Respiratory Therapy

Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
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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 stages.
  • Get the training needed to confidently maintain the airway during the management of trauma, assist with anesthesia for surgery or conscious sedation, treat and educate patients in clinical settings, and more.
  • Interested in earning a bachelor’s degree? For transfer opportunities, visit mstc.edu/transfer.
  • Gain confidence with your new skills in our state-of-the art Healthcare Simulation Center.
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

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.

Outcomes

  • Apply advanced-level respiratory therapy concepts to patient care situations.
  • Demonstrate technical proficiency required to fulfill the role of an advanced-level respiratory therapist.
  • Practice respiratory therapy according to established professional and ethical standards.

Employability Skills

  • Behave Responsibly:  Ethical Behavior, Self-Responsibility, Conflict Resolution, Collaboration
  • Communicate Effectively: Writing, Technical Documentation, Listening, Speaking, Interpersonal Communication, Reading
  • Critical & Creative Thinking: Inquiry, Evidence Collection, Analysis, Reasoning, Reflection (Metacognition)
  • Cultural, Social, & Global Awareness: Global Awareness, Social & Cultural Awareness, Social Responsibility
  • Use Appropriate Technology: Use of Technology, Confidentiality, Security, Digital Civility

Learn more about employability skills at Mid-State.

Estimated Entire Program Cost

Cost based on the 2024/25 academic year.

  • Tuition & Fees: $11,620.43
  • Books: $1,312.99
  • Supplies, Uniforms, and/or Exams: $0
  • Total Estimated Cost: $12,933.42

Financial Aid Eligibility

This program is eligible for full Financial Aid

Cost of Attendance

Learn more about Cost of Attendance, an estimated budget that includes categories of expenses a student can expect to incur while attending. 

This course has options available to receive credit for prior learning (CPL) or work experience.

Term: 1
  Catalog# Title Credits
  10515111 Respiratory Survey 3
  10806177 General Anatomy & Physiology  4
  10801136 English Composition 1  3
-or- 10801195 Written Communication  3
  10501101 Medical Terminology  3
  10515171 Respiratory Therapeutics 1 3
  Term Total   16 Credits
       
Term: 2
  Catalog# Title Credits
  10515172 Respiratory Therapeutics 2 3
  10515174 Respiratory/Cardiac Physiology 3
  10515173 Respiratory Pharmacology 3
  10806197 Microbiology  4
  10809166 Introduction to Ethics: Theory and Application  3
  Term Total   16 Credits
       
Term: 3
  Catalog# Title Credits
  10515175 Respiratory Clinical 1 2
  10801196 Oral/Interpersonal Communication  3
-or- 10801198 Speech  3
  Term Total   5 Credits
       
Term: 4
  Catalog# Title Credits
  10809196 Introduction to Sociology  3
-or- 10809122 Introduction to American Government  3
-or- 10809172 Introduction to Diversity Studies  3
  10515176 Respiratory Disease 3
  10515113 Respiratory Life Support 3
  10515178 Respiratory Clinical 2 3
  10515179 Respiratory Clinical 3 3
  10515112 Respiratory Airway Management 2
  Term Total   17 Credits
       
Term: 5
  Catalog# Title Credits
  10515181 Respiratory/Cardio Diagnostics 3
  10515182 Respiratory Clinical 4 3
  10515183 Respiratory Clinical 5 3
  10809198 Introduction to Psychology  3
-or- 10809188 Developmental Psychology  3
  10515180 Respiratory Neo/Peds Care 2
  10515101 Respiratory Therapist Test Prep 1
  Term Total   15 Credits
       
  Program Total   69 Credits

Instructors

NICK GOLDBERG, AAS, BS, RRT

Nick earned his BS in career and technical education from UW-Stout. He also holds an associate degree in applied science in respiratory care from Mid-State Technical College and is a licensed respiratory therapist with national certification. He has worked as a respiratory therapist at Marshfield Medical Center for 17 years and was a clinical preceptor for Mid-State’s Respiratory Therapy program at Marshfield Medical Center for 8 years prior to accepting his current position as program director for the Respiratory Therapy program. 

"I enjoy spreading my knowledge of respiratory care to the future respiratory therapists now coming through the program. I love seeing the “aha” moments and hearing the excitement in a student’s voice when they gain an understanding of new concepts."  
 

HOLLY KLUMB, AAS, BS, RRT

Holly holds a BS in kinesiology from UW-Eau Claire in addition to associate degrees in respiratory therapy and educational sign language interpreting. She is a licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner in the state of Wisconsin and a Registered Respiratory Therapist by the National Board for Respiratory Care. Holly’s work experience includes six years as a respiratory therapist, with experience in critical care units as well as emergency room and neonatal care. She was a member of the NICU transport team for three years and a member of the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease educational team, where she worked with patients to support healthy lifestyle changes. She is certified in Basic Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, Neonatal Resuscitation Program, and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support.

"I really enjoy being able to share my passion for respiratory therapy. It is incredible to be able to take part in the education of future respiratory therapists, watching them begin with basic knowledge and skill and later flourishing into individuals with a whole realm of skills in airway management, including intubation and ventilator management."


 

Careers

  • Respiratory Therapist
  • Cardiopulmonary Technician
  • Polysomnography (Sleep Lab) Technician
  • Home Care Respiratory Therapist
  • Polysomnographer
  • Pulmonary Function Technologist
  • Respiratory Care Practitioner
  • Respiratory Therapy Educator

Video

Fast-Track

High school students are eligible to enroll in this program and all courses required. Learn more about Mid-State Fast-Track.

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)
817.283.2835www.coarc.com

CoARC Program #: 200234

View CoARC Programmatic Outcomes Data

CoARC accredits respiratory therapy education programs in the United States. To achieve this end, it utilizes an ‘outcomes based’ process. Programmatic outcomes are performance indicators that reflect the extent to which the educational goals of the program are achieved and by which program effectiveness is documented.

Additional Resources

Criminal Background Form

Technical Standards

Waiting List Policy

Program FAQ

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. Explore this program’s pathway in the graphic below. For an even quicker first step to a degree or diploma, check out our short-term certificates.

TransferDual CreditCredit for Prior Learning

Respiratory Therapist Pathway