Academic Programs of Study
Respiratory Therapy: Four-year BSRT
Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy
- Classroom, laboratory, and hands-on experience - Seven regional hospitals for clinical rotation facilities.
- 4 clinical rotations, from adult to neonatal.
- Intensive Care, Emergency Room, Neonatal, Pediatrics, Pulmonary Rehab and more...

Do you...
- Have an interest in pursuing a health profession?
- Enjoy helping people in their time of need?
- Like working with technology?
- Perform well in math and science?
- Prefer a profession with a lot of variety on the job?
- Want to choose your work setting and the types of patients you serve?
- Want to choose your work setting and the types of patients you serve?
Respiratory Therapy is an allied health specialty that concentrates on the treatment, management, control and care of patients’ breathing. A respiratory therapist is an integral part of the health care team that uses their didactic and clinical practice to evaluate treatments, therapeutics, medications and ventilation for the best outcomes for patients. The B.S.R.T. program prepares students to enter the workforce as registered respiratory therapists.
More About This Degree
Faculty
Founding Director/Assistant Professor
HFC 101
570-348-6215
jhughes@marywood.edu
Ms. Hughes has developed the new program’s curriculum, guided its accreditation process, and is developing and maintaining relationships with medical facilities and other educational institutions. “Health professions are growing and in demand more than ever,” said Ms. Hughes. “Respiratory therapy is a fast-growing, fast-paced, and diverse profession.” Opportunities in the field include work in hospital settings, doctors’ offices, emergency transport, sleep labs, nursing homes, sub-acute rehabilitation facilities, home care, education, and equipment/pharmaceutical sales.
Since 2012, Ms. Hughes served as an Assistant Professor and Director of Clinical Education for the respiratory therapy program at Harrisburg Area Community College. She had previously served that institution as an adjunct professor and clinical instructor, beginning in 2005. Additionally, her professional experience also includes service as interim program director of the respiratory therapy program at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology (Lancaster, PA) from 2011-2012 and as a respiratory care practitioner at Geisinger Holy Spirit Hospital (Camp Hill, PA) from 2004-2017.
Ms. Hughes holds a Master of Science in Health Administration degree (2016) and a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Leadership degree (2012) from the University of St. Francis (Joliet, IL). She received her Associate of Science degree in respiratory therapy from Harrisburg Area Community College (Harrisburg, PA) in 2004. She is a certified respiratory therapist and a registered respiratory therapist, with specializations in both neonatal pediatric and adult critical care.
Ms. Hughes is the 2012 recipient of the Adjunct Excellence in Teaching Award from Harrisburg Area Community College. Her memberships include the Pennsylvania Society for Respiratory Care, American Association for Respiratory Care, National Board for Respiratory Care, Lambda Beta National Honor Society for Respiratory Care (Faculty Member), Cumberland Perry Vo-Tech Health Career Advisory Committee, and the Harrisburg Area Community College Operations House and Faculty Cabinet.
Medical Director/Instructor of Practice
HFC 101
570-348-6215
bnoumi@marywood.edu
Bassel Noumi, M.D., medical director for Marywood's Respiratory Therapy program, is a board-certified internist and pulmonologist and is employed at Moses Taylor Hospital, Scranton, Pa. He completed his pulmonary residency at Case Western University and became the chief fellow of Pulmonary and Critical Care at Case Western, Cleveland, Ohio.
Dr. Noumi has conducted and contributed in many different areas of research, including hemoglobin monitoring in assessing weaning failure, peripheral vascular resistance, and heart failure. He is a member of the American College of Physicians, the American Medical Association, the American Thoracic Society, and the American College of Chest Physicians.
Employment of respiratory therapists has been projected to grow 23 percent between 2016 and 2026—much faster than the average for all occupations.
The median annual wage for respiratory therapists was $59,710 ($28.71 per hour) in May 2017.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Respiratory Therapists
Specific Program Requirements
Marywood University is currently in the process of seeking CoARC accreditation for a respiratory care program. However, Marywood University can provide no assurance that accreditation will be granted by the CoARC. www,coarc.com
CoARC
P.O. Box 54876
Hurst, TX 76054-4876
Undergraduate Admissions Requirements
- Official SAT and/or ACT scores
- Completed application
- Essay
- Official transcripts
- Letter of recommendation
Find Your Counselor
Program Overview and Requirements, B.S.R.T.
