Respiratory Care

Respiratory Care is a two-year Associate Degree program, which is accredited by the CoARC (Commission of Accreditation for Respiratory Care). Upon successful completion, the graduate is eligible to take the National Board for Respiratory Care Examinations. Graduates wishing to continue their education can earn a bachelor’s degree.

CoARC Performance Outcomes
Massasoit Community College, Program #200230 -“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.”

Program Goals

To provide individuals with career preparation associated with Entry-Level and Advanced Practitioner Respiratory Care competencies with consideration of the needs and expectations of the program’s communities of interest.

To prepare graduates with demonstrated competence in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and effective (behavior) learning domains of respiratory care practice as performed by Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRT’s).

To provide a curriculum that leads to the Associate in Science degree, eligibility for the national credentialing process, entry into the Massachusetts licensure process, and employment in Respiratory Care.

In addition to courses in general education, liberal arts and respiratory theory, carefully selected clinical experiences are provided in area hospitals and health agencies to enable students to develop the skills necessary for successful completion in order to receive credit and progress to the next program level. A minimum grade of 75 must be achieved in all respiratory care courses. While enrolled in the Respiratory Care Program, students may be eligible for limited licensure through the Massachusetts Board of Respiratory Care with the potential to gain employment as a student Respiratory Therapist at area hospitals.  See the link on this page to the Massachusetts Board of Respiratory Care for detailed information regarding a student limited practice license.

Students contemplating a career in respiratory care must be aware that if they have ever been convicted by a court of law, their records will be subject to review by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Board of Registration in Respiratory Care upon application to take the examination for registered respiratory licensure. A C.O.R.I check will be required for all students before clinical experience.

Respiratory Care is an allied health profession dedicated to the management and care of patients having difficulties and abnormalities associated with breathing. Respiratory care practitioners work under the direction of physicians. Improving the cardiopulmonary health of infants, children, and adults make this an excellent profession with multi-variant career possibilities. Employment can be found in the hospital, in home care, sales, and education. Currently there is a shortage of qualified respiratory care practitioners. To be considered for admission into the Respiratory Care Program the applicant must possess a high school diploma or equivalency certificate as well as have completed the biological principals prerequisite.

Interview at the College with the Program Director or Admissions Director is recommended.

For graduation from the Respiratory Care Program, a grade of “75” or better is required for all respiratory care courses.