Saint Joseph’s University’s Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) offers the opportunity to expand your clinical nursing skills by pairing rigorous classroom learning with time in Pennsylvania’s most advanced simulation lab. From the day you’re accepted, you are guaranteed clinical placements at some of the area’s leading health care organizations.
Associate Degree in Respiratory Care
Saint Joseph’s University’s accredited Associate Degree in Respiratory Care will provide you with the skills necessary to diagnose and treat pulmonary problems affecting the lungs.
This program provides the preparation necessary to sit for the Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) Examination and Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE). After passing the TMC exam, you will be eligible to sit for the CSE exam. Complete the associate degree in respiratory care, land a job and use tuition reimbursement offered by many healthcare organizations to pursue a bachelor’s degree down the line. This 68-credit associate degree program can be completed in as little as two years.
Through this program, you will benefit from:
- One-on-one teaching environment with program faculty
- Guaranteed clinical placements
- One of the best clinical simulation environments in the nation
- Opportunity to work with faculty with decades of combined clinical experience
- Participate in a program that scores higher than the national average on the board exam
What is Respiratory Care?
Respiratory care is a specialized healthcare concentration where practitioners trained in pulmonary medicine treat patients with health conditions that affect the heart and lungs. Respiratory therapists typically work with patients who suffer from sickness and pulmonary disease and have trouble breathing on their own.
There is a critical need for respiratory therapists in the healthcare system and our communities today. Saint Joseph’s teaches future healthcare workers important interactive, hands-on experiences and interdisciplinary exercises that model the dynamics of a hospital, leading to real-life skills.
What Sets Our Respiratory Care Program Apart
91% Job Placement Rate & 100% Employer Satisfaction Rate
Saint Joseph’s associate degree in respiratory care has maintained a 91% average job placement rate since 2018, higher than the national placement rate of 87%. Additionally, our program graduates have maintained an impressive 100% employer satisfaction rate.
Award-Winning Program & 85% RRT Credentialing Rate
Program graduates have held an 85% average Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credentialing success rate since 2018.
Additionally, our program was awarded the President’s Award for Excellence in 2022 and the Distinguished RRT Credentialing Success Award from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) in 2023, 2021 and 2020. The award is presented as part of the CoARC’s continued efforts to value the RRT credential as a standard of professional achievement.
Only 23 out of over 450 respiratory programs achieved this honor for our national board exam credentialing success. This demonstrates our program's effectiveness in preparing respiratory care students for educational and professional success.
Preparation to Sit for the TMC & CSE Exams
Saint Joseph's associate's degree in respiratory care provides the preparation necessary to sit for the Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) Examination and Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE). The Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) Examination is the first required exam. Upon passing, you will be given the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credential.
After passing the TMC exam, you will be eligible to sit for the Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE). After passing the CSE exam, you will be awarded the Registered Respiratory Therapist Credentialing credential. Nationally recognized as the standard of excellence for respiratory care professionals, the RRT credential measures the knowledge and skill set of advanced respiratory therapists.
Hands-On Learning in the First & Only Learning Space of its Kind in the Lancaster Area
You’ll feel like you’re on the job from day one at our Center for Excellence in Practice, Lancaster’s newest and most advanced clinical simulation lab. Inside this 20,000-square-foot simulation spice, you'll have the opportunity to work with advanced airway management equipment and ventilators on specialized manikins that mimic respiratory patients.
Guaranteed Clinical Placements Within Your First Year
You are guaranteed clinical placements at premier locations in Pennsylvania within your first year in the respiratory program. You’ll have the opportunity to experience working in clinical settings with expert preceptors', helping transfer knowledge and skills from the classroom to in-person patient experiences. You will learn critical thinking, collaboration and problem-solving by engaging in realistic scenarios staged in real-world medical environments.
Taught by Experienced Faculty in Respiratory Care
You’ll learn about the most advanced respiratory treatments from accessible, experienced faculty. You’ll also have the opportunity to experience working in clinical settings alongside preceptors', helping transfer knowledge and skills from the classroom to in-person patient experiences.
Why Study Respiratory Care in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania is home to top-tier hospitals and sub-acute care facilities in search of respiratory therapists, including:
- Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania – Penn Medicine
- Lancaster General Hospital
- Lehigh Valley Hospital
- Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
- Penn State Health
- St. Lukes Hospital
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC)
Program Details
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Saint Joseph’s associate degree in respiratory care program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).
View our programmatic outcomes data to learn more about this program.
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Saint Joseph's University – Lancaster’s tuition structure includes both per-credit tuition and program-specific fees.
PER-CREDIT TUITION:
The cost of the Respiratory Care Associate Degree is $670 per credit for the 2023-2024 academic year.
PROGRAM-SPECIFIC FEES:
In addition to the per-credit rate, there are also program-specific fees for the following courses:
- When a student enrolls in RCP 120, they will be responsible for paying a fee totaling $2,790
- When a student enrolls in RCP 240, they will be responsible for paying a fee totaling $2,790
- When a student enrolls in RCP 260, they will be responsible for paying a fee totaling $2,790
For a detailed breakdown and additional information, visit our Tuition & Fees page.
