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If you’d like to learn more about the Respiratory Therapy program, we’d love to talk with you. We’re here to answer any questions and guide you through our application process step-by-step. Send us your contact information, and we’ll help you get started right away!
Financial Aid Available
Program Transfers
$12,014.41
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Program Overview
The Respiratory Therapy program at Madison College is an intensive full time, two-year program leading to an Associate in Applied Science degree.
This program is designed 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).
The program includes classroom and lab instruction, simulation experience, and clinical practice at local hospital affiliates.
Respiratory Therapists work in a wide variety of clinical settings to evaluate, treat and manage patients with respiratory illnesses and other cardiopulmonary disorders.
Respiratory Therapists perform respiratory care procedures, such as patient evaluation, treatment selection and assessment of treatment, and are involved in clinical decision-making and patient education.
As a student in the Respiratory Therapy program, you will learn to:
- Assess cardiopulmonary status
- Draw blood samples and perform blood gas analysis
- Modify prescribed respiratory care and cardiopulmonary procedures
- Perform pulmonary function testing
- Evaluate and monitor patient response to treatment
- Provide patient, family and community education
- Participate in life support activities
Please note: upon admission to this program, you will be required to complete a background check and provide documentation of current required-immunizations and current Healthcare Provider CPR certification.
Program Details
Wisconsin law requires background checks for persons who provide care for others or have access to people who receive care. This law applies to students in many School of Health Sciences programs. Please review the Caregiver Background Check information on the School of Health Sciences Forms and Policies.
Students in the Respiratory Therapy program must attend full time.
Classes are offered Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Assigned clinical hours may vary between 6 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.Respiratory Therapy classes are offered at the Madison Truax campus.
Careers in Respiratory Therapy
As an advanced-level respiratory therapy program, graduates are eligible to become Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRT).
- Respiratory Therapist
- Certified Respiratory Therapist
- Registered Respiratory Therapist
With additional education and/or work experience, graduates may find employment as:
- Acute Care Respiratory Therapist
- Pulmonary Function Technologist
- Respiratory Care Manager
- Neonatal/Pediatric Therapist
- Sleep Disorder Therapist
- Home Care Therapist
- Pulmonary Rehabilitation Therapist
- Respiratory Care Practioner
Program Resources
The Respiratory Therapy Program at Madison College, CoARC number 200154, Associate Degree in Applied Science,located at the Truax campus,is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (www.coarc.com), 264 Precision Blvd. Telford, TN 37690.Find the Report on Accreditation in Respiratory Care Education here.
Respiratory Therapy Program Faculty:
Program Director, Patty Montgomery BS, RRT
Director of Clinical Education, Chris Becker MSE, RRT
Program Instructor, Lauren Wheelock, BSHM, RRT-ACCS
Program Instructor, Amy Setchell BSRT, RRT
Program Instructor, Joe Punzel BS, RRT
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Curriculum and Experience
Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2022-2023 academic year. To learn more about Madison College, visit us.
Current and newly admitted program students, go directly to your Degree Progress Report to view:
- Progress toward your specific requirements
- Alternative (in lieu of) courses to meet specific requirements
If you have questions after reviewing your degree progress report (advisement report), please see Advising Services.
Pre-Program CoursesThe following courses should be taken during the petition process, prior to program acceptance.Choose from General, Organic & Biological Chem or General Chem. General Chemistry is the level of chemistry required to satisfy the requirement for Respiratory Therapy but completing General Organic and Bio Chemistry is highly recommended if you plan to ultimately obtain a Bachelor’s degree.First SemesterSecond SemesterChoose from Microbiology or General Microbiology:Summer TermThird SemesterFourth Semester -
Admission
To Apply
Students need to complete the petition process to get into core-program classes for this program. Before submitting an application, it’s important to review the Petition Process webpage which also includes estimated wait times for each program.
- View the admission requirements for application deadlines, materials, and requirements
- There is currently 0-1 years between acceptance into pre-program and the start of core classes. The estimated time to enter the core-program is subject to change based on the variable number of students ready to petition each semester.
- Learn more about the Madison College experience and get help with the admissions process
After Acceptance
Once you have been accepted in a pre-program status, your next step is to complete the Petition Requirements. See the Petition information in the next section.
Additional Notes
Students will be required to meet the current admission and petition requirements. Requirements must be amended any time accreditation requirements are updated or changed. Requirements may also be amended based on Madison College programmatic assessment data.
Questions?
Contact Enrollment Services at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.
Get Started!
Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your career in healthcare.
- View the admission requirements for application deadlines, materials, and requirements
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Petition
After Acceptance
After you have been admitted into a pre-program status, complete all of the Petition Requirements for your program. Login to your student account and run a Degree Progress Report to review the Petition Requirements and see which requirements you have completed and which need to be satisfied.
