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Respiratory Care

Explore a Career in Respiratory Care

As a respiratory therapist, you can make a life-changing difference by helping people breathe easier. You’ll combine specialized knowledge, advanced technology, and compassionate care to evaluate and monitor patients’ respiratory health. Doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals rely on your expertise in oxygen therapy, ventilators, aerosol medications, and other respiratory treatments.

You’ll care for patients at every stage of life, from premature infants whose lungs are still developing to older adults and people living with serious illnesses, emphysema, chronic asthma, and other respiratory conditions. Your skills will help guide patient care, support treatment decisions, and make a meaningful difference during some of life’s most challenging moments.

At SUNY Genesee, the Respiratory Care program prepares you for this important role by building the knowledge, hands-on skills, and professional judgment needed to provide effective, compassionate care and pursue the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential.

Contact Us

Maureen Welch
Director of Respiratory Care
Respiratory Care
585-343-0055 x6633

David Ferrett
Clinical Director of Respiratory Care
Respiratory Care
585-343-0055 x6632

Why Choose GCC?

Hands-On Learning. Strong Career Potential.

Prepare for a rewarding career in respiratory care at SUNY Genesee. Through state-of-the-art facilities, hands-on instruction, and extensive clinical experience, you’ll build the knowledge and skills to help patients breathe easier and support their health and well-being.

Learn in State-of-the-Art Facilities

Established in 1995, SUNY Genesee’s Respiratory Care program is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).

Located in a dedicated wing of GCC’s Batavia campus, the Respiratory Care Program features a modern classroom and a spacious, hospital-like laboratory equipped with piped-in oxygen and compressed air. Educational grants support state-of-the-art equipment and provide students with a dynamic, hands-on learning experience.

Gain Real-World Experience

Located between Buffalo and Rochester, SUNY Genesee offers access to more than 24 clinical sites throughout Western New York and the Finger Lakes region. You’ll complete nearly 800 hours of clinical experience, applying what you learn in real health care settings and preparing for your future career.

Prepare for Career Success

GCC’s Respiratory Care program reports a 100% job placement rate once the graduates have passed the national board examination, and graduates’ performance on the examination exceeds the national average. Build the knowledge, technical skills, and professional behaviors needed to pursue a career in respiratory care.

Explore Local Earning Potential

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, respiratory therapists in the Buffalo metropolitan area earned a mean annual wage of $88,460 in May 2025. Actual earnings vary by experience, employer, and position.

Explore Respiratory Therapist Careers, Salaries, and Job Outlook

Admission Requirements

To be considered for fall acceptance, the following processes must be completed by March 1st:

  1. Submit a GCC Admissions Application.
  2. Submit official high school transcripts or GED information to GCC Admissions.
  3. Submit all official college transcripts  to GCC Admissions.
  4. Submit your Program Application. (Current GCC Students Only)


Please contact the program director to set up a time to visit the department at mawelch@genesee.edu.

For a complete list of the requirements to apply to the Respiratory Care program, please see the Admissions Procedure.

Program Information

Accreditation and Licensure

The Genesee Community College Respiratory Care Program (CoARC program number 200435), which awards an AAS degree, is located at One College Road in Batavia, New York, 14020, and is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (www.coarc.com). CoARC accredits respiratory therapy education programs in the United States. To achieve this end, it utilizes an ‘outcomes based’ process. Programmatic outcomes are performance indicators that reflect the extent to which the educational goals of the program are achieved and by which program effectiveness is documented. Outcomes Data for programs accredited by the CoARC are available on the Programmatic Outcomes Data page at the CoARC website (search for program number 200435).

Reporting Requirement for Licensure or Certification for Respiratory Therapists

Effective July 1, 2024, federal regulation requires institutions of higher education to make a determination whether a Title IV eligible academic program that leads to professional licensure or certification meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification in the U.S. State where the institution is located and the U.S. States where “distance education” students are located at the time of initial enrollment in the program, as well as U.S. States where the program is advertised as meeting such requirements, and if applicable, the U.S. State where students attest they intend to be licensed/certified.

The Respiratory Care, AAS program at Genesee Community College is registered by the New York State Education Department and thus meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification for New York State.

The Respiratory Care program at Genesee Community College requires in person attendance to our campus in Batavia, NY in order to complete the program.  If you reside outside NY state and/or are planning to be licensed in a state other than NY after completing your degree, please reach out to your program director to determine whether our program meets the standards of the chosen State.

National Board Exam Results

The National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) offers credentialing exams that graduates of this program may be eligible to sit for. Effective January 15, 2015 a single written exam entitled, “Therapist Multiple-Choice Examination” (TMC) is required to earn the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credential while a series of both the TMC and the Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE) is required to earn the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential. Individuals who pass the TMC at the NBRC determined “Low Cut” score earn the CRT credential. Individuals who pass the TMC at the NBRC determined “High Cut” score are eligible to sit for the CSE. Successful attainment of the TMC at the High Cut score AND a passing score on the CSE earns the RRT credential. Additional information about these credentials and the associated examinations can be found online at the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).

Note: credentialing is required to be eligible for licensure in New York State. Credentialing does not, however, guarantee licensure. Additional information about obtaining a license to practice Respiratory Therapy in NYS can be found online at the New York State Office of the Professions.

The following information compares our most recent graduates’ performance to the national average of all candidates attempting these exams. This data is from the NBRC school summary reports and is accurate as of 4/19/17. This information is also reported to the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) on an annual basis.

Genesee Community College Respiratory Care Program Class of 2024 Graduates Tested

2024 Outcomes

Graduate Satisfaction: 100%

Exam GCC Total Passing National Avg
TMC High Cut
 87% 84%
RRT Success 80% 72%

Degree Types

Associate In Applied Science (AAS)

AAS Program Learning Outcomes (PLO)

Upon completion of the program, the graduate will:

1. Demonstrate Professional Behaviors and Ethical Practice

    • Exhibit behaviors consistent with the standards of professional ethics, legal responsibilities, and cultural sensitivity in diverse healthcare settings.
    • Communicate effectively with patients, families, and members of the interdisciplinary healthcare team.
    • Maintain accountability, and uphold patient confidentiality and rights.

2. Apply Comprehensive Knowledge of Cardiopulmonary Physiology and Pathophysiology

    • Integrate foundational and advanced knowledge of respiratory anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology to assess and manage patients with cardiopulmonary disorders.
    • Use clinical reasoning to develop, implement, and evaluate patient care plans.

3. Perform and Interpret Diagnostic and Therapeutic Respiratory Procedures

    • Safely and accurately perform respiratory care procedures, including arterial blood gas analysis, mechanical ventilation, airway management, pulmonary function testing, and oxygen therapy.
    • Interpret clinical data to recommend or modify treatment plans in collaboration with the healthcare team.

4. Utilize Evidence-Based Practice and Clinical Decision-Making Skills

    • Access and interpret current research and clinical guidelines to support respiratory care practices.
    • Apply critical thinking to adapt care based on evolving patient conditions and data.

5. Ensure Patient Safety and Infection Control in All Aspects of Care

    • Demonstrate competency in applying infection prevention techniques and safety protocols.
    • Recognize and mitigate potential risks in clinical settings.

Download the 2026-2027 Academic Degree Map for AAS [PDF]

College Students walking on outside on campus

Career Outlook

GCC graduates are prepared to take the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) exams to earn the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credentials. These credentials qualify graduates to apply for a state license to practice Respiratory Therapy.  The program utilizes approximately 25 different clinical rotations in western NY and most graduates are offered jobs at these locations upon graduation.

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SUNY GCC - Genesee Community College

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Batavia, NY 14020
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