AAS Degree in Respiratory Care

Turn your passion for improving the quality of life for individuals with breathing issues due to disease or injury into a career as a respiratory therapist. The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Respiratory Care from Thomas Edison State University (TESU) is a 60-credit online degree program where you learn about the treatment, testing and care for patients with difficulty breathing.

The AAS is a terminal degree and many (but not all) of the credits may be applied to other bachelor’s degree programs as TESU.

This degree does not include clinical courses and does not meet admission requirements for the CRT or RRT examination. Students are encouraged to inquire about examination eligibility at the institution where they complete their clinical courses before enrollment.

Earning Credit in the AAS Option:

Students usually enter with many of the credits in the career track completed, but not always, from military or civilian training. If the option has not already been completed, students may often use Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) to gain college credit for their knowledge. While there are some examinations in auto mechanics and electronics, there are few distance learning opportunities in most of the AAS career tracks. Credits in general education and free electives may be earned by a wide variety of methods.