Welcome to the Bachelor of Applied Science in Respiratory Care!
At Metropolitan Community College, we are committed to empowering the next generation of healthcare professionals. Our Bachelor of Applied Science in Respiratory Care program is designed to equip students with the advanced knowledge, clinical skills, and leadership capabilities necessary to excel in the ever-evolving field of respiratory care.
Program highlights
- Save big on your education—MCC’s program costs up to 70% less than similar programs in the area, so you can start your career without a mountain of debt.
- The “degree within a degree” starts with a pathway to an Associate degree in Science – Pre-Professional Studies, Health Emphasis, and supports students in meeting requirements for the Respiratory Care Program.
- Get hands-on training and personal attention from expert instructors in our state-of-the-art Health Science Institute.
- In our new Respiratory Care Program active learning suite, you’ll train on the same advanced equipment used in hospitals, including ventilators, noninvasive ventilation (NIV), and airway clearance devices.
- You’ll gain real-world experience through clinical partnerships with top healthcare facilities including Children’s Mercy, University Health, KU Medical Center, Liberty Hospital, the VA Medical Center, Research Medical Center, and Saint Luke’s Hospitals.
- You’ll also be fully prepared and eligible to take the Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) Exam from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC), the next step toward becoming a licensed Respiratory Therapist.
Careers
What is a Respiratory Therapist?
“Respiratory Therapists are health care professionals responsible for the care of
patients with deficiencies and abnormalities of the cardiopulmonary system” (AARC).
The Respiratory Care Program prepares students for careers as Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRTs). RRTs assess, treat, and monitor patients, often administering oxygen, inhaled medications, and provide ventilator management for patients who are unable to breathe on their own. They also educate patients on managing their conditions and provide emergency support during critical situations.
It’s a dynamic and hands-on job that blends both technical skills and patient care. You get to be part of a healthcare team, often working closely with doctors, nurses, and other specialists to improve patient outcomes.
Whether you're a current healthcare worker looking to advance your career or someone eager to join this vital field, we offer a supportive learning environment where you can grow academically and professionally. Explore our program to learn how you can make a meaningful impact on the lives of patients and communities.
It's also a growing field with a lot of opportunities in various settings, from hospitals to outpatient clinics, and even in home care. Plus, it offers the chance to make a real, positive impact on people’s lives, which is incredibly rewarding.
A much faster than average (9% or higher) employment growth is forecasted from 2023-2033
for Respiratory Therapists with an annual median salary of $74,250 in the Kansas City
area.
Visit Occupational Information Network (O*NET) to view salary information, employment outlook and personal characteristics needed for this career.
Accreditation
“Metropolitan Community College-Penn Valley is currently in the process of seeking CoARC accreditation for a respiratory care program. However, Metropolitan Community College-Penn Valley can provide no assurance that accreditation will be granted by the CoARC.”
For more information, call 817.283.2835, or write to:
Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care
264 Precision Blvd, Telford, TN 37690
Telephone: 817.283.2835
Fax: 817.354.8519
Email: webmaster@coarc.com
Website: 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. View the CoARC Programmatic Outcomes Data.
More program information
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MCC's Repiratory Care program goals include:
- 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).
- To prepare leaders for the field of respiratory care by including curricular content with objectives related to the acquisition of skills in one or more of the following: management, education, research and advanced clinical practice (which may include an area of clinical specialization).
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Graduates are eligible to sit for the national board exams given by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). The Therapist Multiple Choice (TMC) exam is administered following graduation.
This exam yields one of two cut scores. Students achieving the low-cut score will earn the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credential. Students achieving the high cut score will be eligible to sit for the clinical simulation exam.
Successful completion of the clinical simulation exam earns the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential.
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Credit hours needed 120 In District cost per credit hour $121 $14,520 Out of District / Metro Rate cost per credit hour $237 $28,440 Out of State / International cost per credit hour $320 $38,400 Other Fees Course fee - Tier 4 disciplines - practical and professional nursing - Tuition plus $400 program fee per course 15 Respiratory Care Courses $6,000 Books - 5 semesters (approximately $400/semester) $2,000 Trajecsys (12 - 24 months) $150 Scrubs (2 complete sets) and closed-toe shoes $300 Stethoscope $100 Immunizations (varies) n/a Clinical Student (background check) $130 Clinical rotations - Students are responsible for all costs associated with transportation, housing, and living expenses for all clinical rotations. n/a Malpractice Insurance - Students are included in a blanket clinical liability policy. The fee for this policy is billed during the first term of the program. n/a Drug Screening varies Physical varies Total program costs In District $23,200 Out of District / Metro Rate $37,120 Out of State / International $47,085 Note: All costs are subject to change without notice