Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy

Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy
03.15.2025
50
05.16.2025
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UC’s Bachelor’s in Respiratory Therapy degree prepares professional Certified Respiratory Therapists (CRTs) and Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRTs) with additional knowledge, skills, and attributes in leadership management, education, and research.   A bachelor’s degree in RT will help you advance your career and position you for a master’s degree.

*Associate in Respiratory Care (or therapy) required for admission.

Career Outlook

  • $104,613 Median Annual Salary for Respiratory Care Managers

Program Length

  • Complete in as little as 5 semesters

Program Format

  • Fully Online (No Campus Visits)

Tuition per Credit

  • $605 Total Cost per Credit

*Salary data according to salary.com 

Bachelor’s in Respiratory Therapy Tuition Information

Follow this link to explore the costs associated with going back to complete your Bachelor’s degree in respiratory therapy or respiratory care: CLICK HERE!


What is Respiratory Therapy?

 

Respiratory Therapy refers to the care of patients who are diagnosed with diseases related to the lungs and respiratory system, including those suffering from COPD, asthma, problems from lung cancer, and more. Respiratory therapists work in a variety of settings – from hospitals to home-based care – performing assessments, disease management, patient education, and more.

A career in respiratory therapy is ideal for compassionate individuals interested in lung-related healthcare. Graduates of the University of Cincinnati’s Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy program are equipped with the knowledge and skills required to take on leadership roles in the world of respiratory care, from assisting patients with lung conditions to educating family members of patients about how to offer care.


Is this the Degree for Me?

The United States is currently witnessing a boom in demand for knowledgeable respiratory therapists as the amount of people suffering from lung disease grows. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the rate of employment for respiratory therapists is expected to grow 13% from 2022 to 2032 — much faster than the overall average for all industries.

Who it’s for…

  • A great way to further your skills and career outlook as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)
  • RRT’s who are considering a future in advanced practice (MSRT, PAs {Physician’s Assistant}, Etc.)
  • RRT’s who are looking to move into leadership positions and take on more responsibility

Career Paths…

  • Pulmonary Department Director
  • Pulmonary Department Manager
  • Respiratory Therapy Educator
  • Pulmonary Logistics Manager
  • And many more…

Accreditations

*CoARC Accreditation: The Respiratory Therapy, 500015, Bachelor of Science, University of Cincinnati holds Provisional Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (www.coarc.com). This status signifies that a program with an Approval of Intent has demonstrated sufficient compliance with the Standards through submission of an acceptable Provisional Accreditation Self Study Report (PSSR) and any other documentation required by the CoARC, as well as satisfactory completion of an initial on-site visit.

Program and Education Goals

The goal of the Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Sciences Program is to provide graduates of entry into respiratory care professional practice degree programs with additional knowledge, skills, and attributes in leadership, management, education, and research that will enable them to meet their current professional goals and prepare them for practice as advanced degree respiratory therapists.

CoARC accredits respiratory therapy education programs in the United States. To achieve this end, it utilizes an ‘outcomes-based process. Programmatic outcomes are performance indicators that reflect the extent to which the educational goals of the program are achieved and by which program effectiveness is documented.

To learn more, click here: https://coarc.com/students/programmatic-outcomes-data/

The program’s coursework and experiences emphasize the technical and academic competencies required of a respiratory therapist as well as the ethic and professionalism outlined by The American Association for Respiratory Care.

Expected Student Learning Outcomes (ESLO)/Program Learning Objectives (PLO):

Students who successfully complete this program will be able to:
  • Demonstrate entry-level competencies in the domains of management, ethics, community engagement and project development as they relate to the discipline of respiratory therapy.
  • Develop and/or disseminate scientific information for the general public and the academic community in respiratory therapy practice, administration, and research.
  • Read, evaluate, and integrate information from current scientific and popular literature within the discipline’s content area.
  • Plan, execute, and evaluate, treatment protocols that enhance the departments and patients that they serve.
  • Demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning and professional service and leadership.

Is UC Online right for me?

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Respiratory Therapy is ranked #16 Best Health Care Jobs
The career path from high school to working professional provides the opportunity for students to live, learn and earn to reduce education debit. It's a great time to be an RRT!
Learn More

Job Growth

The estimated job growth for Respiratory Therapist is 23.4% over the next 10 years.

Details

Student Testimonials
Arika Testimonial
“The flexibility of the program allows me to get a degree while on active military duty.”

A. Pickett
BS Respiratory Therapy, Current Student