What is Respiratory Therapy?

 

 

 

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Respiratory Therapy program are prepared to work in a variety of healthcare settings, including:

• Hospitals (acute care & intensive care units)
• Pulmonary function lab
• Rehabilitation centers
• Sleep lab
• Long-term care facilities
• Home healthcare

Respiratory therapists are in demand and play a vital role in assessing, treating, and managing patients with cardiopulmonary conditions.

 

Visit the Respiratory Therapy Academic & Career Pathways website to explore career opportunities.

 

 

Program Overview

The Respiratory Therapy program at Grossmont College prepares students for entry into the profession through a combination of classroom instruction, laboratory training, and supervised clinical experience.

• Degree Awarded:  Associate of Science in Respiratory Therapy (A.S. RT)
• Program Length: Approximately 2 years
  (full-time, cohort-based)
• Schedule: Primarily daytime hours; may include early mornings, evenings, and occasional weekends

Students progress through the program as a cohort, building knowledge & clinical skills in a structured sequence.

 

Graduates are eligible to take national credentialing examinations required for employment as a respiratory therapist.

 

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Program Goals

To prepare graduates with demonstrated competence in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains of respiratory care practice as performed by registered respiratory therapists (RRTs) (CoARC, 2026).

 

 

 

 

Program Cost by Stage

College/Program Costs are subject to change

 

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Before Acceptance (Prerequisites & General Education)

Estimated costs for prerequisite and general education coursework prior to admission

Cost Item	Description	Cost
Tuition	31 units at $46 per unit  (California resident)	$1,426
Parking Permit	$40 per semester (estimated 4 semesters)	$160
Health Fee	$22 per semester (estimated 4 semesters)	$88
Student Rep Fee	$2 per semester (estimated 4 semesters)	$8
Estimated Total		$1,682

Costs may vary based on course load and enrollment status

 

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After Acceptance (Program Entry Costs)

Estimated costs required after acceptance and before starting the program

Cost Item	Description	Cost
Immunizations	Hep B, Tdap, MMR, Varicella, TB, COVID-19, & Flu	$250
Physical Exam	Required annually	$50/year
Background & Screening	Background check, drug screen, & compliance tracking	$145–$200/year
Uniforms	2 sets recommended	$150
Stethoscope	Required equipment	$150
BLS Certification	Basic Life Support	$70
Malpractice Insurance	Required annually	$35/year
Clinical Documentation System	Trajecsys	$150
Estimated Total		$1,055-$1,340

 

 

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During the Program (RT Coursework)

Estimated costs while enrolled in the Respiratory Therapy program.

Cost Item	Description	Cost
Program Tuition	50 units at $46 per unit	$2,300
Health Service Fee	$22 per semester (5 semesters)	$110
Textbooks	Required course materials	$800
Kettering Classmates	Semester 2	$175
Neonatal Resuscitation (NRP)	Semester 2 certification	$225
ACLS Certification	Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (Semester 3)	$275
PALS Certification	Pediatric Advanced Life Support (Semester 4)	$275
Kettering Seminar	Recommended (Semester 4)	$475
Live Scan Fingerprinting	Licensure preparation	$75
NBRC Practice Exams	Self-assessment exams	$100
Estimated Total		$5,210

 

 

 

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After Graduation

Estimated costs required after graduation for licensure and certification

Cost Item	Description	Cost
Board Exams	NBRC credentialing exams	$400
State Licensure Application	California licensure fee	$300
Estimated Total		$700

 

 

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Estimated Total Cost Range (All Stages)

Costs are approximate and subject to change based on course load, annual fee increases, certification requirements, and individual student needs.

Stage	Description	Estimated Cost Range
Before Acceptance	Prerequisite and general education coursework completed prior to admission	$1,682–$1,850
After Acceptance	Health compliance, screening, uniforms, equipment, and onboarding requirements	$1,055–$1,340
During the Program	Program tuition, textbooks, certifications, exams, and related coursework expenses	$5,210
After Graduation	Board examinations and California licensure fees	$700
Estimated Total Cost Range		$8,647–$8,932

Program costs vary by student and are subject to change. Estimates are provided for planning purposes only.

 

 

 

Accreditation

Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC)

Grossmont College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) and is a member of the California Community College Association. Appropriate courses are fully accepted on transfer by the University of California, the California State University and by private four-year colleges and universities.

 

428 J Street, Suite 400

Sacramento, CA

 

Phone:  (619) 506-0234
Email:  Send a message to ACCJC

 

 

 

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Respiratory Care Board of California (RCB)

The Respiratory Care Board of California (RCB) requires that applicants for licensure obtain a minimum of an associate degree in respiratory care from an institution accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care.

 

3750 Rosin Court, Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95834

 

Phone: (916) 999-2190

Email:  Send a message to the RCB

 

 

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Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC)

The Grossmont College Respiratory Therapy Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). 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. The Grossmont College Respiratory Therapy Program CoARC identification number is 200085.

 

200085 Program Outcomes

Retention Rate 93%

Therapist Multiple Choice Exam High Cut Score 95%

RRT Success 91%

Job Placement Rate 86%

Employer Satisfaction 100%

Graduate Satisfaction 100%

 

CoARC

264 Precision

Telford, TN 37690

 

Phone: (817) 283-2835
Fax to Plain Paper: (817) 354-8519

 

For more information, visit the CoARC website

 

 

 

 

 

National Testing Results

Graduates of the program are eligible to take national credentialing examinations administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).

 

These include:

• Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) Examination
• Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE)

Recent outcomes for Grossmont College Graduates

• CRT (Certified Respiratory Therapist)
  Success Rate:  97%
• RRT (Registered Respiratory Therapist)
  Success Rate:  97%

These results exceed national threshold expectations and reflect strong preparation for professional practice.

 

 

 

USDE Compliance Statement

The Respiratory Therapy program at Grossmont College is designed to meet the educational requirements for respiratory therapist licensure and credentialing in the State of California.

 

Licensure requirements may vary by state.  Students planning to seek employment or licensure outside of California are encouraged to contact the appropriate state licensing agency to verify current requirements before beginning the program.

 

This disclosure is provided in accordance with the U.S. Department of Education regarding professional licensure programs. 

 

Professional Licensure Disclosure Requirement (34 CFR §668.43)