Associate of Applied ScienceRespiratory Care

The AAS in Respiratory Care is a one-plus-one hybrid degree program which prepares students to practice as Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) and to become state licensed as a Respiratory Care Practitioner after successfully completing the Therapist Multiple Choice (TMC) and Clinical Simulation Exam (CSE) administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) to obtain the Registered Respiratory Therapy (RRT) credential. Three Rivers College (TRC) is one of five colleges in the Missouri Health Professions Consortium (MHPC) currently selected to offer the program. TRC offers and enrolls students in the general education coursework; sophomore level (professional level) coursework is taught via a hybrid approach through internet-based technology.

Through the combination of general education coursework, professional-level coursework, classroom, laboratory practice and clinical experiences, students learn the profession of respiratory care. The Professional Year does not run on a traditional TRC academic cycle. Classes begin in the fall semester and will run until the next fall semester of the following year. Completion of professional coursework takes one full year.

The associate degree respiratory care program at Three Rivers College / Missouri Health Professions Consortium meets the state of Missouri education requirements for state licensure. Individual states have specific licensure and educational requirements. Students interested in pursuing licensure in a different state should contact the program coordinator for more information.

The Respiratory Care Program (Program #200690) offering an Associate’s in Applied Science (AAS) degree at Three Rivers College and the Missouri Health Profession Consortium is located at 1964 Prairie Dell Rd, Union, MO is in the process of seeking accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).

Three Rivers College and the Missouri Health Professions Consortium is currently in the process of seeking CoARC accreditation for a respiratory care program. However, Three Rivers College and the Missouri Health Professions Consortium can provide no assurance that accreditation will be granted by the CoARC.

To enter this course of study, students must meet these institution and program-specific criteria:

• High school diploma or the equivalent
• Application for admission to TRC
• A placement test as specified by the college (please note: Some coursework requires minimum placement results)
• Application to the Respirator Care program-admission is selective
• Cumulative college GPA of 2.5 or greater
• TEAS Exam within the last two years with a minimum composite score of 58%
• 8 Hours of job shadowing

Admission to the Respiratory Care program is competitive. To apply to the MHPC Respiratory Care program at TRC, students must complete and submit an official application packet available on the website. Students must complete all general education coursework PRIOR to beginning the professional-level program. However, students can complete coursework in the summer semester prior to the start of the program in August; under these circumstances, program admission would be contingent upon successful completion of general education prerequisite coursework and maintenance of the required 2.5 GPA. Satisfactory criminal background check and drug screening upon acceptance to program.

Admission Process

Enrollment in the MHPC Respiratory Therapy program is selective and an informational packet with application materials is available on the program webpage. Students must complete all general education coursework PRIOR to entry into the professional-level program. However, students can complete coursework in the semester prior to the start of the program; under these circumstances, program admission would be contingent upon successful completion of general education prerequisite coursework and maintenance of the required 2.5 GPA. Transcript evidence of satisfactory completion of general education/prerequisite coursework must be received with the application packet. TRC may not be able to offer admission to all qualified applicants. Only students meeting all admission criteria and submitting completed application packets within the established timeframe will be considered. The Selection Committee meetings are conducted each spring before the start of the professional year. Admission decisions of the Selection Committee are final. Applicants will receive a letter regarding admissions status following committee review.

Respiratory Care Program Admissions Tests

TEAS

Application Information

Respiratory Care Application
Application Deadline: June 1, 2025

Respiratory Care Program Student Handbook

Job Shadowing Resources for Applicants

Mercy Washington
Mercy Washington Job Shadowing

Missouri Baptist Sullivan
SM-MBSH_Shadowing@bjc.org
573-468-4186 x 1827

Phelps Health
Mid-Missouri Area Health Education Centers

Registered Respiratory Therapists evaluate, treat, and care for patients with impaired lung and heart function. Patients with breathing disorders and other cardiopulmonary disorders range in age from premature infants with undeveloped lungs to children/adults with asthma and older adults experiencing chronic lung and heart diseases such as emphysema, COPD, and congestive heart failure.

The program prepares graduates to work in a variety of seeing which include pediatric and adult hospitals, rehabilitation centers, physician practices, home care and medical care companies, ground and air ambulance services, pulmonary function laboratories, and sleep study centers. The Respiratory Therapy program will provide each graduate with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to potentially make a difference in the lives of patients seeking treatment.

The respiratory therapy profession is experiencing a much faster than average projected growth. Per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the profession will grow 13 percent from 2023 to 2033. In May 2023, the median salary was $77,960. The following industries employ the largest number of respiratory therapists, and their annual median salaries were:

• Hospitals                                 $78,300
• Physician Practices                 $77,580
• Skilled Nursing Facilities       $73,390

Respiratory Care Fact Sheet

Respiratory Care Student Program Goals

To prepare graduates with demonstrated competence in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and the affective (behavior) domains of respiratory care practice as performed by registered respiratory therapists (RRTs).

Respiratory Care Student Program Learning Outcomes

1. Utilize Critical Thinking/Problem Solving Skills:
   Graduates will demonstrate proficiency in critical thinking and problem-solving to aid in the accurate diagnosis, effective management, and treatment of patients with cardiopulmonary diseases.
2. Evaluate Assessment Data and Apply Interventions:
   Graduates will be able to systematically evaluate assessment data, apply appropriate interventions, and administer prescribed respiratory care to patients with cardiopulmonary diseases, ensuring optimal patient outcomes.
3. Demonstrate Technical Proficiency:
   Graduates will exhibit technical proficiency in all required skills, performing their roles as registered respiratory therapists safely and effectively.
4. Educate Various Stakeholders:
   Graduates will possess the ability to educate patients, their families, healthcare professionals, and community members on matters related to cardiopulmonary wellness, disease prevention, and management, fostering health literacy.
5. Communication Skills:
   Graduates will recognize, demonstrate, and apply written and oral communication skills essential for effective interaction in the healthcare setting. This includes communicating with patients, colleagues, and other healthcare professionals.
6. Professional Ethics and Legal Compliance:
   Graduates will practice within the registered respiratory therapist’s professional moral, ethical, legal, and regulatory framework. This includes adhering to established standards of conduct, ensuring patient confidentiality, and maintaining the highest level of professionalism

Valerie Norwood, MBA, RRT
MHPC Program Director, Respiratory Care
Health Science Building – Suite 105
1964 Prairie Dell Road
Union, MO 63084
636-584-6616
valerie.norwood@eastcentral.edu

Denise King
Respiratory Care Director of Clinical Education
636-210-4651
denise.king@eastcentral.edu

Lori Newcomb
Administrative Data Specialist
Respiratory Care
636-584-6621
lori.newcomb@eastcentral.edu

Rachael Karr
Respiratory Care Advisor
Rolla Main
573-466-4078
rachael.karr@eastcentral.edu

Nancy Mitchell, MSN, RN
Dean of Health Sciences and Director of Nursing
Health Science Building – Suite 105
1964 Prairie Dell Road
Union, MO 63084
636-584-6616
nancy.mitchell@eastcentral.edu

Julie Beck
Program Assistant for Allied Health
Health Science Building – Suite 105
1964 Prairie Dell Road
Union, MO 63084
636-584-6616
julie.beck@eastcentral.edu