Online Master of Science in Respiratory Therapy
The online Master of Science in Respiratory Therapy (MS-RT) was designed to provide respiratory therapists (who currently hold a bachelor’s degree) with increased knowledge and preparation to facilitate their transition into an educator and/or managerial role.
Master of Science in Respiratory Therapy Program Overview
Our Master’s in Respiratory Therapy is a completely online program designed for working adults who need to maintain employment while furthering their education. The program prepares students for career advancement in one of three concentrations: Health Informatics, Health Care Administration, or Higher Education. This allows you to focus on and excel in the career that is right for you. Our Respiratory Therapy Graduate program consists of six respiratory core classes, one capstone course, and one set of concentration courses.
Respiratory Therapy Program Highlights
High Quality Education
The Master’s in Respiratory Therapy program is specifically designed to help RTs stay within the pulmonary area of specialization, but transition into a leadership role either in a hospital/clinic or even within other healthcare industries like pharmaceuticals and medical equipment. There are three tracks within our program that will help you meet your career goals listed below. Read the 5 Jobs You Can Get With A Master’s in Respiratory Therapy article if you’d like more information on a few career outcomes within the field of respiratory care.
- Health Informatics: This track allows RTs to shift their focus into more of data and technology aspects of their field.
- Health Administration: The focus prepares you for a leadership role such as the head of the pulmonary department within a hospital, or the direct supervisor for a team of respiratory therapists.
- Education: This core sets RTs on the path to teach at the associate, bachelor, or master level
Flexibility
- Complete in less than two years
- 100% online (No Campus Visits)
- Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
- Flexible scheduling
Support from Application through Graduation
At UC, you’ll have a full support team behind you:
Enrollment Services Advisor: Your go-to resource during the application process
Student Success Coordinator: Helping you prepare for classes and stay on track
Access to Resources: Access to university resources that will support you through your program including online learning expectations and resources, health and wellness resources, and academic support
The online Master of Science in Respiratory Therapy program empowers medical professionals to advance their careers and take on roles as educators and leaders in their workplace. If you’re currently a registered respiratory care worker with a bachelor’s degree, you can earn your respiratory therapy master’s degree online with a flexible schedule in under two years at the University of Cincinnati.
Prerequisites
- Bachelor’s degree in a health-related field.
- Conferred degree from a CoARC-accredited Entry into Respiratory Care Professional Practice program.
- NBRC Credentials – Be credentialed by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT). The RRT credential cannot be expired.
- Transcript: Submit unofficial transcripts for all schools attended.
- Active state license – Upload an active (non-expired) copy of your state license.
Complete the online application and submit the application fee.
Standard Application Fees:
- $65.00 for domestic applicants to most degree programs
- $70.00 for international applicants to most degree programs
- $20.00 for domestic applicants to Graduate Certificates
- $25.00 for international applicants to Graduate Certificates
- Application fees for UC Online programs are waived through Fall 2026 for all applicants who apply by July 1, 2026
- Fee waivers are automatically applied for applicants who: are currently serving in the US armed forces, or are veterans of the US armed forces.
Applications are accepted continuously throughout the year. Please review and submit the following materials:
All applicants are required to upload unofficial transcripts during the application process, showing all undergraduate and graduate course work completed, including degrees granted and dates of conferral.
Official transcripts are not required until the student has received and accepted an offer of admission from the university. Once the offer has been confirmed, the student must submit official transcripts.
Students who have received degrees from the University of Cincinnati do not need to submit official paper copies of their UC transcripts.
Transcripts can be submitted electronically or by mail. To see if your transcript(s) can be ordered electronically, visit the links below and search for your previous school(s).
- Parchment
- Please select “University of Cincinnati – Main Campus” as the recipient of your transcript.
- National Student Clearinghouse
- Please have your transcript sent directly to admissions@uc.edu.
If you do not see your past school(s) listed on either site, please contact the school(s) directly. Then, mail your sealed, unopened, official transcripts to:
Please mail sealed, unopened, official transcripts to:
University of Cincinnati
Office of Admissions
PO Box 210091
Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-0091
Transfer Credits
Students who have earned graduate credits from accredited institutions may be eligible to apply some or all of those credits towards their pursuit of the online Master of Science in Respiratory Therapy. Please contact your Enrollment Services Advisor (ESA) for specifics about the policy.
Two years of respiratory therapy professional experience.
- Upload a copy of their active state license
- Upload a copy of your active NBRC RRT credentials
Upload your CV/Resume demonstrating a minimum of two years of professional respiratory therapy experience.
A narrative written essay, minimum one page (500 words), describes your future academic and professional goals.
Letters of recommendation should be from a professional (supervisor, manager, administrator, medical director, mentor, educator) who has knowledge of your readiness for graduate-level work.
| Term | Application Deadline | Classes Start |
|---|---|---|
Spring 2026 | Second Half Summer 2026 | First Half Summer 2026 | Second Half |
January 18, 2026 April 13, 2026 May 17, 2026 |
March 2, 2026 May 11, 2026 June 25, 2026 |
The University of Cincinnati's online course fees differ depending on the program. On average, students will accrue fewer fees than students attending on-campus classes.
The one fee applied across all UC Online programs is the distance learning fee. Students living outside the state of Ohio must also pay an additional “non-resident” fee to enroll in courses at UC Online. This fee is lower than the out-of-state fee for traditional on-campus programs.
To view tuition information and program costs, visit the Online Program Fees page.
- The University of Cincinnati and all regional campuses are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
- The Respiratory Therapy Program, 520015, Master of Science, University of Cincinnati is currently in the process of seeking Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) accreditation for the Master of Science graduate respiratory care program. However, UC can provide no assurance that accreditation will be granted by the CoARC.
“What I am learning and what I have learned is WELL worth the hard work and sacrifice of time and money. I am so excited to be part of the promotion of this field as well. I believe in our field, and I am an eager advocate for the requirement that all RTs hold a bachelor's degree.”
Danna W.
BS Respiratory Therapy
Ready to get started?
We offer over 130 degrees from undergraduate to doctoral programs.