Respiratory Care

The Bachelor of Science degree in Respiratory Care is a 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.

Building upon the foundation of an associate degree in respiratory therapy, the Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care is the solution for both students completing an associate degree and working respiratory therapists that wish to expand their career options. Our accredited completer program is offered in an accelerated format that offers 7-week courses and is completely online.

The program’s goal is to provide graduates 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.

Accreditation: Kent State University is an affiliate of the National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges and the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. The university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association. For additional information visit www.kent.edu/aal/accreditation.

The Kent State University at Ashtabula’s Bachelor of Science Degree in Respiratory Care, CoARC number 510014 holds Provisional Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care. (CoARC 264 Precision Blvd., Telford, TN 37690, USA, Telephone: 817-283-2835, www.coarc.com).

Program Structure

• 49 credits (Based on transfer credits from associates degree. Program requires 120 credits total)
• Start any semester
• Offered in accelerated format of 7-week courses
• Admission to the Respiratory Care major is selective. 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. Official transcript of associate degree. Minimum C grade in PSYC11762 (or equivalent)
• Graduate in as little as four semesters

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Incorporate theory, research, evidence, and best practices to enhance respiratory care practice.
• Understand leadership and management principles as it relates to the function and organizational structure of the respiratory care department.
• Understand the purpose and application of key elements of professionalism in the practice of respiratory care.
• Demonstrate techniques and strategies of teaching and learning of respiratory therapy utilized in various venues.
• 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.
• Apply critical thinking in the area of managing chronic disease and the impact healthcare professionals have on affecting positive patient population outcomes.
• Describe research methodology and design and their application to health science research and their application to everyday health care.
• Exhibit knowledge in specified areas of advanced respiratory care practice.
• Identify and analyze current contemporary issues in respiratory care and their impact on the profession and delivery of care.
• Understand information management and information systems, technology, and the human/technology interface utilized in professional healthcare practices.

Courses for the online BS in Respiratory Care prepare students to advance their careers into leadership roles in the field of respiratory care, or to transition into research and education. Topics include professional practice, leadership and management, educational instruction, research design, sleep medicine, chronic disease management, and patient care technologies. Students must also take required courses across psychology, information fluency and statistics, and they must complete a 3-credit practicum under the guidance of a registered respiratory therapy practitioner.

All undergraduate students must also complete courses that satisfy the Kent State university requirements in order to graduate.

View All Course Requirements

Ohio Residents

Non-Ohio Residents

¹The flat-rate semester fee of $3,585.10 for LOWER division courses and $4,201.50 for UPPER division courses applies to full-time Ohio resident undergraduate students taking between 12-18 credit hours per semester. The approximate tuition cost for this completer program is calculated at students completing the program in 4 semesters but is dependent upon the number of transfer credits. An average of 2 semesters of LOWER division courses ($7,170.20) and 2 semesters of UPPER division courses ($8,403.00) totaling $15,573.20 was used for this calculation. This is only an estimate.

²The flat-rate semester fee of $3,585.10 for LOWER division courses and $4,201.50 for UPPER division courses applies to full-time non-Ohio resident undergraduate students enrolled in a fully online degree program and taking between 12-18 credit hours per semester, PLUS a surcharge of $10 per credit hour of actual credits taken (between 12-18 semester credits or $120-$180). The approximate tuition cost for this completer program was calculated at students completing the program in 4 semesters but is dependent upon the number of transfer credits. An average of 2 semester of LOWER division courses ($7,170.20) and 2 semesters of UPPER division courses ($8,403.00) totaling $15,573.20, PLUS $150 per-credit-hour surcharge each semester, ($600) was used for this calculation. This is only an estimate.

For part-time semesters: The $325.80 per-credit-hour tuition rate for LOWER division courses and $381.90 for UPPER division courses applies to part-time Ohio resident undergraduate students, PLUS a $10 per-credit-hour surcharge for non-Ohio resident undergraduate students, taking fewer than 12 credit hours per semester.

An additional Distance Learning fee for all students enrolled in a distance learning course is $15 per credit hour. Program tuition and costs are estimated and subject to change.

Actual tuition costs may vary based on a student’s chosen academic plan. For a complete listing of tuition rates for approved online programs please contact the One Stop for Student Services at 330-672-6000, or via our website Contact Us link.

The total program costs are estimates and are not final or binding. Program costs are based on standard fees, but fees may vary based on the actual classes taken.  Kent State University disclaims any liability arising from the use of or reliance upon these program cost estimates by any person.  Program costs are subject to change without notice.