Top Schools for Respiratory Therapy Bachelor's Degree Programs
A Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Respiratory Therapy qualifies graduates to treat patients for cardiopulmonary disorders, such as pneumonia, emphysema and asthma. Keep reading this article to learn about three of the top U.S. schools where you can study respiratory therapy.
What Should I Look For In A Top Respiratory Therapy School?
Some of the best programs combine classroom learning with hands-on training in clinical settings to best prepare potential respiratory therapists for this critical field in health care. Reputable programs are accredited through the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). Students may also look for schools that offer program specializations.
<h2 id="section---WhatAreThreeOfTheTopSchools">What Are Three of the Top Schools?</h2><h3 id="section---UniversityOfKansasKansasCityKS">University of Kansas - Kansas City, KS</h3><p>The University of Kansas School of Allied Health confers a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Respiratory Care. There are programs available for students who have completed the first two years of undergraduate prerequisite study or for students who are already registered respiratory therapists but don't yet hold a bachelor's degree. You may specialize in education, management, sleep disorders, pulmonary rehabilitation, cardiopulmonary diagnostics, perinatology, hyperbaric oxygen therapy or adult critical care. The respiratory care program also offers hands-on clinical training and the most experienced faculty in the field.
</p><p><i>U.S. News and World Report (USNWR)</i> ranked the University of Kansas 61st for the top public schools, as of 2019 and the 129th school among national universities. The university was also tied for 67th in best medical schools for research and 41st for best medical schools in primary care.
</p><ul><li>Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Respiratory Care
</li></ul><h3 id="section---GeorgiaStateUniversityAtlantaGA">Georgia State University - Atlanta, GA</h3><p>At Georgia State University's (GSU) College of Health and Human Sciences, individuals can earn a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Respiratory Therapy. You have to complete the first two years of prerequisite work before applying to the program; after starting in your junior year, the program lasts five semesters. Students benefit from a combination of classroom learning and hands-on experience at clinical sites in the Atlanta area. Courses in the program include clinical cardiopulmonary physiology, pulmonary diagnostics, respiratory care pharmacology, ventilatory support, neonatal respiratory care and long-term respiratory care.
</p><ul><li>Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Respiratory Therapy
</li></ul><h3 id="section---UniversityOfAlabamaBirminghamAL">University of Alabama - Birmingham, AL</h3><p>Students at the University of Alabama at Birmingham's (UAB) School of Health Professions can pursue a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Respiratory Therapy. The program consists of two years of pre-professional study and two years of professional residency. Courses in the professional phase of the program include pulmonary pathology, mechanical ventilation, perinatal and pediatric respiratory therapy, asthma care and critical care monitoring. Through your clinical study, you may work at hospitals, patients' homes, long-term care facilities and intensive care units.
</p><p><i>USNWR</i> ranked UAB as tied for the 80th top public school, as well as tied for the 157th school among national universities, as of 2019. The university also rank tied as the 35th best medical school in the country for primary care and tied for the 30th best medical school for research.
</p><ul><li>Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Respiratory Therapy
</li></ul><h2 id="section---TenMoreSchoolsWithRespiratoryTherapyBachelorSDegreePrograms"> Ten More Schools with Respiratory Therapy Bachelor's Degree Programs</h2><p></p><table border="1"><tr><th>College/University </th><th>Institution Type </th><th>Location</th><th>Estimated Undergrad In-State Tuition*</th></tr>
<tr><td> University of South Alabama </td><td> Public, 4 year </td><td> Mobile, AL</td><td>$8,000</td></tr>
<tr><td> Loma Linda University </td><td> Private, not-for-profit, 4 year </td><td> Loma Linda, CA</td><td>$34,000</td></tr>
<tr><td> Boise State University </td><td> Public, 4 year </td><td> Boise, ID</td><td>$8,000</td></tr>
<tr><td> Bellarmine University </td><td> Private, not-for-profit, 4 year </td><td> Louisville, KY</td><td>$42,000</td></tr>
<tr><td> University of Missouri-Columbia </td><td> Public, 4 year </td><td> Columbia, MO</td><td>$10,000</td></tr>
<tr><td> Youngstown State University </td><td> Public, 4 year </td><td> Youngstown, OH</td><td>$9,000</td></tr>
<tr><td> Gannon University </td><td> Private, not-for-profit, 4 year </td><td> Erie, PA</td><td>$32,000</td></tr>
<tr><td> Tennessee State University </td><td> Public, 4 year </td><td> Nashville, TN</td><td>$9,000</td></tr>
<tr><td> Georgia Southern University </td><td> Public, 4 year </td><td> Statesboro, GA</td><td>$6,000</td></tr>
<tr><td> Oregon Institute of Technology </td><td> Public, 4 year </td><td> Klamath Falls, OR</td><td>$10,000</td></tr>
</table><p><i>*Source: NCES, U.S. Department of Education</i></p>