Selective Program
Entry into this program is not guaranteed with admission to the University; this is a selective admission program, and specific admissions criteria must be met.
Admission Criteria Pre-Respiratory
- Please see Admissions to Marywood University
- Admission Criteria Clinical Program:
- Must have a 2.5 grade point average.
- Must pass their pre respiratoryt courses with a C or higher
- Must show immunity to certain diseases.
- Must complete Child Abuse clearance and criminal background check annually
- Must have current American Heart Association BLS (basic life support)
- Meet with the program director
- Meet essential qualifications
Applications for the clinical portion of the program will begin in the fall semester of their sophomore year.
Students will be responsible for course fees as well as additional fees during the course of the program. These fees will include but are not limited to; membership in American Association of Respiratory Care, exam fees, digital time and record keeping software license, regional conference fee, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Basic Life Support (BLS) courses.
Recommended Curriculum
Freshman Fall | ||
---|---|---|
ENGL 160 | Writing Skills | 3 |
CHEM 121 | General Chemistry | 3 |
CHEM 121L | General Chemistry Lab | 1 |
RESP 100 | Introduction to Respiratory Care | 2 |
PHIL 113 | Introduction to Philosophy | 3 |
LANG | Language Elective | 3 |
Freshman Spring | ||
---|---|---|
SOC 211 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
PSYC 211 | General Psychology | 3 |
RESP 110 | Physics of Respiratory Therapy | 2 |
LANG | Language Elective | 3 |
RST 112 | Modern Belief | 3 |
Elective | Elective Course | minimum 1 |
Sophomore Fall | ||
---|---|---|
ENGL 180 | World Literature | 3 |
HIST | Global History | 3 |
PHIL | Philosophy Elective | 3 |
COMM 101 | Dynamics of Speech Communication | 2 |
FA | Fine Arts Elective | 3 |
Respiratory Clinical Applications |
Sophomore Spring | ||
---|---|---|
RESP 200 | Cardiopulmonary Anatomy and Physiology | 3 |
RESP 210 | Acid Base Physiology | 1 |
RESP 220 | Legal and Ethical Issues in Respiratory Care | 2 |
RESP 225 | Hospital Orientation Lecture | 2 |
RESP 225L | Hospital Orientation Lab | 1 |
ND 465 | Research in Nutrition and Dietetics | 3 |
RST | Religious Studies Elective (200 level) | 3 |
Junior Fall | ||
---|---|---|
RESP 300 | Oxygen Administration Lecture | 3 |
RESP 300L | Oxygen Administration Lab | 1 |
RESP 305 | Clinical Practice I | 2 |
RESP 310 | Patient Assessment | 3 |
RESP 320 | Disease States | 3 |
RESP 330 | Cardiopulmonary Pharmacology | 3 |
Junior Spring | ||
---|---|---|
HIST | History Elective | 3 |
RESP 340 | Respiratory Therapeutics Lecture | 3 |
RESP 340L | Respiratory Therapeutics Lab | 1 |
RESP 345 | Clinical Practice II | 2 |
RESP 350 | Leadership & Management in Healthcare | 3 |
MATH 155 | Statistics for Behavioral Sciences | 3 |
Senior Fall | ||
---|---|---|
RESP 400 | Cardiopulmonary Laboratory Studies | 3 |
RESP 400L | Cardiopulmonary Laboratory Studies Lab | 1 |
RESP 410 | Educational Principles in Healthcare | 3 |
RESP 420 | Critical Care Lecture | 5 |
RESP 420 | Critical Care Lab | 2 |
RESP 425 | Clinical Practice II | 2 |
Senior Spring | ||
---|---|---|
ENGL | English Elective (300 Level) | 3 |
RESP 430 | Neonatal Pediatrics Lecture | 4 |
RESP 430L | Neonatal Pediatrics Lab | 2 |
RESP 435 | Clinical Practice IV | 3 |
RESP 440 | Respiratory Capstone | 3 |
DEAN 073 | CHHS UG Degree Candidacy (graduation eligibility) | 0 |
Program Overview and Requirements, R.R.T. to B.S.R.T.
Flexible Scheduling
The B.S. degree completion program is completely online to allow working therapists to earn their bachelor’s degree while continuing in their careers.
