Respiratory Therapy Bachelor's Degree Program - Online

Classes Start January 6

Build on your RT experience with this 16-month bachelor’s degree completion program.

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ABHES Accredited
CoARC Accredited*
Bachelor's Degree

At a Glance

~16-Month

Program Length

100% Online

Format

71**

Transfer Credits Required

49

Remaining Semester Credits

**Includes 15 general education, 44 respiratory therapy technical and 12 related credits

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About Our Online Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy Program

This degree completion program is built for registered respiratory therapists (RRTs) who are already licensed and working in the field and want to build on the respiratory therapy education they already have. In approximately 16 months, you’ll complete coursework in evidence-based practice and healthcare policy, delivered entirely online and asynchronously so you can keep working as an RRT while you study. Because you’re bringing real respiratory therapy experience and up to 71 transfer credits into the program, you’re building on what you already know.

Specialize Your BSRT. In your third semester, you’ll choose the track that fits your goals:

  • Leadership Track: For RTs interested in leading teams, improving care delivery, and moving toward supervisory positions.
  • Education Track: For RTs interested in teaching, training, clinical education, and developing future respiratory professionals.

Plus, coursework throughout the program expands your exposure to areas like public health, quality improvement, home health, sleep, and disease management.

Core Skills You’ll Develop

View full curriculum →

LEADERSHIP

Leadership and management in respiratory care

RESEARCH

Evidence-based practice and research literacy

COMPLIANCE

Healthcare law, compliance, quality management, and patient information systems

CLINICAL

Disease management, wellness promotion, and public health principles

AREA OF EMPHASIS

Choose between a Leadership track, for building and managing care teams, or an Education track, for teaching and training future respiratory professionals, in your third semester.

View full curriculum →

Where the Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy Program Can Take You

Lead

Build toward department leadership, case management, quality improvement, healthcare operations roles and more.

Teach

Pursue roles as a clinical coordinator, staff developer or RT program instructor.

Expand Your Expertise

Diversify into new roles such as research or medical device sales, or pursue specialized areas like sleep medicine, home health, disease management, or public health.

Program Objective

To offer the highest quality education that fosters critical thinking, encourages professional leadership and development, and inspires a strong appreciation of ethical values and cultural diversity. A respiratory therapist entering the program will acquire the skills and knowledge above what is typically attained at the associate degree level. Graduates of entry into the respiratory care professional practice degree programs will gain additional knowledge, skills, and attributes in leadership, management, education, research, and/or advanced clinical practice that will enable them to meet their current professional goals and prepare them for practice as advanced degree respiratory therapists. Graduates of this program receive a Bachelor of Science Degree.

Program Outline

Semester l

ENG 320
Advanced College Writing
CPT 301
Microcomputer Applications
BUS 220
Healthcare Management
SPA 210
Spanish for the Medical Professional

Semester lI

MTH 315
Statistical Concepts
PHI 301
Critical Thinking
RSH 350
Introduction to Evidence Based Practice
HCA 310
Healthcare Law and Compliance

Semester III

HCA 460
Public Health
RES 325
Polysomnography
RES 440
Home Health
RES 450
Leadership in Respiratory Care (or EDU 450)
EDU 450
Education Foundations for Allied Health Professionals (or RES 450)

Semester IV

HCA 430
Patient Information and Management
HCA 470
Quality Management
RES 420
Disease Management and Wellness Promotion
RES 490
Professional Capstone
View Info Sheet
View Our Catalog

Continue Your Education

Ready to keep building your career? A bachelor’s degree can open the door to further graduate education, including paths like Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant (CAA), Advanced Practice Respiratory Therapist (APRT), Physician Assistant (PA), Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) certification, public health, health informatics, clinical research, or healthcare administration and leadership, such as Pima Medical’s own online Master of Science in Organizational Leadership.

Specific prerequisites and admission requirements vary by program.

Job Outlook

9% Growth — The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects this occupation to grow much faster than average over the next 10 years, with a median pay of $82,280 per year.*

*Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Respiratory Therapists, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/respiratory-therapists.htm (visited August 27, 2026).

What careers can you pursue with a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy Degree?

The Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy program prepares students to apply for roles including:

  • Management and leadership roles, including Department Manager and Clinical Director
  • Population Health, Disease Management or Case Management positions
  • Clinical Specialist roles
  • Respiratory Diagnostic Services
  • Home Respiratory Services
  • Educator, including Clinical Coordinator or Program Director
  • Clinical Researcher
  • Medical Device Sales
  • Healthcare Operations and Leadership
  • Adjacent healthcare roles, such as transitioning toward Physician Assistant, ECMO, flight respiratory care, clinical informatics or quality improvement work
These opportunities exist across hospitals, outpatient clinics, educational institutions and healthcare organizations.

Student Support

Career Services

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.

View Career Services→

Life as an Online Student

When you’re an online student at Pima Medical Institute, you’re part of a supportive learning environment built to help you stay connected and on track. Learn what to expect from online classes, how you’ll engage with instructors and classmates and the resources available throughout your program.

