Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy Program
Program Type
Bachelor of Science
Delivery Method
Online
Course Length
Approximately
16 Months
Accreditation
CoARC-Accredited 1
Program Objective
This program is designed to provide respiratory therapists the ability to acquire skills and knowledge above what is typically attained at the associate degree level. The comprehensive curriculum promotes lifelong learning and instills in students the professional attitudes needed to become successful communicators, critical thinkers, global citizens, and conscientious leaders.
Students in the B.S. in Respiratory Therapy program will take courses that address healthcare management, public health, home health, polysomnography and much more. Classes at Pima Medical Institute are taught by instructors who are experts in their field, with many years of experience. After obtaining their bachelor’s degree, graduates will meet the industry-wide requirement to enter leadership or management roles in their respiratory therapy career. With this degree, they also qualify to enter a career in educational instruction.
While this program is 100% online, students still complete a professional capstone project that features real-world application of their coursework to their current career in respiratory therapy.
- High school transcript or evidence of satisfactory completion of GED
- Currently a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)
- Current employment in respiratory care or graduate of a respiratory program within the last five years
- Transfer of 71 credits
Here are 5 things you can do with an online Bachelor's Degree in Respiratory Therapy
Careers With a B.S. in Respiratory Therapy
What Are My Career Opportunities With a B.S. in Respiratory Therapy?
What Are My Career Opportunities With a B.S. in Respiratory Therapy?
With a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy, graduates can take on additional responsibilities and advance their careers in a number of opportunities, including:
- Management/leadership roles
- Clinical director at an educational institution
- Further advanced education
- Disease Manager
- Case Manager
- Clinical Specialist
- Department Manager
- Formal Educator, Researcher and others
- Medical Sales Representatives
- Program Director for associate degree programs
Job Outlook
Job Outlook
Growth in the middle-aged and elderly population will lead to an increased incidence of respiratory conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pneumonia. These respiratory disorders can permanently damage the lungs or restrict lung function.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of respiratory therapists is projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations.
Continued Education
Continued Education
At Pima Medical Institute, we offer an online Master of Science in Organizational Leadership, which can provide further opportunity for professional advancement, all with the flexibility of virtual instruction. Work on your degree anywhere, anytime.
When you’re a Pima Medical Institute student, you get access to our Career Services team—here for you when you need extra help with finding the right job opportunities, building a resume, strengthening your interview skills or just looking for general guidance.
Program Outline
Learn more about the courses in this program.
Transfer of Credit
Semester l
Semester lI
Semester III
Semester IV
Faculty Spotlight
Valerie Koller, MAEd., BSRT, RRT-NPS
Program Director, Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy (BSRT) Degree Advancement Program
Valerie Koller is passionate about shaping the future of respiratory therapy through education, leadership and professional advancement. As Program Director for Pima Medical Institute’s Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy (BSRT) Degree Advancement Program, she is dedicated to preparing respiratory therapists to excel as clinicians, leaders and advocates for their profession.
FAQs
Can I apply if I am not yet a Registered Respiratory Therapist?
No; Pima Medical Institute’s online BSRT is a post-professional degree completion program specifically for Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRTs), meaning applicants must already hold the RRT credential to be admitted.
Is recent experience required for admission?
Applicants must hold an unencumbered license/credential as an RRT, and must have graduated from a respiratory program within the last five years OR be currently employed in respiratory care.
How long is the program, and is it 100% online?
The program is approximately 16 months (individual time to completion may vary) and is delivered entirely online. It is designed to be asynchronous to accommodate the schedules of working RRTs looking to complete school day or night.
Can I specialize my degree?
One of the unique features of this program is the choice of tracks. In your third semester, you can choose between two courses:
- Leadership Track: Focuses on leadership skills in respiratory care.
- Education Track: Focuses on education foundations for allied health professionals.
What is the Capstone project?
Students complete a Professional Capstone in their final semester. This involves a real-world application project related to your current respiratory career and the creation of a professional e-portfolio, allowing students to showcase their advanced skills to employers.
Are there specific software requirements?
Students typically need a full PC or Mac with the Microsoft Office suite. Tablets or Chromebooks are often insufficient to complete the coursework required in the BSRT curriculum.
Can I take this program anywhere in the United States?
