Respiratory Therapy

You’ll hit the ground running and be able to perform diagnostic tests such as pulmonary function, cardiac stress and sleep behaviour. You’ll also work in Fanshawe’s brand new clinical labs, using state-of-the-art technology and equipment, learning from experts in the field. Additionally, you'll gain hands-on experience in a clinical internship in the third year, while learning from a nationally-approved and accredited curriculum, giving you the scientific foundation and clinical experience you’ll need to practice at the entry-level in Ontario, the rest of Canada, or the rest of the world – as soon as you graduate.

This program follows a curriculum approved by the College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario (CRTO), the Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists (CRST) and the National Alliance of Respiratory Therapy Regulatory Bodies (NARTRB), and is accredited nationally through Accreditation Canada. College faculty, together with instructors from the clinical affiliates, provide the scientific foundation and clinical experience required to prepare students for practice at the entry-level within Ontario, as well as nationally and internationally. Graduates will be eligible to write national certification exams and apply for a license with the College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario or other regions of Canada. 

Graduates of the program must undertake a nationally recognized certification exam in order to make an application for credentialing with the College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario (CRTO), or to other Regulators within Canada, depending upon where they desire to practice. This program is known for preparing its graduates well for certifications. In fact, in 2024, the Fanshawe graduates achieved a 93% pass rate on the Health Professionals Testing Canada (HPTC) exam, which is well above the national average. Graduates who intend to practice in Ontario must apply for registration with the College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario (CRTO).

Program fit
This is a highly demanding program with a heavy workload. While students may meet or exceed the admission requirements, some may not be ready for the demands of this intense program. Students should be committed to spend 38-62 hours/week (in and out of class), with 1-2 hours of study required for each hour in class. For this reason, most students have to limit or even eliminate extra-curricular activities and/or part-time work for the duration of this program in order to be successful. However, if students wish to engage in extra-curricular activities or part-time work, they must be exceptionally good at time management. See the Career Guide for more information.

For students who aren't quite ready for this level of commitment, completing Fanshawe's Pre-Health Sciences one-year program is an ideal pathway into the Respiratory Therapy program and has shown to consistently prepare students to be successful in the program.

The Respiratory Therapy program prepared me with the knowledge and skills to become a proficient RT who is a vital part of the health care team both in hospitals and the community. The program prepares you for the workplace through theory and simulation based learning. The hands-on learning occurs in labs with the latest equipment being utilized in our field. The professors of the program are all respiratory therapists who bring their experiences to the classroom to help supplement our learning. Class sizes are small enough that you will be on a first name basis with both your classmates and professors. In addition to the excellent academics, there are many opportunities to become involved in the program and a variety of social and extracurricular events around campus to help balance school and life. I loved my three years at Fanshawe and would highly recommend this program to anyone who is wanting to pursue a career in the health field.

Emily Spiers

Respiratory Therapy Graduate