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.

Apply by 1/3/25
Start class 1/13/25 Apply Now

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 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.

Tuition $320 per credit hour*
Duration As few as 12 months
Credit Hours 30

Accreditation

COARC logo

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.

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Need More Information?

Call 800-985-7215

Call 800-985-7215

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.

Tuition Breakdown:

$320 Per Credit Hour*

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.

SessionProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlineRegistration DeadlinePayment Due
Fall 18/19/248/7/248/12/248/16/248/19/24
Fall 210/16/2410/3/2410/8/2410/11/2410/16/24
Spring 11/13/251/3/251/7/251/10/251/13/25
Spring 23/17/253/5/253/10/253/14/253/17/25
Summer 15/12/254/30/255/5/255/9/255/12/25
Summer 26/30/256/18/256/23/256/27/256/30/25

Now enrolling:

Apply Date 1/3/25
Class Starts 1/13/25
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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

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 University
Office of Admissions
Lucas Administrative Center
400 Nunn Drive
Highland Heights, KY 41099

[email protected]

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.

Students must take the following courses:
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
: Basic applied management functions in the healthcare setting to include personnel management and team leadership.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Overview of the research process for health care professions; historical development of research in health care; role of research in scientific advancement of health care; development of ability to critique clinical health care studies.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course covers advanced respiratory critical care skills including but not limited to: advanced mechanical ventilation, invasive an noninvasive airway management, waveform analysis and application, critical care procedures and diagnostics, medical critical care issues, and traumatic critical care issues. Pre-req: RSP 310 or admission to respiratory care degree advancement program
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is an introduction to concepts and trends in the health informatics field, both locally and nationally. Several areas will be introduced that will provide baseline knowledge for a health informaticist.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Focus on competencies for RRT practicing in the critical care setting; administration of specialty gases, advanced airway management and ventilation techniques, recognition of mechanisms of respiratory failure; end of life care; disaster preparation; anticipation of care based on pharmacologic agents, and other diagnostic procedures. Pre-req: RSP 350 or admission to respiratory care degree advancement program
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Concepts and applications related to advanced assessment procedures for patients with respiratory impairment; pulmonary rehabilitation, home health care, health assessment, smoking cessation, and health behavior and promotion. Pre-req: RSP 396 or admission to respiratory care degree advancement program
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Characteristics and learning styles of diverse populations of healthcare learners are examined. A variety of teaching methods that can be utilized by healthcare providers to promote optimal learning in different education settings including the online environment are presented and analyzed. Pre-req: Senior Standing or admissions to MSN program
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Review of the delivery of health care to patients with lung and heart disorders; students will review current scholarly literature to determine best practices in a multidisciplinary approach to case management.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 1.5
This course includes experiences in a chosen focus area (clinical, education, administrative, or population-based). This experience will culminate in a capstone project in the form of research or other scholarly activity that articulates the design, organization, statistics, and data analysis used; includes an oral and written presentation of the project. Repeatable: This course must be taken twice for a total of 3 credit hours. Pre-req: HSC 421, HSC 410, RSP 441, RSP 445, RSP 460
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course examines the role of the older adult in society; promotion of health, support of continued learning, right to peaceful death, theories of aging and ethical/legal concepts. It includes experiences with the older adult in the community; acute and long-term care settings.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Exploration of various global healthcare delivery systems. Discussion and research related to government regulation of healthcare services and evaluation of factors that influence the cost and quality of healthcare delivery.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course discusses the core to every organization—its people. Specific focus on interface between humans and organizations, ethical and legal responsibilities, attracting, developing, and retaining organizational members with competencies for success in global, virtual, diverse, and innovative organizations. Other themes: leader’s role in championing continuous learning/development, forming psychological contracts.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Overview of the U.S. healthcare system, both past and present. In-depth analysis of modern trends and obstacles of the U.S. healthcare system. Examine cultural competency and current cultural issues in healthcare. Pre-req: Senior standing or admission to MSN program

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!

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