Yes. Because Pima Medical Institute is an approved institution through the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC SARA), the online program is available to residents in all U.S. states. (Refer to the “State Licensure Determination Disclosure” for details.
Is this program accredited by CoARC?
The Degree Advancement Respiratory Care Program, CoARC #510043, Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy Online, 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), to be allowed to admit students. The program will remain on Provisional Accreditation until it achieves Continuing Accreditation.
What potential career opportunities may be available with a B.S. that I might not get with an associate degree?
A bachelor’s degree is increasingly becoming the industry standard for Respiratory Department Managers, Clinical Educators and other education roles such as program directors or directors of education, Case Managers, and roles in Pulmonary Rehabilitation or Home Health Leadership. In addition, graduates may find opportunities to transition into other areas of healthcare, such as Physician Assistant, ECMO, Flight, Quality Improvement and more.
Can this program lead to a Master’s degree?
Yes; Pima Medical Institute offers an online Master of Science in Organizational Leadership (MSOL) for RRTs aiming for executive-level leadership in hospital systems. Students have also gone on to Master’s in Respiratory Care and other advanced degree programs.
Interested In Starting This Program?
Find out more about our enrollment process, view our How to Apply page.
Success Is Within Reach
We are truly invested in making sure our students succeed.
“After 14 years of working in the field, I became interested in management and decided to continue my education with Pima Medical’s online Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy program. Having three kids under the age of 10, working fulltime and going to school was certainly challenging, but also doable.
The program was very well organized, allowing me to plan my study time. I am currently a cardiopulmonary manager and being in a hiring role, I see a big difference between Pima Medical students and other colleges. My bachelor’s program helped me fulfill my dream of working in management and I owe everything to Pima Medical!”
Autumn Moore, Online Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy Graduate
Pima Medical Blog
His Mother’s Health Struggles Helped This Graduate Find his Calling
Quincy Skeen grew up watching his mother struggle with a chronic disease. He knew he wanted a career in healthcare. It wasn’t until he was…
5 Reasons to Consider Pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy
Advancing your education expands knowledge and depth in your field, and could open doors to leadership roles. The industry of respiratory therapy places an importance…
Our Online Degree Program Provided the Opportunity for this Recent Graduate to Fulfill a Lifelong Goal
If you’re thinking about continuing your education, your location shouldn’t be a roadblock. William Huffines lives in Tennessee, enrolled in our online Bachelor of Science…
Disclosures And Accreditations
State Licensure Determination Disclosure
The Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy program is offered via an online delivery method. Pima Medical Institute is an approved institution through the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC SARA) which allows Pima Medical Institute Tucson to offer distance learning programs to residents of states other than Arizona. Participation in NC SARA does not exempt an institution from state professional licensing requirements.
A student’s physical location is determined at the time of enrollment by submission of government-issued identification as well as a student attestation of their physical location in the enrollment agreement. Students agree to update the institution if their physical location changes. Students are able to notify the institution of a change to their physical location in the Pima Medical Institute Student Portal. Prospective students and enrolled students should understand that a change in physical location may adversely impact a student’s ability to complete the program. If a student is planning to relocate he or she is required to discuss this with the Student Services Coordinator and/or Program Director.
In compliance with 34 CFR 668.43 Pima Medical Institute has made a reasonable effort to determine graduate eligibility for licensure in all states for programs designed and advertised as leading to licensure. The document below lists Pima Medical Institute programs and states where the curriculum meets licensure requirements, states where the curriculum does not meet licensure requirements, and states in which Pima Medical Institute has been unable to determine if the curriculum meets state licensure requirements. All consumers should be advised that due to the frequent changes to state statutes, rules, and regulations Pima Medical Institute cannot guarantee licensure based on the lists below.
Accreditation and Program Information
1. 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.
Outcomes data from the Annual Report of Current Status will be posted on the CoARC website. Follow this link directly to the Programmatic Outcomes Data page: https://coarc.com/students/programmatic-outcomes-data/
Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC)
Website: http://www.coarc.com
264 Precision Blvd
Telford, TN 37690
(817)283-2835
Program Mission Statement, Program Goals, and Student Learning Outcomes
View accreditation information for all programs by campus
View program costs, additional disclosures and outcomes for this program (if applicable)