St. Augustine College offers; for example, the clinical segment of the program (4th semester and up) includes courses that meet only at specific times and have durations different from the standard 8-week terms. Always ask the Respiratory Therapy Learning Facilitator or other departmental staff for the most accurate, updated information.

*Please keep in mind that this program is 60-70% in-person.

For more information related to the profession please visit American Association for Respiratory Care web page at www.aarc.org.

RT Degree Accreditation

The Entry into Respiratory Care Professional Practice Program, CoARC number 200587, AAS Degree, St. Augustine College in Chicago Illinois is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (www.coarc.com)
Program ID# 200587(www.coarc.com)
CoARC accredits respiratory therapy education programs across the United States through an outcomes-based process. This approach evaluates program effectiveness using performance indicators that measure the achievement of educational goals.
Program Outcomes Data: https://coarc.com/students/programmatic-outcomes-data/
Graduates of the program are eligible to take the NBRC examinations to become a Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT). They may also sit for the Clinical Simulation Exam, and upon passing, earn the title of Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).

Why Choose Respiratory Therapy? 

Pursuing respiratory therapy education and, thus, a career in this field offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact by helping patients breathe easier and improve their quality of life. Respiratory therapists are essential healthcare professionals who can work with patients of all ages with conditions such as asthma, COPD, and heart failure. 

Respiratory therapists can work in hospitals, at the state, local, or private level, in nursing care facilities, or in physicians’ offices. 

Is respiratory therapy a good career? What does a respiratory therapist do? If you still have questions about just what a respiratory therapist does on a day-to-day basis, and you’re still curious about what a promising career our associate of applied science degree can do for you and your future read here.

Respiratory Therapy Career Outlook 

The respiratory therapy field offers job stability through a nationwide demand for more professionals, with a 12% projected increase in job openings from 2024 to 2034. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for respiratory therapists is $80,450 in the United States. 

Graduates of St. Augustine’s Respiratory Therapist Associate degree program have achieved 100% job placement, earning an average starting salary between $70,000 and $80,000.

The American Association for Respiratory Care’s (AARC) Career Center has recently listed the following job openings:

• Respiratory Educator
• Respiratory Care Practitioner
• Registered Respiratory Therapist
• Respiratory Therapy Program Instructor
• Respiratory Therapist

And more. With a degree in Respiratory Therapy from St. Augustine College at Lewis University, you’ll be well-prepared to join a dedicated workforce of healthcare professionals.