Respiratory Therapy
Associate in Specialized Technology Program
Available at State College Campus FALL 2026
Associate in Specialized Technology Program in Respiratory Therapy
Earn your specialized associate degree in Respiratory Therapy in 2 years at our campus located in State College, Pennsylvania
Accredited by ACCSC
Licensed by the PA Department of Education, Department of Private Licensed Schools
Accreditation:
South Hills School of Business & Technology #200709 is currently in the process of seeking CoARC accreditation for a respiratory care program.
However, South Hills School of Business & Technology #200709 can provide no assurance that accreditation will be granted by the CoARC.
South Hills is fully accredited to grant the Associate in Specialized Technology Degree under the Pennsylvania Department of Education
and the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.
Program Highlights :
Respiratory Therapy AST Degree:
Breathe new life into your future by becoming a vital part of the healthcare system as a Registered Respiratory Therapist. The Respiratory Therapy program at South Hills School of Business & Technology is a 23-month, in-depth, residential program designed to prepare students for rewarding careers in respiratory care. Upon completion, students will earn an Associate in Specialized Technology Degree in Respiratory Therapy and will be eligible to sit for national credentialing exams.
This program offers a comprehensive curriculum combining classroom instruction, laboratory simulations, and supervised clinical experiences. Students will gain the skills needed to assess, treat, and manage patients with cardiopulmonary conditions while collaborating with interdisciplinary teams and delivering patient-centered care.
In alignment with the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) 2022 Entry into Practice Standards, the program is designed 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).”
Our experienced instructors cover topics like:
- Airway management and mechanical ventilation techniques
- Pulmonary diagnostics and special procedures
- Patient assessment, electronic medical records, and critical thinking
- Pharmacologic interventions and oxygen therapy
Clinical preparation for credentialing exams through hands-on rotations
Clinical Rotations:
Students will complete a series of supervised clinical rotations beginning in Term 3, where they will apply their training in real hospital settings. These clinical experiences are designed to deepen your understanding of patient care, medical technologies, and respiratory procedures.
Outcomes:
Program outcomes data from the 2024 CoARC Annual Report of Current Status (RCS) reflect verified, aggregate results over a three-year period. Sharing these outcomes supports transparency, informs the public, and builds confidence in accredited respiratory care education. Please note that South Hills School of Business & Technology (SHSBT) will not have reported outcomes available on the CoARC website until 2026.
Programmatic Outcomes Data – CoARC – Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care
Why You should Choose South Hills
South Hills School of Business & Technology has been in the business of helping our students gain the specialized career skills they need for over 50 years. We know that we can help you, too, as you prepare for your future career. Here are just a few reasons why:
Small Class
Sizes
It's important to us that each student feels seen and heard, not only regarding their educational needs but also as it relates to their professional goals. It's why we keep our class sizes small, to provide an opportunity to build strong working relationships with instructors and peers."
Financial Aid
and
Scholarships
Finances shouldn't stand in the way of you being able to train for the career you want. South Hills offers a number of ways to help pay for your program for those who qualify. Our Financial Aid team is available to help you navigate these options."
Experienced
Instructors and Mentors
Our instructors are experienced professionals who know what it takes to be successful Respiratory Therapists. Your courses are taught by those in the field who incorporate their experience into the classroom.
The Outlook for Respiratory Therapy Jobs and Careers
Graduates of the Respiratory Therapy program at South Hills are equipped to pursue careers in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, rehabilitation centers, and home healthcare. Possible job titles include:
Entry-Level Positions:
- Registered Respiratory Therapist
- Respiratory Care Practitioner
- Respiratory Therapist
With Additional Credentialing:
- Adult Critical Care Specialist (ACCS)
- Neonatal/Pediatric Respiratory Care Specialist (NPS)
- Asthma Educator Specialist (AE-C)
- Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT)
- Sleep Disorder Specialist (SDS)
The demand for respiratory therapists is projected to grow significantly, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics citing a faster-than-average growth rate due to an aging population and increased respiratory conditions. With a specialized associate degree in respiratory therapy, you can make a meaningful impact in patient care and build a long-term career in the healthcare industry.
