60 years
My Tri-C
My Tri-C Student Resources News & Events Corporate College Alumni Give
Paying for College Apply Visit

Getting Started

Whether you want to earn a degree, improve your skills, get certified, train for a new career, or explore a new hobby, you can choose from many programs and courses.

Get Started
What type of student are you?
New Student
Returning
Transfer
Visiting
International
College Credit Plus
Non-Credit
All Student Types

Classes & Programs

Explore your interests and find a program that puts you on the path to a bright future. Tri-C offers both credit and non-credit courses as well as certificate programs in most career fields.

View all

Degree Programs & Certificates

More than 1,000 credit courses are offered each semester in more than 200 career and technical programs. Tri-C also grants short-term certificates, certificates of proficiency and post-degree professional certificates.

View A-Z Program List

Workforce Training & Professional Development

Tri-C's Workforce Training provides both non-credit and credit training for individuals and businesses to assist individuals with skills leading to employment. Tri-C's Corporate College provides professional development and corporate training opportunities.

Learn more

Community Programming for Adults & Youth

Tri-C offers a variety of affordable and convenient community programs for both adults and youth. These programs are designed to promote individual development.

Learn more

Request Info

Tri-C is here for you. Have a question about a program or service? We'll help you find the answer.

Ask a Question

Live Chat

Chat live with college departments and services.

Start live chat

Tri-C 24/7

Outside of business hours? Get answers to your questions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Student Support Services

Ask Tri-C

Get answers to your frequently asked questions from navigating the website to programs and services.

Get Answers

Getting Started

Whether you want to earn a degree, improve your skills, get certified, train for a new career, or explore a new hobby, you can choose from many programs and courses.

Get Started
What type of student are you? New Student Returning Transfer Visiting International College Credit Plus Non-Credit All Student Types

Classes & Programs

Explore your interests and find a program that puts you on the path to a bright future. Tri-C offers both credit and non-credit courses as well as certificate programs in most career fields.

View all

Degree Programs & Certificates

More than 1,000 credit courses are offered each semester in more than 200 career and technical programs. Tri-C also grants short-term certificates, certificates of proficiency and post-degree professional certificates.

View A-Z Program List

Workforce Training & Professional Development

Tri-C's Workforce Training provides both non-credit and credit training for individuals and businesses to assist individuals with skills leading to employment. Tri-C's Corporate College provides professional development and corporate training opportunities.

Learn more

Community Programming for Adults & Youth

Tri-C offers a variety of affordable and convenient community programs for both adults and youth. These programs are designed to promote individual development.

Learn more
Paying for College
Apply
Visit

Request Info

Tri-C is here for you. Have a question about a program or service? We'll help you find the answer.

Ask a Question

Live Chat

Chat live with college departments and services.

Start live chat

Tri-C 24/7

Outside of business hours? Get answers to your questions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Student Support Services

Ask Tri-C

Get answers to your frequently asked questions from navigating the website to programs and services.

Get Answers
Student Resources News & Events Corporate College Alumni Give

Respiratory Care

Respiratory Care Accreditations & Partnerships Program Handbook Clinical Observation Day in the Life Frequently Asked Questions Program Admission
  • Tri-C Home
  • »
  • Programs
  • »
  • Health Professions
  • »
  • Respiratory Care

Respiratory Care

Group of respiratory technology students in scrubs
Female respiratory technologist assisting a male patient
Hospital monitor
Respiratory technician with patient
Academic School: Nursing and Health Professions

Area of Study: Respiratory Care 
Degree/Certificate: Associate of Applied Science degree in Respiratory Care
Academic School: Nursing and Health Professions
State of Ohio: Meets educational requirements

Program Sequence Program Outcomes
Course Descriptions Cost of Attendance
Faculty Bios Consumer Information
Apply to Tri-C
Get Started Here

Students begin the pre-admission process by selecting the "Get Started Here" option above. The Program Director will monitor student progress as program requirements are met. Admission is offered once all requirements are satisfied. No additional application is necessary. 

What is Respiratory Care?

Tri-C's Respiratory Care program prepares you to assess the cardiopulmonary system, assist in the treatment of cardiopulmonary impairment and evaluate treatment effectiveness and actively care for patients of all ages with deficiencies or abnormalities associated with the cardiopulmonary system.

The goal of the Respiratory Care program is “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 (RRTs).”

Opportunities exist for specialization within the profession in the areas of:

  • Critical care
  • Homecare
  • Neonatal/pediatrics
  • Education
  • Diagnostics and Pulmonary Function Testing
  • Research
  • Management and Leadership  

The individual will, under the supervision of a physician, actively participate in the development of patient care plans, diagnostic testing and in the decision making process regarding the care and treatment of patients. Employment is primarily in hospitals but extends to home care, skilled nursing facilities, education and management.

About Respiratory Care at Tri-C:
There may be a waiting list for this program. If a student is placed on a waiting list, the student is strongly advised to complete all graduation requirements (non-RESP courses). Although not an aspect of the degree requirements, students may wish to take a medical terminology course as well. When acceptance is received, the student’s course load will be much less.

Day in the Life:  Explore the student experience in this program.

Career Outlook

Accreditation/Track Record
Program Handbook
Respiratory Care FAQs
Background Check Information (BCI)
Information Sessions

Program Status

Program admission is a continuous cycle. Students that have completed all Program Admission Requirements are currently being placed in the Fall 2025 cohort. This cohort is expected to reach capacity. A wait list will be used if necessary. 

 

Learn more about the Respiratory Care Program at Tri-C

Respiratory Care

How to reach us

John T. Gallagher, MPH, RRT-NPS, FAARC
Program Director, Respiratory Care
Cuyahoga Community College
11000 Pleasant Valley Road
Parma, OH 44130
Phone: 216-987-5217
john.gallagher@tri-c.edu

Health Careers Enrollment Center
216-987-4247
healthcareers@tri-c.edu

Metropolitan Campus (MHCS 126)
2900 Community College Ave.
Cleveland, Ohio 44115

Ask a Question

Do you have additional questions about this program? Complete this form and someone will provide you with the information you need.


Additional Information

Transfer Information

Does your academic plan include earning a Bachelor Degree? Tri-C is a great place to start. View the list of partnerships we have with four year institutions. You can search by school or Tri-C major.

Career and Job Outlook

Do you know what it's like to work in this field or what the salary range might be? Get more information.

Accreditations

Investigate our accreditation and articulation agreements.

© 2025 Cuyahoga Community College
700 Carnegie Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44115

Quick Links

Employment at Tri-C
my Tri-C space
Athletics
Brightspace
Bookstore
Course Search
College Catalog
Library
Technical Support
Transcripts
Spirit Shop

About Tri-C

About
President's Office
Accreditation
Administrative Departments
Accessibility
Board of Trustees
Student Consumer Information
Title IX Equal Opportunity
Privacy Policy

Campus Locations

Map & Directions
Parking
Campus Police

Connect With Us

Visit Tri-C
Phone Directory
Tri-C 24/7
Ask a Question
Live Chat
Tri-C 216-987-6000 Corporate College 216-987-2800