Requirements vary by program, and may include some or all of the following:
- Prerequisites (examples: Algebra, Geometry, Chemistry, Biology, English and Reading): This varies by program
- Course Requirements (examples: Anatomy and Physiology, Intro to Psychology, etc.): This varies by program
- Testing Requirement (examples: ACT, HESI, TEAS): This varies by program
- Petition Workshop: This is done online and can be found in Blackboard after you have been admitted in a pre-program status
You can view the Petition Requirements for this program using the links below.
After completing the petition requirements, students are then selected for entry into core program courses through the Petition Process.
Questions?
Contact Enrollment Services at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.
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Transfer Opportunities
Wisconsin Schools
Per the agreement, students must complete the associates of arts, associates of science or associates of applied science with an overall GPA of a 2.0 prior to transferring. Articulation agreement is for students who graduate from appropriate program and wish to pursue one of the following degrees at Capella: Bachelor of Science in Business specializations, Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, Bachelor of Science in Public Safety specializations, Bachelor of Science in Nursing (must hold a valid RN license) and Bachelor of Science in Psychology.This online program is designed for practicing respiratory therapists in WI and MN. The agreement collects WTCS general education courses from multiple colleges that will satisfy core requirements and is intended to be used for course planning at the associate level. A grade of "C-" or better is needed for the course to fulfill the specified requirement.A student who completes an associate of arts, associate of science or associates of applied science is considered part of the ‘advanced core‘. The Advanced Core requires students to have earned at least 64 credits of transfer. If students transfer prior to completion or with less than 64 credits they will be considered part of the standard core and credits will be evaluated on a course by course basis.Students will be granted admission to a bachelors degree program upon completion of an approved transfer program at Madison College. Students must have earned a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or greater while at Madison College. Regardless of the number of credits transferred students must complete at least 25% of their baccalaureate degree credits at Herzing University University.Student who earn an Associate Degree from Madison College can transfer a minimum of 60 credits and a maximum of 72 credits to Lakeland College to be applied to the requirements of the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Sciences degree.Any Madison College student who has successfully completed an associate degree in applied science after 2015, and meets admission requirements for the Rader School of Business (RSOB) at the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) can earn a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Technical Sales at MSOE by successfully completing the AAS to BBA Technical Sales Transfer Track in the Business Administration program. --- In particular, any Madison College student who successfully completes all technical courses and general education courses in their AAS program with a grade of C or better (not C-) in each course; successfully completes all other specified courses, as defined in this transfer agreement, with a grade of C or better (not C-) in each course; and meets the MSOE admission requirements for transfer students into the BBA Program at MSOE, minimum 2.75/4.0 cumulative GPA from the last regionally accredited school will be admitted into the AAS to BBA Technical Sales Transfer Track in the Bachelor of Business Administration program at MSOE.The terms of the Leadership & Org Studies agreement are limited to students who complete an associates of applied science degree and are admitted to the Organizational Studies emphasis of the Leadership and Organizational Studies at UW O. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher. The terms of the Human Services Leadership agreement are limited to students who have complete an associates of applied science degree and have been admitted to the Human Services Leadership degree at UW O. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.Non-Wisconsin Schools
Students who complete any associate degree at Madison Area Technical College will have no additional general education core curriculum requirements to meet but must satisfy the Kirkpatrick Signature Series requirement. This applies to students who are pursuing a bachelors of arts, bachelors of science or bachelors of fine arts at Bellevue University.Per the agreement, students must complete the associates of arts, associates of science or associates of applied science with an overall GPA of a 2.0 prior to transferring. Articulation agreement is for students who graduate from appropriate program and wish to pursue one of the following degrees at Capella: Bachelor of Science in Business specializations, Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, Bachelor of Science in Public Safety specializations, Bachelor of Science in Nursing (must hold a valid RN license) and Bachelor of Science in Psychology.Students graduating with an associate degree from MATC with a 2.0 GPA or higher are guaranteed admissions into CSU-Global and can transfer up to 64 semester credits from MATC to be applied toward earning a Bachelor’s Degree at CSU-Global.A student who completes an associate of arts, associate of science or associates of applied science is considered part of the ‘advanced core‘. The Advanced Core requires students to have earned at least 64 credits of transfer. If students transfer prior to completion or with less than 64 credits they will be considered part of the standard core and credits will be evaluated on a course by course basis.Franklin University will guarantee acceptance of all Madison College graduates with an Associate in Arts, Associate in Science or Associate of Applied Science. Madison College graduates will have junior standing at Franklin University and may transfer additional credits (up to a maximum of 94) toward their baccalaureate degree.Students will be granted admission to a bachelors degree program upon completion of an approved transfer program at Madison College. Students must have earned a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or greater while at Madison College. Regardless of the number of credits transferred students must complete at least 25% of their baccalaureate degree credits at Herzing University University. -
Career Outcomes
After completing the Respiratory Therapy program at Madison Area Technical College, you will be prepared to:
- Apply respiratory therapy concepts to patient care situations.
