Registered Respiratory Therapist to Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care Online

Prepare to practice as an advanced-degree respiratory therapist and help treat the diverse needs of patients with respiratory conditions effectively, from premature infants to the elderly.

Apply by: 12/30/24
Start class: 1/13/25
Apply Now

Program Overview

Here’s a high-level look at the online RRT to bachelor’s in respiratory care

Position yourself for a rewarding career with the Registered Respiratory Therapist to Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care (RRT to BSRC) from Texas State University. Currently, fewer than 10% of respiratory therapists in the U.S. hold a BSRC. As medical technology advances and the population ages, the demand for bachelor’s-prepared respiratory therapists will continue to rise. Earn this affordable degree to elevate your qualifications and position yourself ahead of the workforce competition.

Therapists with an associate degree in respiratory care can complete this online program to earn a BSRC degree. Texas State’s respiratory care program is the largest in the country, and you will learn from faculty who are internationally recognized leaders in the field. This program provides professional development in critical care, research, education, leadership, and management. The 100% online coursework allows practicing respiratory therapists from across the state and country to complete their degree while working.

As a student of this respiratory care bachelor’s online program, you will gain:

  • Advanced competencies in leadership and management to oversee teams, manage respiratory care departments, and implement best practices in clinical settings
  • Expertise in education and research enabling you to contribute to the development of best practices, educate future respiratory therapists, and engage in scholarly research that advances the field
  • Preparation for advanced clinical practice so that you can handle complex cases, adopt new technologies, and provide high-level care
  • Advanced competencies in leadership and management to oversee teams, manage respiratory care departments, and implement best practices in clinical settings
  • Expertise in education and research enabling you to contribute to the development of best practices, educate future respiratory therapists, and engage in scholarly research that advances the field
  • Preparation for advanced clinical practice so that you can handle complex cases, adopt new technologies, and provide high-level care

Also available:

We offer a variety of student-centered online degrees that can help you advance. Explore other healthcare programs.

per credit hour $404*
Transfer Credits Up to 90
Credit Hours 120
Apply Now

Need More Information?

Call 833.690.1245 today!

Call 833.690.1245 today!

Tuition

Invest in a pay-as-you-go, quality online program

Tuition for the RRT to bachelor’s in respiratory care is affordable and paid by the course, so you can achieve your academic goals while remaining within your budget.

Tuition breakdown

Per Course $1,212
Per Credit Hour $404*

Ready to take the next step
toward earning your degree?

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Calendar

Check your program’s timeline here

The Texas State RRT to B.S. in Respiratory Care is delivered in a convenient online learning format that offers maximum flexibility for working adults like you. Choose the start date that fits your goals.

TermStart DateApp DeadlineDocument DeadlineRegistration DeadlineTuition DeadlineClass End DateTerm Length
Fall 2 202410/15/2410/1/2410/8/2410/15/2410/15/2412/6/248 weeks
Spring 1 20251/13/2512/30/241/6/251/13/251/13/253/3/258 weeks
Spring 2 20253/4/252/18/252/25/253/4/253/4/255/7/258 weeks

Now Enrolling

Apply by 12/30/24
Start Class 1/13/25

Admissions

Your RRT to respiratory care bachelor’s degree checklist—get ready to apply!

Apply to the RRT to respiratory care bachelor’s program quickly and easily with our streamlined admission process. Review the admission requirements below and take the next step toward your professional goals.


To be eligible to earn your RRT to bachelor’s in respiratory care from Texas State University, you must have the following:

University admission:

All applicants must:

  • Submit a completed application and all supporting documents—including official transcripts from your high school and any post-secondary institutions attended—to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions by the stated document deadline
  • Pay the nonrefundable application fee of $75 ($90 for international*)
  • Be eligible to re-enter all colleges and/or universities previously attended

Department of Respiratory Care admission:

In addition to being admitted by the university, you must submit a separate application to the Department of Respiratory Care. Admission is competitive, and enrollment is limited.

