Respiratory Care
You will complete this comprehensive program with the knowledge and skills to succeed as an allied health specialist on the healthcare team, with coursework in assessment, treatment, diagnostic testing and conditions that affect the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. As part of your clinical experiences, you will work closely with physicians and other healthcare professionals to care for patients with respiratory and cardiovascular conditions. In the last three years graduates have achieved a 95 percent percent state board exam pass rate and a 95 percent job placement rate. Hands-on health simulation labs, equipped with manikins that exhibit symptoms and vitals of human patients, train you for a range of patient care treatment and medical emergencies.
If you want a career that involves direct patient care, critical thinking skills and enjoy helping people, this is the perfect fit for you. Our program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care.
Paying for the Program
Out-of-State Tuition & Fees: $20,301*
Program Supplies: $937
There are many options available for tuition savings. Contact the Admissions or Financial Aid office for more information.
Financial Aid Info- Apply for admission.
- Submit official high school, high school equivalency and/or college transcripts to the Admissions Office of the campus you plan to attend.
- Complete ACCUPLACER® reading and writing assessment and ALEKS® math assessment for course placement. Assessments may be waived based on previous college coursework or submission of valid ACT®, or SAT® test scores. Reading and writing scores are valid for three years, and math scores are valid for two years.
- View the Program Admission Checklist.
Program Admission Requirements
In addition to the college enrollment process, applicants must achieve a minimum ACCUPLACER CLASSIC® reading score of 70 or ACCUPLACER NEXT GENERATION® reading score of 250 (ACT® SAT® scores are also acceptable) and a minimum ALEKS® score of 14. The following course must be completed with a minimum grade of "C-" or above within five years from the date of application:
- Human Anatomy and Physiology I [BIO:168]
The health sciences programs have additional admission requirements including background checks, health records and training requirements. Please review these requirements for program admission.
View a sample 1st year schedule for this program of study.
Review program courses, admissions and academic requirements.
The Respiratory Care Program (200396) awards an Associate of Applied Science Degree at the Peosta campus and is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (www.coarc.com).
For CoARC programmatic outcomes data, visit Programmatic Outcomes Data.
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.
Graduates with an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree are eligible for credentialing exams offered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).
Download the Respiratory Care Goals and Evaluation Systems.
Class Hours
Classes are scheduled two or three days per week at the Peosta Campus. Clinical experiences are scheduled at the affiliate hospitals and home care providers located within a 110-mile radius of the campus. The clinical experience greatly enhances your education. You may work day or evening shifts, and you must provide your own transportation and lodging when necessary. Car pools are considered when making assignments to the clinical areas.
Licensure and Certification Disclosure
Successful completion of this program leads to a professional licensure or certification. Use this state guide to identify the states in which NICC program requirements fulfill the state guidelines for professional licensure and certification.
Simulation Labs
Respiratory Care students have the opportunity to utilize the College's Health Simulation Laboratories at the Peosta campus for hands-on learning experiences.
The Respiratory Care program currently has transfer agreements in place with the institutions listed below. Students are encouraged to speak with their transfer college or university to verify that their planned courses at NICC will meet necessary requirements. Learn more about transferring from NICC.
Amy Rausch
Respiratory Care Program Director
- Email: rauscha@nicc.edu
- Phone: 844.642.2338, ext. 2274
- Location: Peosta
Jacque Kelchen
Respiratory Care Instructor
- Email: kelchenja@nicc.edu
- Phone: 844.642.2338, ext. 2338
- Location: Peosta