Concorde Career Colleges, the healthcare education division of Universal Technical Institute, Inc., is expanding access to its respiratory therapy education programs to address the rising demand nationally for skilled therapists. Specifically, Concorde is increasing enrollment in its respiratory therapy programs at nine of its campuses, in addition to growing a hospital partnership model to support rural and remote areas.

"Concorde continues to pursue strategies to meet the demand for healthcare professionals as part of our corporate North Star Strategy," said Kevin Prehn, President of Concorde Career Colleges. "By increasing access to our respiratory therapy programs, particularly in states with high demand and in rural regions, we are enabling a vital healthcare service for communities that need these positions the most."

Nationwide, employment of respiratory therapists is projected to grow 12% from 2024 to 2034, more than triple the average growth rate for all occupations. In states where Concorde is growing on-campus enrollment, the demand is even higher. In California, Florida, Tennessee, and Texas, employment in this field is expected to grow between 20-24% from 2022 to 2032.²

Increasing Enrollment at Existing Concorde Campuses

Eight Concorde campuses have received programmatic approval to increase enrollment in their existing respiratory therapy programs, including: Garden Grove, North Hollywood and San Bernardino, California; Miramar and Tampa, Florida; Dallas and San Antonio, Texas; and Memphis, Tennessee. One additional campus is pending programmatic approval for the enrollment increase. Once approved, this will allow Concorde to enroll up to an additional 160 students annually through nine campuses nationwide.

"Increasing enrollment was a smart growth option for Concorde. We have strong clinical partners in these regions who have the capacity and interest in working with more of our respiratory therapy students," said Prehn.