Respiratory Therapy

This program prepares students as critical-care specialists to assist a primary-care physician in managing patients with serious heart and lung disorders.

Respiratory therapists are responsible for administering medical gases, managing electronic monitoring equipment, controlling life-support systems, and handling various medical emergencies.

Related responsibilities may include diagnostic testing of breathing disorders, rehabilitation of patients with long-standing pulmonary disease, and asthma education.

Credentials and Licensing
Graduates of the Respiratory Therapy Program must pass the Therapist Multiple Choice (TMC) Examination administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) in order to apply for an Illinois state license.

After passing the TMC, the individual earns the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credential and is eligible to take the second level of testing to become a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).

Employment of respiratory therapists is projected to grow 14% from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations. Growth in the middle-aged and elderly population will lead to an increased incidence of respiratory conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pneumonia. These respiratory disorders can permanently damage the lungs or restrict lung function.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics

The Respiratory Therapy A.A.S. program has special admission requirements and limited enrollment. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all admission requirements are met, and all documents and scores are submitted on time. Only complete application files will be reviewed for admission.

Documents to be Submitted for a Complete File

• Moraine Valley application for admission if not currently enrolled in college credit courses at Moraine Valley.
• A completed Respiratory Therapy Admission Application. Applications are available online and must be submitted to the Records Office (Building S, Room 111). Application deadline is June 1.
• An official high school transcript showing date of graduation or a high school equivalency certificate.
• Official transcripts from all colleges or universities previously attended.

Important Dates
June 1: Application deadline

Minimum Academic Requirements

• One year of high school biology with lab, or one semester of college biology with lab, with a grade of "C" or better.
• One year of high school algebra must qualify to take Moraine Valley course MTH-109 or above, or a college-level course at another college, with a grade of "D" or above.
• A minimum grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, based on courses inclusive to the Respiratory Therapy AAS degree or a high school GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale if college credit has not been earned.
• Completed Moraine Valley placement tests. Students may be exempt from placement tests based on previous college credit. Contact an academic advisor for information about placement test exemptions.
  • Math placement test score or exemption must qualify the applicant to take MTH-109.
  • English placement test score or exemption must qualify the applicant to take COM-101.
  • Reading placement test score or exemption must qualify the applicant for courses above RDG-089.

*A student does not need to complete all the required general education courses prior to applying to the program. However, all required courses must be completed before a student can graduate from the program.

Health Physical
Prior to clinical placement, admitted students must submit a completed health history and a physical form signed by a physician and evidence of personal health insurance.

Selection Criteria
Applicants for the program will be considered in the following order:

1. Qualified residents of the district and residents of districts engaged in cooperative agreements who submit an application by June 1 of the year they plan to enroll in the program.
2. Qualified nonresidents who submit an application by June 1.
3. On a space available basis, applicants who do not meet all of the admissions requirements or the deadline may be considered.

Point System
Students will be admitted to the Respiratory Therapy Program through a weighted score made up of two factors: college GPA based solely on courses inclusive to the Respiratory Therapy A.A.S. degree; grades and credit hours in specified course work.

Points for various criteria will be given according to the chart below. Students will also be required to meet the current minimum standards for admission. Students must have a minimum of 25 points at the application deadline in order to be eligible for admission.

Students will be required to list, on the intent form, all colleges attended. 

Ties will be broken based on GPA first and then date and time stamp when the completed application is received in the Records Department.

Success Courses
(The BIO, CHM, MTH and MRT-110 must have been completed no longer than 5 years prior to the program admission deadline.)

Choose 1: BIO-180

Choose 1: BIO-181

Choose 1: BIO-119

Choose 1: CHM-111
or CHM-131

Choose 1: MTH-109 or MTH-139 or higher; MTH-120 cannot be used to satisfy this requirement.

