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:
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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.
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 StudentsAre 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. |
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:
This week honors and brings awareness to the critical role and professional excellence that respiratory therapists (RT) bring to the delivery of critical everyday healthcare to patients of all ages. The 2025 theme, "Your Breath. Our Purpose," emphasizes RTs' commitment to patient care and excellence.
Mary Phillips, Assistant Professor and Chair of Respiratory Therapy, was chosen to co-lead the Indiana Joint Asthma Coalition (InJAC), a subset of the larger Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute which was founded in 2003. Also co-leading is Dr. Nadia Krupp, a pediatric pulmonologist and director of the asthma program at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis.
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.
"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."
