Respiratory Care, A.A.S.

Lisa Foster
Respiratory Care Program Director
116N Advanced Technology Center
681-753-5706
lfoster2@pierpont.edu

Accrediting Agency

Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC -Probationary Status)
264 Precision Blvd
Telford, TN  37960
Phone: (817) 283-2835
Fax: (817) 354-8519

The Respiratory Care Program at Pierpont’s Advanced Technology Center, CoARC program number 200632, offers a two-year associate’s degree in applied science located at 500 Galliher Drive, Fairmont, WV 26554, is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC)(www.coarc.com). The program has been placed on Probationary Accreditation as of November 22, 2024. 

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.

Program Purpose

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).

Admission Requirements

Admission into the Respiratory Care, A.A.S. program is based upon the following criteria:

1. Apply to Pierpont Community and Technical College for the term you want to begin the program and meet the general admission requirements or be a current student
   1. First-time students should select “Health Sciences: Respiratory Care” as their educational goal on their application.
2. Applications and supporting documentation are due to the Admissions Office by October 15. Applicants who are not admitted must reapply if they wish to be considered for the next academic year.
3. Submit all required documents (High School Equivalency Exam or high school transcripts; any college transcripts) prior to the Respiratory Care application deadline.
4. Have a high school and/or college GPA of 2.5 or better, or a passing score on the High School Equivalency Exam. GPA will be evaluated based on high school transcripts or passing score on the High School Equivalency Exam for students with less than 10 hours of college credit.  
5. Successful applicants must have a minimum score of 60 on the TEAS test (Test of Essential Academic Skills) within the last three years.  Information on TEAS testing can be found on the website at https://www.pierpont.edu/workforce-continuing-education/testing-center/https://www.pierpont.edu/workforce-continuing-education/testing-center/.
6. Successfully completed the following courses with a “C” or higher prior to enrolling in core RESP courses: MTH 1207 , ENGL 1104 , BIOY 1170 , and BIOY 1171 .

*Students can begin the program in the spring semester.

Program Requirements

• Students must pass a criminal background clearance check, meet health and immunization requirements, and drug testing.
• Students must be able to meet the essential functions of the program and classes, with or without accommodations.
• Students will need to provide their own transportation to assigned clinical sites.

Students must complete each course in the Respiratory Care program model schedule with a grade of “C” or higher and maintain an overall 2.5 GPA to remain in the program. Failure to meet any of these requirements will result in dismissal from the program. Students who have been dismissed may reapply to the program and their credentials will be reevaluated.

Upon completion of the required curriculum, graduates are eligible to take the national certifying examinations for Respiratory Therapist. Successful completion of the program does not guarantee job placement or success on the NBRC exams.

Opportunities

Completion of this program leads to an Associate of Applied Science degree in Respiratory Care and eligibility for the Therapist Multiple Choice (TMC) examination which can result in the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) and Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credentials. Additional credentials that may be challenged include: Certified and Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT, RPFT), Neonatal Pediatric Specialist (NPS), Asthma Educator Specialist (AE-C) and Adult Critical Care Specialtist (ACCS).

As a credentialed therapist, graduates may expect to find employment in home care, acute and sub-acute facilities, diagnostic laboratories, research, case management, sleep laboratories, and pulmonary disease education.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the employment of respiratory therapists is expected to increase faster than average from 2023 to 2033 at 13% of 13%. According to the May 2024 report, the median salary of a respiratory therapist in the U.S. is $80,600.

Program Data

The Pierpont Community and Technical College’s Respiratory Care Program at Pierpont’s Advanced Technology Center offers a two-year Associates Degree in Applied Science, CoARC program number 200632, and holds Probationary Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (www.coarc.com).

Program Outcome Data for all programs can be found at this URL https://coarc.com/students/programmatic-outcomes-data/.

Respiratory Care Essential Functions   

2022 Respiratory Care Student Handbook  

2023 Respiratory Care Student Handbook  

2025 Respiratory Care Program Handbook  

2025 Respiratory Care Student Clinical Handbook