Respiratory Therapy

Respiratory Therapy Program

A preemie takes her first breath. A child in the ER goes into respiratory distress. A family gathers at the bedside of an intubated grandparent. As a respiratory therapist, you play an important role in these critical moments.

This career will take you into every specialty and onto every floor of a hospital. Your day may pull you from the adrenaline rush of the ER into a meeting with a patient with COPD or asthma. A career in respiratory therapy puts you on the front lines of pulmonology from prevention to rehabilitation.

New Health Building

Coming Soon! 

In 2026, the Respiratory Therapy program will move to the new, state-of-the-art Health Sciences building on our Orchard Ridge Campus. Here, you will meet and work with expert caring faculty, staff, and students in all the healthcare disciplines – just as you’ll experience in the field. Check out the new facilities.

From ICU to Outpatient: Diverse World of Respiratory Therapy

The Respiratory Therapy program at Oakland Community College (OCC) is the start of a healthcare career with amazing rewards. OCC graduates have built good careers in: 

  • Hospitals
  • Clinics
  • Rehab centers
  • Senior care facilities
  • Private practices

After gaining your RTT license, you can go on to specialize by earning credentials in: 

  • Adult critical care
  • Neonatal or pediatric care
  • Sleep disorders
  • Asthma education
  • Pulmonary function technology

Your associate’s degree from OCC also prepares you to continue to a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Some respiratory therapists advance into related careers like physician assistant or nurse anesthetist.

A Life-Changing Career

The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that respiratory therapist employment will grow 13 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.

Job Market Outlook

Our Respiratory Therapy Program Goals

Oakland Community College's Respiratory Therapy program is designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in this dynamic field. After completion of this program you will have:

  • Knowledge: You will possess the necessary respiratory therapy knowledge. (cognitive domain elements) 
  • Skills: You will be proficient in respiratory therapy skills. (elements of the psychomotor domain)
  • Attitude: You will demonstrate professional behavior and communication skills. (pertaining to affective domain areas).

What it Takes to Excel as a Respiratory Therapist

To succeed in OCC’s RSP program you need to meet our program’s technical standards:

  • Academic: Master medical terminology, analyze patient data, conduct research. 
  • Interpersonal: Collaborate, communicate clearly, build rapport with diverse patient populations, classmates, and instructors. 
  • Clinical: Perform vital signs, phlebotomy, lab tests, make rapid decisions, apply theory to practice. 
  • Physical: Ability to transport equipment and patients, perform CPR, interpret orders, observe patients, move quickly within workspace, respond to verbal and nonverbal cues. 
  • Technical: Computer proficiency, documentation, adherence to HIPAA.

Five key facts about OCC’s Respiratory Therapy program

  • Up to 30 students join the program each year. 
  • It’s a full-time program that lasts for 20 consecutive months (September through the second April) after you complete your prerequisite classes.
  • Your instructors are highly experienced practitioners with multiple credentials or advanced degrees.
  • Most students receive job offers before graduation.
  • There is currently no wait list for the program

Attend a Program Info Session 

Your first step: Register for the most convenient upcoming session. You will learn about:

  • Program requirements 
  • Theory classes 
  • Labs 
  • Clinical phases 
  • How to succeed 

All sessions held via zoom require cameras to be on. 

Upcoming Respiratory Therapy Events

Respiratory Therapy Information Session
November 12, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM @ Virtual Event

See all respiratory therapy events


Become A Lung Specialist

Our Respiratory Therapy program equips you with the hands-on skills and theoretical knowledge needed to excel in real-world healthcare settings. Through a combination of classroom learning, clinical rotations, and state-of-the-art simulation labs, our graduates emerge job-ready and confident.

The Coursework

During our 20-month program, your coursework will prepare you for:  

  • Critical care procedures 
  • Diagnostic testing
  • Equipment procedures
  • Fundamentals of the cardiopulmonary system
  • Pharmacology

Real world experiences: Clinicals  

Clinical rotations begin during your third semester. Your program directors plan your clinical assignments to ensure you gain exposure to a variety of healthcare settings. 

This structured approach allows you to fully immerse yourself in the field and develop the skills necessary for a successful respiratory therapy career. Here is what you need to know: 

Convenient Location: Clinical sites are within a 50-mile radius of our campus.
Professional Development: Gain hands-on experience in real-world settings.
Comprehensive Training: Master essential skills through rigorous competency assessments.
Career Preparation: Develop a strong work ethic and time management skills.

What’s expected of you:

  • Achieve competency assessments in all clinical rotations
  • Adhere to attendance and tardy policies
  • Maintain a professional appearance, and follow dress code guidelines.      

