2023 Best Online Respiratory Therapy Degrees

Located in Klamath Falls, the Oregon Institute of Technology (OIT, also known as Oregon Tech) is a public institution offering an online Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care in the form of a degree completion program for RRTs. Graduating requires completing approximately 186 quarter credits — a minimum of 45 must be completed at OIT. Eighty credits are granted for RRT credentials. Full-time students may be able to finish in two years or less. Overall, OIT accepts 91% of applicants, and 51% of students graduate.

OIT uses Canvas for online coursework and instruction delivery. The respiratory care professional curriculum courses include Essentials of Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, Cardiopulmonary Diagnosis and Monitoring, and Pediatric Care. This online degree can help prepare individuals for career advancement and graduate degrees in the field.

With campuses across the Western and Central U.S., Pima Medical Institute (PMI) is a private, for-profit system of institutions specializing in healthcare careers and offering an online Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy as a degree completion degree. RRTs with a high school diploma and 71 postsecondary-level transfer credits are eligible to apply. Graduating requires completing a total of 120 credits and a professional capstone. It generally takes two years to complete this online degree completion program. PMI schools have an open admission policy and accept all applicants. Most campuses have higher-than-average graduation rates.

PMI's online students access their coursework and instruction via Blackboard. Those enrolled in the online bachelor's in respiratory therapy completion program take classes such as Patient Information and Management, Culture & Human Diversity, Quality Management, and Health Care Law and Compliance.

The University of Cincinnati (UC) in Ohio is a public institution offering an online Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy (degree completion) for students with associate degrees in respiratory care or respiratory therapy from a Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC)-accredited institution. These degree programs are worth 70 transfer credits. A total of 50 additional credits are required to graduate. A student must also hold RRT credentials. However, those with Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credentials can apply but must earn their RRT before taking upper-division courses. UC has an 85% acceptance rate and a 68% graduation rate.

UC uses Canvas to deliver its online programming. The online respiratory therapy curriculum courses include Community Health Problems and Practices, Ethics of Respiratory Therapy, and Caregiving in the Respiratory Therapy Professions. Students must also complete an internship and a capstone to graduate.

Idaho's Boise State University (BSU) is a public institution offering an online Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care (RRT-BSRC) as a degree advancement program (DAP). BSU requires students to complete 30 credits to graduate. Students must have either an associate degree in respiratory care and RRT credentials or an associate degree in health science and RRT credentials to be eligible to apply. Full-time students can finish in about a year, and two years for those attending part-time. BSU accepts 83% of applicants, though space in this online RRT-BSRC program is limited. Meanwhile, approximately 54% of students graduate with degrees.

Canvas is BSU's digital platform for online program delivery. RRT-BSRC distance learners enroll in courses such as Patient Advocacy and Ethical Considerations, Professional Communication in Health Care, Sleep Medicine, and Current Topics in Respiratory Disease. A capstone is also required in order to graduate.

Midwestern State University (MSU) in Wichita Falls, Texas, is a public institution offering an online Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care — an RRT to BSRC degree completion. A total of 120 credits are required. However, students are granted 39 credits for RRT credentials and transfer in with associate degrees, leaving as few as 30 credits to complete. Full-time students can complete this online bachelor's degree program in less than two years. MSU offers this online degree in an accelerated format that takes full-time students a year to complete. MSU has a 95% acceptance rate and a 52% graduation rate.

MSU provides distance learners access to Desire2Learn (D2L) to participate in their classes and complete assignments. Online RRT to BSRC courses include Pulmonary Diagnostics, Community Health & Rehabilitation, and Adult Critical Care. Passing a writing proficiency exam is required to earn this degree.

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC Charlotte) is a public institution offering an online Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy (BSRT degree completion). Students must hold RRT credentials and graduate associate-level programs from accredited schools to be eligible to apply for enrollment. Graduating requires 30 credits, which full-time students can finish in a year and two years for those attending part time. However, UNC Charlotte also offers a new BSRT accelerated program that students can complete in a year. UNC Charlotte accepts 79% of applicants, and 62% of students graduate with degrees.

Canvas is UNC Charlotte's LMS. Online BSRT students enroll in courses such as Information Technology in Respiratory Care, Health Communications: Ethical and Legal Implications, and Evidence-Based Practice in Respiratory Care. A three-credit practicum is required to graduate with this online degree.

Evansville's University of Southern Indiana (USI) is a public institution offering an online Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy (RRT to BSRT degree completion) to help individuals prepare for leadership roles in respiratory care. Students must also hold a CoARC-accredited associate degree in respiratory therapy to be eligible to apply. While graduating requires 120 credits, students must complete at least 30 credits at USI after using transfer and RRT credential credits. Those attending full-time may finish in four semesters. USI has a 96% acceptance rate and a 50% graduation rate.

USI's distance learners use Blackboard to access their classes. Online RRT to BSRT courses include Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Geriatrics, Advanced Critical Care Management, and Respiratory Therapy Disease Management Concepts. Courses last seven weeks; there are six enrollment times annually, so students can start when ready.

The University of Missouri (MU) in Columbia is a public institution offering an online Bachelor of Health Science in Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences - Respiratory Therapy (degree completion) for professionals with RRT credentials or the Canadian equivalent. Graduating requires 120 credits, which may include transfer credits and credits for the RRT credential. At least 30 of the last 36 credits must be completed at MU. Program length varies depending on full- or part-time status. However, full-time students with transfer credits may be able to finish in less than two years. MU has a 77% acceptance rate, and 70% of students graduate with degrees, which is higher than average.

MU delivers its online curriculum via Canvas. Respiratory therapy distance learners take courses such as Pediatric Respiratory Care, Asthma Education, Adult Critical Care, and Sleep Disorders.

Little Rock's University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) is a public institution offering an online Bachelor of Science in Cardio-Respiratory Care (RRT AS to BS degree advancement). Students must finish a total of 120 credits to graduate. An enrollment advisor can help determine how many transfer credits UAMS will accept and how many credits are left to complete. Full-time students generally finish in three semesters, and five semesters for those attending part-time. UAMS has a high 81% graduation rate.

UAMS online students use Blackboard to log into their classes and receive instruction. Online RRT AS to BS courses include Critical Care Practices, Legal and Ethical Issues in Health Care, Advanced Assessment and Diagnosis, and Disease Management. Besides coursework, online students must also complete a scholarship project before they can graduate.

The Midwest's Ferris State University (FSI) in Big Rapids, Michigan, is a public institution offering an online Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy as a degree completion. This program includes an Advanced Clinical Theory Concentration (ADTC) and a Management Concentration (MANG). Classes are web-native and built specifically for the online learning environment. While graduating requires 120 credits, an advisor can help determine which previously earned credits are eligible for transfer. This can shave off a significant amount of time so students can finish faster. FSI has an 85% acceptance rate and a 58% graduation rate.

FSI delivers its online programming via the Brightspace distance learning platform. The online respiratory therapy program's major courses include Respiratory Care Leadership, Advanced Cardiopulmonary Physiology, Advanced Cardiovascular Pathophysiology, and Evidence-Based Healthcare. Students are also required to submit a capstone project.