Or 6 points for ACT math score of 20 or higher or SAT scores 520 or higher (ACT and SAT test scores will expire after 18 months after test date)

Or 6 points for placement at or above MTH-139 on placement test

Choose: MRT-110

Success Course Weighting
A = 3 points X Credit hours
B = 2 points X Credit hours
C = 1 points X Credit hours
All other grades = No points

Examples
Student has BIO-180 with an A— 3 points X 4 credit hours = 12 points

Student has BIO-181 with an A- 3 points X 4 credit hours = 12 points

Student has MTH-109 with a B— 2 points X 2 credit hours = 4 points

Student has MRT-110 with a B— 2 points X 3 credit hours = 6 points

Total points for success courses = 12 for BIO-180 + 12 for BIO-181 + 4 for MTH-109 + 6 for MRT-110 = 34 Pts

Re-Application
Applicants not selected for one starting class are individually responsible for reactivating and updating their application file for subsequent starting classes. Re-applicants must complete a new Respiratory Therapy Admission Application and submit it to the Admissions and Records Office during the application period stated.

Our Program does NOT accept advanced placement (The program will NOT accept prior work experience or previous courses completed in another Respiratory Therapy Program.)

All students must be able to perform the essential functions of the curriculum. In addition to the general admission criteria required by the college, respiratory students must be able to:

• Use digital fine motor skills with both hands continually throughout the day.
• See clearly enough to read hand-written and computer-generated communications.
• Work standing on their feet for the majority of the day.
• Walk to and from patient service areas of the hospital for the majority of the day.
• Help patients in and out of beds and chairs.
• Write and speak to patients and staff effectively.
• Interact appropriately with patients, physicians, peers, and supervisor.
• Use good judgment to seek assistance when needed.
• Lift a minimum of 50 pounds unassisted and be able to push machines heavier than that up and down ramps.
• Apply safety and infection control standards learned in the program to maintain a safe and clean environment for patients and self.

Program Goal
The goal of the Moraine Valley Community College Respiratory Therapy Program is to prepare graduates with demonstrated competence in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains of respiratory care practice as performed by registered respiratory therapists (RRTs).

Program Outcomes
The four program outcomes have been developed based on the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) and the recommendations of the Moraine Valley Community College Respiratory Therapy Program Advisory Committee.

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.   

Programmatic outcomes data reported on the CoARC website include:

The three-year time period being reported; RRT credentialing success; achievement of the high-cut score on TMC Exam (beginning 2018); retention (attrition); overall graduate satisfaction; overall employer satisfaction; the total number of program enrollees; the total number of program graduates; maximum annual enrollment.

Program Outcomes
The Moraine Valley Community College Respiratory Therapy Program will provide students with the following:

1. Training in respiratory modalities of the profession
2. Training in life support and ventilator management
3. Prepare students for the Entry Level Respiratory Care National Board Exam (Certified Respiratory Therapist - CRT)
4. Prepare students for the Advanced Level Respiratory Care National Board Exam (Registered Respiratory Therapist - RRT)

You will rotate through at least four different facilities while in the program. Efforts may be made to accommodate some clinical requests, but you need to be willing and able to travel to any of the clinical sites, as it will not be possible to accommodate all requests. Starting times may be as early as 6 a.m.

The afternoon shift may end as late as 11:30 p.m. The starting and ending time are determined by the hospital and is not negotiable. Careful consideration of your ability to travel and adjust your personal schedule prior to application into this program is strongly advised.

Advocate Christ Medical Center
Advocate Hope Children’s Hospital
Holy Cross Hospital
Ingalls Memorial Hospital
Little Company of Mary Hospital
Loyola University Medical Center
Mount Sinai Hospital
Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Palos Community Hospital
Presence St. Joseph Medical Center – Joliet
Franciscan St. James Hospital – Chicago Heights
Franciscan St. James Olympia Fields
University of Illinois Medical Center
Amita Health Adventist Medical Center – Hinsdale
Franciscan St. Margaret Health – Hammond
Children’s Memorial Hospital
Amita Health Adventist Medical Center – Bolingbrook
Advocate South Suburban Hospital

*This list of clinical affiliates is subject to change at any time.

