Associate of Science (AS) Degree in Respiratory Care 

In just three years, you can:

• Receive an Associate Degree in Respiratory Care
• Attain the program goal of acquiring the knowledge, skills and professional behaviors to practice as a competent, caring and compassionate health care practitioner
• Be eligible to sit for the NBRC Therapist Multiple Choice Examination and the NBRC Clinical Simulation Examination
• Apply for a temporary permit from the State of Pennsylvania (or other state agency) and secure temporary employment as a graduate therapist
  • Your temporary permit becomes a permanent license once you successfully complete the NBRC Therapist Multiple Choice Examination at the designated level
  • After completion of the NBRC Therapist Multiple Choice Examination at the designated level, you will be eligible to sit the NBRC Clinical Simulation Examination and secure the title of Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) -- the highest level credential of professional practice.

As a GMercyU Respiratory Care major, you will:

• Gain hands-on experience from clinical specialists at world-renowned health care institutions
• Benefit from our low student-faculty ratios (16:1 in the classroom setting and 8:1 in the laboratory)
• Work with junior and senior respiratory care students serving as tutors and mentors 
• Make the most of GMercyU’s 21 regional health care affiliations 
• Have the flexibility to extend your studies by one year for a BS degree in Respiratory Care and greater employment opportunities. In fact, 93% of those who graduate with their AS go on to earn their BHS here at GMercyU!
• Learn in our state-of-the-art Respiratory Care Laboratory with the latest technology, including a broad array of equipment, models, mannequins, simulators — and a new state-of-the-art ASL-5000 lung simulator, capable of replicating a wide range of lung conditions for patients of all ages

In addition to general education requirements, you will complete the following courses:

Respiratory Care Courses:  63 Credits

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Credit Requirement
A minimum of 99 credits is required for the associate degree in respiratory care. See the undergraduate catalog for more information and course descriptions.

Undergraduate Minors
Increase the value of your associates in respiratory therapy degree by adding an undergraduate minor that best meets your personal and professional goals.

William R. (Randy) Solly MS, RRT, RPFT, AE-C
Position: Professor of Practice and Program Coordinator, Respiratory Care
Did You Know? Solly has presented at the local, state, and national levels on topics such as pulmonary function testing, updated spirometry standards, interventional bronchoscopy, disaster medicine, and health care provider burnout.
Read bio

 
William Galvin, MSEd, RRT, CPFT, AE-C, FAARC
Position: Professor Emeritus, Respiratory Care
Did You Know? Galvin authored and edited the 60-chapter comprehensive textbook, Respiratory Care: Principles and Practice, which has been adopted and used by RC students nationally. He is the recipient of numerous honors and awards.
Read bio

 
Melissa Thornborough, RRT, RRT-ACCS, AE-C
Position: Instructor and the Director of Clinical Education, Respiratory Care
Did You Know? She has worked at Jefferson Abington Hospital as a staff therapist for most of her career -- the last nine years, serving as supervisor. She is still currently on staff on an as-needed basis.
Read bio

 
Melissa Ash, RRT-ACCS, RRT-NPS, RRT-SDS, RRT-CPFT, RRT-AE-C
Position: Instructor, Respiratory Care
Did You Know? Ash holds every specialty credential offered by the National Board for Respiratory Care. She has presented at both state conferences and international conferences and has been published multiple times. 
Read bio

 
Barbara Schuster, MSEd, RRT
Position: Assistant Professor, Respiratory Care
Did You Know? Schuster's specialties include Acute Care, Advance Cardiac Life Support, Invasive Cardiac Monitoring, Cardiopulmonary Anatomy & Physiology, and Neonatal & Pediatrics. 
Read bio

GMercyU’s Respiratory Care students have gained hands-on clinical experience at the following locations:

• Abington Memorial Hospital
• Aria Health Systems (Frankford Hospitals)
• Cancer Treatment Centers of America
• Chester County Hospital
• The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
• Doylestown Hospital
• Einstein Montgomery Hospital
• Fox Chase Cancer Center
• Grandview Hospital
• HCR Manor Care
• The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
• Jeanes Hospital
• Lankenau Hospital
• Lehigh Valley Hospital Center
• Lehigh Valley Medical Center and Health Care System
• Mercy Hospital of Philadelphia
• Montgomery Einstein Hospital
• Mercy Suburban Hospital
• St. Luke's Health Care System (specifically Upper Bucks)
• Temple University Health System, including:
  • Temple University Hospital
  • Jeanne's Hospital
  • Fox Chase Cancer Center
• Thomas Jefferson University Medical Center

Demand for Respiratory Therapists

During the pandemic, respiratory therapists cared for an overwhelming number of COVID-19 patients who required advanced and life-sustaining ventilator care. Yet even before 2020, there was an urgent need for respiratory therapists due to an aging population and an increase in chronic diseases such as asthma and COPD. 

