Skip Navigation

Respiratory Therapy

Request Info
Call
Text

Applicants are encouraged to submit their application by March 1 for Fall entry. After acceptance, accepted students will be informed of the summer orientation date.

The Respiratory Therapy Associate Degree Program at Blue Ridge Community College provides students with the necessary skills and knowledge to become licensed respiratory therapists. Graduates are prepared to enter the workforce in diverse healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics and home care.

Nationally, demand for the profession is expected to increase by 12% by 2034. In 2026, U.S. News & World Report rated Respiratory Therapy the nation’s #4 “Best Health Care Job.”

This Respiratory Therapy program is offered through a collaboration between Blue Ridge Community College and Southwestern Community College. The degree is awarded by Southwestern Community College after all program requirements are met. Classes take place at Blue Ridge on Blue Ridge’s Transylvania County Campus.

Students of the new satellite program will need to complete an application for both colleges to participate, as general education classes will be taken through Blue Ridge, and respiratory therapy classes in Brevard will be administered through SCC. At Blue Ridge, students will enroll in the “General Occupational Technology – Pre-Respiratory Therapy” program of study.

Prospective students may contact Southwestern’s Gretchen Guelcher at (828) 339-4472 or Amber Upton at (828) 339-4037 with questions. For email, please contact BOTH g_guelcher@southwesterncc.edu and a_upton@southwesterncc.edu.

Southwestern Community College logo.

 

[reblex id='63132']

About the Respiratory Therapy Program

Courses you will take

Students will take general education courses such as anatomy & physiology, English, math, and psychology. Students will also take Respiratory Care Program (RCP) courses that include seated lecture, simulation and laboratory activities, and clinical experiences. Students will enroll in the program through Southwestern Community College and attend class on Blue Ridge Community College’s Transylvania County Campus. Students will participate in clinical experiences at hospitals and clinics located in Buncombe, Henderson and Transylvania Counties. 

Upon completion of the program, the Associate Degree will be awarded by Southwestern Community College (as part of the strategic partnership with Blue Ridge Community College). 

What you will gain

Students in this program learn to perform diagnostic testing, treatments and management of patients with heart and lung disease. Coursework includes learning patient assessment and treatment of cardiopulmonary diseases. These skills include life support, monitoring, drug administration and treatment of patients of all ages in a variety of settings. Graduates are eligible to take the licensure exams to become a Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) and Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT). 

Course Requirements

Apply for the Respiratory Therapy Program

The Respiratory Therapy Program is accredited and accepts qualified students. Those interested in applying are encouraged to request information to be connected with an admissions counselor who can guide you through the application process. Please email healthcare@blueridge.edu.

Students may complete general education courses required for the program at Blue Ridge Community College. However, all applicants must apply to the Respiratory Therapy Program through Southwestern Community College and complete the admissions process for both Blue Ridge and Southwestern community colleges.

1. Apply Online with Blue Ridge Community College

Complete an online Blue Ridge Community College Application. When you complete your online application, select the General Occupational Technology-Pre-Respiratory Therapy program. A confirmation email will provide you with detailed steps on how to proceed.

2. Apply Online with Southwestern Community College

Complete an online Southwestern College Application.

Admissions Procedures for the Respiratory Therapy Program

Register through Southwestern Community College:

View Respiratory Therapy – Admissions Criteria

For assistance with Southwestern Community College’s application process, please contact (828) 339-4352 or admissions@southwesterncc.edu.
For assistance with Blue Ridge Community College’s application process, please contact (828) 694-1800, use the Blue Ridge Community College online contact form, or text: (828) 600-4876.

Financial Aid

Financial Aid is filled with resources to help you figure out how to pay for your Blue Ridge Community College education. Please see how to get started at “Applying for Financial Aid.”  To see if you qualify please complete the FAFSA each year. You will need to include both Blue Ridge Community College (school code 009684) and Southwestern Community College (school code 008466) on the FAFSA when you apply. Additionally, the Blue Ridge Community College Educational Foundation offers a wide range of scholarship opportunities.

Contact us today to learn more about financial aid options that can help you pursue a respiratory therapy degree.

Technical Standards

Students enrolling in these programs must meet specific emotional, behavioral, physical, and cognitive standards. This information is found in Technical Standards. Students qualifying for special accommodations to these standards must contact Student Accessibility Services at (828) 694-1813 for more information.

The Southwestern Community College (CoARC #300041) Associate of Science in Respiratory Therapy degree program offered at Blue Ridge Community College in Brevard, NC holds Provisional Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (www.coarc.com). This status signifies that a program with an Approval of Intent has demonstrated sufficient compliance with the Standards (through submission of an acceptable Provisional Accreditation Self-Study Report (PSSR) and any other documentation required by the CoARC, as well as satisfactory completion of an initial on-site visit),
to be allowed to admit students. It is recognized as an accredited program by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC), which provides enrolled students who complete the program with eligibility for the Respiratory Care Credentialing Examination(s). The program will remain on Provisional Accreditation until it achieves Continuing Accreditation.
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. Program outcomes data are available at: https://coarc.com/students/programmatic-outcomes-data/

Contact Us

2026-27 Identity/Statement of Educational Purpose (V4)

Beginning the 2026-27 academic year, all “Identity/Statement of Educational Purpose” forms must be completed in the Offices of Financial Aid. 

Student Logins

Need Assistance?