Launch Your Healthcare Career
Launch your healthcare career with a comprehensive foundation in Respiratory Therapy, equipping you for diverse roles and future success.
Respiratory Therapy
AVAILABLE PROGRAMS
Associate Degree in Respiratory Therapy
A respiratory therapist (RT) is a clinician who provides hands-on care for people with a wide range of medical conditions related to the cardiopulmonary system. This program will prepare students to be effective members of the healthcare team in assisting with diagnosis, treatment, management and preventative care for patients with a variety of acute and chronic cardiopulmonary problems.
- Length:
- Two years
- Credits:
- 71 (includes 15 prerequisite credits)
- Locations:
- Medical Education
Why Study Respiratory Therapy at NOVA?
Clinical excellence
Students are prepared to provide hands-on care for diverse cardiopulmonary conditions, making them effective healthcare team members.
Certification and licensure
Graduates are eligible for the entry level examination for Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) and state licensure, with preparation for advanced level examinations as Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRT).
Career opportunities
NOVA's program meets national standards and offers graduates promising employment with a median pay of $60,000 in Northern Virginia and a 21% projected job growth over the next 10 years.
Program Details
The Respiratory Therapy program at NOVA is a health sciences specialty designed to prepare students to become essential members of the healthcare team. The program focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, management and preventive care of patients with cardiopulmonary conditions across the lifespan, equipping students with the knowledge and hands-on skills needed to support individuals with acute and chronic respiratory disorders.
As part of the admissions process, students are required to complete a program information session. During this session, students receive important details about the program and must obtain a code, which is required when submitting the application.
Application period: May 15-May 31
Apply to the Respiratory Therapy program
- Mission, goals and objectives
- Technical standards
- Preadmission health history and physical form
- Transcript evaluation process
Prerequisite update for Respiratory Therapy applicants (2027 cycle and beyond)
Starting with the 2027 application cycle, Respiratory Therapy applicants must meet updated prerequisite requirements.
New requirements:
- MTH 154: Quantitative Reasoning (or higher)
Grade of C or higher, completed within 10 years of the application date - BIO 145: Basic Anatomy and Physiology
Grade of C or higher, completed within 10 years of the application date
Substitution: BIO 141 and BIO 142 may be substituted for BIO 145.
Interested in transferring to George Mason?
The ADVANCE program is a partnership between NOVA and George Mason University that helps eligible NOVA students plan a clear path to a bachelor’s degree, save money and receive personalized transfer support.
Respiratory Therapy students who are considering a bachelor’s degree after NOVA should review ADVANCE options early and speak with an advisor about the best pathway.
Accreditations
The Northern Virginia Community College Respiratory Therapy (RTH) program, CoARC number 200206, offers an associate degree in Applied Science (AAS), located at Medical Education Campus, 6699 Springfield Center Dr., Springfield, VA 22150, is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (www.coarc.com).
The Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (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.
Credits and
Transfer Info
Credit for Prior Learning
Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) generally refers to the process of granting college credit for learning gained in nontraditional ways, including but not limited to: certifications, AP or IB exams, military training, or life experience.
Transferring
Learn more about possible transfer opportunities associated with this program of study. Students interested in transferring should contact an advisor or counselor to further discuss their plans.