Respiratory Therapy

Keiser University’s associate degree in respiratory therapy provides comprehensive training in all aspects of the respiratory care profession. Students learn to identify lung diseases, evaluate patients with breathing disorders, perform diagnostic procedures, and implement treatment plans under physician supervision. The curriculum covers everything from basic respiratory interventions to advanced care for individuals with cardiopulmonary disorders.
 
Clinical rotations place enrolled students in real healthcare environments where they manage ventilators for individuals requiring mechanical support, perform chest physiotherapy, analyze blood samples, and respond to emergency situations. This hands-on experience builds the demonstrated competence required for entry-level practice as a respiratory therapy associate.

Program Mission

The Respiratory Therapy program is designed to prepare students to become effective, knowledgeable, safe, and competent respiratory therapy practitioners who will practice under the supervision and direction of a licensed physician.

Program Goals

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).

Program Philosophy

Respiratory Therapy is a profession that serves a diverse population. The respiratory therapy practitioner plays an integral role in the delivery of respiratory therapy services under the direction and supervision of a licensed physician.

The Respiratory Therapy curriculum integrates didactic, laboratory and clinical practicums, each of which plays a significant role in the education of the student.

The program:

• Recognizes that communication and interaction skills play an integral role in the preparation of a student to become an advanced practitioner respiratory therapist
• Recognizes that each student is an individual participant who brings a variety of needs and attributes to the educational process
• Promotes diverse educational methodologies to create a rich learning environment for all students
• Encourages both the faculty and the student to take responsibility for the learning environment, which requires cooperation and commitment from all individuals involved in the program
• Recognizes that learning and assessment is a continuous process that is a necessary component of professional growth and development

Responsibilities

Responsibilities of a respiratory therapist include:

• Identifying lung and breathing disorders and recommending treatment methods.
• Interviewing patients and doing chest physical exams to determine what kind of therapy is best for their condition.
• Consulting with physicians to recommend a change in therapy, based on patient evaluation.
• Analyzing breath, tissue, and blood specimens to determine levels of oxygen and other gases.
• Managing ventilators and artificial airway devices for patients who can’t breathe normally on their own.
• Responding to Code Blue or other urgent calls for care.
• Educating patients and families about lung disease so they can maximize their recovery.

Program Highlights

• Sequential Curriculum Design – each course builds on previous knowledge. Enrolled students must complete courses with satisfactory grades to progress through the program sequence. This ensures demonstrated sufficient compliance with educational standards at each level.
• Extensive Clinical Practice – clinical practicum courses provide supervised experience in affiliated healthcare facilities. Students apply classroom learning while working with individuals under licensed supervision, developing both technical competence and professional behaviors.
• National Board Preparation- graduates become eligible to sit for the national accreditation exams for the designation of the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) and apply for state license as a respiratory therapist. The national examinations consist of the Therapist Multiple-Choice Examination (TCM) and the Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE) offered by the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC).

Gain Job-Ready Skills for a Respiratory Therapy Career

• Ventilator management techniques
• Diagnostic testing procedures
• Patient assessment and monitoring
• Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation methods
• Emergency response protocols
• Clinical documentation practices
• Professional communication with healthcare teams
• Therapeutic interventions

Keiser University offers career-focused degree programs designed to support working adults, traditional students, and career changers. With on-campus and hybrid learning options, experienced faculty, and comprehensive student support, Keiser helps learners achieve their personal and professional goals at all levels. The student-centered approach ensures enrolled students receive individualized attention throughout their educational journey.

Applicants desiring to enter Keiser University must submit an application to the Admissions Office well in advance of the start date. This permits proper scheduling and assures availability of classroom space. Applications for winter, spring or fall semesters should be made as early as possible, as these entry dates are normally the time of greatest enrollment.

