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Stepful College

Associate of Applied Science in Respiratory Therapy

Prepare for a Career in Respiratory Therapy

Learn to evaluate, treat, and care for patients with breathing and cardiopulmonary conditions through classroom, lab, and clinical training in St. Louis.

Institutionally accredited by ABHES
Credential
Associate of Applied Science
Total Credits
81
Program Length
90 weeks6 semesters
Clinical Training
765 hoursclinical practicum
Tuition
$475/credit~$38,475 before fees
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Why Respiratory Therapy

Help patients breathe when it matters most

Respiratory therapists care for people whose breathing has been affected by illness, injury, premature birth, chronic disease, or a medical emergency. They assess patients, perform diagnostic testing, administer treatments, manage respiratory equipment, and support patients who require mechanical ventilation.

Respiratory therapists work with patients of all ages, from premature infants in neonatal intensive care to adults managing asthma, emphysema, and other cardiopulmonary conditions.

$80,450
Median annual wage1
8,800
Projected openings each year1
12%
Projected employment growth, 2024 to 20341
Respiratory therapists monitoring ventilator waveforms at a patient bedside

What You'll Learn

Develop the skills to provide advanced respiratory care

Build the scientific knowledge, technical skills, and clinical judgment needed to evaluate patients and provide evidence-based respiratory care across diverse patient populations.

  • Assess patients and evaluate their need for respiratory care
  • Administer oxygen, aerosol medications, and therapeutic treatments
  • Initiate and manage mechanical ventilation and life-support equipment
  • Conduct arterial blood gas and pulmonary function testing
  • Care for adult, pediatric, and neonatal patients
  • Communicate with patients, families, physicians, and care teams

Curriculum

Six semesters of respiratory care education

Progress from foundational science and general education into respiratory procedures, mechanical ventilation, advanced patient care, and extensive clinical experience.

View Course Catalog(opens in new tab)

  1. Semester 1

    Healthcare and Science Foundations

    Build foundational knowledge through anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, psychology, mathematics, and pathophysiology — the groundwork for respiratory care.

  2. Semester 2

    Cardiopulmonary Foundations

    Study cardiopulmonary anatomy and physiology, integrated health sciences, English composition, and essential medical terminology.

  3. Semester 3

    Respiratory Care Fundamentals

    Begin respiratory pharmacology, patient-care procedures, laboratory practice, professional communication, and clinical readiness.

  4. Semester 4

    Mechanical Ventilation and Diagnostics

    Study respiratory pathology, mechanical ventilation, arterial blood gas analysis, pulmonary function testing, and advanced therapeutics.

  5. Semester 5

    Specialized Respiratory Care

    Develop skills in neonatal and pediatric care, alternative respiratory settings, critical thinking, quality improvement, and credentialing readiness.

  6. Semester 6

    Advanced Practice and Credential Preparation

    Complete advanced mechanical ventilation, comprehensive credentialing review, laboratory skill refinement, and national certification readiness.

    81 credits1,920 instructional hours765 clinical hours270 laboratory hours
A respiratory therapist in blue scrubs standing in a clinical exam room

After Graduation

Pursue the Registered Respiratory Therapist credential

Stepful College graduates are eligible to apply to sit for the board examination series administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) to earn the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential.

After completing the program, graduates earn an Associate of Applied Science and are eligible to apply for the credentialing examination pathway administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care.

Successful completion of the applicable NBRC credentialing requirements can lead to the Registered Respiratory Therapist credential. State licensure requirements are separate and vary by state.

Credential Pathway at a Glance

81
Degree Credits
AAS
Degree Earned
NBRC
Credentialing Body
RRT
Credential Goal
A respiratory therapist providing care to a patient in a hospital setting

Career Settings

Work wherever patients need respiratory care

Respiratory therapists provide care across hospital, diagnostic, and home-based settings where patients need cardiopulmonary testing, treatment, or breathing support.

  • Hospitals and intensive care units
    Neonatal and pediatric care units
  • Pulmonary function laboratories
    Home respiratory-care services

Accreditation

Accredited for respiratory therapy education

Stepful College is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools. The Associate of Applied Science in Respiratory Therapy program at the County Campus holds Continuing Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care.

CoARC Program Number: 200553 • Campus: County Campus, Fenton, Missouri

  • Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) accreditation seal
  • Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) accreditation seal

Admissions

What you need to apply

Contact admissions to confirm current enrollment availability, application deadlines, entrance requirements, and documentation requirements for the Respiratory Therapy program.

  1. High school diploma or recognized equivalent

  2. Completed application and educational records

  3. Respiratory Therapy HESI entrance exam

  4. Admissions review

  5. Background screening before clinical training

Before clinical training

Complete health and clinical requirements

Before entering clinical training, students must satisfy the applicable health, safety, certification, and clinical-site requirements. These may include a physical examination, immunization and tuberculosis documentation, drug screening, background or fingerprint screening, and required CPR-related certifications. Requirements may vary by clinical site and are subject to change.

Tuition & Financial Aid

Understand the full cost of the program

Tuition is charged per credit. Additional expenses include textbooks, technology, laboratory instruction, uniforms, certifications, screening, and credentialing or licensure costs.

$475
Per credit
81
Total credits
$38,475
Tuition before fees or financial aid

Additional cost & aid information

  1. Program costs

    Estimated program costs are approximately $5,125 and cover laboratory instruction, technology, uniforms, and related program expenses.

  2. Textbooks

    Estimated textbook costs are approximately $1,645 across the program.

  3. Additional fees

    Current listed fees include a $75 HESI entrance exam, a $45 background check, a $75 enrollment fee, and a $100 graduation fee, plus approximately $470 in certification and licensure costs.

  4. Financial aid and payment options

    Federal financial aid, scholarships, workforce funding, and payment options may be available to eligible students.

View the complete tuition and fee breakdown

Start your path toward respiratory therapy

Request information to learn more about admissions, upcoming start dates, tuition, clinical training, and the Respiratory Therapy Associate of Applied Science program.

Questions? Call (636) 529-0000