Rowan Online

Online BS in Respiratory Therapy (Degree Advancement)

Advance from RRT to BSRT with a flexible, fully online respiratory therapy program designed for working professionals. Build your skills in leadership, management, education, research and advanced clinical practice while completing your bachelor’s degree.

A BSRT student works to practice new concepts.

Why choose Rowan Online's respiratory therapy program?

A flexible degree advancement program designed for working respiratory therapists.

Rowan’s online Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy (BSRT) Degree Advancement program is currently open to transfer students only. Currently the only accredited BSRT program in New Jersey, this program is designed for individuals who have completed an associate degree in respiratory care and who hold the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential. This online respiratory therapy program is designed to fit into a practicing RRT’s schedule.

Through the RRT to BSRT program, you can build advanced skills in leadership, management, education, research and clinical practice while preparing for greater responsibility in respiratory care. The program holds Provisional Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).

The BS in Respiratory Therapy program Entry into Practice Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy (CoARC program number 200645), and Degree Advancement Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy (CoARC program number 510025), at the Sewell campus, holds Provisional Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (www.coarc.com).

This status signifies that a program with an Approval of Intent has demonstrated sufficient compliance with the Standards (through submission of an acceptable Provisional Accreditation Self Study Report (PSSR) and any other documentation required by the CoARC, as well as satisfactory completion of an initial on-site visit), to be allowed to admit students. It is recognized as an accredited program by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC), which provides enrolled students who complete the program with eligibility for the Respiratory Care Credentialing Examination(s). The program will remain on Provisional Accreditation until it achieves Continuing Accreditation.

CoARC accredits respiratory therapy education programs in the United States. To achieve this end, it utilizes an 'outcomes based' process. Programmatic outcomes are performance indicators that reflect the extent to which the educational goals of the program are achieved and by which program effectiveness is documented.  

CoARC Outcomes Data is available at: 

https://coarc.com/students/programmatic-outcomes-data/

CoARC
Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care, Inc.
264 Precision Blvd.
Telford, TN 37690
817-283-2835
www.coarc.com

Student Tammy D posing with her degree

A Respiratory Therapy Student Perspective

“This program deepened my vision for the future of respiratory therapy, empowering me to lead with purpose, strengthen patient care, and own my growth as a respiratory therapist and leader.”

Tammy D. | Rowan Online Student
BSRT Degree

2026-2027 Academic Year

Transfer Credits, Cost & Completion Time

30

Credits

$609

Per Credit

12-18

Months to Complete

2026-2027 Academic Year

Application Deadlines

4/28

Summer Module A Entry Deadline

8/18

Fall Module A Entry Deadline

1/5

Spring Module A Entry Deadline

Start Dates

5/12

Summer Module A Start Date

9/1

Fall Module A Start Date

1/19

Spring Module A Start Date

Studying respiratory therapy online at Rowan

If you’re exploring online respiratory therapy programs, take a closer look at Rowan’s RRT to BSRT program. Learn about the curriculum, admission requirements, transfer credit information and flexible online learning experience designed for working respiratory therapists.

What You'll Learn

Rowan’s online bachelor's degree in respiratory therapy (degree advancement) program prepares leaders for the field of respiratory care by including curricular content with objectives related to the acquisition of skills in one or more of the following: management, education, research and advanced clinical practice (which may include an area of clinical specialization). 

The 120-credit curriculum meets Rowan’s bachelor’s degree requirements [30 credits must be completed at Rowan University]. This 100% online Degree Advancement program is designed for students and working therapists who have earned at least an associate degree and are holding a currently active RRT credential. The online RT program offers professional forward-thinking courses of study and additional coursework as needed, leading to the Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy.  

In this online RT program, there are 10 core program courses, all of which are offered in an 8-week accelerated format with 100% online coursework. There are not currently any clinical component requirements.

Online respiratory therapy courses

  • Introduction to Technical Writing
  • Introduction to Clinical Research
  • Evidence-based Practice
  • Advanced Concepts in Respiratory and Critical Care
  • Introduction to Disease Management 
  • Ethics and End of Life Issues
  • Healthcare Delivery and Quality
  • Polysonmnography and Topics in Sleep Medicine
  • Leadership in Respiratory Care

Note: The course information above is not official and is subject to change. For an official list of available courses, please review the Rowan University Academic Catalog.

