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). Information on the exam process is available through the NBRC at
• The AS Degree Respiratory Therapy program at Keiser University located in Fort Lauderdale, FL, program number 200571, is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care.

Prerequisites

Students entering the Respiratory Therapy major courses must meet these requirements:

• Background check and drug screening;
• Wonderlic SLE minimum score of 20 is required;
• Completion of prerequisites Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II with a minimum of a “B” in each course;
• Completion of the following prerequisite courses: MCB2000C and CHEM2045/L and all general education coursework with a minimum grade of “C” for each course;
• Cumulative grade average of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0.

Estimated Student Costs

* Refer to for specific tuition and program fees.

Faculty Directory

Medical Director

Dr. Jeffrey Wolkowicz MD

Program Director

Fitzwilliam Thompson, BHS, BA, RRT

Director of Clinical Education

Lloni-Rae Crooks, BS, RRT

Faculty

Eliana Moreira, B.A., M.A., RRT

Johanne Abraham, BS, RRT

Adjunct Faculty

Bruce Hibber MPH, RRT

Annual Programmatic Outcomes Data

Published by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care

Outcomes data from the Annual Report of Current Status has been posted on the CoARC website. Follow this link directly . 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.

State Licensure Disclosure

Accreditation Statuses

The AS Degree Respiratory Therapy program at Keiser University located in Fort Lauderdale, FL, program number 200571, is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care, 264 Precision Blvd. Telford, TN 37690, (817) 283- 2835, .

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.

Admission includes Keiser University's general requirements plus any program-specific requirements listed below, followed by the university’s application process.

Keiser University students take one class at a time. Keiser University term lengths are 4-week, 8-week and 16-week.

Keiser University publishes this program as approximately 24 months and 76 credit hours.

Keiser University lists this program as available on campus.

Tuition is charged per 16-week semester according to the credit hours scheduled.

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.

The 76-credit-hour curriculum combines general education coursework with a sequence of respiratory therapy major courses and clinical practicums covering respiratory care theory, pharmacology, diagnostic procedures, intensive and neonatal/pediatric care, and supervised clinical practice.

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

How to Apply

1. Submit your online application
2. Speak with an admissions advisor
3. Provide transcripts or transfer credits
4. Enroll and choose your start date

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.