Most people take being able to breathe for granted. This is about those who can’t – and how you can help with this basic need.
Respiratory Therapist checking lungs of patient
17
Recent Graduates
There are 17 recent graduates of this Madison College program.
100%
Employed
100% of our recent graduates got a job in the industry.
$54k
Annual Salary
Our recent graduates of this program reported an average starting salary of $54,324.

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Respiratory Therapy
Program Number: 105151
Your Degree:
Associate Degree
Area of Study:
Health Sciences
Delivery Method:
100% In Person
Estimated Time to Complete:
63 Credits | Finish degree in 2 years
financial aid icon Financial Aid Available
transfer icon Program Transfers
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What You'll Pay
Use our Net Price Calculator to estimate your tuition costs.

Estimated Program Cost

$11,365.95

Financial Aid

Applying for financial aid and scholarships help you pay for your education.
  • 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 Kante, BSHM, RRT-ACCS

    Program Instructor, Amy Setchell BSRT, RRT

    Program Instructor, Joe Punzel BS, RRT

    Logo of Respiratory Therapy Accreditation
    The Respiratory Therapy Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care
  • Curriculum and Experience

    Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2024-2025 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 Courses
    The following courses should be taken during the petition process, prior to program acceptance.
    10-801-195
    3 credits
    First Semester
    10-515-111
    3 credits
    10-515-173
    3 credits
    10-806-177
    4 credits
    Second Semester
    10-806-197
    4 credits
    10-515-171
    3 credits
    10-515-172
    3 credits
    10-515-174
    3 credits
    10-515-175
    2 credits
    10-515-176
    3 credits
    Summer Term
    10-801-198
    3 credits
    Third Semester
    10-515-112
    2 credits
    10-515-113
    3 credits
    10-515-178
    3 credits
    10-515-179
    3 credits
    10-809-197
    3 credits
    Fourth Semester
    10-515-180
    2 credits
    10-515-181
    3 credits
    10-515-182
    3 credits
    10-515-183
    3 credits
    10-809-199
    3 credits
  • 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 no current estimated wait time 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 are required to meet the current admission and petition requirements. Requirements are subject to change based on updates to accreditation requirements or Madison College program assessment data.

      Questions?

      Contact Enrollment Services at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.

      apply for admission

      Get Started!

      Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your Respiratory Therapy career.

      It's Free to Apply

    • 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:

      • Petition Workshop: This is done online and can be found in Blackboard after you have been admitted in a pre-program status
      • 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

      You can view the Petition Requirements for this program using the links below.

      Fall 2023 and Spring 2024   

      Fall 2024 and Spring 2025

      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.

    • Transfer Opportunities

      UW System Schools

      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.

      Wisconsin Private Schools

      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.

      Out-of-State 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.
      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.
    • 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.

      • Graduate Summary

        Graduate Report Summary Overview

        202020212022
        Number of Program Graduates182117
        Number of Surveys Sent182117
        Number of Surveys Returned102012
        Percent of Surveys Returned
        Available for Employment92012
        Percent Available for Employment90.00%100.00%100.00%
        Not in Labor Market
        Percent Not in Labor Market0.00%0.00%0.00%
        Available for Employment

        202020212022
        Graduates Employed92012
        Percent of Graduates Employed100.00%100.00%100.00%
        Employed in Related Occupation91912
        Percent Employed in Related Occupation100.00%95.00%100.00%
        Employed in Unrelated Occupation010
        Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation0.00%5.00%0.00%
        Employed - No Response000
        Percent Employed - No Response0.00%0.00%0.00%
        Seeking Employment000
        Percent Seeking Employment0.00%0.00%0.00%
        Reaction To Training at Madison College

        202020212022
        Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4)3.83.93.9
        Number of Satisfaction Responses102012
        Very Satisfied (4)81811
        Percent Very Satisfied80.00%90.00%91.70%
        Satisfied (3)221
        Percent Satisfied20.00%10.00%8.30%
        Unsatisfied (2)000
        Percent Unsatisfied0.00%0.00%0.00%
        Very Unsatisfed (1)000
        Percent Very Unsatisfied0.00%0.00%0.00%
        Primary Reason for Attending Madison College

        202020212022
        Number of Primary Reason Responses102012
        Preparation for Getting a Job773
        Percent Preparation for Getting a Job70.00%35.00%25.00%
        Career Change395
        Percent Career Change30.00%45.00%41.70%
        Improvement of Existing Skills000
        Percent Improvement of Existing Skills0.00%0.00%0.00%
        Preparation for Further Education013
        Percent Preparation for Further Education0.00%5.00%25.00%
        Personal Interest030
        Percent Personal Interest0.00%15.00%0.00%
        Other001
        Percent Other0.00%0.00%8.30%
        When Employment was Obtained

        202020212022
        Number of When Employment Obtained Responses92012
        Before Enrollment011
        Percent Before Enrollment0.00%5.00%8.30%
        While Attending the College154
        Percent While Attending the College11.10%25.00%33.30%
        After Training at the College8147
        Percent After Training at the College88.90%70.00%58.30%
        Location of Employment (related and unrelated)

        202020212022
        Number of Employment Location Responses2106
        In College District185
        Percent In College District50.00%80.00%83.30%
        In Wisconsin, Not in District000
        Percent of In Wisconsin0.00%0.00%0.00%
        Outside of Wisconsin021
        Percent Outside Wisconsin0.00%20.00%16.70%
        Employer Location Unknown100
        Percent Location Unknown50.00%0.00%0.00%
        Salary Trend
        Salary Trend202020212022
        Full Time Employment (Related Job)Full Time Salary Count71511
        Average Monthly Wage$4,154$4,467$4,527
        Average Hourly Wage$24.15$25.97$26.32
        Average Work Hours per Week37.939.236.8
        Part Time Employment (Related Job)Part Time Salary Count12
        Average Hourly Wage$26.49$26.28
        Average Work Hours per Week3232
      • Graduate Employers

        Graduate Employers for academic year: 2022
        Employer(s)Job TitleCity*State**Positions
        American Family Children's HospitalRespiratory Therapist
        Children's Hospital of WisconsinRegistered Respiratory TherapistWauwatosa
        Christus Spohn SouthRegistered Respiratory TherapistCorpus ChristiTX
        Mercy Health SystemRegistered Respiratory TherapistJanesville
        Meriter HospitalRespiratory Therapist
        SSM HealthRespiratory Care Practitioner
        SSM HealthRespiratory Therapist
        St Mary's / Dean VenturesRegistered Respiratory Therapist
        UW HealthRegistered Respiratory Therapist
        UW HealthRespiratory Therapist2

        * - 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

    Ready to get started?
    Your first step is to apply to Madison College. It's easy and free to apply, so get started today!
    Contact the School of Health Sciences

    Madison Truax Campus
    Health Building, 103

    1705 Hoffman Street
    Madison, Wisconsin 53704

    healthsciences@madisoncollege.edu
    608.616.1250

    Hours

    • Monday – Thursday: 8 am - 4 pm
    • Friday: 8 am - 12 pm (Help by phone or email)