Transfer Credit Information

Rowan Online makes it easy to build on the work you’ve already completed at a previous institution. Our Bachelor of Science (BS) in Respiratory Therapy (Degree Advancement) program requires the completion of 120 credits [30 credits must be at Rowan University] of approved general education and major coursework in order to graduate with a bachelor’s degree.

Our advising team is here to help you evaluate your transcript and build a plan to complete your degree as efficiently as possible. 

The Rowan Online Experience

Earning your respiratory therapy degree online doesn’t mean missing out on impactful experiences or meaningful support. Rowan Online combines the flexibility you need with access to internships, engaged faculty and a learning environment that helps you stay connected and on track.

Admission Requirements

The following is a list of items required to begin the application process for the online RT program. There may be additional actions or materials required for admission to the program. Upon receipt of the materials below a representative from the Rowan University Office of Admissions will contact you with confirmation or indicating any missing items.
  • Submit an application
  • No application fee! The application fee is waived for all Rowan Online undergraduate programs.
  • Associate’s degree or an equivalent number of transferable college credits
  • Official transcripts from all colleges attended (regardless of number of credits earned)
  • Minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 2.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
  • Active and current Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential verified on the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) database
  • Statistics I or Elementary Statistics

Tuition and Aid

As a Rowan Online student, you’ll receive a high-quality education that’s affordable and accessible. The cost for the online bachelor's degree in respiratory therapy program is $609 per credit.

What Jobs Can You Get With a Respiratory Therapy Degree?

An online respiratory therapy program can help RRTs build the advanced knowledge and skills needed to grow in the field. A BSRT degree can support career advancement in respiratory care while preparing you for greater responsibility in clinical and healthcare settings.

Explore potential careers paths and projected outlooks for roles related to the skills developed in the program.

A group of four Rowan students walk on a sidewalk on Rowan University's main campus in Glassboro, NJ.

Upcoming virtual information sessions and events

From general information sessions to specific admission meetings, these events are a great way to ask questions, meet your future faculty members, explore the program in more depth and see what Rowan Online is all about. We can’t wait to meet you!

Advancing as a Respiratory Therapist

After more than a decade in the field, William made the decision to go back to school to complete his bachelor’s degree. Discover how this respiratory therapist and father moved past his hesitation to take that next step through Rowan Online and how that decision is shaping his growth as a leader and what’s next in his career.

Two bsrt students working together at a computer

10 Reasons to Complete Your Bachelor’s Degree in Respiratory Therapy Online

Already hold your RRT credential and wondering if now's the right time to go back for your bachelor's? You're not alone — with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting 9% job growth for respiratory therapists through 2035, more employers are looking for bachelor's-prepared RTs to step into leadership, education, and advanced clinical roles.

We've rounded up ten reasons practicing RRTs are choosing to finish their degree online — from completing it in as little as 12-18 months without pausing your career, to building specialized leadership skills and learning from faculty who are working respiratory therapists themselves. See why so many RRTs are making the move from RRT to BSRT.

Online Respiratory Therapy Program FAQs

What can I do with a BSRT degree?

A BSRT degree can help practicing respiratory therapists build skills for greater responsibility in areas such as leadership, management, education, research and advanced clinical practice. It can also help you expand your expertise beyond your current respiratory care responsibilities and prepare for the next step in your career. Some employers may prefer respiratory therapists who hold a bachelor’s degree.

Is going from RRT to BSRT worth it?

For many practicing RRTs, yes — a bachelor's degree opens paths into leadership, education, and specialized clinical roles that an associate degree alone doesn't, and more healthcare employers are prioritizing bachelor's-prepared respiratory therapists.

Do I need to already be a respiratory therapist to enroll in this program?

Yes. Rowan’s online BSRT is a Degree Advancement program designed for practicing Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRTs) who already hold an associate degree and an active RRT credential and want to complete their bachelor’s degree while continuing to work. If you’re preparing to become a respiratory therapist for the first time, Rowan offers a separate Entry into Practice BSRT program.

Do I need to complete clinical hours to earn my BSRT online?

No. Rowan’s online Respiratory Therapy Degree Advancement program currently has no clinical component requirements. The 10 core program courses are delivered 100% online in accelerated eight-week formats, allowing practicing respiratory therapists to complete their coursework while continuing to work.

Related Programs

Browse more Rowan Online programs related to respiratory therapy. Keep exploring!
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Earn Your BSRT Degree Online

If you hold an associate degree in respiratory care and an active RRT credential, apply to Rowan’s online BS in Respiratory Therapy Degree Advancement program and take the next step toward completing your bachelor’s degree.