New Respiratory Therapy Technology Program

Central Ohio Technical College (COTC) is excited to announce the upcoming launch of our new Associate of Applied Science in Respiratory Therapy Technology. The program is pending accreditation confirmation, but classes are expected to begin this autumn at COTC’s Newark campus, with an application deadline of June 15.*

This program was birthed from a need for respiratory therapists in Licking County and in a broader medical community context. “The need for respiratory therapists in our community is huge,” says Tyler Richards, respiratory therapy program director. “More therapists are expected to retire than enter the workforce. Right now, there are hundreds of open positions, and many more that are coming as hospitals expand.”

Respiratory therapists are trained to help aide the recovery and/or rehabilitation of those with lung diseases or disorders. They are vital in all areas of the medical field, including emergency departments, intensive care units, rehabilitation centers and more.

This two-year program is as educational as it is immersive. Students will study in the classroom, in COTC’s state-of-the-art simulation lab and through clinical placements. Upon completion of the program, students will receive their Associate of Applied Science in Respiratory Therapy Technology and be eligible to sit for the registered respiratory therapist (RRT) credential offered through the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).

Graduates from the program can expect to make an annual median wage of $65,760 (per the Ohio Labor Market Information). Students may begin working in the field just one year into the program by applying for a limited permit. This does not count towards clinical hours, but it does offer students a way to gain experience in the field, make local connections and support themselves financially.

This is a competitive, selective enrollment program. To be admitted, students must submit both a free application for admission and a respiratory therapy technology program application.

For more information on the respiratory therapy program, visit go.cotc.edu/respiratory or contact COTC’s admissions office at cotcadmissions@mail.cotc.edu or 740.366.9222.

*COTC is currently in the process of seeking Commission on Accreditation of Respiratory Care (CoARC) accreditation for a respiratory care program. However, COTC can provide no assurance that accreditation will be granted by the CoARC. Students will be selected and admitted upon confirmation of the program’s accreditation.