The Respiratory Care program leads to an Associate of Science in Health Science degree, which may be earned in three semesters of professional coursework. Prior to starting the professional program, approximately one year of prerequisite coursework is required. Students who enter the professional phase of the program begin in the fall and graduate in December of the following year. Selection for admission is competitive and limited to a class of twenty.
Our private Catholic college is located in urban Kansas, allowing students to connect with local health care facilities who often become their future employer! With numerous networking opportunities and a 2:1 or 1:1 student-clinical instructor ratio, our respiratory care students are given the tools and attention necessary to succeed.
The goal of the Respiratory Care program is 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).
The Newman University Respiratory Care Program, #200117, Associate of Science in Health Science degree, Wichita, KS, is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) (https://coarc.com/). 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.
Outcomes data from the 2021 Annual Report of Current Status has been posted on the CoARC website.
Graduates of the Respiratory Care Program at Newman University meet educational requirements to apply for the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) Therapist Multiple Choice (TMC) examination, which leads to the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credential. Graduates who achieve the high cut score on the TMC are eligible to apply for the Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE), which leads to the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential. Newman’s program is designed to meet the educational requirements for national credentialing exams and licensure in Kansas.
State licensure is required in Kansas. Kansas allows new graduates to obtain a temporary license if all requirements for licensure have been met except credentialing. Students must pass the national credentialing exam and graduate from an accredited program to be eligible for an active Kansas license. Separate from educational requirements, state licensure boards may require applicants to complete examinations, additional background checks, years of professional experience, training, etc.
All states except Alaska have licensure requirements. Some states require a Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credential to apply for state licensure, and a few states require the higher level of credentialing, Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT). Newman University has not determined whether completion of NU’s ASHS in Respiratory Care meets educational requirements for licensure in states other than Kansas. Program applicants who intend to seek licensure outside of Kansas should consult with the state licensing agency in the state where they intend to be licensed, to determine state licensure requirements. We recommend that you contact the licensing agency directly before beginning the NU program. State licensing contacts are available at https://www.aarc.org/aarc-membership/aarc-state-societies/aarc-state-society-leadership-resources/
Our faculty and staff have the knowledge and experience to help you prepare for a career in respiratory care. If you need clarification on a class assignment or advice on how to approach your future, you can feel confident that our faculty is available and ready to help.
While pursuing a degree in respiratory care, you can expect a promising future. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of respiratory therapists is expected to grow 23 percent through the year 2030. Nationally, respiratory therapists earn a median annual salary of $61,830. Our students are prepared to meet the expected demand for respiratory therapists.
Respiratory Care is a dynamic, high-tech, high-touch allied health profession.
Respiratory therapists work under the direction of a physician and assist in the evaluation, treatment and care of patients with heart, lung, and breathing disorders. These patients range in age from the premature infant to the elderly. Most respiratory therapists work in hospitals; however, an increasing number of respiratory therapists are now working in physicians’ offices, specialized care hospitals, home medical equipment companies, and skilled nursing facilities. The American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) website can provide additional information on the profession of respiratory care.
Graduates are eligible to sit for the registry examinations offered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC), leading to the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential. The RRT credential is the “standard of excellence” for respiratory care professionals. Requirements for licensure in the state of Kansas are partially met by earning the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credential.
One of the best ways to find success during your college career is to get involved in campus clubs and organizations.
Our graduates continue to have great success in:
The Newman University Respiratory Care Program, #200117, Associate of Science in Health Science degree, Wichita, KS, is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) (https://coarc.com/). 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. Outcomes data from the 2021 Annual Report of Current Status has been posted on the CoARC website.
"I feel the Respiratory Program at Newman University is designed to help students be successful both during the program, and after graduation. Throughout my career I have been a clinical preceptor for several different Respiratory Schools. As a preceptor students often ask me, “What review set did you buy to study for boards?” This question astounds me every time I am asked, as the Respiratory Program at Newman fully prepared me for boards. I feel very confident that I received a great education and attended the best program. I was also happy that Newman’s Respiratory Program was accelerated, allowing me to finish school faster.
"I chose Newman University because of the strong reputation the respiratory program had within the community. Newman provided me with the educational learning and clinical practice skills that jump-started my career. The respiratory care program provided me with a foundation of skills that will carry on in all areas of being a Respiratory Therapist."