Respiratory Therapy Associate Degree
Train to be a respiratory therapist through Shawnee State's CoARC-accredited program — with early clinical rotations, small classes, and direct preparation for the NBRC credentialing exams.
Program Overview
At Shawnee State University, our Associate of Applied Science in Respiratory Therapy prepares students to become critical members of healthcare teams, helping patients of all ages breathe easier. From managing chronic conditions to responding in life-or-death emergencies, respiratory therapists are in high demand across hospitals, clinics, and home care settings nationwide.
Our program offers hands-on learning in advanced clinical environments, guided by experienced faculty who are experts in their field. Students benefit from direct access to real patients through clinical rotations at top-tier healthcare facilities, building both confidence and competency before graduation.
SSU is proud to be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) and to offer one of the most affordable paths to licensure in Ohio. With selective admissions, small class sizes, and personalized advising, we focus on helping every student succeed in the classroom and in their careers.
Whether you’re just starting out or switching careers, our respiratory therapy program puts your goals within reach. Join a community that believes in access, opportunity, and preparing you to thrive in today’s healthcare workforce.
Career Outcomes
Applications for Fall enrollment are due April 1.
How to Apply
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Start your application
Free, takes about 15 minutes.
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Send transcripts
Have your high school guidance counselor send them to admissions@shawnee.edu
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Send Admissions your ACT/SAT scores
If you have a copy of your report, email it to admissions@shawnee.edu. Your high school counselor may also be able to include your ACT/SAT score on your transcript. You may also contact ACT or College Board to have your scores officially sent to Shawnee State. If you listed Shawnee State at the time that you took your test, we will receive your scores automatically.
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Submit the Selective Admission Application
Submit before the deadline to be considered.
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File the FAFSA
School code 009942. Required for Free Tuition.
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Get your decision
Most decisions in under 7 days.
Admission Requirements
Respiratory Therapy is a selective admissions program. To improve your chances of being accepted, schedule a meeting with an admissions advisor and review the admission requirements.
At A Glance
Respiratory Therapy Associate Degree
Degree
A.A.S.
Format
On campus, full-time, cohort
Length
5 semesters (including 1 summer); typically 2 years
Class Size
12:1
Location
Main Campus, Health Sciences Building
Why Study Respiratory Therapy Associate Degree at Shawnee University
Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC), with a curriculum built around the NBRC credentialing exams.
Clinical rotations begin in your first year — you're working with real patients early, not just reading about them.
Strong partnerships with regional hospitals and medical centers, including a clear pipeline into local jobs after graduation.
Small class sizes and faculty who have practiced as respiratory therapists.
One of the most affordable paths to licensure in Ohio, with selective admissions support to help you stay on track.
The curriculum is sequenced across five semesters, building from foundational science into advanced respiratory care and clinical practice.
- Cardiopulmonary diagnostics
- Pathophysiology
- Respiratory care procedures
- Ventilator management
- Pharmacology for respiratory care
- Clinical rotations at affiliated hospitals and medical centers
Clinical rotations start in the first year of the program and continue through graduation. You'll work in partnership hospitals and medical centers, delivering respiratory care under supervision. Students also extend their training through volunteer work — including free pulmonary function screenings and respiratory health education in local schools.
By graduation, you'll be able to:
- Assess, treat, and manage patients with cardiopulmonary conditions
- Demonstrate clinical competence in respiratory care procedures
- Apply critical thinking and evidence-based practice
- Communicate and behave professionally in clinical settings
- Sit for the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) credentialing exams
On campus in the Health Sciences Building, with clinical rotations at affiliated hospitals and medical centers across the region. The full list of clinical sites is posted on the program's website.
Respiratory therapists work in:
- Hospitals (adult, pediatric, neonatal, and ICU settings)
- Emergency departments and rapid response teams
- Outpatient pulmonary clinics
- Home health and long-term care
- Sleep labs and pulmonary diagnostic centers
Demand for credentialed respiratory therapists is high across the region, with competitive starting salaries.
Free Tuition and Financial Aid
Shawnee State's tuition is among the lowest in Ohio, and the Shawnee Advantage Tuition Guarantee keeps your rate flat for four years. Scholarships including Choose Ohio First and the Pell-Eligible Free Tuition Program may also apply.
See if you Qualify for Free Tuition
Ohio students can apply to receive a $1,500 scholarship up to full-tuition when you apply and are accepted.
Learn More about Choose Ohio FirstRespiratory Therapy Associate Degree Frequently Asked Questions
Five semesters of full-time enrollment, including one summer — about two years from start to finish.
Yes. Clinical rotations are a core part of the program and begin in your first year.
Graduates are prepared to take the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) credentialing exams.
Program handbook
For the most current student handbook, contact the Department of Allied Health Sciences or Program Director Amy France directly.
Accreditation
The Shawnee State University Respiratory Therapy Program (CoARC program number 200268), degree awarded Associate of Applied Science at Shawnee State University, 940 Second St. Portsmouth, Ohio 45662, is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (www.coarc.com).
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.
Shawnee State University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
