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Respiratory Therapy
Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
Why choose Respiratory Therapy?
- Breathing well is so essential to patient care that hospitals, clinics, and home health care providers rely on respiratory therapists to treat patients and improve quality of life.
- Respiratory therapists have the opportunity to work with patients at all life stage.
- Get the training needed to confidently maintain the airway during the management of trauma, assist with anesthesia for surgery or
- Interested in earning a bachelor’s degree? For transfer opportunities, visit mstc.edu/transfer.
On average, a healthy adult will breathe from 12 to 20 times per minute, and yet we rarely notice respiration—until our own is compromised. Because efficient breathing is so crucial to medical care, hospitals, clinics, and home health-care providers rely on respiratory therapists to treat patients and improve their quality of life.
Program Locations
Marshfield Campus
2600 West 5th Street
Marshfield, WI 54449
Length of Program: Two Years
Credits: 69
Start Dates: Fall
Start at any time or location by taking general education courses.
What You'll Learn
The Respiratory Therapy program at Mid-State prepares students to employ scientific principles to identify, treat, and prevent acute or chronic dysfunction of the cardiopulmonary system. Successful graduates work under medical direction in a variety of care settings.
Students study airway management and life support, airway clearance therapies, pulmonary rehabilitation, medication administration, and the use of therapeutic medical gasses. The program combines classroom instruction and clinical experience with actual patients and equipment at local hospitals and agencies. Travel is required.
Estimated Entire Program Cost
Cost based on the 2020/2021 academic calendar year.
- Tuition & Fees: $10,756.87
- Books: $2,140.70
- Supplies, Uniforms, and/or Exams: $475.00
- Total Estimated Cost: $13,372.57
Financial Aid Eligibility
This program is eligible for full Financial Aid.
| Catalog# | Title | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10515111 | Respiratory Survey | 3.00 | |
| 10806177 | General Anatomy & Physiology | 4.00 | |
| 10801136 | English Composition I | 3.00 | |
| 10501101 | Medical Terminology | 3.00 | |
| 10515171 | Respiratory Therapeutics 1 | 3.00 | |
| (16 Credits) |
| Catalog# | Title | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10515172 | Respiratory Therapeutics 2 | 3.00 | |
| 10515174 | Respiratory/Cardiac Physiology | 3.00 | |
| 10515173 | Respiratory Pharmacology | 3.00 | |
| 10806197 | Microbiology | 4.00 | |
| 10809166 | Intro to Ethics: Theory & Application | 3.00 | |
| (16 Credits) |
| Catalog# | Title | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10515175 | Respiratory Clinical 1 | 2.00 | |
|
10801196 | Oral/Interpersonal Communication | 3.00 |
| -or- | 10801198 | Speech | 3.00 |
| (5 Credits) |
| Catalog# | Title | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
10809196 | Intro to Sociology | 3.00 |
| -or- | 10809172 | Introduction to Diversity Studies | 3.00 |
| -or- | 10809122 | Intro to American Government | 3.00 |
| 10515176 | Respiratory Disease | 3.00 | |
| 10515113 | Respiratory Life Support | 3.00 | |
| 10515178 | Respiratory Clinical 2 | 3.00 | |
| 10515179 | Respiratory Clinical 3 | 3.00 | |
| 10515112 | Respiratory Airway Management | 2.00 | |
| (17 Credits) |
| Catalog# | Title | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10515181 | Respiratory/Cardio Diagnostics | 3.00 | |
| 10515182 | Respiratory Clinical 4 | 3.00 | |
| 10515183 | Respiratory Clinical 5 | 3.00 | |
|
10809198 | Intro to Psychology | 3.00 |
| -or- | 10809188 | Developmental Psychology | 3.00 |
| 10515180 | Respiratory Neo/Peds Care | 2.00 | |
| 10515101 | Respiratory Therapist Test Prep | 1.00 | |
| (15 Credits) |
| (69 Credits) |
Instructors
BILL ROSANDICK, AAS, BS, MS
Bill holds an MS degree in respiratory care leadership from Northeastern University and has been a respiratory therapist since 1991, with over 50 successful neonatal transports. He has also conducted and published research in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine and presented research findings at the American Association of Respiratory Care (AARC) convention. He has been involved with Mid- State’s Respiratory Therapy program since 1995.
“Working with students is extremely enjoyable because their endless quest for knowledge is energizing. If you truly enjoy your job, time flies. Every day I spend with students flies by.”
JAMEY WASRUD, AAS, BS, MS
Jamey graduated from Mid-State’s respiratory therapy program and is a registered respiratory therapist and adult critical care specialist. She returned to school for her MS from Northeastern University to work with the next generation of respiratory therapy professionals. During her time as a therapist, she worked in all areas of the hospital and in cardiopulmonary lab and sleep lab. She loves the fact that respiratory therapy offers such a variety of career options to those willing to learn. She also works closely with local RTs who are in the process of furthering their education.
“Our students bring a wealth of personal experience to the classroom. Each one enriches the learning environment and makes all of us better.”
Careers
- Home Care Respiratory Therapist
- Polysomnographer
- Pulmonary Function Technologist
- Respiratory Care Practitioner
- Respiratory Therapist
- Respiratory Therapy Educator
Video
- Accreditation Information
-
Travel for this program is required. Respiratory therapists in Wisconsin and most states are licensed professionals. The Respiratory Therapist program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).
Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC)
1248 Harwood Road, Bedford, TX 76021-4244 • 817.283.2835 • www.coarc.com - Accreditation Outcomes
-
Outcomes Data from 2016 Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) Annual Report based on July 2016 submission accepted by CoARC (data from Jan. 1, 2013 through Dec. 31, 2015)
Student Outcomes Mid-state Threshold National Average Certified Respiratory Therapy (CRT) Success 97.6% 80% 84.3% Registered Respiratory Therapy (RRT) Success 56.1% N/A 72.7% Employer Satisfaction 100% 80% 97.8% Graduate Satisfaction 100% 80% 98.7% On-Time Graduation Rate 95.1% 70% 91.0% - Additional Resources
Take the Next Step
The Respiratory Therapist program at Mid-State exceeded all of my expectations. Jamey and Bill (instructors) were always willing to help, even on their own time. The small class sizes gave me more one-on-one time with the instructors and made it easier to learn!”
CASSIE WATKINS
GRADUATE
Choose Your Path
Career pathways help you take your education one step at a time to maximize your investment and make college fit your life. Earn a credential and start using it in the workforce. Continue with another stack of related courses to gain a more advanced diploma or degree.
Transfer • Dual Credit • Credit for Prior Learning
