Associate of Science

Respiratory Care

Program Overview

The Respiratory Care program at Naugatuck Valley Community College is designed to prepare students to enter the field of respiratory care with the skills necessary to practice as proficient and competent respiratory therapists. Our program is designed to meet the evolving health care needs of our diverse community and our faculty are committed to a student-centered approach to teaching and learning that focuses on the development of evidence-based, ethical and collaborative practice among our graduates and student.

Earn a degree

Degree options include:
- Respiratory Care A.S.

Program Outcomes

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. View our program outcomes.

Betty Joseph-Jerome, RRT, MBA, MPH

Program Director

Email -

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Phone: 203-596-8662

Office: F119

Accreditation and Licensure Information

The Respiratory Care Program at Naugatuck Valley Community College meets the state education requirements for a Respiratory Care Practitioner license in the state of Connecticut.

The NVCC Respiratory Care Program has not determined if the associate degree in respiratory care meets the state education requirements in any other state, any U.S. Territory, or the District of Columbia. Applicants should investigate licensure requirements prior to accepting an offer of admission to the program.

Each state is responsible for establishing the requirements for licensure/certification. Students who intend to seek licensure in any state other than Connecticut need to consult with the state professional licensing board or the state’s department of public health. The states make the decision on whether an individual is eligible for licensure based on the rules and regulations in place at the time the individual submits their application for licensure.

For more information on each state’s requirements, please click here.

The Respiratory Care program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).

Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care

Phone: 817-283-2835

Program Reference Number: 200460

More information regarding the accreditation process is available at: https://www.coarc.com/

Student Success

Graduates of the NVCC respiratory care program have achieved a 100% pass rate on the licensing credential exam.

A Variety of Transfer Opportunities

The program has several opportunities for transfer to BS degree programs including Southern CT State University, University of Hartford, and Charter Oak State College

Excellent Job Opportunities

Over 90% of NVCC respiratory care program graduates are employed in the field of Respiratory Care.

Join a Field With Excellent Job Opportunities

Respiratory therapists evaluate, treat and care for patients who have breathing disorders. If you join this growing field, you'll work under the supervision of a physician administering respiratory therapy to patients with chronic illnesses such as asthma or emphysema. You'll also assist in emergencies when life-support treatment is needed. Respiratory therapists set up, operate and monitor devices that provide oxygen or medicine in the form of a mist or gas to patients. You must be able to see and hear well, have mechanical ability and manual dexterity to work with machines and be able to be on your feet most of the day.

Career Opportunities

You'll care for a wide variety of patients that can be found in many areas of the hospital including:

emergency room
adult, pediatric and newborn intensive care units
open heart units
cardiopulmonary rehabilitation
air transport

There are also many opportunities for Respiratory Therapists in settings outside the hospital which include:

home care
medical sales
sleep laboratories

Clinical Preparation and Experience

Respiratory care graduates are prepared to take the National Board for Respiratory Care Entry Level (CRT) and the Advanced Practitioner (RRT) Examinations.

Students also receive clinical experience at the following agencies:

Bridgeport Hospital
Charlotte Hungerford Hospital
Connecticut Children's Medical Center
Danbury Hospital
Gaylord Speciality Health Care
Waterbury Pulmonary Associates
St. Mary's Hospital
Waterbury Hospital
Yale New Haven Hospital

To learn more about the Respiratory Care profession, view the Life and Breath video

Program Admissions Requirements

Respiratory Care Application and Admission Requirements

Admission Process:

Application period: October 1^st 2022 to June 1^st2023

Program start dates: Fall 2023

The Respiratory Care is a selective admissions program. All students must first apply to Connecticut State Community College. There is also a Respiratory Care Application that must be submitted prior to the application deadline date.
Unless waived, all applicants must take placement tests in reading, English and mathematics. Students must meet the following admission requirements:

Program information session: All qualified applicants will be required to attend a mandatory program information session. Applicants will be contacted with information in late March/early April. Failure to attend and fully participate in this session will render an applicant ineligible.

GPA and Courses: Have a minimum GPA of 2.5 and complete the following courses prior to the application deadline:

ENG 1010 Composition (grade of “C “or higher)

MATH 1010 Intermediate Algebra or higher {grade of “C” or higher)

CHEM 1110 Concepts of Chemistry or CHEM 1210 General Chemistry I (grade of “C” or higher and within 5 years of program start date)

BIO 2111 Anatomy & Physiology I (meets the grade pre-requisite of Bio 212 and within the past five years of the program start date)

TEAS (test for essential academic skills) testing is required as part of the application process. Applicants will be considered for admission to the program if they have earned a score of 53.3% or higher (Within three years of applying). (www.ATItesting.com)

Selection Process:

Applicants are ranked according to:

Respiratory GPA                     50%
Anatomy & Physiology           25%
TEAS                                        25%

To Apply:
https://ctstate.elluciancrmrecruit.com/Apply/Account/Login?ReturnUrl=%2fApply

Review the application process for selective admissions for Fall 2023 and beyond for CT State: FINAL Selective Admission Application Instructions.pdf

Questions: Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Call: 203-596-8662