Respiratory Therapy

Program 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.

The program course work and experiences emphasize the technical and academic competencies required of a respiratory therapist as well as the ethics and professionalism outlined by The American Association for Respiratory Care.

The United States is experiencing sustained growth in demand for skilled respiratory therapists. This increase is driven by an aging population, the rise of chronic respiratory conditions, and ongoing environmental challenges that affect air quality.

As healthcare systems face greater pressure to manage complex pulmonary cases, the role of respiratory therapists has never been more critical. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute estimates that about 12 million Americans have been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), while another 12 million likely remain undiagnosed. This expanding patient population highlights the continued need for clinical expertise, advanced assessment skills, and compassionate, evidence-based care in every care setting.

What can you do with a Bachelor’s in Respiratory Therapy?

Earning your bachelor’s degree in respiratory therapy can open the door to advanced clinical and leadership roles. Experienced therapists often pursue this credential to move into supervisory or management positions, clinical education, research, case management, or healthcare administration. Across the industry, more hospitals and healthcare organizations now prefer or require a bachelor’s degree for leadership and specialized positions, making it a strategic step for long-term career growth.

UC’s online program is designed for working professionals who want to build on their existing expertise while maintaining their current role. The curriculum deepens your understanding of advanced practice, patient outcomes, and healthcare policy, preparing you to lead respiratory care teams and drive improvements in clinical performance. With the flexibility to learn on your schedule and the support of UC’s experienced faculty, you can strengthen your professional impact and position yourself for continued advancement.

The Bachelor in Respiratory Therapy program is designed for professionals that have an associate’s degree and have hands-on experience in respiratory therapy. A Bachelor’s degree will help advance your career or position you for a Master’s degree.

• The University of Cincinnati has online enrollment services advisors (ESAs) available to help learners complete their application and get started in the Online Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy program.  If you have not already, please use the request information form above to be connected to an ESA today! 

• Upon starting the program, a dedicated student success coordinator (SSC) will be assigned to all learners to help them achieve their academic goals. You will be introduced to your SSC as your first semester approaches, and they will be your primary liaison to the university all the way through graduation. 

• In order to apply to University of Cincinnati as a transfer student, learners must submit a transfer application form and have official transcripts sent directly to UC from all prior institutions they’ve attended. 

• To request these transcripts, please contact your previous institution’s registrar and ask them to send the official transcript to the University of Cincinnati via an approved electronic method such as Parchment, eScrip-Safe, National Student Clearinghouse, or similar services. This is the preferred method. If electronic submission isn’t available, transcripts may be mailed to the Office of Admissions at: 

• University of Cincinnati 

• Office of Admissions 

• PO Box 210091 

• Cincinnati, OH 45221 

Transfer Articulation Agreements & Pathways 

UC has developed clear pathways (articulation agreements) between select associate degrees at partner institutions and compatible bachelor’s degrees at UC. Each pathway includes a Transfer Degree Map that offers a semester-by-semester course comparison to assist with your transfer planning. 

• Learners who are currently enrolled at University of Cincinnati can apply to enter the online BSRT program by following the major change instructions found on the Office of the Registrar’s website. 

• Past UC students who have not attended any other institutions since their departure can apply to be readmitted to the university and enter the online BSRT program by following the readmission instructions found on the Office of the Registrar’s website. 

• Both of these applications are subject to the same admissions criteria listed above. 

• Due to this program’s professional licensure requirement, students are not eligible to complete the program while located outside of the United States. 

• Applicants with college coursework completed outside the United States are required to provide a course-by-course foreign credential evaluation for each college or university you attended outside the United States. This evaluation must be obtained from a service listed on the NACES member website. 

The Respiratory Therapy, 500015, Bachelor of Science, University of Cincinnati 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 on-site visit.