View Life as an Online Student→

Admissions & Application

Application Process

  1. Submit the form below

    Share a few details so we can prepare for our first conversation.
  2. Chat with our team

    They’ll ask about your background and what you’re looking for in your next step. From there, they’ll help you explore whether the program and online learning experience fit your career goals.
  3. Attend your virtual tour
    Get an overview of the program, curriculum, and what to expect as an online student.
  4. Complete your application
    Our admissions team will walk you through the enrollment process and connect you with financial services.

BSRT Eligibility Requirements

This is a degree completion program. In addition to Pima Medical’s standard admissions requirements, applicants must:
  • Have graduated from a Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC)-accredited entry-level respiratory therapy program
  • Hold an active, unencumbered credential as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) through the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) prior to admission
  • Have completed 71 semester credits of specific coursework at the postsecondary level: 15 general education credits, 44 respiratory therapy technical credits, and 12 related credits
  • Have earned a grade of C or better in each transfer course, with each course numbered 100 or above and awarded by a nationally or regionally accredited institution

See additional Admissions and Transfer Credit requirements in the Student Catalog.

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Tuition & financial aid

Federal aid (FAFSA), institutional scholarships, and payment plans are available to help make your education affordable.

Explore financial aid options→

Contact a Financial Aid Advisor→
Meet Your Program Director
5 Things You Can Do With a BSRT

Nobody Says It Better Than Our Students

Read our reviews from students and alumni to find out for yourself…

FAQs About the Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy Program

No. This program is a post-professional degree completion program specifically for Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRTs), so applicants must already hold the RRT credential to be admitted. If you’re not yet an RRT, completing an entry-level respiratory therapy program, such as Pima Medical’s on-campus Respiratory Therapy associate degree, and earning your RRT credential first is the path toward becoming eligible for this degree later.
You must hold an unencumbered RRT license/credential, and have graduated from a respiratory program within the last five years or be currently employed in respiratory care.
No. This program is a degree completion program, not a new licensing program. You’ll already hold an active RRT credential before you begin, since it’s required to enroll, and this bachelor’s degree builds on that same credential rather than requiring you to sit for a new exam.
The program is approximately 16 months (individual completion time may vary) and is delivered entirely online. It’s designed to be asynchronous, so you can complete coursework on your own schedule, day or night, around your work as an RRT.
Yes. In your third semester, you’ll choose between two tracks: a Leadership track focused on managing a respiratory care department, or an Education track focused on teaching within the allied health field. See the next question for more on what each track covers.
The Leadership track (RES 450) covers the principles of leading a respiratory care department, including managing resources, workflows and technology, along with the legal, ethical and accreditation considerations that come with the role. The Education track (EDU 450) covers educational theory and adult learning principles, preparing you to teach in settings like patient and community education, staff development, or clinical and academic instruction. Choose Leadership if you’re aiming for a supervisory role, or Education if you’re interested in teaching future respiratory therapists.
You’ll complete a Professional Capstone in your final semester: a real-world application project tied to your current respiratory therapy career, plus a professional e-portfolio you can use to showcase your advanced skills to employers.
Yes. You’ll need a full PC or Mac with the Microsoft Office suite. Tablets and Chromebooks are often insufficient for the coursework this program requires.
A bachelor’s degree can open doors to roles like manager, educator, researcher, or clinical specialist, positions an associate degree alone typically doesn’t unlock. According to the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC), “a bachelor’s degree is a growing standard” among employers for these positions. It can also help you transition into adjacent healthcare fields that value a four-year degree.
This is a post-professional degree completion program for Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRTs). It is not an entry point into the RT profession. It’s designed for practicing respiratory therapists who want to move into management, education, or specialized clinical leadership roles.
Yes. Pima Medical offers its own online Master of Science in Organizational Leadership. Beyond that, graduates have also pursued a Master of Science in Respiratory Care or paths like Physician Assistant, health informatics, or public health elsewhere, depending on their goals and each program’s specific admission requirements. 
Yes. Pima Medical Institute is an approved institution through the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA), which makes the program available to residents of all U.S. states. See the State Licensure Determination Disclosure below for details.

This 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. 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 onsite visit), to be allowed to admit students. It is recognized as an accredited program by the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC), which provides enrolled students who complete the program with eligibility for the Respiratory Care Credentialing Examination(s). The program will remain on Provisional Accreditation until it achieves Continuing Accreditation.

Eligible students may be able to fund their education through federal financial aid programs, including Federal Pell Grants, federal student loans and scholarships. Speak with our financial services team or visit our Financial Aid page to learn more.

Related Resources

Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy Blog Posts

Disclosures And Accreditations

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.

State Licensure Determination Disclosure – Online Programs

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)

Advance Your Career in Respiratory Therapy

Request more information below and our team will be in touch with you as soon as possible. Or give us a call at (800) 477-7462 to speak with someone right away.