A closer look at Our Respiratory Therapy Classes
The Respiratory Therapy AST Degree is a fully in-person program featuring small class sizes, advanced simulation labs, and personalized instruction from experienced professionals.
Length:
98 credits / 1728 clock hours / 23 months
Students complete one term of general education courses followed by five terms of focused respiratory care coursework. Instruction includes lectures, lab simulations, and hospital-based clinical rotations.
Sample Courses Include:
Medical Terminology, Anatomy & Physiology, Cardiopulmonary Pharmacology, Mechanical Ventilation Techniques, Pulmonary Diagnostics & Special Procedures, and National Credentialing Exam Preparation .
A full course list is available in the Respiratory Therapy Audit Sheet.
Skills You’ll Gain:
- Administering oxygen therapy and inhaled medications
- Interpreting lab results and monitoring vital signs
- Performing airway clearance and tracheostomy care
- Operating and troubleshooting ventilators and diagnostic equipment
- Managing cardiopulmonary emergencies
- Educating patients and families on pulmonary care and rehabilitation
- Collaborating with interdisciplinary healthcare teams
Credentials:
Upon successful completion, students will be eligible to sit for the Therapist Multiple Choice and Clinical Simulation Examinations administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). Those who pass both exams will earn the credential of Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).
Graduates will also pursue state licensure through the State Board of Medicine in their state of practice.
What Employers are saying
Healthcare employers are eager for well-trained respiratory therapists.
Hear from industry partners who are excited to welcome South Hills graduates into the field.
Mike Harf
Director of Respiratory Care Services
"I support South Hills because the students that will be enrolling into this program are the future of our job field. After going through a pandemic in the recent years, the healthcare field has taken a true hit to staffing. You must invest in the future in order to preserve what you have now, and have a local program starting in our area is such a positive thing. To make and have that connection with South Hills in the coming future will only set up my department and South Hills for success with getting students exceptional clinical experience and potential job candidates as they progress in their studies."
Meet the Faculty
Laura Finochio
(BSRT, RRT)
Program Director
Laura Finochio is a dedicated respiratory care professional and educator with a strong foundation in both clinical practice and academic instruction. She began her career in 2015 after earning her Associate of Science in Respiratory Therapy (AST) and later advanced her education by obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy (BSRT) from the University of Cincinnati in 2020.
With a clinical background rooted in adult critical care, Laura has served as a respiratory therapist at a Level II trauma center, where she developed expertise in managing complex patient needs. Over the past six years, she has transitioned into respiratory therapy education, bringing her clinical insight, enthusiasm for teaching, and leadership abilities into the academic setting.
Laura’s professional interests include curriculum development and promoting patient-centered care in respiratory therapy. She remains committed to shaping the next generation of respiratory therapists through evidence-based instruction and a focus on compassionate, high-quality care.
Cate Wenrich
(RRT,RRT-NPS)
Director of Clinical Education
Cate is a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) with over two decades of clinical experience and a strong commitment to education and patient care. She earned her Associate of Applied Science degree from Harrisburg Area Community College in 2004 and later completed her Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy (BSRT) with a focus in Clinical Education and a minor in Leadership from PIMA Medical Institute in 2015. She plans to continue her academic journey by pursuing a Master’s degree in Exercise Science at Canisius College.
She holds multiple professional credentials, all of which are current, including Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT), Registered Respiratory Therapist – Neonatal/Pediatric Specialist (RRT-NPS), Neonatal Resuscitation Instructor, Pulmonary Disease Educator, and Better Breathers Coach.
Her clinical expertise is rooted in neonatal and pediatric respiratory care, though she has recently expanded her focus to include pulmonary rehabilitation. She remains actively involved in bedside care, working with patients across all age groups.
Throughout her career, Cate has gained diverse experience in a variety of healthcare settings, including critical access hospitals and trauma centers. She has also served as a Flight Respiratory Therapist on a Neonatal Recovery Team, further demonstrating her dedication to high-acuity patient care.
