Upcoming Respiratory Therapy Events
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Jun
11
2025
9:00AM Virtual Event
Information sessions are mandatory for any student who applies to the Respiratory Therapy Program. ...
Respiratory Therapy Program
A preemie takes her first breath. A child in the ER goes into respiratory distress. A family gathers at the bedside of an intubated grandparent. As a respiratory therapist, you play an important role in these critical moments.
This career will take you into every specialty and onto every floor of a hospital. Your day may pull you from the adrenaline rush of the ER into a meeting with a patient with COPD or asthma. A career in respiratory therapy puts you on the front lines of pulmonology from prevention to rehabilitation.
From ICU to Outpatient:
Diverse World of Respiratory Therapy
The Respiratory Therapy program at Oakland Community College (OCC) is the start of a healthcare career with amazing rewards. OCC graduates have built good careers in:
- Hospitals
- Clinics
- Rehab centers
- Senior care facilities
- Private practices
After gaining your RTT license, you can go on to specialize by earning credentials in:
- Adult critical care
- Neonatal or pediatric care
- Sleep disorders
- Asthma education
- Pulmonary function technology
Your associate’s degree from OCC also prepares you to continue to a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Some respiratory therapists advance into related careers like physician assistant or nurse anesthetist.
New Health Science Building, Opening in 2027
In 2027, the health sciences programs will move to the new state-of-the-art Health Sciences building on our Orchard Ridge Campus. Here, you will meet and work with expert caring faculty, staff, and students in all the healthcare disciplines – just as you’ll experience in the field.
Check out the New FacilitiesA Life-Changing Career
The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that respiratory therapist employment will grow 13 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Our Respiratory Therapy Program Goals
Oakland Community College's Respiratory Therapy program is designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in this dynamic field. After completion of this program you will have:
- Knowledge: You will possess the necessary respiratory therapy knowledge. (cognitive domain elements)
- Skills: You will be proficient in respiratory therapy skills. (elements of the psychomotor domain)
- Attitude: You will demonstrate professional behavior and communication skills. (pertaining to affective domain areas).
What it Takes to Excel as a Respiratory Therapist
To succeed in OCC’s RSP program you need to meet our program’s technical standards:
- Academic: Master medical terminology, analyze patient data, conduct research.
- Interpersonal: Collaborate, communicate clearly, build rapport with diverse patient populations, classmates, and instructors.
- Clinical: Perform vital signs, phlebotomy, lab tests, make rapid decisions, apply theory to practice.
- Physical: Ability to transport equipment and patients, perform CPR, interpret orders, observe patients, move quickly within workspace, respond to verbal and nonverbal cues.
- Technical: Computer proficiency, documentation, adherence to HIPAA.
Five key facts about OCC’s Respiratory Therapy program
- Up to 30 students join the program each year.
- It’s a full-time program that lasts for 20 consecutive months (September through the second April) after you complete your prerequisite classes.
- Your instructors are highly experienced practitioners with multiple credentials or advanced degrees.
- Most students receive job offers before graduation.
- There is currently no wait list for the program
Attend a Program Info Session
Your first step: Register for the most convenient upcoming session. You will learn about:
- Program requirements
- Theory classes
- Labs
- Clinical phases
- How to succeed
All sessions held via zoom require cameras to be on.
Become A Lung Specialist
Our Respiratory Therapy program equips you with the hands-on skills and theoretical knowledge needed to excel in real-world healthcare settings. Through a combination of classroom learning, clinical rotations, and state-of-the-art simulation labs, our graduates emerge job-ready and confident.
The Coursework
During our 20-month program, your coursework will prepare you for:
- Critical care procedures
- Diagnostic testing
- Equipment procedures
- Fundamentals of the cardiopulmonary system
- Pharmacology
Real world experiences: Clinicals
Clinical rotations begin during your third semester. Your program directors plan your clinical assignments to ensure you gain exposure to a variety of healthcare settings.
This structured approach allows you to fully immerse yourself in the field and develop the skills necessary for a successful respiratory therapy career. Here is what you need to know:
Convenient Location: Clinical sites are within a 50-mile radius of our campus.
Professional Development: Gain hands-on experience in real-world settings.
Comprehensive Training: Master essential skills through rigorous competency assessments.
Career Preparation: Develop a strong work ethic and time management skills.
What’s expected of you:
- Achieve competency assessments in all clinical rotations
- Adhere to attendance and tardy policies
- Maintain a professional appearance, and follow dress code guidelines.
Your future clinical rotation
During the program you have six clinical rotations from hospitals to outpatient facilities. Check out our clinical partners:
- Ascension Providence Hospital
- Beaumont Health System
- Detroit Medical Center
- Sinai-Grace
- Henry Ford Health Health Systems
- St. Joseph Mercy Health System
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University of Michigan Health System
Did you know that OCC has a transfer agreement for the Bachelor of Respiratory Therapy
program at the University of Michigan?
