Train to be a licensed Respiratory Care therapist in four semesters.

Respiratory Therapy is among the Best Health Care Jobs by US News & World Reports and health care organizations on the North Shore are hiring now!

The Respiratory Care program at NSCC is fully accredited and combines lectures, laboratory activities, and hospital experience that lead to an Associate in Science degree, eligibility for the national examinations, and entrance into the Massachusetts licensure process. Respiratory therapists are licensed health care professionals who evaluate, treat, and care for patients with breathing or other cardiopulmonary disorders such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, cystic fibrosis or sleep apnea. They also have the skills to respond to some emergency situations, like those experiencing a heart attack or suffering a stroke.

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).  

 

There are 4 National Board for Respiratory Care scholarships valued at $1,000.00 each are available for accepted students. Information regarding the application process will be sent to students once accepted into the Respiratory Care Program.

 

Fall 2025 applications will be available by the end of October. 

 

Free Community College

Massachusetts allows all residents without a bachelor’s degree to attend North Shore Community College for free.

No tuition. No fees. Both programs include an allowance for books and supplies for certain students.

 


Respiratory Care Quick Facts

13%

Growth in jobs over the next 10 years is stable

$70,540

Median annual wage for respiratory therapists

4

Number of semesters to complete this degree as a full time student

Next Steps

NSCC’s Respiratory Care associate degree program offers courses during the fall, and spring semesters.

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NSCC’s Respiratory Care associate degree program is Selective Admissions and has specific requirements for acceptance. Students seeking admission into the Respiratory Care associate degree program must fulfill these requirements.

Here are the required courses for NSCC’s Respiratory Care associate degree program.

All applicants to the Respiratory Care associate degree program are required to attend a Mandatory Information Session. Mandatory Information Sessions will be held virtually via Zoom or in-person at the Danvers campus. Each session lasts approximately one hour. For virtual information sessions, Zoom links will be sent 24 hours ahead of the session. Please see the information below for date, time and location of information session.

Click here for upcoming information sessions 

Students who complete this degree program at North Shore Community College have an opportunity to seamlessly transfer to a four-year college or university to earn a bachelor's degree.

 

North Shore Community College will help you transfer and prepare for the transition to a baccalaureate program. We have created many transfer agreements designed specifically to plan a curriculum that will fit your chosen bachelor degree or college, and maximize the number of credits that transfer. Your success is important to our entire college community! Students are also encouraged to consult with their advisor, program coordinator or the Student Support and Advising Center.

Student Learner Outcomes for NSCC’s Respiratory Care associate degree program are detailed in NSCC’s Academic Catalog.

The total tuition and General and Technology Fees for In-state Residents without financial aid is $15,164 for the 68-credit Respiratory Care associate degree program (fees vary by program).

Additional Program Fees: $450 per term

Books and course materials, transportation, and health insurance expenses are not included in the tuition and fee costs.

The Board of Trustees reserves the right to increase fees without prior notice. The MA Board of Higher Education reserves the right to increase tuition without prior notice.

Review NSCC’s Respiratory Care associate degree Program Policies.

Bertolon Simulation Health Care Center of Excellence

NSCC’s Respiratory Care students maintain the highest Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) Exam pass rates in the state.

NSCC students receive real-time hands-on training offered through simulation labs at the Bertolon Simulation Health Care Center of Excellence. Simulation allows students to use their knowledge and skills at a high level which allows for applied learning in a safe environment.

 

Shaunte Killam, Respiratory Therapist Associate Degree Program

I’ve never intubated a patient in real life, so being able to go into a SIM with everything I’ve learned and apply it feels good. If I’m ever in that position again, which I’m sure I will be, I’ll have a sense of confidence that I know what I am doing.

Shaunte Killam, Class of ’21

Respiratory Therapy Associate Degree Program


For More Information

Admissions
admissions@northshore.edu
978-762-4188

Program Questions
respiratorycare@northshore.edu
978-762-4160

General Assistance | Hablamos español
Visit CentroHub, NSCC’s virtual campus, for in-person assistance via Zoom.


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
Interim CAO/Assistant 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 

 

NSCC’s Respiratory Care Associate in Science degree program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). NSCC’s program number is 200213.

CoARC
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

badge military friendly schools
badge best associate dregrees in MA

 

CoARC Recipient of the Distinguished Registered Respiratory Therapist Credentialing Success award 2015, and 2017-2024

 

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