Respiratory Therapists play a vital role as part of the healthcare team. Join this in-demand profession and learn to care for patients with breathing conditions and disorders. Earn your associates in science in respiratory therapy in 20 months. Our graduates work in the hospital, rehabilitation, clinic and homecare and telemedicine settings.
Program Overview
What Will You Learn?
Associate of Science
The Respiratory Care Program will prepare you to assess, treat and care for patients of all ages with cardiopulmonary diseases and disorders. We provide you with a hands-on, skill-based curriculum that prepares you for a rewarding and successful career as a respiratory therapist.
Must show evidence of being compliant with the immunization requirements specified by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Additional immunization requirements will be required for clinical experiences.
Interview with Program Director.
English: Placement into college level English.
Mathematics: Placement into college level mathematics.
Qualifying biology course must be taken within five years of application. Required grade must be earned within two attempts of taking and completing the course.
Biology: Minimum grade of “B” in high school biology or “C” in college level biology course (BIO 101 recommended). Will accept a “3” on High School Advanced Placement Biology Exam.
Required TEAS V or TEAS composite score of 65% or higher (cannot be a combination of multiple tests) must be achieved within five years of applying to the program.
Applicant must obtain a composite score of 65% or higher in no more than three attempts within a three-year period.
A TEAS composite score between 61% and 64% meets the admission criteria with appropriate biology and college GPA (see table below).
TEAS may be waived if the applicant has an advanced degree in science (i.e., BS, MS, or higher), or has taken the SAT and received a combined score of 1100 or higher, or received a score of 21 or higher on the ACT on each of the ACT sections.
TEAS Score
Overall QCC College Biology GPA (4 credit minimum)
Overall QCC College GPA (15 credit minimum)
64
3.0 or higher
3.0 or higher
63
3.1 or higher
3.1 or higher
62
3.2 or higher
3.2 or higher
61
3.3 or higher
3.3 or higher
Locations
This program may be completed at QCC at the Healthcare and Workforce Development Center in downtown Worcester.
This program may require students to travel to clinical sites that are within a 75-mile radius of the College.
Curriculum
A foundation for success
Semester 1
This semester will introduce anatomy, English, and psychology.
Become an Expert
Semester 2
This semester will cover biology, respiratory care, and cardiology.
pharmacology
Semester 3
This semester will focus on respiratory care and pharmacology.
critical care
Semester 4
This semester will cover microbiology, English, and critical care.
cardiopulmonology
Semester 5
This semester will explore advanced patient care and cardiopulmonology.
advanced care
Semester 6
This semester will cover bioethics, diseases, and advanced care.