For students enrolling at Keiser University, credit for courses or degrees completed at another institution is subject to approval by the Dean of Academic Affairs. These courses or degrees must be similar in content and duration to those offered in the program for which an applicant has applied. The Dean of Academic Affairs makes the final decision of accepted transfer credits from the received transcript. However, only courses listed on official transcripts receive permanent official transfer credit. (To grant such credit, Keiser University must receive official transcripts--- those mailed directly to Keiser University by the previous institution---by the end of a student’s first semester.) Keiser University requires that, at a minimum, a student complete the final 25% of a program through the University. Active duty, reservists, and National Guard service members who are students can complete at a minimum 25% of a program at any time through the University and graduate. Transfer students are informed in writing of any credits accepted as transferable. Preliminary notification is presented, in most cases, prior to enrollment but in no case later than the end of a transfer student's first semester. Students are responsible for having official transcripts sent to Keiser University from their former institution(s). It may be necessary for students to forfeit some previously earned credit in the transfer process since college philosophies, objectives and programs may vary and change from year to year. Therefore, Keiser University makes no blanket statement or promise of acceptance of credits from any other institution.

Keiser University accepts transfer credits applicable to an applicant's program of study from other institutions recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE). Keiser University accepts transfer of associate degrees that, upon evaluation, include the appropriate major course distribution without time limitations.

Transfer credits are granted only for courses in which a grade of "C" or higher was earned (2.0 on a 4.0 scale).

Additionally, students who completed Anatomy and Physiology I and/or II at another institution may elect to transfer in these courses provided the courses (1) meet all institutional transfer of credit requirements and (2) were completed within five years of the date of enrollment. For courses taken over three years prior to the date of enrollment, the University reserves the right to administer a competency-based assessment with a minimum grade threshold as part of the transfer of credit process for these courses.

Keiser University charges tuition per 16-week semester according to the number of credit hours scheduled, not per program. The rates below are the university’s published Tuition and Fee Disclosure, effective Fall Semester 2026, and are subject to annual review.

Required fees

• Application fee — $55.00, one time on enrollment
• Registration fee — $145.00, one time on enrollment
• Education fee — $980.00 per semester, for programmatic participation and facilities resources
• Annual health insurance plan — $2,169.00 where applicable to allied health programs, waived with proof of coverage by a qualified plan

Other fees are charged per occurrence: withdrawal $100.00, re-entry $150.00, transcript $5.00, student ID replacement $15.00, returned check $35.00, late payment $10.00 and library late fee $10.00. Clinical, licensure, professional skill development and technical fees vary by program.

Financial aid

Keiser University participates in federal Title IV financial aid. Students seeking aid complete the FAFSA using the university’s federal school code, 015159.

Estimated student costs published by Keiser University for this program. Keiser University notes that its undergraduate catalog is the source for specific tuition and program fees.

Recurring Expenses

Other Fees

One-Time Expense

Boards and State Licensure Fees

Graduates of Keiser University’s associate degree program prepare for careers across multiple healthcare settings. This respiratory therapy degree qualifies you to sit for the national board examination and pursue professional licensure as a registered respiratory therapist (RRT). Employment opportunities span hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, cardiopulmonary diagnostic labs, and specialized facilities where respiratory therapists work with diverse populations experiencing breathing disorders.

Career Paths for Respiratory Therapists

• Intensive care departments
• Emergency departments
• Neonatal intensive care units
• Cardiopulmonary departments
• Surgical recovery areas
• Pulmonary function testing labs

• Sleep disorder centers
• Rehabilitation centers
• Home health agencies
• Patient education specialists
• Equipment sales and service

Placement Rate

Keiser University publishes the following in its 2025 Undergraduate Placement Rates report for AS Respiratory Therapy.

Keiser University’s notes on this report: “Does not include international campuses.” “Report as of April 2026, 16.43% has been verified through 3rd party.”

Although Keiser University provides employment placement assistance, it cannot promise or guarantee employment.

Keiser University’s associate degree program prepares students for rewarding careers helping individuals with breathing disorders and cardiopulmonary diseases. With comprehensive coursework, extensive clinical practice, and preparation for the respiratory care credentialing examination, graduates enter the workforce ready to make meaningful contributions. Whether you envision working in intensive care settings, emergency departments, or specialized respiratory facilities, this accredited program provides the foundation for professional success. Many graduates later pursue bachelor’s degree programs to advance into management or specialized practice areas.