Respiratory Care - B.S. Download to print

The Bachelor of Science degree in Respiratory Care is a fully online completer program designed to prepare qualified respiratory therapists with the necessary knowledge and skills to develop professionalism and advance their careers in the areas of leadership, management, education, research, disease and sleep medicine utilizing best practices in order to advance the practice of respiratory care.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' long-term employment projection, 2012-2020, reports a 19 percent increase for respiratory therapists (with 22,700 annual job openings), faster than average among all occupations nationwide.

Applicants must hold an active credential for certified respiratory therapist (CRT) or registered respiratory therapist (RRT) and an associate degree from a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy/care program with a minimum 2.000 overall GPA. Applicants who are actively enrolled and in good standing in the second year of a CoARC-accredited entry-level associate degree in respiratory therapy/care or are acively enrolled and in good standing in the third year of a CoARC-accredited bachelor's degree in respiratory therapy/care may be conditionally enrolled in the program.

All seven of Kent State’s regional campuses are accessible to students who hold a high school diploma or GED. Admission decisions are based on cumulative grade point average, ACT and/or SAT scores, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum and grade trends. Check with the Regional Campus Admissions Offices to determine application requirements, as they may differ among campuses.

For more information about admission criteria for transfer, transitioning and former students, please visit the admissions website.

Admission to professional study is a selective process. To be admitted to professional study, students must meet the following:

• Official transcript of associate degree and evidence of earned CRT or RRT credential.
• Evidence of current active license to practice respiratory therapy. 

Minimum 120 credit hours; 39 upper-division hours; minimum 2.000 overall and major GPA.

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Incorporate theory, research, evidence and best practices to enhance respiratory care practice.
2. Understand the function and organizational structure of the respiratory care department from a management perspective.
3. Understand leadership principles as a leader or team member.
4. Demonstrate techniques and strategies of teaching and learning of respiratory therapy utilized in various venues.
5. Identify a variety of sleep and breathing disorders and exhibit a fundamental understanding of the application and interpretation of sleep studies in the diagnosis of related disorders.
6. Understand the pathophysiology and management of several common diseases employing critical thinking and the development of care plans utilizing best practices.
7. Describe research methodology and design and their application to health science research and their application to everyday health care.
8. Exhibit knowledge in specified areas of advanced respiratory care practice.
9. Identify and analyze current contemporary issues in respiratory care and their impact on the profession and delivery of care.
10. Understand relevant and current healthcare policy and delivery systems.
11. Identify information management and information systems, technology and the human/technology interface utilized in professional healthcare practice.

Committee for Accreditation for Respiratory Care