- Demonstrate technical proficiency required to fulfill the role of a respiratory therapist.
- Practice respiratory therapy according to established professional and ethical standards.
Graduates are qualified to sit for the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) examinations.
Find the Report on Accreditation in Respiratory Care Education here. Get programmatic outcomes data here.
Madison College's Respiratory Therapy program has a WTCS transfer agreement with Cardinal Stritch University, to earn your Bachelor of Science degree in Respiratory Therapy.
For further information regarding Madison College's Respiratory Therapy program, please contact Program Director, Patty Montgomery.
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Graduate Summary
Graduate Report Summary Overview
2019 2020 2021 Number of Program Graduates 23 18 21 Number of Surveys Sent 23 18 21 Number of Surveys Returned 22 10 20 Percent of Surveys Returned 95.70% 55.60% 95.20% Available for Employment 22 9 20 Percent Available for Employment 100.00% 90.00% 100.00% Not in Labor Market 0 0 0 Percent Not in Labor Market 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Available for Employment
2019 2020 2021 Graduates Employed 22 9 20 Percent of Graduates Employed 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% Employed in Related Occupation 22 9 19 Percent Employed in Related Occupation 100.00% 100.00% 95.00% Employed in Unrelated Occupation 0 0 1 Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation 0.00% 0.00% 5.00% Employed - No Response 0 0 0 Percent Employed - No Response 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Seeking Employment 0 0 0 Percent Seeking Employment 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Reaction To Training at Madison College
2019 2020 2021 Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4) 3.7 3.8 3.9 Number of Satisfaction Responses 21 10 20 Very Satisfied (4) 14 8 18 Percent Very Satisfied 66.70% 80.00% 90.00% Satisfied (3) 7 2 2 Percent Satisfied 33.30% 20.00% 10.00% Unsatisfied (2) 0 0 0 Percent Unsatisfied 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Very Unsatisfed (1) 0 0 0 Percent Very Unsatisfied 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Primary Reason for Attending Madison College
2019 2020 2021 Number of Primary Reason Responses 22 10 20 Preparation for Getting a Job 8 7 7 Percent Preparation for Getting a Job 36.40% 70.00% 35.00% Career Change 12 3 9 Percent Career Change 54.50% 30.00% 45.00% Improvement of Existing Skills 0 0 0 Percent Improvement of Existing Skills 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Preparation for Further Education 2 0 1 Percent Preparation for Further Education 9.10% 0.00% 5.00% Personal Interest 0 0 3 Percent Personal Interest 0.00% 0.00% 15.00% Other 0 0 0 Percent Other 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% When Employment was Obtained
2019 2020 2021 Number of When Employment Obtained Responses 22 9 20 Before Enrollment 0 0 1 Percent Before Enrollment 0.00% 0.00% 5.00% While Attending the College 8 1 5 Percent While Attending the College 36.40% 11.10% 25.00% After Training at the College 14 8 14 Percent After Training at the College 63.60% 88.90% 70.00% Location of Employment (related and unrelated)
2019 2020 2021 Number of Employment Location Responses 22 10 20 In College District 16 1 8 Percent In College District 72.70% 10.00% 40.00% In Wisconsin, Not in District 5 8 10 Percent of In Wisconsin 22.70% 80.00% 50.00% Outside of Wisconsin 1 0 2 Percent Outside Wisconsin 4.50% 0.00% 10.00% Employer Location Unknown 0 1 0 Percent Location Unknown 0.00% 10.00% 0.00% Salary Trend 2019 2020 2021 Full Time Employment (Related Job) Full Time Salary Count 17 7 15 Average Monthly Wage $4,096 $4,154 $4,467 Average Hourly Wage $23.81 $24.15 $25.97 Average Work Hours per Week 36.7 37.9 39.2 Part Time Employment (Related Job) Part Time Salary Count 4 1 2 Average Hourly Wage $24.60 $26.49 $26.28 Average Work Hours per Week 27.5 32 32 -
Graduate Employers
Graduate Employers for academic year: 2021 Employer(s) Job Title City* State** Positions Bellin Hospital Respiratory Care Practitioner Green Bay Mayo Clinic Registered Respiratory Therapist Rochester MN Mayo Clinic Respiratory Therapist Rochester MN Mayo Clinic Registered Respiratory Therapist La Crosse SSM Health Respiratory Therapist 2 Stoughton Health Respiratory Therapist Stoughton Unity Point Health Respiratory Therapist UnityPoint Health-Meriter Registered Respiratory Therapist Upland Hills Health Center Respiratory Therapist Dodgeville UW Health Hospitals & Clinics Registered Respiratory Therapist UW Health Hospitals & Clinics Respiratory Therapist 5 Watertown Regional Medical Center Respiratory Care Practitioner Watertown * - Only cities outside of Madison will display.
** - Only states outside of Wisconsin will display.
*** - If you have a position to post, please contact Career and Employment Services at jobpostings@madisoncollege.edu