Registration for NSCC’s Respiratory Care program is CLOSED for Fall 2025. All information sessions for Fall 2025 admissions have concluded.
Program Overview
The Respiratory Care program prepares students for a career as a Respiratory Therapist, specializing in the assessment and treatment of patients with respiratory disorders. This Associate in Science degree program combines classroom learning, hands-on clinical experiences, and lab work to ensure graduates are fully equipped to provide high-quality patient care. Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the national certification exams and can pursue licensure in Massachusetts.
Take the next step toward a rewarding career in respiratory care at NSCC today!
Program Highlights
- Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).
- Strong emphasis on both theoretical knowledge and clinical experience.
- Preparation for national credentialing exams (NBRC) and state licensure.
- Clinical training at local hospitals and healthcare facilities.
- Focus on patient assessment, ventilator management, and therapeutic procedures.
- Small class sizes for individualized attention.
The Respiratory Care Program Goal:
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 (RRT’s).
Program Details
Expand AllCollapse AllView and print the required courses for the Respiratory Care program.
Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to:
The curriculum combines classroom learning, hands-on clinical experiences, and lab work to ensure graduates are fully equipped to provide high-quality patient care.
Courses include:
- Fundamentals of Respiratory Care 1-4
- Physiology of Respiratory Care
- Respiratory Care
- Clinical Experience 1-4
- Introduction to Respiratory Disease
- Respiratory Care Pharmacology
- Contemporary Topics of Respiratory Care
- Respiratory Care Lab 1-4
For a full list of courses visit our Academic Catalog.
Graduates can pursue careers as Respiratory Therapists in:
- Hospitals and medical centers
- Intensive care units (ICU)
- Pulmonary rehabilitation clinics
- Home healthcare agencies
- Long-term care facilities
- Physician offices
Articulation agreements with Colby-Sawyer College, the New England Institute of Technology, and Boise State University provide students with seamless transfer options for further education. Students are encouraged to consult with academic advisors to explore transfer agreements and plan their academic pathways accordingly.
Colby-Sawyer College
A.S. Respiratory Care to B.S. Respiratory Therapy [View Agreement]
Boise State University
A.S. Respiratory Care to B.S. Respiratory Care
New England Institute of Technology
A.S. Respiratory Care to Rehabilitation Sciences Bachelor's Degree [View Agreement]
Download the Respiratory Care Student Handbook >
There are 4 National Board for Respiratory Care scholarships valued at $1,000.00 each. The scholarships are available for accepted students. Information regarding the application process will be sent to students once accepted into the Respiratory Care program.
Review the Respiratory Care Program Policies >
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Boston Children's Hospital
Franciscan Hospital for Children
Massachusetts General Hospital
MGB Salem Hospital
Tufts Medical Center
Patricia Adam
Faculty
NSCC
Albert Alpuerto
RC Faculty
NSCC
Christine Blaski
Medical Director
Pulmonologist, Intensivist
Jassmine Bradley
Clinical Coordinator/RC Faculty
NSCC
Frantzini Cambronne
Student Representative
Alison Chmura
Alumni
Salem Hospital
Daniel Charest
Respiratory Care Manager
Tufts Medical Center
Noemi Escobar
Student Representative
Patricia Harron
Clinical Instructor
MGH
Carolyn Lavita
Director of Respiratory Care Services
Massachusetts General Hospital
Alicia Logan
RC Department Director
Beverly Hospital
Olivia Matthews, RN
Simulation Lab Coordinator
Joyce Muse
Enrollment Center Representative
NSCC
Shaun O'Donnell
RC Faculty
NSCC
Jane Schweizer
Respiratory Care Program Director
NSCC
Scott Stache
RC Faculty
NSCC
Kara Toomey
Chair of Advisory Board
RC Department Director
Winchester Hospital
Madison Toth
Student Representative
Lori A. Vinci
Dean of Health Professions
NSCC
Christine Whitman
RC Faculty
NSCC
Holly Zagaria
Public member
Please note the data above reflects a degree in the listed program
Program Questions
978-762-4160
Contact Admissions
General Assistance
Visit CentroHub, NSCC’s virtual concierge.
Accreditation
North Shore Community College is an accredited public institute of higher education where all are welcome and each is challenged. NSCC is accredited by NECHE, the New England Commission of Higher Education.
General inquiries regarding the accreditation status by the New England Association should be directed to the administrative staff of the college. Please contact:
Christian M. Bednar, PhD
Provost
1 Ferncroft Road
Danvers, MA 01923
Phone: 978-762-4000 ext 6658
Email: cbednar@northshore.edu
you may also contact:
New England Commission of Higher Education
3 Burlington Woods Drive, Suite 100
Burlington, MA 01803-4514
Phone: 781-425-7785
Email: info@neche.org
Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC)
The Respiratory Care Program, 200213, Associate of Science degree, Danvers campus is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (www.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. CoARC Programmatic Outcomes
CoARC Recipient of the Distinguished Registered Respiratory Therapist Credentialing Success award 2015, and 2017-2024.