Get Started Today
Follow these steps to enroll in the Respiratory Care Therapy program at GateWay Community College.
Step 1: Attend Mandatory Healthcare Virtual Information Session
All applicants must attend a virtual information session before moving forward in the admissions process.
Session Schedule
| Time | Days Offered |
| 5:00 pm | 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month |
| 12:30 pm | 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month |
Sessions do not occur when GWCC is closed for holidays
Meet with a Healthcare Advisor
Meeting with a Healthcare advisor is strongly recommended. You will receive instructions on how to schedule an advising appointment during the virtual information session.
Step 2: Complete Your Admissions Application
If you’re new to GateWay or the Maricopa Community Colleges, or if you need to reapply, click the button below and follow the instructions to complete your admissions application:
- New Students: Click "Join Now" to create an account.
- Returning Students: Click "Log In" and enter your MEID and password. If you do not
remember your MEID or password, select “Forgot your Username?” and/or “Forgot your
Password?” for assistance.
What to Enter on Your Application:
| Primary College of Interest: | GateWay Community College |
| Primary Reason for Attending: | Get an Associate's Degree |
| Select a Plan: | Respiratory Care (DEG) |
| Select Expected Start: | Select Academic Year |
| Identity Verification: | Submit your ID (Submission Guide) |
Duo Two-Factor Authentication
After completing your admission application, you will need to set up Duo two-factor authentication. Click on the link to set up your Duo two-factor authentication account.
For further assistance, contact Enrollment Services at (602) 238-4350 or visit the Enrollment Services department at our Washington Campus campus in person at 108 North 40th Street Phoenix, AZ 85034
Step 3: Prerequisites
A. Required Course Work
Students must complete the following introductory prerequisite requirements with a minimum GPA of 3.0 to be added to the wait queue for an available cohort space to begin the core curriculum:
Students are eligible to apply to the Respiratory Care program once they have completed all prerequisites courses or are in the last semester of prerequisites coursework.
Note: Students holding an Associate of Arts Degree or higher in the healthcare field may not be required to complete all prerequisites. For further information regarding specific course requirements and exemptions, consult with a healthcare academic advisor.
| Required Course Work | ||
|---|---|---|
| Course | Course Title | Credits |
| BIO 160 BIO 201 BIO 202 |
Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology (4) OR Human Anatomy and Physiology I (4) AND Human Anatomy and Physiology II (4) |
4–8 |
| ENG 101 ENG 107 |
First Year Composition (3) OR First Year Composition for ESL (3) |
3 |
| CRE 101 | College Critical Reading (3) OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment | 0–3 |
| MAT 150 MAT 151 MAT 152 MAT 155 |
College Algebra/Functions (5) OR College Algebra/Functions (4) OR College Algebra/Functions (3) OR College Algebra/Functions with Review (6) or Any approved general education course in the Mathematics area for which MAT 15+ is a prerequisite. The Following courses do not meet this requirement: MAT206, MAT256, MAT257. |
3–6 |
| TOTAL Credits Required | 10–20 | |
B. Corequisites
Care should be taken when scheduling courses during Term 1 of the program or while waiting for acceptance into the program to ensure corequisite requirements are met.
| Corequisites | ||
|---|---|---|
| Course | Course Title | Credits |
| HCC/RES109 | CPR for Health Care Provider | 0–0.5 |
| TOTAL Credits Required | 0–0.5 | |
C. Official Transcripts
Submit your official transcripts for all previous college coursework to the Admissions, Records, and Registration Office.
Step 4: Program Application and Checklist
To view and apply for Respiratory Care Therapy, Please Click Here
Step 5: Health and Safety Requirements
Maricopa Community Colleges requires all Respiratory Care Therapy students to meet the Health and Safety standards set by our most stringent clinical partner. This ensures that students are eligible for immediate and flexible placement at any assigned clinical site.
Upon conditional acceptance into the program, the Health and Safety Administrator will contact you via your Maricopa student email with detailed instructions and deadlines for completing these requirements.
Health and Safety Requirements
Step 6: Payment Options / Funding
You must have Financial Aid or a payment plan set up before your program start date.
Students who do not arrange payment in advance may be dropped from their classes for non-payment.
Important Reminders:
★ Regularly check your Maricopa student email and Student Center for updates on payment balances and deadlines.
★ If you’ve applied for financial aid, check for any pending "To Do List" items that may delay your award.
★ Your seat in the program is not secured until your funding is confirmed. Failure to meet payment deadlines may result in being dropped from the program.