Moraine Valley Community College partners with healthcare facilities to provide clinical experiences for its students. These facilities prescribe various health requirements for all students who are placed at their clinical sites. Students who intend to participate in the clinical component of any program must submit documentation reflecting their compliance with the following clinical health requirements* prior to the deadline established by their program of study.

1. Measles (Rubeola) Titer
2. Mumps Titer
3. Rubella Titer
4. Varicella (Chicken Pox) Titer
5. Hepatitis B Titer
6. QuantiFERON-TB Gold Blood Test Annually
7. Tdap Vaccine every 10 years
8. Influenza (Flu) Vaccine Annually
9. COVID-19 Full Vaccination
10. Physical Exam by Healthcare Professional
11. American Heart Association BLS CPR for Healthcare Professionals every 2 years
12. Background Check Annually
13. Drug Screen Annually
14. Medical Health Insurance – Upload Card Annually

Unless otherwise indicated, in writing, by a student's assigned clinical site, all of the above health requirements must be met before the student may participate in a clinical rotation.

A student who fails to timely submit documentation by set compliance deadlines reflecting compliance with the clinical health requirements listed above may be unable to participate in the required clinical component of their program in a timely manner, and their graduation may be delayed. The college cannot guarantee clinical placements for students who fail to satisfy all clinical health requirements by the set compliance deadlines.

Inquiries regarding the College’s clinical health requirements may be directed to the program coordinator or clinical coordinator via phone, email or the form found at the bottom of this page.

*This list of clinical health requirements is subject to change based upon the policies of the clinical facilities.  Students will be notified, in writing, of any modifications to the list of clinical health requirements.

Medical Director – Dr. Lisa Wolfe, MD

Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care

264 Precision Blvd.
Telford, TN 37690
http://www.coarc.com/
Phone: 817-283-2835

Information on whether our program meets the requirements to practice in that state is included below.

Alabama
Alabama State Board of Respiratory Therapy
Moraine Valley Community College has not determined whether completion of Moraine Valley Community College’s CoARC accredited Respiratory Therapy Program meets educational requirements to apply for a Respiratory Care Professional license in Alabama.

Alaska
Moraine Valley Community College has not determined whether completion of Moraine Valley Community College’s CoARC accredited Respiratory Therapy Program meets educational requirements to apply for a Respiratory Care Professional license in Alaska.

Arizona
Arizona State Board of Respiratory Care Examiners
Moraine Valley Community College has not determined whether completion of Moraine Valley Community College’s CoARC accredited Respiratory Therapy Program meets educational requirements to apply for a Respiratory Care Professional license in Arizona.

Arkansas
Arkansas State Medical Board
Moraine Valley Community College has not determined whether completion of Moraine Valley Community College’s CoARC accredited Respiratory Therapy Program meets educational requirements to apply for a Respiratory Care Professional license in Arkansas.

California
Respiratory Care Board of California
Moraine Valley Community College has not determined whether completion of Moraine Valley Community College’s CoARC accredited Respiratory Therapy Program meets educational requirements to apply for a Respiratory Care Professional license in California.

Colorado
Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies
Moraine Valley Community College has not determined whether completion of Moraine Valley Community College’s CoARC accredited Respiratory Therapy Program meets educational requirements to apply for a Respiratory Care Professional license in Colorado.

Connecticut
Connecticut State Department of Public Health
Moraine Valley Community College has not determined whether completion of Moraine Valley Community College’s CoARC accredited Respiratory Therapy Program meets educational requirements to apply for a Respiratory Care Professional license in Connecticut.

Delaware
Delaware Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline
Moraine Valley Community College has not determined whether completion of Moraine Valley Community College’s CoARC accredited Respiratory Therapy Program meets educational requirements to apply for a Respiratory Care Professional license in Delaware.

District of Columbia
District of Columbia Health Department
Moraine Valley Community College has not determined whether completion of Moraine Valley Community College’s CoARC accredited Respiratory Therapy Program meets educational requirements to apply for a Respiratory Care Professional license in District of Columbia.