  • Minimum 2.25 overall GPA
  • Associate Degree from a nationally accredited college
    • If you were accredited through a military program and do not hold an Associate of Applied Science degree, you may be accepted as a transfer student
  • RRT to BSRC Application Packet
    • Application
    • 3 Professional References
    • Written statement which answers the question: Why did you choose the RRT to BSRC Online Completion Program at Texas State University to achieve this career goal?
    • RRT credential from NBRC – Submit a copy of credential verification through NBRC or a copy of the RRT Registration Certificate
      • If no RRT, it may be waived until 3rd semester of RC curriculum

Submit Application Packet by mail to:
Program Director - RRT-to-BSRC
Department of Respiratory Care - Texas State University
200 Bobcat Way, Willow Hall - Room 214
Round Rock, TX 78665

  • Transfer students should review RRT to BSRC admission, progression, and graduation requirements to inform transfer decisions

Transcripts may be sent electronically to [email protected] or mailed to:

TXST One Stop
Texas State University – Undergraduate Admissions
601 University Dr.
San Marcos, TX 78666

*Texas State defines an international student as anyone who is in a non-immigrant visa status, including H-1B visa holders. If you are not a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, refugee, or asylee, you would be classified as an international student and should complete the international application for admission.

Admission Requirements

  • High school diploma
  • Online application
  • Official transcripts

Courses

Look over the degree plan for the online RRT to BSRC

To graduate from the RRT to BSRC degree, you must meet all admission requirements and must obtain an RRT certificate prior to applying for graduation. Failure to obtain an RRT certificate will delay your completion of the BSRC degree program.

Students must take 42 credit hours of general education courses to meet the degree plan requirements.

This post-RRT (Registered Respiratory Therapist) licensure program requires 120 credit hours to graduate: 12 respiratory care courses for 32 credit hours (block transfer of 35 credit hours, 11 credit hours in general education courses and 42 credit hours in respiratory care prerequisite courses). Students receive prior learning credit of 35 credit hours for completion of RRT credential from the National Board of Respiratory Care prior to enrolling in the final semester. Must have graduated from a regionally accredited community college.

Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 2
This course provides an introduction to applied experimental design, research ethics, and data analysis focusing on the respiratory care profession. Students will participate in each step of the research process, from developing a personal research hypothesis and research design through IRB submission.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 2
This course is designed to comprehensively examine the dynamic evolution of respiratory care as a profession. The role of the respiratory care professional in the areas of leadership, management, and professional ethics will be explored with regards to the profession’s impact on legislation, regulation, and politics.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides an in-depth study of specific adult mechanical ventilators addressing traditional and proposed ventilator classification, various methods of operation, parameter interrelationships and ventilator patient monitoring. Lectures and class activities will focus on ventilator analysis of several contemporary volume-, time-, pressure- and flow-cycled ventilators with advanced graphics interpretation required.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to introduce students to the medical, ethical, and insurance reimbursement issues of pulmonary rehabilitation, homecare, and sleep diagnostic facilities. The role of therapists in case management, treatment requirements, and discharge planning along with the impact of legislation, regulations, and politics will be explored.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 2
This course is a study of the research process from a review of research design to methodology implementation including data collection, statistical analysis, and presentation of a research proposal on a topic in the respiratory care discipline. The course provides direct research experience culminating in a research paper and presentation. 
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is an advanced study of cardiovascular hemodynamic measurements. Normal cardiovascular physiology and measures are examined, as well as variations caused by disease. Current clinical trends and practices in hemodynamic procedures are also explored.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The course examines various pulmonary diagnostic techniques and the pathophysiology associated with each diagnostic measurement in disease management and clinical research. The course will provide an in-depth presentation of clinical indications for various diagnostic analyses including the ethical responsibilities associated with clinical research.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 2
The course offers an in-depth description of common therapeutic modalities and treatment protocols used to offset the anatomic alterations and pathophysiologic mechanisms activated by selected disorders. Students will develop an understanding of how therapies work to offset the anatomic alterations of lungs caused by disease. 
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course introduces the respiratory care student to the role that respiratory therapists play within the interdisciplinary healthcare team. The course will allow students to gain experience in developing and applying strategies to improve patient outcomes through the inclusion of the respiratory therapist with various appropriate healthcare disciplines.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course introduces the respiratory care student to sleep medicine and polysomnography. The course will present topics on sleep stages, sleep architecture, and sleep disorders. Basic and advanced treatment options of selected sleep disorders will be discussed. 
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course will provide the Respiratory Care student with advanced knowledge on the management of the neonatal patient in the critical care environment. The course will expose the student to advanced therapeutics and mechanical ventilation strategies. Course content will prepare the student for the role of neonatal specialist. 
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides professional enrichment for practitioners with a conceptual foundation for adult critical care medicine. The course will provide an in-depth presentation of advanced respiratory therapy therapeutics and procedures caring for adults in the intensive care unit. 

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