In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a 12% increased demand for respiratory therapists through 2033 – more than three times the growth of all occupations. 

U.S. News Best Healthcare Job Ranking

Respiratory care has been recognized as a career with a great return on investment. In 2024, the profession ranks #12 on U.S. News’ list of “Best Healthcare Jobs” and #53 on their “100 Best Jobs” list. 

Average Salary for Respiratory Therapists

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for respiratory therapists was $77,960 in May 2023, with the top 10% earning more than $104,480. In the Philadelphia area, respiratory therapists averaged $84,040 per year.

Possible Careers for Respiratory Care Majors

• Clinician
• Diagnostician
• Adult critical care specialist
• Pulmonary function technologist 
• Sleep technologist 
• Asthma educator
• Neonatal/ pediatric specialist
• Patient advocate
• Tobacco cessation counselor
• Pulmonary rehabilitation specialist
• Clinical preceptor

Areas of Specialization 

• Medical/ surgical care
• Adult Critical Care
• Neonatology
• Pediatrics
• Pulmonary diagnostics

Additional education and training may be required for some of these positions.

As a respiratory therapist, you’ll use a combination of physical examination and sophisticated technology to diagnose and treat patients with cardiopulmonary disorders. You will learn to administer oxygen therapy, deliver inhaled medications, and initiate and monitor patients on life support, such as mechanical ventilators.

This fulfilling work can take you to a variety of settings, from hospitals to home care, and provides the opportunity to work with patients of all ages, from neonatal to elderly.

Emily Greenstein '24, RRT
As a parent and nontraditional student, Emily found the support she needed at GMercyU. “I’d like to think GMercyU made my non-traditional experience possible by being flexible and transparent. I am excited to give my son the life he truly deserves while also being in a career that I love." 

After graduation, Emily began her dream job at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Meet Emily

Ben Dean '22, RRT
As a student, Ben completed rotations at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Leigh Valley Cedar Crest Hospital, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. “Students are paired with a Respiratory Therapist and work hands-on to learn how to administer nebulizer treatments, manage ventilators, and give life-saving care to real patients,” Ben explained.

After graduation, Ben accepted a job at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Meet Ben

Kristina Velez '22, RRT
At GMercyU, Kristina was inducted into the Alpha Eta Honor Society and was elected as a class representative within the Respiratory Care program. “I love everything about our program, between the small class size, the access to all types of equipment in our lab, and our Respiratory Care professors who are personally dedicated to our success,” Kristina said.

After graduation, she begins her career at one of her clinical sites, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center. Meet Kristina

Catherine's first clinical experience confirmed that she was on the right career path. "When I placed my stethoscope on the patient’s back to listen to their breath sounds, I had a moment that made me realize that I was about to embark on a career that makes a huge difference," she said.

Catharine landed her job as an RRT at the Lehigh Valley Health Network before she graduated, and loves what she does for a living. Meet Catharine

Meet more Respiratory Care students and alumni.

Have questions about GMercyU's admissions requirements or transferring eligible credits? Contact us! Our Admissions staff is ready to walk you through the process of applying to GMercyU’s AS in Respiratory Care Program.

Email: admissions@syria-events.com
Phone: 215-641-5510

Apply now

Have a bachelor's degree but are looking to change careers to become a respiratory therapist? See what credits you may have already earned towards this three-year associate's degree. Contact Admissions at admissions@syria-events.com or call 215-641-5510.

Please note: Students enrolling in this program must have the ability to obtain a U.S. background check and other clearances for placement in a U.S. clinical/school setting. U.S. citizenship or permanent residency is also a requirement for licensure within certain academic programs. International students and students who are under DACA status or are undocumented should carefully review the licensure requirements in their state before enrolling in a degree program that leads to licensure. Additional information can be found on the National Conference of State Legislatures website. 

Licensure: This program was designed to meet the licensure requirements of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. If you reside in a different state, you should carefully review your home state’s licensure requirements prior to enrolling in this program. For more information, please visit our Program Licensure Requirement page.

As a field with tremendous demand, respiratory therapy is a smart career move. Credits from your bachelor's degree may already count towards a GMercyU associate degree in Respiratory Care, allowing you to become a respiratory therapist in as few as 20 months.

Find out how many credits from your bachelor's degree are transferable — contact our transfer admissions counselor, Emma Campbell at campbell.e1@syria-events.com.

(Students earning a second undergraduate degree generally are not eligible for federal financial aid.)

At GMercyU, we strive to make a quality education accessible to all through financial aid, scholarships, and grants. As a military-friendly university, we welcome service members and participate in all VA educational benefits programs. 

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Gwynedd Mercy University has one of the best respiratory therapy programs in PA. Start your journey to becoming a respiratory therapist today!

Apply now