All Mid-State campuses are closed Monday, December 23, through Wednesday, January 1, in observance of the Winter Break. We look forward to assisting you when we open again on Thursday, January 2. See our list of online services that remain available during the college closure.
Respiratory Therapy
Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
Why choose Respiratory Therapy?
- Breathing well is so essential to patient care that hospitals, clinics, and home health care providers rely on respiratory therapists to treat patients and improve quality of life.
- Respiratory therapists have the opportunity to work with patients at all life stages.
- Get the training needed to confidently maintain the airway during the management of trauma, assist with anesthesia for surgery or conscious sedation, treat and educate patients in clinical settings, and more.
- Interested in earning a bachelor’s degree? For transfer opportunities, visit mstc.edu/transfer.
- Gain confidence with your new skills in our state-of-the art Healthcare Simulation Center.
On average, a healthy adult will breathe from 12 to 20 times per minute, and yet we rarely notice respiration—until our own is compromised. Because efficient breathing is so crucial to medical care, hospitals, clinics, and home health-care providers rely on respiratory therapists to treat patients and improve their quality of life.
Program Locations
Marshfield Campus
2600 West 5th Street
Marshfield, WI 54449
Travel for this program is required. Respiratory therapists in Wisconsin and most states are licensed professionals.
Delivery:
In Person
Daytime
Full-Time or Part-Time
16-Week Classes
Length of Program: Two Years
Credits: 69
Start Dates: Fall
Start at any time or campus by taking general education courses.
What You'll Learn
The Respiratory Therapy program at Mid-State prepares students to employ scientific principles to identify, treat, and prevent acute or chronic dysfunction of the cardiopulmonary system. Successful graduates work under medical direction in a variety of care settings.
Students study airway management and life support, airway clearance therapies, pulmonary rehabilitation, medication administration, and the use of therapeutic medical gasses. The program combines classroom instruction and clinical experience with actual patients and equipment at local hospitals and agencies. Travel is required.
Outcomes
- Apply advanced-level respiratory therapy concepts to patient care situations.
- Demonstrate technical proficiency required to fulfill the role of an advanced-level respiratory therapist.
- Practice respiratory therapy according to established professional and ethical standards.
Employability Skills
- Behave Responsibly: Ethical Behavior, Self-Responsibility, Conflict Resolution, Collaboration
- Communicate Effectively: Writing, Technical Documentation, Listening, Speaking, Interpersonal Communication, Reading
- Critical & Creative Thinking: Inquiry, Evidence Collection, Analysis, Reasoning, Reflection (Metacognition)
- Cultural, Social, & Global Awareness: Global Awareness, Social & Cultural Awareness, Social Responsibility
- Use Appropriate Technology: Use of Technology, Confidentiality, Security, Digital Civility
Learn more about employability skills at Mid-State.
Estimated Entire Program Cost
Cost based on the 2024/25 academic year.
- Tuition & Fees: $11,620.43
- Books: $1,312.99
- Supplies, Uniforms, and/or Exams: $0
- Total Estimated Cost: $12,933.42
Financial Aid Eligibility
This program is eligible for full Financial Aid
Cost of Attendance
Learn more about Cost of Attendance, an estimated budget that includes categories of expenses a student can expect to incur while attending.
This course has options available to receive credit for prior learning (CPL) or work experience.
