B.S. in Respiratory Therapy | UNC Charlotte (2024)

Boost Your Career With Your Bachelor's Degree in Respiratory Therapy

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte’s bachelor’s degree in respiratory therapy is for graduates of associate-level programs who have achieved the RRT credential. Our respiratory therapy degree program will help you develop additional expertise in evidence-based research, advanced critical care, management, leadership and administration.

Important to know! you MUST already have your RRT credential and AAS in order to be admissible. Check out the admissions tab or contact our enrollment specialists for more details.

Don't put earning your B.S. degree off any longer

Now is the time to earn your bachelor’s degree in respiratory therapy. Take the next step toward becoming a leader, manager, researcher or advanced clinical practice provider.

Life is busy. We get it. Developed in conjunction with working respiratory therapists who understand the demands of the job, our program is offered 100 percent online. As a working professional, you can earn your bachelor’s degree in as little as 12 months if you enroll full-time.

Can’t do full-time? Enroll part-time and earn your degree in just two years.

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UNC Charlotte B.S. in Respiratory Therapy

"If I could say one thing it would be 'don't wait.' You're always going to be too busy. Life is always going to be complicated. They're so flexible. They're willing to work with your schedule. They understand that life happens. This program is for working respiratory therapists, so they know that you're busy, and they are going to do everything they can to get you to finish that degree."

"I really enjoyed the discussion forums because it gave me a chance to interact with respiratory therapists from different cities, different hospitals and all different specialties. We were able to share our knowledge in all these different areas. It was just a great way to learn from other respiratory therapists in my field."

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Connect with an Enrollment Specialist today to learn more! Complete the For More Information box on this page or contact us using the links below.

Not the right degree for you? Consider these related programs:

• Graduate Certificate in Respiratory Care Clinical Concepts
• Graduate Certificate in Respiratory Care Leadership
• Master of Science in Respiratory Care (MSRC)

Application Deadlines:

• July 1 (fall)
• November 15 (spring)
• May 1 (summer)

Admissions & Requirements:

To be considered for admission to the Respiratory Therapy Program, you must meet the following minimum admission eligibility requirements:

• Hold a current respiratory care license in good standing from North Carolina or in the state of current employment (if required by the issuing state)
• Hold an active Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential issued by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC)
• Graduated from a CoARC accredited associate degree respiratory therapy program taken at a college or university accredited by an accepted accrediting body
• Transfer GPA 2.0 or better while earning at least a C in all coursework

The Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy at UNC Charlotte (program #500001) has been provisionally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care.

Admission to UNC Charlotte is independent of admission to the Respiratory Therapy Program. Acceptance by undergraduate admissions and the Department of Applied Physiology, Health & Clinical Sciences is required for this program.

Steps to Apply for Admission to UNC Charlotte as a Transfer Student

• Complete the application as transfer student.Select Respiratory Therapy as the major.
• Provide the following credentials:
  • NBRC Registered Respiratory Therapist credential with expiration date (or date for exam)
  • State RCB license with expiration date
  • Basic life support or CPR certification
• Provide all post-secondary transcripts, a transcript from each school.
• High School transcripts are not required with an associate degree.

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Curriculum

RESP 3101: Leadership and Professionalism in Respiratory Therapy (3)
RESP 3102: Extended Services in Respiratory Therapy (3)
RESP 3205: Cardiopulmonary Pharmacotherapy (3)
RESP 3206: Critical Care Monitoring and Mechanical Ventilation (3)
RESP 4103: Evidence-Based Practice in Respiratory Care (3)
RESP 4107: Teaching Fundamentals and Clinical Education (3)
RESP 4108: Health Outcomes and Quality Assessment: A Management Perspective (3)
RESP 4208: Critical Care Pathophysiological Concepts for Respiratory Therapy (3)

Electives (Choose 2 courses from the following - 6 credit hours)
RESP 3108: Introduction to Research Models in Respiratory Care (3)
RESP 4205: Information Technology in Respiratory Care (3)
RESP 4206: Health Communications: Ethical and Legal Implications (3)
RESP 4410: Respiratory Therapy Practicum (3)

RESP Credits Required: 30
RRT Credential: 26 credit by exam hours
AAS Degree: 64 transfer hours

*Rates are subject to change*

Resident:

• $189.48per credit hour

Outside of NC Non-Resident:

• $348.32per credit hour

Non Resident:

• $800.40per credit hour​

Find more information regarding tuition and fees here ».

WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH YOUR BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN RESPIRATORY THERAPY?

With your bachelor's degree in respiratory therapy from UNC Charlotte you’ll be prepared to excel and lead in the field. Our graduates go on to work for major health care employers like Atrium Health, Novant Health, Wake Forest Baptist Health, Duke Health, New Hanover Health Network, UNC Health and others.

Our respiratory therapy degree graduates hold job titles such as:

• Registered respiratory therapist
• Director of respiratory therapy
• Respiratory care manager
• Respiratory care practitioner
• Clinical specialist
• Director of respiratory care
• Respiratory therapy supervisor

Enhance your earning power and career growth

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual median salary for respiratory therapists is $61,830. The highest 10 percent earn more than $95,540. Demand for respiratory therapists is expected to grow by 14 percent through 2031, much greater than the average growth rate for all jobs.

Lightcast finds the average estimated salary for UNC Charlotte BSRT alumni is higherat $79,053. This figure is based on the median salary for UNC Charlotte BSRT graduates in their county, adjusted for age and degree level.

Respiratory care practitioners, managers, supervisors and directors can expect strong job growth and increased compensation. According to salary.com, the annual median salary for respiratory care managers in North Carolina is $98,439. The average median salary for respiratory care directors in North Carolina is $115,055.

Why Earn Your B.S. in Respiratory Therapy From UNC Charlotte?

If you have more to offer your employer or the field of respiratory therapy, you owe it to yourself to earn your bachelor’s degree. Earning your respiratory therapy degree from UNC Charlotte offers you advantages such as:

• Earn your degree fully online, in as little as 12 months. No traveling to campus. No classes at inconvenient times. Learn around your busy schedule and your busy life.
• Learn from faculty who know the job. Our accomplished faculty includes respiratory therapists and subject matter experts who get you. They’re flexible and caring, and will mentor you every step of the way.
• Dive deep into career-enhancing coursework. Our curriculum will increase your skills in professional writing, teaching strategies, health care administration, evidence-based research, critical appraisal skills and advanced critical care management.
• Stand out with a respected, top-tier degree. UNC Charlotte is ranked #4 in the nation for online bachelor's degrees by US News & World Report. We have more than 700 alumni working as managers, directors, faculty and bedside clinicians.
• Get a head start taking your education even further. Consider applying for our Master of Science in Respiratory Care (MSRC) Early Entry Program and begin working toward your graduate degree while completing your bachelor’s degree.