Respiratory Therapist Schools in Washington State

Spokane Community College

• The two-year program at Spokane Community College provides the educational requirements necessary for becoming a CRT. It starts in the fall and is full time. Some courses may be taken online or at other community colleges for students who don't live in the Spokane area. Students earn an associate of applied science (AAS) degree upon graduation. One advantage at this school is that the program overlaps with the cardiovascular programs, which enhances students' knowledge of both the respiratory system and the body in general. SCC boasts a 100 percent pass rate for the certification exam.

  Spokane Community College
  1810 North Greene St.
  Spokane, WA 99217-5399
  509-533-8020
  scc.spokane.edu

Tacoma Community College

• The program at Tacoma Community College is also a two-year program that allows graduates to sit for the CRT exam. Students complete between 108 and 112 credit hours and emerge with an AAS degree. The course schedule involves multiple clinical rotations, including pediatric, neonatal and critical care. The total cost of the program is approximately $11,000 as of May 2010, which includes both the CRT exam and the advanced respiratory care exam to become a registered respiratory therapist (RRT).

  Tacoma Community College
  6501 S. 19th St.
  Tacoma, WA 98466
  253-566-5000
  tacomacc.edu.

Highline Community College

• Highline offers a 91-credit AAS respiratory care program. This program provides the basics but also requires students to earn the Advanced Cardiopulmonary Life Support (ACLS) certification. The program is full-time only, but the school does offer some night classes while others are self-paced. Highline requires that all students maintain a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification throughout the program.

  Highline Community College
  2400 S. 240th St.
  Des Moines, WA 98198.
  206-878-3710
  highline.edu.

Seattle Central Community College

• SCCC offers an AAS program consisting of 111 credit hours. The respiratory therapy program starts core classes in the fall only, but other related classes (like composition and psychology) are available anytime. The program spans seven quarters and requires full-time study.

  Seattle Central Community College
  1701 Broadway
  Seattle, WA 98122
  206-587-3800
  seattlecentral.edu.