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Respiratory Therapy degree advancement track

Degree Type
  • Bachelor of Science
Location
  • Online
Format
  • Online

Overview

100% Online Track

The Respiratory Therapy degree advancement track in the B.S. in Respiratory Therapy program is specifically designed to meet the needs of practicing respiratory therapists who have already completed or are anticipating completing an accredited respiratory care program with an entry into respiratory care professional practice degree. It meets the needs of individuals who wish to obtain advanced training in Respiratory Care, advance their knowledge of educational and managerial theories, and/or bridge to a graduate degree in Physician Assistant, MSRT, MBA and more.

student in respiratory therapy

What makes the Respiratory Therapy degree advancement track different?

  1. Your Baccalaureate Degree – Your Way. This fully online, customizable curriculum gives you to take the coursework important to you with tracks in pre-Physician Assistant, Healthcare Management, Health Sciences and more.
  2. Length of Completion – Accepting up to 80 transferable credit hours and awarding you a additional 10 credit hours for your documented excellence by obtaining the RRT credential and service within the field, this degree has the ability to be completed within a single year. 
  3. Experience of Instruction – Every instructor have been carefully selected due to their accomplishments and experience and carry a wealth of experience to help you obtain your goals
  4. Financial Affordability – As a Virginia university, we pride ourselves in making this next step education affordable, making this one of the most financially feasible curriculum in the country.
  5. Expert Advising – Every student is assigned a advisor who is a dedicated, full time faculty member that has been in your exact same situation. We are determined to assist you through your plan of study and see you reach your  goals.

Program Overview

This fully online curriculum [PDF] emphasizes:

  • The history, current state, and future direction of the field of respiratory therapy.
  • The evolution and current state of credentialing, licensing, directional organizations and related legal issues.
  • Landmark studies regarding clinical practice and the direction of the field.
  • Educational standards, techniques, methods, theory and designs used within the educational domain of Respiratory Therapy.
  • Evidence-based techniques and procedures that promote effective departmental management and leadership within the respiratory therapy field.
  • Principles of research-based practice in the field of respiratory therapy.
  • The degree culminates in a capstone course in which the student integrates and synthesizes core concepts of respiratory therapy into a managerial, educational, or research project.

Program Goal and Student Learning Outcomes

Program Goal 
To provide graduates of entry into respiratory care professional practice degree programs with 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.

Expected Student Learning Outcomes (ESLO)
The following ESLOs are the specific skills, knowledge, and abilities that students are expected to acquire by the end of the program. These ESLOs are aligned with the program goal and are used to guide teaching, learning, and assessment. They clarify what students can do after completing this program, and they provide a framework for evaluating the effectiveness of this program.

Upon Completion of this Degree Advancement Plan of Study, the graduate will:

  • ESLO #1
    Design research, critically analyze literature, apply appropriate methods, interpret data, and communicate effectively and ethically in written and verbal form.
  • ESLO #2
    Apply diverse teaching methods, design effective instruction, and adapt strategies to improve student engagement and learning.
  • ESLO #3
    Demonstrate effective leadership and management skills, make strategic decisions, motivate teams, and manage organizational change to achieve goals.

Salaries and Career Path

Multiple national agencies report the annual salary for respiratory therapists between $66,580 to $78,897 with top earners (80th to 100th percentile) making between $100,000 to $134,500 per year.  Most individuals within the higher percentiles have obtained more advanced degrees. 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of Respiratory Therapists is expected to increase by up to 26% in coming years.

This degree begins the journey to your educational, managerial, advanced practice, or prescribing provider position of the future.

Admission Requirements

Graduation or anticipated graduation (within one term) from an accredited Associate of Science (AS) or an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Respiratory Therapy with a GPA of 2.5 or above.

Accreditation

The Degree Advancement Respiratory Therapy program at Radford University is accredited through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) and will be seeking accreditation from the Commission On Accreditation for Respiratory Care (COARC).

Program Catalog

Contact Us

Chase Poulsen, PhD, RRT-NPS, ACCS
Chair, Department of Clinical Health Professions
Associate Professor and Program Director

Phone:

Office: 540-831-1392

Cell: 540-581-7319

Ready to Study at Radford?

We want to get to know you better and we are excited that you are ready to take your next step and learn more about us. We are here to help you and look forward to working with you during your college search process.