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Respiratory Therapy

Welcome to the USI Respiratory Therapy Program

Welcome to the RT Program at USI!
The University of Southern Indiana offers two options for a Bachelor of Science degree in Respiratory Therapy (BSRT): a four-year entry level (on campus) program and an RRT to BSRT online degree completion program.

Choose the program you are interested in:

Mission Statement

The mission of the Respiratory Therapy Program is to provide sound instruction and resources that will enable students to develop the knowledge, skills, attitude, and critical thinking which are necessary to become successful and competent respiratory therapists. The Respiratory Therapy Program fosters and promotes health and wellness through the advancement of education, teaching excellence, practice, research, community engagement and a commitment to lifelong learning.

Accreditation Statements

The Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) has a mission to ensure that high quality educational programs prepare graduates to be competent respiratory therapists with proficiency in practice, education, research and service.

Click the buttons below for more information about accreditation:

Information for Out-of-State Students

Are you an out-of-state student interested in pursuing the Bachelor's in Respiratory Therapy degree at USI or determining if the Respiratory Therapy Program meets individual state requirements for employment? Check your eligibility.

The Respiratory Therapy Program is limited to working with certain states in the U.S. only. Moving into a state not recognized by the Respiratory Therapy Program will lead to inability to continue in your coursework. The exception to this is active military status.

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Opportunities

Historically, 100% of USI graduates pass the national board and all 100% are offered employment upon graduation. As a registered respiratory therapist, you will be eligible to provide care in the following areas:

The median annual wage for respiratory therapists was $77,960 in May 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employment of respiratory therapists is projected to grow 13 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 9,400 openings for respiratory therapists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

A bachelor's degree can help meet the requirements for advanced certifications such as Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) and specialized credentials offered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). Plus, a bachelor's degree provides a solid foundation for pursuing further career paths, including:

Scholarships and Aid
Student Organization
Student and Program Outcomes

Spotlight

Respiratory Therapy Faculty Achievement

Jody Delp, Clinical Assistant Professor of Respiratory Therapy, has received a $5,000 scholarship from the American College of Respiratory Therapy Education (ACRTE) to support her pursuit of her doctorate in education degree (EdD) from the University of Southern Indiana.

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Rylie Farr '24

"My cousin's baby, who survived 19 days in the NICU, ignited my dream of becoming a respiratory therapist and providing care to premature babies. USI has given me the knowledge and skills to achieve this goal."

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