South College Atlanta’s inaugural Respiratory Therapy cohort to graduate
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 10, 2025
The first cohort in South College Atlanta’s new Associate of Science in Respiratory Therapy program will graduate in December, and applications are being accepted now for the third cohort.
The initial cohort, which enrolled in January 2025 when the new program launched, will graduate Dec. 18. A second cohort already is enrolled, and a third cohort will start in January 2026.
“The demand for respiratory therapy practitioners is growing in the healthcare industry,” South College Atlanta President Josh Huffaker said. “Our goal is to offer programs that allow our well-qualified graduates to start or advance their careers with the skills and training needed to succeed. The Respiratory Therapy program is another example of how we tailor our programs to help meet industry demand.”
The need is fueled by a large aging population, which leads to a rise in chronic respiratory conditions. Students complete labs and clinical practice rotations to gain hands-on experience with respiratory therapy equipment, procedures, imaging and lab data and patient care.
South College invests in interactive clinical tools to help respiratory therapy students experience simulated patient care. High-fidelity simulation manikins mimic real carbon dioxide exhalation and are designed to be intubated and connected to a ventilator where they present waveforms and values like a real patient.
The program helps students develop essential skills, including cardiopulmonary pharmacology; mechanical ventilation and airway management; emergency and critical respiratory care; neonatal and pediatric respiratory care; pulmonary rehabilitation and home care; and cardiopulmonary testing and sleep studies.
Students earn their degree through a combination of online and in-person learning, studying a variety of respiratory care therapies, devices and techniques. The program is designed to prepare graduates for national credential examinations administered by The National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC).
Respiratory therapists consult with and assist physicians to diagnose, treat and manage breathing problems and cardiopulmonary diseases and disorders. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 2024 median pay for respiratory therapists nationally was $80,450 per year. Additionally, employment in the field is expected to grow at 12% through 2034.
The campus is located at 2600 Century Parkway NE in Atlanta. Interested students may call the admissions team at 404-282-3632 or visit south.edu/location/atlanta.
Across its national footprint, South College offers an array of academic programs in business, education, healthcare and other fields. The institution was founded in Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1882 and now includes 10 physical campuses, online learning and Competency-Based Education (CBE).
To learn more about South College, visit south.edu.
About South College
South College serves more than 18,000 students and is proud of its more than 20,000 graduates. The institution offers academic programs at multiple levels, including professional certificates and associate, bachelor’s, master’s, educational specialist and doctoral degree programs via campuses in Knoxville and Nashville, Tennessee; Asheville, North Carolina; Atlanta, Georgia; Indianapolis, Indiana; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Dallas, Texas; and Orlando, Florida, as well as Online and CBE. South College focuses on ensuring high standards and quality educational offerings, maintaining multiple authorizations and accreditations.
South College’s programs span diverse fields such as business, criminal justice, dental hygiene/assisting, diagnostic medical sonography, nursing, occupational therapy, paralegal studies, physical therapy, radiography, respiratory therapy, physician assistant studies, pharmacy and surgical technology. The institution is dedicated to preparing students with the skills and knowledge needed for the professional opportunities ahead of them. For more information, visit south.edu.