Additional Information
Health and Safety Requirements
Maricopa Community Colleges requires all Respiratory Care Therapy students to meet the Health and Safety standards set by our most stringent clinical partner.
This ensures that students are eligible for immediate and flexible placement at any assigned clinical site.
Health and Safety Requirements
If you have questions, you may contact the Health and Safety Administrators for assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the next steps after program acceptance?
If you are accepted into the program, please review the following information carefully:
- Notification: Admission decisions are communicated exclusively through Maricopa student email
- Start date: The program begins during the first week of the fall and spring semesters
- Next steps: Details regarding registration and the orientation session will be included in your admission email
- Confirmation required: You must respond to the admission email by the specified deadline to confirm your intent to enroll
Failure to submit the required confirmation by the stated date will result in forfeiture of your seat in the program.
What can I expect if I am accepted into the program?
- Program Format: This is an intensive, full-time program spanning a 20 to 24-month period.
- Schedule: Classes, including lectures, laboratories, and clinicals, are scheduled Monday through Friday, typically between 6:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.
- Work-Life Balance: Given the significant time commitment required for study and class preparation, we strongly recommend that students who work concurrently reduce their work hours to ensure academic success.
- Clinical Rotations: The curriculum includes hands-on clinical rotations in a hospital setting, designed to provide exposure to a variety of real-world experiences. Clinical rotations will begin in the second semester. Students are responsible for meeting all clinical prerequisites before the semester starts. Schedule: Two 12-hour shifts per week (24 hours total weekly).
- Transportation: Students are responsible for providing their own transportation to all assigned clinical rotation sites
Why is having active health insurance coverage important for this program?
Active health insurance coverage is strongly recommended for all students. Many of our clinical partners require proof of coverage as a condition of participation in clinical rotations.
Securing health insurance prior to the start of second semester clinical rotations helps ensure there are no delays or disruptions to your coursework or clinical placements.
What Credentials are Required to Work as a Respiratory Therapist?
To work as a respiratory therapist, you must complete an accredited respiratory care program, earn professional credentials, and obtain state licensure.
Required qualifications
- Education: Complete an associate degree program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC)
- Credentialing: Pass the credentialing examinations administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) to earn the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential
- Licensure: Obtain a state license to legally practice as a respiratory therapist after credentialing
Note for GateWay Community College graduates
Graduates of the Respiratory Care Program at GateWay Community College earn an associate degree and are eligible to sit for all NBRC credentialing examinations, positioning them to pursue licensure and employment as respiratory therapists.
What opportunities exist for career advancement after graduation?
With continued education or additional on the job training, Respiratory Care Practitioners can advance into a variety of specialized and leadership roles. Career advancement opportunities include:
- Specialty clinical practice: Pediatrics, neonatal care, adult critical care
- Vascular access
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
- Pulmonary rehabilitation
- Flight respiratory therapist (Flight RT)
- Diagnostic specialties: Pulmonary function testing, sleep studies, and hemodynamic monitoring
Additional opportunities are available in cardiopulmonary perfusion, research, education, and healthcare management.
Graduates of the Respiratory Care program may also advance their careers by pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care, Healthcare Management, or other related bachelor’s degree programs.
GateWay Community College is actively pursuing the development of a Bachelor’s Degree program in Healthcare Management, reflecting the college’s commitment to expanding educational pathways and meeting the growing demand for skilled healthcare professionals. Additional details will be shared as they become available.
Program Costs
Estimated Program Costs*
The estimated program costs are outlined below. Students are responsible for transportation, housing, and uniforms. During the final semester, students are accountable for the expenses related to their national board exam and state licensing.
| Respiratory Care - Associate in Applied Science (AAS) | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition (87 credit hrs. @ $97 a credit hr.) | $8,439 |
| Registration Fees ($15 per semester) | $105 |
| Course / Lab Fees | $1,120 |
| Equipment / Supplies | $60 |
| Books | $800 |
| Other Program Costs (Pre-Clinical Requirements, etc.) | $160 – $500 |
| TOTAL Estimated Costs | $10,053 – $12,285 |
| Additional Costs After Program Completion/Graduation | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Arizona State License | $270 |
| NBRC Therapist Multiple Choice Examination | $190 |
| NBRC Clinical Simulation Examination | $200 |
| TOTAL Estimated Costs | $660 |
* https://www.maricopa.edu/students/tuition-payment-information/tuition-fees