Metropolitan Community College Launches First-Ever Bachelor’s Degree Program

Posted March 11, 2026

Metropolitan Community College announced the launch of its first-ever bachelor’s degree program, a Bachelor of Applied Science in Respiratory Care.

This new program, designed to meet the growing demand for skilled health care professionals, will be available to students this fall, according to a release shared with Ingram’s Magazine. The college celebrated the launch of the program and the opening of the new Respiratory Care facilities on Tuesday.

“MCC’s new Respiratory Care program is not just about earning a degree; it’s about empowering students with the qualifications and experience needed to thrive in one of the fastest-growing fields in health care,” MCC Chancellor, Dr. Kimberly Beatty, said in the release. “Graduates will enter a profession with excellent career prospects, thanks to a curriculum combining academics with hands-on training in MCC’s state-of-the-art facilities.”

Additionally, MCC is introducing an Associate of Applied Science in Respiratory Care, while also offering students options for advancement.

Equipment used in the MCC Respiratory Care Program suite. Photo credit: MCC.

The facility is located at the Penn Valley Health Science Institute, 3444 Broadway, Kansas City, MO. The Health Science Institute includes a 10,000-square-foot accredited health care simulation center. Students will receive hands-on experience with advanced industry equipment used in today’s modern hospitals, including ventilators, noninvasive ventilation and percussion therapy.

The program’s launch is supported by health care institutions, including Children’s Mercy Hospitals & Clinics, HCA Midwest Health, Kansas City VA Medical Center, Liberty Hospital, North Kansas City Hospital, Research Medical Center, Saint Luke’s Hospitals of Kansas City, University Health Medical Center and University of Kansas Medical Center.

More information for the program can be found here.