COVID-19: All SCC facilities are closed to students and the public, and credit classes are being taught in an online format. All face-to-face Continuing Education and non-credit classes are cancelled through June 30. Some virtual learning opportunities are available. SCC update page.
Apply Now!
  • Respiratory Care student.
    93% Graduate Employment/Transfer rate
    That's right! Ninety-three percent of SCC's 2017 graduates found work or continued their education.
    Placement
     Health Sciences Building Walk Through.
    Health Sciences Building Walk Through. 
    Angie Poppenhagen.
    Faculty Spotlight - Angie Poppenhagan
    Providing resources, breaking down concepts help students find relevance of content they’re learning.
    Placement
    Respiratory Care student.
    93% Graduate Employment/Transfer rate
    That's right! Ninety-three percent of SCC's 2017 graduates found work or continued their education.
    Placement
    Respiratory Care student.
    93% Graduate Employment/Transfer rate
    That's right! Ninety-three percent of SCC's 2017 graduates found work or continued their education.
    Placement
     

Respiratory Care

  •  Estimated Cost: $9,776

    Program Length: 4 semester(s)

    Locations: Lincoln / Online + Labs

    Start Term(s): Fall / Spring

    Awards Offered: AAS

    Program Description

    Let out a deep breath and discover a career as a respiratory therapist. Respiratory therapy is a demanding career that requires dedicated, caring professionals and our program is here to make you a part of it. You will complete a comprehensive curriculum which will prepare you to take the National Board for Respiratory Care exams and apply for state licensure.

    You have the option of completing our Respiratory Care program as a traditional, full-time track or online, part-time track student. Traditional students take face-to-face classes, labs and clinical rotations in Lincoln. Part-time students take online classes with lab and clinical rotations completed at a local medical center.

    Our program prepares you to become a competent practitioner who can evaluate, treat and care for patients with breathing or other cardiopulmonary disorders. You will be a successful respiratory therapist if you:

    • are a detail-oriented, inquisitive person able to work on a team
    • provide quality care with respect and dignity for the patient and their family
    • are about to communicate effectively (both verbal and written)
    • are able to make quick decisions based on logic and analytical skills
    • have good math skills
    • have the ability to work under stress
    • are an abstract thinker in order to understand concepts
    • are a person of character with honesty and integrity
    • believe people are worthy of the best medical care

    Follow the steps on the Admission Checklist to complete your application.

    Admissions Resources:

    Learn more about the Respiratory Care profession. Watch Life and Breath – A Presentation of the Respiratory Therapy Career then complete the Professional Awareness activity.

    Respiratory therapy is a wonderful, diverse career choice and the need for therapists is great. As a respiratory therapist, you will follow specific, well-defined respiratory care procedures under the direction of a physician. These procedures include administering medical gases, aerosol and inhaled medications, applying ventilator support, and testing techniques used in diagnosis, monitoring and treatment. Recent SCC graduates report an average starting salary of $40,976.

    The Southeast Community College Respiratory Care program is accredited by:

    coarcLogo-webCommittee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC)
    264 Precision Blvd.
    Telford, TN 37690
    817-283-2835

    Southeast Community College is a State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement Institution.
    As a State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement Institution, we are unable to offer online or distance courses to students in the following states/areas: California and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

    Respiratory Care program outcome data.

    Todd Klopfenstein, Program Director, M.A.S., RRT
    402-437-2781
    tklopfenstein@southeast.edu

    Kris Lewis, Clinical Director, RRT, MSHPE
    402-437-2811
    klewis@southeast.edu

    Kelly Cummins, RRT, MSOM
    402-437-2780
    kcummins@southeast.edu

    Angela Poppenhagen, BS, RRT, RPSGT
    402-437-2782
    apoppenhagen@southeast.edu

    Loading...
     

    SCC Student Success Rate

    SCC Grads Working in Nebraska

    SCC Grads Continuing Their Education

Tools