Newman University announced a guide detailing the pathway to becoming a Respiratory Therapist through its accredited three-semester Associate's degree program, addressing the need for fast-track healthcare careers in Kansas with strong job placement and financial aid opportunities.
-- Newman University announced a detailed guide outlining the pathway to becoming a Respiratory Therapist through its accredited three-semester Associate's degree program. The program addresses the urgent need for accessible, fast-track healthcare careers among high school graduates and career changers across Kansas. Accepting 20 students annually each fall, the program runs from August through December of the following year. According to Stacie Fox, director of the Respiratory Care program, most graduates secure full-time employment in the Wichita community before completing their studies. The program positions students to enter a high-demand field where critical care expertise meets strong earning potential and career stability.
More information is available at https://newmanu.edu/academics/respiratory-care-wichita
Respiratory therapists remain in high demand across Kansas. National employment for respiratory therapists is projected to grow 13 percent from 2022 to 2032—faster than the average for all occupations—according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This growth reflects increasing recognition of respiratory care's role in managing chronic lung diseases, critical care interventions, and life support for patients ranging from newborns to the elderly. Starting salaries for Newman graduates in the Wichita area typically begin around $30 per hour, with experienced therapists in Kansas earning higher wages based on credentials and specialization.
Newman's program holds accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC), ensuring it meets rigorous national educational standards while preparing students for credentialing success. The program received the Distinguished Registered Respiratory Therapy (RRT) Credentialing Success Award from CoARC, based on a documented RRT credentialing success rate of 90 percent or above from 2019 data. Newman students demonstrate strong performance on the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) exam, a testament to the program's focus on exam readiness and clinical competence.
These outcomes stem from a personalized learning environment. Faculty maintain an open-door policy and schedule pre-planned study sessions, providing individualized instruction that contrasts with larger institutional settings where students often navigate coursework with less direct support. During clinical rotations, students work closely with preceptors in hands-on settings, typically with no more than two students per clinical preceptor. Students consistently cite this one-on-one teaching approach as instrumental in their ability to master complex pathophysiology and medical terminology while building confidence in clinical skills.
Financial accessibility remains a priority. Students in the program are eligible for the Kansas Promise Scholarship, a last-dollar scholarship offered through the Kansas Board of Regents that covers tuition, fees, books, and materials after other gift aid. The scholarship has a lifetime maximum of 68 credit hours or $20,000 and is available to students who meet financial need criteria and commit to living and working in Kansas for two years post-graduation. The program's completion timeline, including prerequisite coursework, typically ranges from 30 to 36 months. The financial aid office assists students in navigating application requirements to maximize available support.
The application period opens each February, with the program accepting 20 students for fall intake. Prospective students apply to Newman University first, then complete a Specialized Program application for Respiratory Care within the undergraduate application system. Admissions staff coordinate campus visits, virtual consultations, and shadowing experiences with practicing respiratory therapists to help prospective students evaluate fit and career alignment. Students who complete prerequisite coursework by summer prior to fall entry may receive conditional acceptance, provided they submit transcript evidence of successful completion before the program begins.
For more details, visit https://newmanu.edu/
Contact Info:
Name: Clark Schafer
Email: Send Email
Organization: Newman University
Address: 3100 McCormick , Wichita, Kansas 67213, United States
Website: https://newmanu.edu/
Source: PressCable
Release ID: 89189715
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