| Catalog# | Title | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10515111 | Respiratory Survey | 3 | |
| 10806177 | General Anatomy & Physiology | 4 | |
| 10801136 | English Composition 1 | 3 | |
| -or- | 10801195 | Written Communication | 3 |
| 10501101 | Medical Terminology | 3 | |
| 10515171 | Respiratory Therapeutics 1 | 3 | |
| Term Total | 16 Credits | ||
| Catalog# | Title | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10515172 | Respiratory Therapeutics 2 | 3 | |
| 10515174 | Respiratory/Cardiac Physiology | 3 | |
| 10515173 | Respiratory Pharmacology | 3 | |
| 10806197 | Microbiology | 4 | |
| 10809166 | Introduction to Ethics: Theory and Application | 3 | |
| Term Total | 16 Credits | ||
| Catalog# | Title | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10515175 | Respiratory Clinical 1 | 2 | |
| 10801196 | Oral/Interpersonal Communication | 3 | |
| -or- | 10801198 | Speech | 3 |
| Term Total | 5 Credits | ||
| Catalog# | Title | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10809196 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 | |
| -or- | 10809122 | Introduction to American Government | 3 |
| -or- | 10809172 | Introduction to Diversity Studies | 3 |
| 10515176 | Respiratory Disease | 3 | |
| 10515113 | Respiratory Life Support | 3 | |
| 10515178 | Respiratory Clinical 2 | 3 | |
| 10515179 | Respiratory Clinical 3 | 3 | |
| 10515112 | Respiratory Airway Management | 2 | |
| Term Total | 17 Credits | ||
| Catalog# | Title | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10515181 | Respiratory/Cardio Diagnostics | 3 | |
| 10515182 | Respiratory Clinical 4 | 3 | |
| 10515183 | Respiratory Clinical 5 | 3 | |
| 10809198 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 | |
| -or- | 10809188 | Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| 10515180 | Respiratory Neo/Peds Care | 2 | |
| 10515101 | Respiratory Therapist Test Prep | 1 | |
| Term Total | 15 Credits | ||
| Program Total | 69 Credits |
Instructors
NICK GOLDBERG, AAS, BS, RRT
Nick earned his BS in career and technical education from UW-Stout. He also holds an associate degree in applied science in respiratory care from Mid-State Technical College and is a licensed respiratory therapist with national certification. He has worked as a respiratory therapist at Marshfield Medical Center for 17 years and was a clinical preceptor for Mid-State’s Respiratory Therapy program at Marshfield Medical Center for 8 years prior to accepting his current position as program director for the Respiratory Therapy program.
"I enjoy spreading my knowledge of respiratory care to the future respiratory therapists now coming through the program. I love seeing the “aha” moments and hearing the excitement in a student’s voice when they gain an understanding of new concepts."
HOLLY KLUMB, AAS, BS, RRT
Holly holds a BS in kinesiology from UW-Eau Claire in addition to associate degrees in respiratory therapy and educational sign language interpreting. She is a licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner in the state of Wisconsin and a Registered Respiratory Therapist by the National Board for Respiratory Care. Holly’s work experience includes six years as a respiratory therapist, with experience in critical care units as well as emergency room and neonatal care. She was a member of the NICU transport team for three years and a member of the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease educational team, where she worked with patients to support healthy lifestyle changes. She is certified in Basic Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, Neonatal Resuscitation Program, and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support.
"I really enjoy being able to share my passion for respiratory therapy. It is incredible to be able to take part in the education of future respiratory therapists, watching them begin with basic knowledge and skill and later flourishing into individuals with a whole realm of skills in airway management, including intubation and ventilator management."
Careers
- Respiratory Therapist
- Cardiopulmonary Technician
- Polysomnography (Sleep Lab) Technician
- Home Care Respiratory Therapist
- Polysomnographer
- Pulmonary Function Technologist
- Respiratory Care Practitioner
- Respiratory Therapy Educator
Video
Fast-Track
High school students are eligible to enroll in this program and all courses required. Learn more about Mid-State Fast-Track.
- Accreditation Information
-
The Mid-State Technical College Respiratory Therapy Program, CoARC program number (200234), which confers an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree, is located on the Marshfield, WI campus (54449), is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (www.coarc.com).
Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC)
817.283.2835 • www.coarc.comCoARC 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.
- Additional Resources
Take the Next Step
The Respiratory Therapist program at Mid-State exceeded all of my expectations. Jamey and Bill (instructors) were always willing to help, even on their own time. The small class sizes gave me more one-on-one time with the instructors and made it easier to learn!”
CASSIE WATKINS
GRADUATE
Choose Your Path
Career pathways help you take your education one step at a time to maximize your investment and make college fit your life. Earn a credential and start using it in the workforce. Continue with another stack of related courses to gain a more advanced diploma or degree. Explore this program’s pathway in the graphic below. For an even quicker first step to a degree or diploma, check out our short-term certificates.
Transfer • Dual Credit • Credit for Prior Learning
