Respiratory Care
settingsBreathe easier with a career that makes a difference.
Respiratory Therapists (RTs) are vital members of the healthcare team, working alongside doctors and nurses to help patients of all ages—from newborns to the elderly—manage and improve their breathing.
Overview
OFTC’s Respiratory Care program prepares students to diagnose, manage, and educate patients with chronic and acute respiratory conditions such as:
-
Asthma
-
Emphysema
-
Chronic bronchitis
-
And many other pulmonary diseases
This career is fast-paced and patient-focused, requiring strong critical thinking, technical skills, and compassionate care. Students train on advanced equipment in our high-tech simulation lab and complete clinical rotations in a variety of local healthcare facilities for real-world experience.
Specialized Training Includes:
-
Pulmonary & cardiac pharmacology
-
Medical gases & aerosol therapy
-
Positive pressure ventilation & incentive spirometry
-
Patient assessment & disease management
-
Postural drainage & vibration therapy
-
Advanced critical care monitoring
-
Pulmonary function testing
-
Pediatric & neonatal respiratory care
Program Accreditation & Licensure
Graduates earn an Associate of Applied Science in Respiratory Care and are eligible to take the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) exams to become a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).
To work as a respiratory therapist in Georgia, licensure is required and granted only upon successful completion of the NBRC exams.
The Respiratory Care Program (CoARC Program Number: 200474) on OFTC’s Dublin campus is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).
Learn more at: www.coarc.com
Program Outcomes: Programmatic Outcomes Data
Program Length
The Respiratory Care program can be completed in 6 semesters.
Programs
Respiratory Care Associate of Applied Science Degree
Respiratory Care
Associate of Applied Science Degree
6 Semesters
The Respiratory Care associate degree of applied science program is a sequence of courses that prepares students for careers in the field of respiratory care. The program emphasizes specialized training in areas such as pulmonary and cardiac pharmacology, medical gases, humidity/aerosol therapy, positive pressure ventilation, incentive spirometry, patient assessment, postural drainage, percussion/vibration, assessment of diseases and conditions, critical respiratory care, advanced critical care monitoring, pulmonary function testing, and pediatric and neonatal respiratory care.
Features
Job Stability & Security
The job outlook for respiratory therapists is growing much faster than the average for all occupations. Growth in the older adult population will lead to an increased prevalence of respiratory conditions will lead to increased demand for respiratory therapy services and treatments in hospitals, outpatient facilities, health clinics, and doctors’ offices.
Little or No Cost to You
Various grants and scholarships are available to help make OFTC an affordable choice. Ask about program specific opportunities for financial aid and payment plans.
Tuition & Fees
With tuition at $107 per credit hour, total costs for Respiratory Care department programs range from:
- Tuition & Fees*: $10,086.00
- Books & Supplies*: $4,500.00
*Visit the OFTC Catalog to view each individual program and its full breakdown of tuition, fees, books, and supplies. Costs are estimated and are subject to change.
Advancement Opportunities
Respiratory Therapists who excel on the job have no problem rising up in the ranks at hospitals, as business owners, in corporate settings, and in educational settings.
Practice your people skills and problem-solving abilities to better relate to and examine patients, plus interactions with other health care personnel.
Locations
Oconee Fall Line Technical College has campuses throughout its 11-county service area. We look forward to your visit.
Online
Admissions
Our application process takes just a few minutes to complete, but we want to make sure you have the things you’ll need on hand to complete the application. We’re here to help if you have any questions!
Admissions Process
Your admissions application can be submitted online with your $25.00 non-refundable application fee and takes just a few minutes to complete.
- Submit a completed application and application fee.
- Submit official high school transcript, GED transcript, or official college transcripts, if applicable.
- Submit official entrance score on a validated assessment instrument, if applicable. Visit the OFTC Catalog Program Page to view each individual program and its required minimum scores.
- Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and HOPE applications online using OFTC School Code: 031555.
NOTE: The College may accept transfer credit for other courses according to the College’s transfer policy.
General Requirements
Be at least 16 years of age.
Additional admissions requirements unique to each program are listed on each individual program page in the OFTC Catalog.
Need More Info?
For more information about any of these programs, contact a program advisor:
Dublin Program Advisor
For additional information on admission to OFTC, contact the Office of Admissions:
Sandersville Office of Admissions
Dublin Office of Admissions
Learning Format
Students can enter the Respiratory Care program any semester — because when you are ready to start on the path to a new career and change your life, there’s no reason to wait.