Your future clinical rotation

During the program you have six clinical rotations from hospitals to outpatient facilities. Check out our clinical partners: 

  • Ascension Providence Hospital
  • Beaumont Health System 
  • Detroit Medical Center 
  • Sinai-Grace
  • Henry Ford Health Health Systems 
  • St. Joseph Mercy Health System 
  • University of Michigan Health System 

Did you know
Did you know that OCC has a transfer agreement for the Bachelor of Respiratory Therapy program at the University of Michigan?

Exams & Licensing

When you successfully complete the program requirements, you’re ready to take two board exams administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).

When you pass these final tests, you’re qualified as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT). Once credentialed, you are eligible to apply for a state license.

100% Clinical simulation exam pass rate (2024 graduates)

   100% Therapist Multile Choice Exam Pass Rate (2024 graduates)

Becoming a Respiratory Therapist at OCC 

The Respiratory Therapy program leads to an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree. It’s an “Extended Degree Program,” which means you complete 82 credit hours for graduation. (Yes, your prerequisites count in this total.)

Degree – Program

Respiratory Therapy (RSP.APP)

Program Plan

Respiratory Therapy (RSP.AASX)
Cost of Attendance Chart

Program Requirements & Prerequisites

The time it takes each student to become eligible for the Respiratory Therapy program varies. Learn what’s required to jumpstart your career as a Respiratory Therapist at OCC.   

Step 1: Completing a Respiratory Program Information Session 

The first step is registering for a required Respiratory information session. Find a session that works best for you.

Step 2: Complete your prerequisite courses

You can take all the required college courses within one year, unless you need to ramp up your math or writing skills. To be admitted to the Respiratory Therapy program, you need:

1) Completion of all required Prerequisites with a grade of a “C” (2.5) or higher.

          • English
          • Life Sciences
          • Fine arts/humanities
          • Psychology
          • Medical terminology
          • Medical law/ethics.

2) Completion of all required General Education courses with a grade of a “C” (2.5) or higher.

Step 3: Prepare & take the HESI Entrance Exam

We use your results on the Health Education Systems Incorporated (HESI) Entrance Exam ($80) to weigh your application. Every year, the HESI deadline is November 30. Your goals: 

Check out student HESI studying resources 

Step 4: Applying to the Program & Acceptance 

Applications are due every year on May 1, and admission selections are revealed on June 30. After successful completion of the prerequisites above. You will:   

Attend a Record Review Session: The “record review” is an hour-long session during which you will meet with the Respiratory faculty selection committee to discuss your academic preparation, volunteer experiences, and career goals. 

Meet with a Counselor: After completing the application requirements and prerequisites, you will meet with your counselor to complete the official Respiratory application for admission. 

Other Eligibility Requirements  

All respiratory students must maintain current health records, CPR certification, liability insurance, and TB clearance. For detailed program policies, contact the Respiratory Therapy program director. 

Prior Education

Graduated High school or acquired a GED 

Criminal Background Check

You must pay and pass a criminal background check, including fingerprinting ($162), to be admitted to the Respiratory Therapy program. Felonies within fifteen years or misdemeanors within the past ten years may disqualify you from the program. 

Drug Screening

Students must pass a drug test to be admitted to the RSP program. More details will be provided to selected students.

Health Insurance

Health insurance is recommended, as the college does not cover accidents or illnesses.  

Health & Immunizations

Physical exams and immunizations, including Tuberculosis (TB) tests or chest X-rays, are required before starting clinical.  

    • Required vaccines: Measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chickenpox), Tdap, Hepatitis B (or declination of immunity), and annual influenza.  Immunization requirements may be subject to change at any time.
    • Annual TB screening: Completed annually and mandatory for all students. Either a Tuberculin skin test (TB test) or TB Screening Questionnaire)

Basic life support certification (BLS-HCP)

You must have a current BLS-HCP Certification through the American Heart Association before starting clinicals. Certification must be maintained.  

Clinical dress code

Students must purchase a black scrub top and black scrub bottom.

Graduation Requirements

  • You must receive passing grades ("C" or higher) in every required course (General Education AND RSP courses- 85 credits) to graduate from the program.
  • You must obtain a passing score on the NBRC Comprehensive Self-Assessment Therapist Multiple Choice Exam (TMC) one semester prior to the anticipated date of graduation.
  • You must obtain a passing score on all competency assessments and clinical summary evaluations in each clinical rotation.
Khashea B.
"OCC helped me reach one of my goals in life by giving me a path to pursue my career in Respiratory Therapy.” -  Khashea B, Dearborn

Credentials Received & Accreditation

The Respiratory Therapy Program is distinguished nationally for credentialing success by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).

Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care

Website: coarc.com | Phone: 817-283-2835
OCC CoARC Number: 200238

Programmatic Outcomes

"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."
Outcome data can be viewed by visiting the COARC Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care.

Enroll Now

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