Chattahoochee Technical College Announces New Respiratory Care Degree Program
Chattahoochee Technical College is expanding its Health Sciences offerings with a new Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Respiratory Care, designed to prepare students for one of the fastest growing and most impactful careers in healthcare.
Respiratory therapists play a vital role in caring for patients with breathing and cardiopulmonary conditions. They work in emergency departments, intensive care units, neonatal units, and home care settings—providing life‑saving support and hands‑on care. Students in the new program will learn essential skills in patient assessment, medical gas therapy, mechanical ventilation, neonatal and pediatric care, and critical care procedures.
Student‑Centered Program Leadership
The program will be led by Cortelius Wright, PhD, MPH, RRT, a seasoned clinician and educator with more than 25 years of experience in respiratory care and healthcare leadership. His background includes developing hospital protocols that decrease patient stay and readmission rates.
“Our Respiratory Care program is intentionally designed with students at the center,” said Dr. Wright. “Through rigorous coursework, hands‑on labs, and extensive clinical experiences, our students will graduate ready to make an immediate impact on patient care.”
Academic Excellence and Student Talent
As one of the college’s key academic divisions, Chattahoochee Tech’s Health Sciences programs prepare students for essential roles across today’s healthcare system. The division offers a broad portfolio of high‑quality programs—including Emergency Medical Services, Dental Assisting, Radiography, Surgical Technology, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Medical Laboratory Technology, Physical Therapist Assistant, Healthcare Management, Medical Assisting, and Social Work Assistant—each designed to meet industry standards and regional workforce needs. Students benefit from hands‑on training, modern simulation labs, and strong clinical partnerships with leading hospitals and healthcare providers, ensuring they graduate ready to deliver exceptional patient care.
“Our Respiratory Care program reflects the exceptional academic quality that defines Chattahoochee Tech’s Health Sciences division,” said Stephanie Puffer, PT, DPT, Dean of Health Sciences. “We attract top‑tier students who are motivated, capable, and ready to excel in a highly respected profession. Healthcare providers consistently tell us they value the caliber of our graduates, and this new program will continue that tradition of excellence.”
A Career Built for Purpose, Growth, and Opportunity
Respiratory therapy is an ideal path for students who want to make a meaningful difference in patient care. The field attracts individuals who combine compassion with analytical thinking and are motivated by making an immediate, tangible impact on patient outcomes. Respiratory therapists work in 24/7 environments, with schedules that may include nights, weekends, or holidays, and many gain additional flexibility and experience by working per diem across multiple healthcare settings.
The profession also offers strong career mobility. Respiratory therapists can advance from staff roles to supervisory and management positions, and many transition into hospital administration, home‑care entrepreneurship, diagnostic services, corporate roles, or education. Job demand in Georgia is especially strong, with projected growth of over 30% through 2032, driven by population needs and expanding healthcare services. Salary potential is competitive, with average earnings around $60,000, a typical range of $47,000–$77,000, and experienced RRT‑credentialed therapists earning up to $98,000. In the Atlanta region, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports an annual mean wage of $93,410 and more than 2,600 respiratory therapists employed across the metro area.
Community Commitment and Workforce Partnerships
“Launching the Respiratory Care AAS program strengthens our commitment to the communities we serve and to the healthcare partners who rely on us to prepare a skilled workforce,” said Heather Pence, President of Chattahoochee Technical College. “This program expands access to high‑demand career pathways while deepening the collaborative relationships that support our region’s hospitals, clinics, and patient‑care systems.”
Program Snapshot
The AAS in Respiratory Care includes 50 credit hours of Respiratory Care coursework and 27–29 credit hours of general education. Students also complete a final immersive clinical experience to prepare for entry‑level practice.
Admission to the program is competitive and follows a structured process. Applicants must meet Chattahoochee Technical College’s general admissions requirements, complete designated prerequisite courses, and demonstrate academic readiness through the required entrance exam. Program cohorts are selected annually.
Accreditation and Program Launch
Chattahoochee Tech is currently pursuing accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) and anticipates accepting the first cohort of students who have completed all prerequisites in Spring 2027 at the Canton campus location.
Learn More
Prospective students are encouraged to begin preparing now. Details about prerequisites, admissions steps, and information sessions are available at www.ChattahoocheeTech.edu.