South College Respiratory Therapy cohort achieves 100 percent pass rate

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 31, 2026

The second cohort in South College Atlanta’s Associate of Science in Respiratory Therapy program has achieved a 100 percent pass rate for the Clinical Simulation Examination.

Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE) is the final computer-based test administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care to earn the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential.

“Respiratory therapists are much needed now in the healthcare industry,” South College Atlanta President Josh Huffaker said. “We offer a high-quality education, modern labs and clinical practice rotations to help prepare our students to pursue professional credentials at the completion of their studies and start their professional journey.”

South College offers interactive clinical tools to help respiratory therapy students experience simulated patient care, including high-fidelity simulation manikins that mimic real carbon dioxide exhalation and are designed to be intubated and connected to a ventilator. The clinical rotations provide practical, hands-on experience with respiratory therapy equipment, procedures, imaging and lab data and patient care.

Students are taught 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 to help prepare graduates for national examinations.

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, and employment in the field is expected to grow at 12% through 2034.

The Atlanta campus is located at 2600 Century Parkway NE. Interested students may call the admissions team at 404-282-3632 or visit south.edu/atlanta.

South College offers more than 150 academic programs and concentrations 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 and Marietta, Georgia; Indianapolis, Indiana; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Dallas, Texas; Orlando, Florida; and Columbus, Ohio, as well as Online and through Competency-Based Education (CBE).

To learn more about South College, visit south.edu.

About South College

South College serves more than 20,000 students and is proud of its more than 25,000 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 and Marietta, Georgia; Indianapolis, Indiana; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Dallas, Texas; Orlando, Florida; and Columbus, Ohio, 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.