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YearRetentionJob PlacementRRT Credentialing Success202291%90%80%2021100%80%60%2020100%100%100%201988%92%92%201891%92%92%
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YearAttemptedPassedRate202291%90%80%2021100%80%60%2020100%100%100%201988%92%92%201891%92%92%
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YearEmployer SatisfactionGraduate Satisfaction2022100%100%2021100%100%2020100%100%2019100%100%2018100%100%
Curriculum
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Fall
Course Credits BIO 175 - Human Anatomy & Physiology I 4 CSS 101 - College Studies Seminar 3 ENG 100 - English Composition 3 HSC 100 - Medical Terminology 1 MAT 160 - College Algebra 3 Total Credits 14 Spring
Course Credits BIO 176 - Human Anatomy & Physiology II 4 CHE 100 - General Chemistry I 3 HSC 101 - Methods of Patient Care 1 RCP 110 - Respiratory Care Procedures I 3 RCP 120 - Respiratory Care Lab I 3 RCP 130 - Respiratory Care Theory I 2 Total Credits 16 Summer
Course Credits RCP 140 - Respiratory Care Procedures II 2 RCP 150 - Respiratory Care Lab II 1 RCP 160 - Respiratory Care Theory II 2 Total Credits 5 Total Year One Credits: 35
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Fall
Course Credits PSY 100 - General Psychology 3 RCP 201 - Entry Level Review 2 RCP 210 Respiratory Care Procedures III 3 RCP 220 - Respiratory Care Lab III 2 RCP 230 - Respiratory Care Theory III 2 RCP 240 - Clinical Level I 2 Total Credits 14 Spring
Course Credits PHI 210 - Ethical and Legal Dimensions in the Health Sciences 1 RCP 251 - Respiratory Care Procedures and Diagnostics IV 3 RCP 271 - Respiratory Care Theory and Application IV 3 SOC 100 or SOC 200 - Introduction to Sociology or Cultural Diversity 3 RCP 260 - Respiratory Care Lab/Clinical IV 3 Total Credits 13 Summer (Session II & II Combined)
Course Credits RCP 280 - Advanced Level Respiratory Care Review 2 RCP 290 - Clinical Level II 4 Total Credits 6 Total Year Two Credits: 33
Total Program Credits: 68
On Average, How Much Do Respiratory Therapists Make?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary of a respiratory therapist in 2022 is $70,540.
Admission Information
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1. To be considered for admission, you must have graduated from an approved secondary school (or be on track to graduate), received a diploma from an accredited home school association or earned a GED.
2. High school or post-secondary college-level courses must include the following:
- At least four units of English
- At least three units of Social Sciences
- At least three units of Mathematics (Two (2) of which are at least the level of Algebra)
- Two (2) units of Science with a related laboratory or an equivalent (One (1) of which must be biology).
3. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or greater on a 4.0-point scale in secondary or post-secondary education (whichever is more recent). However, the GPA requirement can be different depending on specific program requirements. Please see our undergraduate requirements or please reach out to the Office of Admission for additional information.
4. A high school transcript with an official school stamp or an official GED transcript is also required. High school transcripts must include courses completed through your junior year as well as courses in progress during your senior year. If you’ve attended any post-secondary institutions, official transcripts for those institutions are required as well.
Additional Admission Factors for Consideration:
In addition to the required items above, the admission team will consider the following factors when making an admission decision:
- Class rank
- Academic performance in post-secondary science and math courses
- Community service
- Healthcare-related service
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To apply for this program, complete an application online. SAT and/or ACT scores are optional but you can submit them if you think they’ll strengthen your application.
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There is no application deadline for this program. Here are recommended application submission dates:
February 1 – recommended application submission for Fall semester
August 1 – recommended application submission for Spring semester
Saint Joseph’s accepts students on a year-round basis, so any applications received after these dates will be considered for the next applicable semester. Contact the Office of Admission for information regarding space availability.
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If you are not a United States citizen, you must show proof of permanent resident visa status. Students educated in another country may be admitted if they:
- Satisfy general admission requirements
- Earn a minimum of 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based) or 79 (internet-based) on the Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) administered by the Educational Testing Service of Princeton, New Jersey
Students from English-speaking countries may choose to take the SAT or ACT instead of the TOEFL exam. An evaluation of foreign transcripts by the World Education Service or other approved agency is required.
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Transfer credit may be awarded for previous coursework. A course must meet the following requirements to be considered for transfer to Saint Joseph’s University’s Lancaster campus:
- Undergraduate courses with a grade of “C” or above
- Graduate courses with a grade of “B” or above (Pass/Fail grades are not eligible for transfer credit)
- Must be from a regionally or programmatically accredited institution
- The coursework must match the course offered at Saint Joseph’s University
- Some programs have a time limit for specific courses
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Saint Joseph’s is a military-friendly institution and offers assistance and services to veterans and their dependents who are utilizing educational benefits. Benefits include:
- Chapter 30 Montgomery GI Bill®
- Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation
- Chapter 33 Post 911 GI Bill®
- Chapter 35 Survivors and Dependents Assistance
- Chapter 1606 National Guard or Reserves
- Chapter 1607 National Guard or Reserves (REAP) (*if eligible, must be utilized by November 25, 2019)
- Pennsylvania National Guard Educational Assistance Program (EAP)
- Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA)
Program Effectiveness Data
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YearRetentionJob PlacementRRT Credentialing SuccessTMC High Cut Score Pass RateEmployer SatisfactionGraduate Satisfaction202291%90%80%90%100%100%2021100%80%60%80%100%100%2020100%100%100%100%100%100%201988%92%92%100%100%100%201891%92%92%100%100%100%MeasureRetentionJob PlacementRRT Credentialing Success50%0%0%Current Period 3 Yr Avg. 2018-202050%97%100%Previous Period 3 Yr Avg. 2017-201988%96%100%MeasureEmployer SatisfactionGraduate SatisfactionCoARC Accreditation Threshold60%80%80%Current Period 3 Yr Avg. 2018-2020100%100%100%Previous Period 3 Yr Avg. 2017-2019100%100%100%
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