As a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT), you can choose from wide-ranging areas of specialization in adult, pediatric, and neonatal intensive care. The program prepares graduates with the technical skills for performing diagnostic evaluation, therapeutic intervention, and patient education in cases of cardiopulmonary dysfunction, provide care and life support to patients in the emergency room, intensive care units, general hospital areas, the pulmonary diagnostics laboratory, disease and sleep disorder settings and rehabilitation.
The BSRT includes five semesters of course study after completion of the first two years of undergraduate curriculum. The program is designed to provide students with educational and clinical competence by emphasizing advanced clinical knowledge, critical thinking, and versatility. Students are engaged in the theoretical, practical, and clinical aspects of adult, pediatric, and neonatal respiratory care. They gain a well-rounded and in-depth knowledge base of respiratory clinical science and its application in health care.
An Associate of Applied Science in Respiratory Therapy consists of comprehensive classroom and clinical curricula that prepares students for matriculation into the BS Respiratory Therapy program and credentialing exam offered by the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC). The NBRC is the credentialing arm of the American Association of Respiratory Care. Successful completion of the curriculum and the credentialing exam certifies students as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) and enables them to apply for licensure in their state of residence.
$62K
Average Salary
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2020
Employment of respiratory therapists is projected to grow 23 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Treat people with health challenges affecting the heart and lungs such as asthma, emphysema, pneumonia, cardiovascular disorders, and trauma.
I moved to Utah to join the Respiratory Therapy program. It’s a big confidence boost when my preceptors trust me because I’ve studied at UVU. The professors are extremely supportive and helpful with any questions I might have no matter if I’m in the classroom or doing my clinicals at the hospital.
Respiratory Therapy Student
UVU has the same equipment we see in the hospitals, so I’ve been able to familiarize myself with it and be so much more confident in clinicals. At clinicals, students from outside of UVU will ask my questions because of what I’ve already learned in the classroom.
Respiratory Therapy Student
The Respiratory Therapy instructors put in the time and effort to make it a really good program. They work hard to make sure we understand and to help us succeed. It has been beyond rewarding being involved in healthcare and making an impact on people and being an advocate for my patients.
Respiratory Therapy Student