Curriculum Overview
There are 30 required credits in the AS RRT – BSRT Curriculum. Students will earn the academic credentials required to pursue a graduate degree and expand their opportunities for professional development. Program coursework focuses on written and oral communication, patient advocacy, ethics, quality improvement, leadership and management, teaching in health care, critically reviewing studies, advanced respiratory care modalities and topics, and an inter-professional capstone. (Those students with a differing degree from AS will work with an Academic Advisor to complete additional coursework to fulfill requirements.)
Program Outcomes
The goal of the RRT to BS degree program is to provide professional respiratory therapists with additional knowledge and skills in order to meet current professional standards and goals.
Admission Requirements: Students must possess their initial credential as a respiratory therapist and an associate level degree.
Two Tracks of Completion
Track A Elective: Language Track
Three courses in Language from the following:
- SPAN102
- SPAN 212
- SPAN 211
- SPAN 307
- SPAN 111
Track B Elective: Philosophy and Religious Studies
Three courses in Philosophy and Religious Studies from the following:
- PHIL 113 R ST 112
- PHIL 312 R ST 213
- PHIL 315
Curriculum Sequence
Semester | Course # | Course Name | Credits |
---|---|---|---|
Summer | RESP 350 | Leadership and Management in Healthcare | 3 |
Fall | RESP 410 | Educational Principles in Healthcare | 3 |
Fall | Track Elective 1 | 3 | |
Spring | RSCH | Quantitative Research | 3 |
Spring | Track Elective 2 | 3 | |
Summer | RESP 320 | Disease Management | 3 |
Summer | Track Elective 3 | 3 | |
Summer | RESP 360 | Advanced Concepts | 3 |
Fall | RESP 405 | Specialty Clinical Observation | 3 |
Fall | RESP 440 | Respiratory Capstone | 3 |
30 |
Transfer Credits Awarded | Number of Credits (max) |
---|---|
AAS Degree Completed | 62 |
AS Degree Completed | 70 |
Additional Credits Awarded | 20 |
Successful Completion of RRT Credential Examination | |
Students must show successful completion of RRT credential in order to graduate from this program. |
|
More explanation will be given once a student is accepted into the program. |
Career Opportunities
Graduates find employment as respiratory therapists in hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, home healthcare companies, and as pharmaceutical sales representatives. The Respiratory Therapist program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) [See www.coarc.com]. Continuation in this program requires that the student receive a grade of C or higher in each course pursued.
Competency Profile
- Demonstrate proficiency as respiratory therapists as described by the National Board for Respiratory Care
- Assist physicians in the diagnosis, management, and treatment of patients afflicted with cardiopulmonary disorders
- Function effectively as members of the healthcare team
- Comprehend, apply, and evaluate clinical information relevant to their role as registered respiratory therapists. (Cognitive Domain)
- Demonstrate technical proficiency in all registered respiratory therapist skills. (Psychomotor Domain)
- Demonstrate personal behaviors consistent with professional and employer expectations for the registered respiratory therapist. (Affective Domain)
Acquiring Core Skills
In addition to the clinical skills that students will learn as part of their curriculum, the Respiratory Therapy Program incorporates core skills training into the program that will benefit all Respiratory Therapy students in their careers.
Writing in the Profession
Students will demonstrate the ability to write effectively in the profession. Elements include the ability to organize an argument, support the argument with high quality relevant evidence, deliver it with good sentence structure and grammar, and cite and reference appropriately.
Oral Communication/Consultative Function/Knowledge
Students will deliver a consultative presentation with recommendations that reflect the knowledge gained through courses in this program.
Critical Inquiry/Evidence-based Medicine
Students will demonstrate the ability to formulate a clinical question, search the medical literature, and assess the collected literature for quality, relevance and limitations.
Teamwork/Interprofessional Cooperation
Students will demonstrate collaboration in interprofessional teams to accomplish a common goal.
Ethical Leadership
Students will demonstrate effectively the ability to lead a group of professionals in an ethical manner promoting patient advocacy.
Teaching Patients and Healthcare Professionals
Students will demonstrate the ability to educate patients, their families, and healthcare professionals.
Graduation Requirements
Graduation requirements include current Certification in American Heart Association BLS (CPR), American Heart Association Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification, American Heart Association Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification, professional development credits, and satisfactory performance on comprehensive written, laboratory, simulation, and oral exit examinations.
Membership in the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) is required by the start of the second semester of the clinical portion of Respiratory Therapist program.