Florida
Florida Board of Respiratory Care
Moraine Valley Community College has not determined whether completion of Moraine Valley Community College’s CoARC accredited Respiratory Therapy Program meets educational requirements to apply for a Respiratory Care Professional license in Florida.

Georgia
Georgia Composite Medical Board
Moraine Valley Community College has not determined whether completion of Moraine Valley Community College’s CoARC accredited Respiratory Therapy Program meets educational requirements to apply for a Respiratory Care Professional license in Georgia.

Hawaii
Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs - Professional & Vocational Licensing)
Moraine Valley Community College has not determined whether completion of Moraine Valley Community College’s CoARC accredited Respiratory Therapy Program meets educational requirements to apply for a Respiratory Care Professional license in Hawaii.

Idaho
Idaho Respiratory Care Licensure Board)
Moraine Valley Community College has not determined whether completion of Moraine Valley Community College’s CoARC accredited Respiratory Therapy Program meets educational requirements to apply for a Respiratory Care Professional license in Idaho.

Indiana
Indiana Respiratory Care Committee)
Moraine Valley Community College has not determined whether completion of Moraine Valley Community College’s CoARC accredited Respiratory Therapy Program meets educational requirements to apply for a Respiratory Care Professional license in Indiana.

Illinois
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
Completion of Moraine Valley Community College’s CoARC accredited Respiratory Therapy Undergraduate Major meets educational requirements to apply for a Respiratory Care Professional license in Illinois.

Iowa
Iowa Board of Respiratory Care and Polysomnography
Moraine Valley Community College has not determined whether completion of Moraine Valley Community College’s CoARC accredited Respiratory Therapy Program meets educational requirements to apply for a Respiratory Care Professional license in Iowa.

Kansas
Kansas Board of Healing Arts
Moraine Valley Community College has not determined whether completion of Moraine Valley Community College’s CoARC accredited Respiratory Therapy Program meets educational requirements to apply for a Respiratory Care Professional license in Kansas.

Kentucky
Kentucky Board of Respiratory Care
Moraine Valley Community College has not determined whether completion of Moraine Valley Community College’s CoARC accredited Respiratory Therapy Program meets educational requirements to apply for a Respiratory Care Professional license in Kentucky.

Louisiana
Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners
Moraine Valley Community College has not determined whether completion of Moraine Valley Community College’s CoARC accredited Respiratory Therapy Program meets educational requirements to apply for a Respiratory Care Professional license in Louisiana.

Maine
Maine Board of Respiratory Care Practitioners
Moraine Valley Community College has not determined whether completion of Moraine Valley Community College’s CoARC accredited Respiratory Therapy Program meets educational requirements to apply for a Respiratory Care Professional license in Maine.

Maryland
Maryland Board of Physicians
Moraine Valley Community College has not determined whether completion of Moraine Valley Community College’s CoARC accredited Respiratory Therapy Program meets educational requirements to apply for a Respiratory Care Professional license in Maryland.

Massachusetts
Massachusetts Board of Respiratory Care
Moraine Valley Community College has not determined whether completion of Moraine Valley Community College’s CoARC accredited Respiratory Therapy Program meets educational requirements to apply for a Respiratory Care Professional license in Massachusetts.

Michigan
Michigan Board of Respiratory Care
Moraine Valley Community College has not determined whether completion of Moraine Valley Community College’s CoARC accredited Respiratory Therapy Program meets educational requirements to apply for a Respiratory Care Professional license in Michigan.

Minnesota
Minnesota Board of Medical Practice
Moraine Valley Community College has not determined whether completion of Moraine Valley Community College’s CoARC accredited Respiratory Therapy Program meets educational requirements to apply for a Respiratory Care Professional license in Minnesota.

Mississippi
Mississippi State Department of Health - Professional Licensure
Moraine Valley Community College has not determined whether completion of Moraine Valley Community College’s CoARC accredited Respiratory Therapy Program meets educational requirements to apply for a Respiratory Care Professional license in Mississippi.

