The University of Cincinnati programs provide registered respiratory therapists with paths toward leadership, management, and educator roles through flexible online coursework.
RT’s Three Key Takeaways:
- Career Advancement Paths: The programs are designed to help registered respiratory therapists transition into leadership, management, and educator roles within the healthcare industry.
- Flexible Online Format: Both the bachelor and master of science degrees are offered online to accommodate working adults who need to maintain employment while furthering their education.
- Accredited Specialized Training: The programs hold provisional accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) and offer concentrations in areas such as health informatics and healthcare administration.
The University of Cincinnati (UC) is offering bachelor and master of science degrees in respiratory therapy to prepare clinicians for leadership, management, and education roles. These programs are designed for registered respiratory therapists (RRTs) and certified respiratory therapists (CRTs) seeking to advance their professional standing within the healthcare system.
The Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy (BSRT) provides professional RRTs and CRTs with skills in leadership management, education, and research. The 50-credit curriculum includes core courses in community health, healthcare documentation, and aging, followed by advanced courses and a capstone project. An accelerated option is available for students planning to pursue the Master of Science in Respiratory Therapy (MSRT), allowing them to take graduate-level courses at the undergraduate tuition rate.
“What I am learning and what I have learned is WELL worth the hard work and sacrifice of time and money,” said danna w, bs respiratory therapy student, in a news release. “I am so excited to be part of the promotion of this field as well. I believe in our field, and I am an eager advocate for the requirement that all RTs hold a bachelor’s degree.”
For those who already hold a bachelor’s degree, the MSRT program offers specialized tracks in health informatics, healthcare administration, and higher education. The graduate program consists of six core respiratory classes, a capstone course, and concentration-specific coursework. It is designed for working adults to complete in under two years.
Both programs hold provisional accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). This status indicates that the programs have demonstrated compliance with standards through a self-study report and an initial on-site visit. CoARC utilizes an outcomes-based process to document program effectiveness through performance indicators.
“The flexibility of the program allows me to get a degree while on active military duty,” said a pickett, bs respiratory therapy student, in a news release.
The goal of the programs is to provide graduates with the attributes necessary to meet professional goals and prepare for practice as advanced degree respiratory therapists, according to the university. The coursework and experiences emphasize the technical and academic competencies required of a respiratory therapist as well as the ethics and professionalism standards outlined by the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC).
The curriculum for the master’s degree includes courses such as leadership theory for healthcare, quality improvement in the delivery of respiratory care, and evidenced-based practice in respiratory care research. Students in the healthcare administration concentration study health systems management, policy, and regulation, while the health informatics track focuses on information systems, technology, and workflow process analysis.
The programs are supported by a team of enrollment services advisors and student success coordinators who assist with the application process and academic tracking. Admission requirements for the MSRT include at least two years of professional respiratory therapy experience, a narrative essay, and letters of recommendation. For the BSRT, the university reviews all college-level credit for transfer eligibility, including coursework from CoARC-accredited programs.
Source
- https://www.online.uc.edu/degrees-programs/bachelors/bs-respiratory-therapy.html
- https://www.online.uc.edu/degrees-programs/bachelors-required/masters/ms-respiratory-therapy.html