Exams & Licensing
When you successfully complete the program requirements, you’re ready to take two board exams administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).
When you pass these final tests, you’re qualified as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT). Once credentialed, you are eligible to apply for a state license.
Becoming a Respiratory Therapist at OCC
The Respiratory Therapy program leads to an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree. It’s an “Extended Degree Program,” which means you complete 82 credit hours for graduation. (Yes, your prerequisites count in this total.)
Degree – Program
Program Requirements & Prerequisites
The time it takes each student to become eligible for the Respiratory Therapy program varies. Learn what’s required to jumpstart your career as a Respiratory Therapist at OCC.
The first step is registering for a required Respiratory information session. Find a session that works best for you.
You can take all the required college courses within one year, unless you need to ramp up your math or writing skills. To be admitted to the Respiratory Therapy program, you need:
1) Completion of all required Prerequisites with a grade of a “C” (2.5) or higher.
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- English
- Life Sciences
- Fine arts/humanities
- Psychology
- Medical terminology
- Medical law/ethics.
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2) Completion of all required General Education courses with a grade of a “C” (2.5) or higher.
We use your results on the Health Education Systems Incorporated (HESI) Entrance Exam ($80) to weigh your application. Every year, the HESI deadline is November 30. Your goals:
- Minimum composite score of 75% in each section
- All sections are completed in one testing session
- You must take this online test in-person at OCC’s M-TEC Testing Center on the Auburn Hills Campus.
- One retake is permitted, and fees are assessed for each attempt
Applications are due every year on May 1, and admission selections are revealed on June 30. After successful completion of the prerequisites above. You will:
Attend a Record Review Session: The “record review” is an hour-long session during which you will meet with the Respiratory faculty selection committee to discuss your academic preparation, volunteer experiences, and career goals.
Meet with a Counselor: After completing the application requirements and prerequisites, you will meet with your counselor to complete the official Respiratory application for admission.
Other Eligibility Requirements
All respiratory students must maintain current health records, CPR certification, liability insurance, and TB clearance. For detailed program policies, contact the Respiratory Therapy program director.
Graduated High school or acquired a GED
You must pay and pass a criminal background check, including fingerprinting ($162),
to be admitted to the Respiratory Therapy program. Felonies within fifteen years or
misdemeanors within the past ten years may disqualify you from the program.
Students must pass a drug test to be admitted to the RSP program. More details will
be provided to selected students.
Health insurance is recommended, as the college does not cover accidents or illnesses.
Physical exams and immunizations, including Tuberculosis (TB) tests or chest X-rays, are required before starting clinical.
Required vaccines: Measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chickenpox), Tdap, Hepatitis
B (or declination of immunity), and annual influenza.
If you are placed at a clinical site that requires a specific vaccine or if the requirements
of your site change at any time, you will be required to provide proof of prior vaccination
or you will be required to get the vaccine. Otherwise, you will be dismissed from
the program. You will not be moved to a different site.
Remember, you may be at multiple clinical sites during the program, so there is a
very good chance that you will be required to get the necessary vaccines at some point.
**NOTE: This is subject to change at any time!
You must have a current BLS-HCP Certification through the American Heart Association before starting clinicals. Certification must be maintained.
Students must purchase a black scrub top and black scrub bottom.
Graduation Requirements
- You must receive passing grades ("C" or higher) in every required course (General Education AND RSP courses- 85 credits) to graduate from the program.
- You must obtain a passing score on the NBRC Comprehensive Self-Assessment Therapist Multiple Choice Exam (TMC) one semester prior to the anticipated date of graduation.
- You must obtain a passing score on all competency assessments and clinical summary evaluations in each clinical rotation.
"OCC helped me reach one of my goals in life by giving me a path to pursue my career
in Respiratory Therapy.” - Khashea B, Dearborn
Credentials Received & Accreditation
The Respiratory Therapy Program, CoARC #200238, Associate of Applied Science Degree at the Southfield Campus is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).Their webiste is Coarc.com.
Phone: 817-283-2835
OCC CoARC Number: 200238
Programmatic 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."
Outcome data can be viewed by visiting the COARC Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care.
Enroll Now
Begin your studies with these steps:
- Apply to OCC. Create a profile and complete our online application.
- Existing OCC students can update their academic program using the Change of Program Form.
- On the application select "Respiratory Therapy"
Contact Information
Lauren GoldwaterPhone: (248) 233-2921
Accreditation Information
Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care
Phone: 817-283-2835
Our CoARC number is 200238
LOCATION
Southfield Campus
22322 Rutland Dr.
Southfield, MI 48075-4793
Phone: (248) 233-2700
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