Respiratory Care Professional Program

Brookings Health System is a clinical host site for South Dakota State University students earning their Associate of Science (AS) degree in respiratory care. Upon graduation, these students may sit for the National Board of Respiratory Care exam and become registered respiratory therapists. 

Students enrolled in the program attend their first two semesters on campus, completing pre-requisites. Students must earn at least a “C” in every pre-requisite course and have an overall 2.60 GPA before being accepted into their clinical, professional year at Brookings Health System. 

Professional Year

The second year of the AS program is spent at Brookings Health System attending lecture, participating in lab, and completing clinical rotations. Students will work with actual patients, overseen by their clinical instructor or another licensed respiratory therapist. The professional year starts in May and lasts for 12 months.

BREATHE-SD Grant Scholarship

Students accepted to the program may apply for a scholarship to cover half of the tuition during their professional year at Brookings Health System. 

Learn More

For more information and to apply to the program, visit South Dakota State’s respiratory care (AS) program.

You may also reach out to South Dakota State’s Director of Respiratory Care Lacy Patnoe or Respiratory Care Instructor Jessica Winterboer.