Missouri
Missouri Board for Respiratory Care
Moraine Valley Community College has not determined whether completion of Moraine Valley Community College’s CoARC accredited Respiratory Therapy Program meets educational requirements to apply for a Respiratory Care Professional license in Missouri.

Montana
Montana Board of Respiratory Care Practitioners
Moraine Valley Community College has not determined whether completion of Moraine Valley Community College’s CoARC accredited Respiratory Therapy Program meets educational requirements to apply for a Respiratory Care Professional license in Montana.

Nebraska
Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services (Respiratory Care)
Moraine Valley Community College has not determined whether completion of Moraine Valley Community College’s CoARC accredited Respiratory Therapy Program meets educational requirements to apply for a Respiratory Care Professional license in Nebraska.

Nevada
Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners
Moraine Valley Community College has not determined whether completion of Moraine Valley Community College’s CoARC accredited Respiratory Therapy Program meets educational requirements to apply for a Respiratory Care Professional license in Nevada.

New Hampshire
New Hampshire Office of Licensed Allied Health Professionals
Moraine Valley Community College has not determined whether completion of Moraine Valley Community College’s CoARC accredited Respiratory Therapy Program meets educational requirements to apply for a Respiratory Care Professional license in New Hampshire.

New Jersey
New Jersey State Board of Respiratory Care
Moraine Valley Community College has not determined whether completion of Moraine Valley Community College’s CoARC accredited Respiratory Therapy Program meets educational requirements to apply for a Respiratory Care Professional license in New Jersey.

New Mexico
New Mexico Respiratory Care Advisory Board
Moraine Valley Community College has not determined whether completion of Moraine Valley Community College’s CoARC accredited Respiratory Therapy Program meets educational requirements to apply for a Respiratory Care Professional license in New Mexico.

New York
New York State Board for Respiratory Therapy
Moraine Valley Community College has not determined whether completion of Moraine Valley Community College’s CoARC accredited Respiratory Therapy Program meets educational requirements to apply for a Respiratory Care Professional license in New York.

North Carolina
North Carolina Respiratory Care Board
Moraine Valley Community College has not determined whether completion of Moraine Valley Community College’s CoARC accredited Respiratory Therapy Program meets educational requirements to apply for a Respiratory Care Professional license in North Carolina.

North Dakota
North Dakota State Board of Respiratory Care
Moraine Valley Community College has not determined whether completion of Moraine Valley Community College’s CoARC accredited Respiratory Therapy Program meets educational requirements to apply for a Respiratory Care Professional license in North Dakota.

Ohio
State Medical Board of Ohio
Moraine Valley Community College has not determined whether completion of Moraine Valley Community College’s CoARC accredited Respiratory Therapy Program meets educational requirements to apply for a Respiratory Care Professional license in Ohio.

Oklahoma
Oklahoma Board of Medical Licensure
Moraine Valley Community College has not determined whether completion of Moraine Valley Community College’s CoARC accredited Respiratory Therapy Program meets educational requirements to apply for a Respiratory Care Professional license in Oklahoma.

Oregon
Oregon Health Licensing Office (Respiratory Therapist and Polysomnographic Technologist Licensing Board)
Moraine Valley Community College has not determined whether completion of Moraine Valley Community College’s CoARC accredited Respiratory Therapy Program meets educational requirements to apply for a Respiratory Care Professional license in Oregon.

Pacific Territories
Pacific Territories Respiratory Care Professionals Board
Moraine Valley Community College has not determined whether completion of Moraine Valley Community College’s CoARC accredited Respiratory Therapy Program meets educational requirements to apply for a Respiratory Care Professional license in Pacific Territories.

Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine
Moraine Valley Community College has not determined whether completion of Moraine Valley Community College’s CoARC accredited Respiratory Therapy Program meets educational requirements to apply for a Respiratory Care Professional license in Pennsylvania.

Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico Examining Board for Respiratory Care
Moraine Valley Community College has not determined whether completion of Moraine Valley Community College’s CoARC accredited Respiratory Therapy Program meets educational requirements to apply for a Respiratory Care Professional license in Puerto Rico.

