Ozarks Technical Community College’s first bachelor’s degree program experienced dramatic growth in its second year. The bachelor’s in respiratory therapy debuted in January of 2023 with a handful of students, but when classes began for the Spring 2024 semester, the new program had 16 first-year students.
“This year, we’ve had more time to attract students, and there has been some word of mouth about the program,” said Brandon Burk, respiratory therapy program director. “Students understand the career opportunities associated with this new degree.”
OTC and St. Louis Community College became the first two community colleges in the state granted permission to offer bachelor’s degrees in 2021 when the Coordinating Board for Higher Education approved the two schools to offer bachelor’s degrees in respiratory therapy. OTC’s bachelor’s program debuted in January of 2023 with students in Springfield and at the college’s new respiratory therapy laboratory at its location in Waynesville.
Students who come to the program as first-time freshmen will spend two years completing prerequisite courses, but some come with bachelor’s degrees. After just a couple of classes, they are ready to begin the respiratory therapy courses.
Phillip Welden
That was the case for Phillip Welden. A former high school social studies teacher, Phillip decided to change careers. The 35-year-old is an Emergency Medical Technician, but in less than two years, he will be qualified to work as a respiratory therapist.
“I am excited to get a second bachelor’s degree and get into a field I really like,” Phillip said. “There is a huge need for respiratory therapists, and everyone who graduates is practically guaranteed to find a job.”
Liza Francka was interested in a career in medicine, but she wasn’t sure which direction she wanted to go. The 22-year-old Morrisville native began working as an emergency room technician at Cox South, which convinced her to pursue the new OTC program.
Liza Francka
“Working in the ER, I have a lot of discussions with the respiratory therapists, and I really enjoy it,” Liza said. “Plus, I like the managerial part of the profession, and the bachelor’s degree will allow me to work my way up and potentially be the head of a department.”
May of 2024 will be a milestone for the college. Those first three Bachelor of Respiratory Therapy students are on track to graduate and will be the first to earn bachelor’s degrees from OTC.
“We’re going to be the first community college in Missouri to graduate students with bachelor’s degrees, so there is a lot of excitement around that,” Brandon said. “Our department is eager to see how their careers blossom.”
According to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC), the need for respiratory therapists in the state will grow by nearly 24% by 2030. The average annual salary for a respiratory therapist in the state is $57,750.