Help treat asthma, emphysema and cystic fibrosis

With a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy from Carlow University, you will receive a combination of academic and clinical training to master specialized respiratory skills to help patients with cardiopulmonary disorders. Respiratory therapists help treat asthma, emphysema and cystic fibrosis, among other disorders and health conditions. You will be trained to become an active clinician and upon completion, you will be eligible to take the National Board of Respiratory Care Examinations.

Degree:

Bachelor of Science

Delivery:

On campus, some online

Campus:

Oakland 

Transfer credits:

Up to 90 credits

Respiratory Therapy curriculum

You will learn the fundamentals of respiratory care, relevant equipment, and patient management. You will gain an understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the cardiopulmonary system. You will learn about mechanical ventilation concepts in both classroom and laboratory settings, and what happens during adult, pediatric and neonatal cardiac arrest.

Required courses include Respiratory Care Pharmacology, Respiratory Care in Alternate Settings and Cardiopulmonary Pathophysiology, plus courses in anatomy and physiology. In a practicum, you will work in a clinical facility caring for patients who are receiving drug aerosol and other treatments.

Quick facts

  • Learn in a laboratory setting and work on rotations with professional partners
  • Prepare yourself for an in-demand career with opportunity for growth
  • Master specialized respiratory skills
Students in class standing next to simulation patient and smiling

Career opportunities for Respiratory Care

With a bachelor’s in Respiratory Therapy from Carlow, you’ll be prepared to work in a hospital, including the ICU, emergency room, and newborn and pediatric care units.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment rate for respiratory therapists is expected to increase 19% over the next 10 years, largely driven by the medical needs of an aging population.

Sitting at a table, a hand is holding a pen over accreditation papers.

Accreditation

The Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care program, CoARC program number 200617, BS degree, Pittsburgh, PA, holds Provisional Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). This status signifies that a program with an Approval of Intent has demonstrated sufficient compliance with the Standards (through submission of an acceptable Provisional Accreditation Self Study Report (PSSR) and any other documentation required by the CoARC, as well as satisfactory completion of an initial on-site visit), to be allowed to admit students. It is recognized as an accredited program by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC), which provides enrolled students who complete the program with eligibility for the Respiratory Care Credentialing Examination(s). The program will remain on Provisional Accreditation until it achieves Continuing Accreditation.

Visit CoARC website (https://coarc.com/)

CoARC accredits respiratory therapy education programs in the United States. To achieve this end, it utilizes an ‘outcomes based’ process. Programmatic outcomes are performance indicators that reflect the extent to which the educational goals of the program are achieved and by which program effectiveness is documented.

View CoARC outcomes (https://coarc.com/students/programmatic-outcomes-data/)

The goals of the Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care program are:

  1. To prepare graduates with demonstrated competence in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains of respiratory care practice as performed by registered respiratory therapists.
  2. To prepare leaders for the field of respiratory care by including curricular content with objectives related to the acquisition of skills in management, education, research and evidence-based practice.

Admission requirements and application process

  • Submit an application for admission. It is free to apply.
  • Request that official transcripts from all current and previous institutions you’ve attended are sent directly to the Carlow University Office of Admissions.
  • First-time, first-year undergraduate student
    • GPA only: minimum 3.00 cumulative high school GPA
    • GPA & test scores: minimum 2.50 cumulative high school GPA with one of the following:
      • SAT score 920+
      • ACT score 17+
      • CLT score 57+
  • Transfer student: Minimum 2.500 cumulative college GPA
Apply

anytime

Start terms:

Fall, Spring & Summer

Liz Stadelman
Olivia Miller, ’21, biology major and runner on the track & field/cross country team.

Carlow taught what she needed to be successful

Liz Stadelman ’19 said her Carlow professors stressed the importance of learning neonatal heart dysfunctions, how to properly read an EKG and every cardiac normal value needed to properly evaluate cardiac illnesses. “This unit is by far the most intricate and difficult to work in, but my education from Carlow University has given me the necessary experience needed to succeed. I am forever thankful for my professors who truly challenged me to be the best Respiratory Therapist I could be.”

Respiratory Therapy faculty

Contact Admissions

If you are interested in this major, our Admissions team is available to help you with the next steps, including scheduling an on-campus visit or attending an upcoming event.

© Copyright 2023 Carlow University. All rights reserved.