Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care Online
This unique program enables you to develop advanced clinical practice attributes necessary to rise as a respiratory therapist. Finish your bachelor’s degree quickly and affordably online.
Now lower tuition to make your undergraduate journey even more affordable! $320 per credit hour with Path to Success Scholarship*
Program Overview
Read about our online B.S. in Respiratory Care program
The Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care (BSRC) online program from Northern Kentucky University, one of fewer than 30 bachelor's-level accredited degree advancement programs in the U.S., is designed for the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) professional with an associate degree in respiratory care. This online program enables you to advance your credentials as a respiratory care practitioner, keeping up with evolving industry trends and increasing your earnings potential.
This unique bachelor's degree online program enhances your foundational skills in healthcare research and management, health informatics, pathophysiology, and advanced critical care. The curriculum features research-based capstone courses tailored to a focus area of your choice and pertinent to your worksite.
In this online B.S. in Respiratory Care program, the overarching goal consistent with CoARC standards is to "provide graduates of entry into respiratory care professional practice degree programs with additional knowledge, skills, and attributes in leadership, management, education, research, or advanced clinical practice both to meet their current professional goals and to prepare them for practice as advanced degree respiratory therapists."
Graduates of this program will meet the following programmatic student learning outcomes:
- Professional Attributes: Students will demonstrate a high level of responsibility, ethical practice and behavior, awareness and responsiveness to diversity, and strict adherence to legal and regulatory requirements.
- Interpersonal and Inter-professional Communication: Students will demonstrate the ability to communicate, at the appropriate level, with patients, families, the public, and healthcare professionals in both written and oral forms.
- Practice-based Research: Students will demonstrate an ability to produce evidence-based research in their area of professional interest.
- Professional Leadership: Students will demonstrate, in an effective and ethical manner, the ability to lead a group of professionals promoting best practices and patient advocacy.
- Professional Attributes: Students will demonstrate a high level of responsibility, ethical practice and behavior, awareness and responsiveness to diversity, and strict adherence to legal and regulatory requirements.
- Interpersonal and Inter-professional Communication: Students will demonstrate the ability to communicate, at the appropriate level, with patients, families, the public, and healthcare professionals in both written and oral forms.
- Practice-based Research: Students will demonstrate an ability to produce evidence-based research in their area of professional interest.
- Professional Leadership: Students will demonstrate, in an effective and ethical manner, the ability to lead a group of professionals promoting best practices and patient advocacy.
As a graduate of this BSRC program, you will be prepared for a broad range of positions in healthcare-related organizations, such as:
- Senior Respiratory Therapist
- Medical Services Manager
- Medical Sales Executive
- Disease Manager
- Clinical Specialist
- Respiratory Therapy Director
- Senior Respiratory Therapist
- Medical Services Manager
- Medical Sales Executive
- Disease Manager
- Clinical Specialist
- Respiratory Therapy Director
Also available:
Northern Kentucky University offers a variety of healthcare programs online. Check out our other quality online healthcare programs.
Accreditation
The Bachelor of Science Respiratory Care Degree Advancement Program (CoARC program number 510011) at Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, KY, holds Provisional Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (www.coarc.com) until continuing accreditation has been awarded.
Tuition
Discover the value of our low-cost tuition
The BSRC online program offers the same affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition to in-state and out-of-state students. All fees are included in the total tuition cost. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. For additional information, visit the Financial Aid section on our FAQ page.
| Program | Per Credit Hour | University Fee Per Credit Hour |
|---|---|---|
| B.S. in Respiratory Care | $485 | $16 |
| With Path to Success Tuition* | $320 | $16 |
*The Path to Success Scholarship is available to first-time NKU OnlineA students only; existing students may not participate. The Scholarship cannot be combined with any other offer and is not available for the RN to BSN online program. Students who step out of the program for more than a year (thus requiring a new application) will no longer receive the offer; instead, they must pay the tuition or scholarship rate available at the time of new enrollment. Excludes some program-specific fees that will be divided and assessed by credit hour based on the number of hours taken. Tuition and fees subject to change at any time.
Tuition Breakdown:
Calendar
Add these key dates to your calendar
The BSRC is delivered in a convenient online format, with 7-week courses that start six times a year. View the calendar to find the best start date for you and be sure to note corresponding deadlines.
| Session | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Payment Due |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer 1 | 5/12/25 | 4/30/25 | 5/5/25 | 5/9/25 | 5/12/25 |
| Summer 2 | 6/30/25 | 6/18/25 | 6/23/25 | 6/27/25 | 6/30/25 |
| Fall 1 | 8/18/25 | 8/6/25 | 8/11/25 | 8/15/25 | 8/18/25 |
| Fall 2 | 10/15/25 | 10/2/25 | 10/7/25 | 10/10/25 | 10/15/25 |
Now enrolling:
Admissions
See how to apply for a bachelor’s in respiratory care
The admission process is the first step toward earning your BSRC online from NKU.
Admission Requirements:
- Official transcripts of all coursework from accredited institutions
- Associate degree from a CoARC-approved respiratory care program
- Minimum 2.5 GPA on cumulative undergraduate coursework
BSRC Online Admission Requirements
- Complete online application and pay $40 non-refundable application fee
- If you are an NKU alum or active/veteran military member, your application fee will be waived
- Current Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential from The National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC)
- Associate degree from a CoARC-approved respiratory care program*
- Minimum 2.5 GPA
*For Canadian applicants: All degree advancement students must have graduated from a CoARC-accredited Entry Into Respiratory Care Professional Practice degree program or hold the Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists (CSRT) RRT credential and the NBRC RRT credential prior to admission.
Applicants must meet all eligibility requirements for admission into NKU (refer to current NKU catalog); in addition to the program curriculum, students must meet the university Foundation of Knowledge requirements. All academic work must be evaluated by the NKU Admissions Office and the Respiratory Care Program Director.
Official documents may be mailed or emailed to:
Northern Kentucky UniversityOffice of Admissions
Lucas Administrative Center
400 Nunn Drive
Highland Heights, KY 41099
Have a question? Call us at 800-985-7215.
Courses
Take a look at the online curriculum for the respiratory care bachelor’s program
For the BSRC online program, you must complete the required core courses (30 credit hours) as well as general education courses for a total of 120 credit hours. The 120 hours may come from a combination of previous transfer credits (from an associate degree) and/or general education courses completed as corequisites with the online core courses. All courses are seven weeks in length.
Credit for prior learning acknowledges your experiences and can save you time and money on your degree.
You might be closer to graduation than you think!
