Respiratory Therapy

This Respiratory Therapy program prepares you to pass the exam required to become a Certified or Registered Respiratory Therapist.

Why Consider Respiratory Therapy?

  • Helping people with lung and heart disease interests you.
  • Demand is expected to grow rapidly for Respiratory Therapists.
  • Your interest in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and pharmacology can lead to a satisfying career.
  • You want to work in a hospital, diagnostic lab, rehabilitation facility or clinic, or provide home care.
  • As a key member of a healthcare team, you want to have a direct impact on patient care.

Why Learn at Lakeshore?

  • This is a shared program, which means you take general education courses through Lakeshore and core program courses in person at Milwaukee Area Technical College.
  • Our low faculty-to-student ratio allows you to get to know your instructors and classmates.
  • Academic, personal and financial resources are available to support your success.
  • Start in fall or spring

What it Takes

  • Interest in anatomy, physiology, and high-tech equipment
  • Desire to learn the information and skills needed to provide care for people
  • Ability to clearly communicate and collaborate with others
  • Concern and willingness to be responsible for others' health and safety
Career Area
Health Science
Type
Associate Degree
Program Number
10-515-1
Availability
Hybrid
  • Associate degree
  • 4 Terms
  • 65 Credits
  • Financial aid eligible
  • Starts fall/spring
  • Shared program with Milwaukee Area Technical College

Shared Program Details

This program is shared with Milwaukee Area Technical College. Students follow MATC’s and Lakeshore’s admission processes prior to enrolling in term one of the program. Lakeshore cannot admit students until they are accepted by MATC.

Prerequisite courses are offered through Lakeshore to make starting the program more convenient for local students. Respiratory Therapy core courses are taken in person at MATC. Graduates of the program will earn their degree from MATC.

It’s important to stay connected with your Academic Counselor throughout your time in this program to ensure a smooth transition to MATC.

Other Important Information

Respiratory Therapy/MATC

MATC Waitlist Process

Respiratory Therapy Pathway

Career Outlook

Respiratory Therapy

Median Income: $73,830.00*

 

POTENTIAL JOB TITLES

(Click a title for job description)

A healthcare professional who evaluates, treats, and cares for patients with breathing or cardiopulmonary disorders. They administer therapies like oxygen and medications, operate ventilators, perform diagnostic tests, provide emergency respiratory care, and educate patients on managing respiratory conditions.

 

*Lightcast/EMSI data is a hybrid dataset derived from official government sources such as the US Census Bureau, Bureau of Economic Analysis, and Bureau of Labor Statistics. This salary data is from the Lakeshore District.

ADMISSION AND FIRST SEMESTER ENROLLMENT STEPS

*Submit transcripts and test scores (optional, highly recommended): College transcripts, along with high school transcripts and test scores from within the last five years, used for course registration. Official transcripts needed for transferring college credit(s) and for financial aid purposes.

Program Cost

  • Tuition Cost: $11,591.82
  • Book Cost: $1,493.71
  • Supply Cost: $ 1,652.00
  • Program Total: $ 14,737.53

Any applicable waitlist and petition processes will follow Milwaukee Area Technical College's standards. Please visit MATC's program webpage for more information.

This is a shared program, which means you take general education courses at Lakeshore and core program courses at Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC). Many of Lakeshore’s general education courses are offered in a variety of delivery formats including in person, iFlex, online, competency-based education, accelerated, and blended. Having the flexibility to choose what works best for you helps you fit college into your schedule more easily. Delivery format descriptions can be found here

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Downloads

2025-2026 Respiratory Therapy pdf

pdf - 243.45 KB