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Program Overview
The Madison College Respiratory Therapy Program is a full-time, two-year program leading to an Associate in Applied Science degree. Respiratory Therapists work in a variety of clinical settings to evaluate, treat, and manage patients who have issues affecting the lungs, other parts of the respiratory system, and other cardiopulmonary disorders causing breathing difficulty. Respiratory Therapists perform a variety of procedures, such as evaluating patients, selecting therapies and assessing the effectiveness of those therapies, diagnostic testing, and are involved in making clinical decisions and educating patients. This program prepares graduates with the knowledge, skills, and behaviors expected in the field of Respiratory Therapy. This program includes classroom and lab instruction, simulation experience, and caring for patients in local hospitals.
This profession is best served by those who: communicate effectively, collaborate well with others, display a positive attitude, adapt quickly to changing situations, treat others with respect and dignity, are dependable, and accept constructive feedback. These are traits that we will promote and nurture in the classroom.
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Petition Process and Requirements
After admitting in a pre-program status, you may be selected to enroll in core-program courses. You can enroll by completing the Petition Requirements and petitioning for the program.
- Log in to your student account and run a Degree Progress Report to review the Petition Requirements. See which pre-program curriculum requirements are completed and which need to be satisfied.
- Complete all Petition Requirements
- Petition to enroll in the core-program courses when the petition window opens for your program, and you are ready based on personal commitments.
- Review the Petition Process webpage for procedures and FAQs.
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Curriculum and Progress Towards Your Degree
After Admission
You can view curriculum requirements in your Degree Progress Report (DPR), which is accessible 24/7 in the Academic Progress tab of the myMadisonCollege portal.
The curriculum in your DPR is set at the time you are admitted to your program, regardless of any future curriculum changes, as long as you maintain consistent class enrollment and demonstrate effort toward completing your degree program.
Readmission Information
If you need to take some time away during your program, you can always come back to continue your coursework with us.
When you come back, your program requirements may have changed, and you may need to reapply. Please consult and work with your Academic Advisor to identify the appropriate course requirements.
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Program Materials and Resources
We cover a lot of material in a short amount of time. As a student at Madison College, you have amazing resources at your fingertips. Your program instructors are available to help you through this journey; don’t be afraid to reach out to them. Time management and organization is very important; the college has academic coaches to assist you with this if needed. Prior to entering the clinical setting (Spring), you must be current with immunizations and CPR certification. Having reliable technology and internet connection is important since each course will have some online component. The College does offer technology to those in need to aid in your success. We ask that you join our professional organization, the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC); there is a student rate and membership offers beneficial student discounts and helpful information.
The Respiratory Therapy Program has an active club to help promote our profession, get involved in community, and network with other students.
We do encourage qualifying students to participate in the Honors Program.Student Program Handbook (PDF)
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.
Professional organization, American Association for Respiratory Care.
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Transfer Opportunities and Resources
Madison College has transfer agreements with other colleges and universities. View the transfer opportunities available to you in this program.Minority-Serving InstitutionsOnline Program AvailableUW System Schools
Wisconsin Private Schools
Out-of-State Schools
Minority-Serving InstitutionsOnline Program AvailableCareer 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
2020 2021 2022 Number of Program Graduates 18 21 17 Number of Surveys Sent 18 21 17 Number of Surveys Returned 10 20 12 Percent of Surveys Returned Available for Employment 9 20 12 Percent Available for Employment 90.00% 100.00% 100.00% Not in Labor Market Percent Not in Labor Market 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Available for Employment
2020 2021 2022 Graduates Employed 9 20 12 Percent of Graduates Employed 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% Employed in Related Occupation 9 19 12 Percent Employed in Related Occupation 100.00% 95.00% 100.00% Employed in Unrelated Occupation 0 1 0 Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation 0.00% 5.00% 0.00% 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
2020 2021 2022 Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4) 3.8 3.9 3.9 Number of Satisfaction Responses 10 20 12 Very Satisfied (4) 8 18 11 Percent Very Satisfied 80.00% 90.00% 91.70% Satisfied (3) 2 2 1 Percent Satisfied 20.00% 10.00% 8.30% 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
2020 2021 2022 Number of Primary Reason Responses 10 20 12 Preparation for Getting a Job 7 7 3 Percent Preparation for Getting a Job 70.00% 35.00% 25.00% Career Change 3 9 5 Percent Career Change 30.00% 45.00% 41.70% Improvement of Existing Skills 0 0 0 Percent Improvement of Existing Skills 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Preparation for Further Education 0 1 3 Percent Preparation for Further Education 0.00% 5.00% 25.00% Personal Interest 0 3 0 Percent Personal Interest 0.00% 15.00% 0.00% Other 0 0 1 Percent Other 0.00% 0.00% 8.30% When Employment was Obtained
2020 2021 2022 Number of When Employment Obtained Responses 9 20 12 Before Enrollment 0 1 1 Percent Before Enrollment 0.00% 5.00% 8.30% While Attending the College 1 5 4 Percent While Attending the College 11.10% 25.00% 33.30% After Training at the College 8 14 7 Percent After Training at the College 88.90% 70.00% 58.30% Location of Employment (related and unrelated)
2020 2021 2022 Number of Employment Location Responses 2 10 6 In College District 1 8 5 Percent In College District 50.00% 80.00% 83.30% In Wisconsin, Not in District 0 0 0 Percent of In Wisconsin 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Outside of Wisconsin 0 2 1 Percent Outside Wisconsin 0.00% 20.00% 16.70% Employer Location Unknown 1 0 0 Percent Location Unknown 50.00% 0.00% 0.00% Salary Trend 2020 2021 2022 Full Time Employment (Related Job) Full Time Salary Count 7 15 11 Average Monthly Wage $4,154 $4,467 $4,527 Average Hourly Wage $24.15 $25.97 $26.32 Average Work Hours per Week 37.9 39.2 36.8 Part Time Employment (Related Job) Part Time Salary Count 1 2 Average Hourly Wage $26.49 $26.28 Average Work Hours per Week 32 32 -
Graduate Employers
Graduate Employers for academic year: 2022 Employer(s) Job Title City* State** Positions American Family Children's Hospital Respiratory Therapist Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Registered Respiratory Therapist Wauwatosa Christus Spohn South Registered Respiratory Therapist Corpus Christi TX Mercy Health System Registered Respiratory Therapist Janesville Meriter Hospital Respiratory Therapist SSM Health Respiratory Care Practitioner SSM Health Respiratory Therapist St Mary's / Dean Ventures Registered Respiratory Therapist UW Health Registered Respiratory Therapist UW Health Respiratory Therapist 2 * - 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