Classes are offered in a variety of formats: on campus, blended, online asynchronous, and synchronous technology. While general education core courses are offered in a variety of formats, program and occupational course formats may be more limited depending on the program. Talk with a program advisor for details.
On Campus
These are courses that are taught primarily in the classroom or lab with less than 50% of instruction online. On campus courses may include lecture, labs, internships, clinicals, and other in-person instructional modalities.
Blended
Blended courses are distance learning courses with the majority of the course content, activities, and interactions occurring online but may require students to come to campus for specific assignments, activities, or events.
Online Asynchronous
These are courses that are taught fully online asynchronously with course content, activities, and interactions occurring entirely online. This delivery method does not require students to be online at a specific date or time, and students may participate in class activities and complete course assignments asynchronously. Online asynchronous courses require proctored events.
Synchronous Technology
OFTC also utilizes synchronous technology to offer courses via distance education means. The course is taught on one campus and then broadcast simultaneously to a classroom on a different campus that is monitored by a class proctor.
Flexible Schedule
We want you to get the most out of college and understand the pressure it adds to your life. At OFTC you can achieve your career goals and fit college into your lifestyle. We offer small class sizes and flexible scheduling.
Courses for our programs are offered during the morning, afternoon, and evenings – plus many are online where you can do your work any time of day.
And the personalized hands-on attention you receive in a small classroom setting allows you to get individualized support, focus and feedback from your instructors. Your instructors will get to know you and help you build the foundation and confidence needed for success in your field.
Apply TodayPaying for College
At OFTC, we realize that many students require financial assistance to achieve their academic goals. We’ll work with you to help you obtain financial aid to assist you in funding your education. We’re committed to helping you find ways to pay for this life-changing investment.
With the Pell Grant, Georgia’s HOPE Grant, HOPE Scholarship, and HOPE Career Grant (for students/programs who qualify) and other scholarship opportunities, many students graduate OFTC with little to no debt.
Financial Aid
OFTC offers several financial aid opportunities that can help you pay for college. Most students apply for federal and state aid, including the Pell Grant, HOPE Scholarship & Grant, and HOPE Career Grant.
OFTC students can also apply for scholarships through the OFTC Foundation and various businesses and civic-sponsored organizations.
Contact the Office of Financial Aid or visit OFTC’s Financial Aid web page to learn more about grants, scholarships and Federal Work Study to help fund your education.
Sandersville
Dublin
Georgia awarded over $934 million in scholarships in AY24
of OFTC students have some form of Scholarship in AY24
OFTC students received over $6.6 million in financial assistance in FY25
More than 75% of OFTC students received some sort of Financial Aid in AY24
Contact
Sandersville
Dublin
Tuition & Fees
With tuition at $107 per credit hour, total costs for Respiratory Care department programs range from:
- Tuition & Fees*: $10,086.00
- Books & Supplies*: $4,500.00
*Visit the OFTC Catalog to view each individual program and its full breakdown of tuition, fees, books, and supplies. Costs are estimated and are subject to change.
New Price Calculator
You can also use the Net Price Calculator to get estimated net price information based on what similar students paid in a previous year.
Career Outlook
Graduates of the Respiratory Care program are prepared for in-demand roles in hospitals, home health companies, physicians’ offices, pulmonary function labs, and medical equipment sales. These positions offer hands-on experience, career growth, and the chance to make a real difference in patients’ lives.
BLS.GOV
Respiratory Therapists
- 2024 Median Annual Pay: $80,450
- Job Outlook: 13% growth through 2033
What does this mean to you?
Now is a great time to start a career in respiratory therapy, with strong job opportunities waiting after graduation. In Georgia, respiratory therapists must be licensed by passing the National Board for Respiratory Care exams. OFTC graduates have a 100% job placement rate, so you can be confident that completing the program will prepare you to launch your career.
Learn More
job placement rate for OFTC graduates within the graduation year (AY23)
in-field job placement rate for OFTC graduates within the graduation year (AY23)
of OFTC students enrolled are First Generation college students (AY24)
Program Benefits
Skills Learned
- Interview and examine patients with breathing or cardiopulmonary disorders
- Consult with physicians about patients’ conditions and developing treatment plans
- Perform diagnostic tests
- Treat patients using a variety of methods
- Monitor and record patients’ progress
- Teach patients how to take medications and use equipment
Job Titles
- Respiratory Therapist
Diverse Settings
- Hospitals
- Nursing care facilities
- Offices of physicians
"The thing that prepared me most for my career was the amount of clinical hours we had in the respiratory program. We were in clinic twice a week, 12 hours at a time. And I think getting that hands-on experience really prepares you for what it's going to be like in-field."