Rhode Island
Rhode Island Department of Health (Respiratory Care Practitioners Board)
Moraine Valley Community College has not determined whether completion of Moraine Valley Community College’s CoARC accredited Respiratory Therapy Program meets educational requirements to apply for a Respiratory Care Professional license in Rhode Island.

South Carolina
South Carolina Board of Medical Examiners
Moraine Valley Community College has not determined whether completion of Moraine Valley Community College’s CoARC accredited Respiratory Therapy Program meets educational requirements to apply for a Respiratory Care Professional license in South Carolina.

South Dakota
South Dakota Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners
Moraine Valley Community College has not determined whether completion of Moraine Valley Community College’s CoARC accredited Respiratory Therapy Program meets educational requirements to apply for a Respiratory Care Professional license in South Dakota.

Tennessee
Tennessee Board of Respiratory Care
Moraine Valley Community College has not determined whether completion of Moraine Valley Community College’s CoARC accredited Respiratory Therapy Program meets educational requirements to apply for a Respiratory Care Professional license in Tennessee.

Texas
Texas Medical Board - Professional Licensing and Certification Unit
Moraine Valley Community College has not determined whether completion of Moraine Valley Community College’s CoARC accredited Respiratory Therapy Program meets educational requirements to apply for a Respiratory Care Professional license in Texas.

Utah
Utah Division of Occupational & Professional Licensing (Respiratory Care Licensing Board)
Moraine Valley Community College has not determined whether completion of Moraine Valley Community College’s CoARC accredited Respiratory Therapy Program meets educational requirements to apply for a Respiratory Care Professional license in Utah.

U.S. Virgin Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands Respiratory Care Professionals Board
Moraine Valley Community College has not determined whether completion of Moraine Valley Community College’s CoARC accredited Respiratory Therapy Program meets educational requirements to apply for a Respiratory Care Professional license in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Vermont
Vermont Office of Professional Regulation
Moraine Valley Community College has not determined whether completion of Moraine Valley Community College’s CoARC accredited Respiratory Therapy Program meets educational requirements to apply for a Respiratory Care Professional license in Vermont.

Virginia
Virginia Board of Medicine (Advisory Board on Respiratory Therapy)
Moraine Valley Community College has not determined whether completion of Moraine Valley Community College’s CoARC accredited Respiratory Therapy Program meets educational requirements to apply for a Respiratory Care Professional license in Virginia.

Washington
Washington Department of Health (Respiratory Care Program)
Moraine Valley Community College has not determined whether completion of Moraine Valley Community College’s CoARC accredited Respiratory Therapy Program meets educational requirements to apply for a Respiratory Care Professional license in Washington.

West Virginia
West Virginia Board of Respiratory Care
Moraine Valley Community College has not determined whether completion of Moraine Valley Community College’s CoARC accredited Respiratory Therapy Program meets educational requirements to apply for a Respiratory Care Professional license in West Virginia.

Wisconsin
Wisconsin Respiratory Care Practitioners Examining Council
Moraine Valley Community College has not determined whether completion of Moraine Valley Community College’s CoARC accredited Respiratory Therapy Program meets educational requirements to apply for a Respiratory Care Professional license in Wisconsin.

Wyoming
Wyoming State Board for Respiratory Care
Moraine Valley Community College has not determined whether completion of Moraine Valley Community College’s CoARC accredited Respiratory Therapy Program meets educational requirements to apply for a Respiratory Care Professional license in Wyoming.

Program Coordinator
Carolyn DeWitt, MPA, BSN, RN, RRT
dewittc6@thelinktrack.com
(708) 608-4326

Clinical Coordinator
LaToya Pryor, BSPA, RRT
pryorl2@thelinktrack.com
(708) 974-5572

Adjunct Faculty
Mary Eggert-Jovanovich
Lauren See
Cheryl Thomas
Elizabeth McKittrick
Sonal Sharma
James Lonergan
Brandi Robinson-Foster
Breann Schott
Krystal Settles