Top List of Online Respiratory Therapy Programs
Online respiratory therapy degrees prepare learners to work with patients in hospitals and doctors' offices. Respiratory therapists treat problems with the lungs and breathing. They also help make patients with chronic illnesses comfortable. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects jobs for these professionals to grow 23% from 2020-2030.
This page lists the best online respiratory therapy degrees. Keep reading to learn the benefits of online learning and to view common courses in respiratory therapy programs.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Respiratory Therapy
How long does it take to become a respiratory therapist?
Respiratory therapists only need an associate degree. Full-time learners can complete an associate program in two years.
What types of respiratory degrees are there?
Learners pursuing an online degree in respiratory therapy may specialize in areas such as home care or critical care.
Do respiratory therapists need a license to practice?
Yes. Every state besides Alaska requires licensure. Requirements vary by state.
Featured Online Respiratory Therapy Programs
Find a program that meets your affordability, flexibility, and education needs through an accredited, online school.
Why Get a Degree in Respiratory Therapy?
Respiratory therapists positively impact patients' lives. They comfort people with chronic illness and help others improve their breathing. Professionals can pursue this career with only an associate degree and a license.
Respiratory therapists earn an average annual salary of $58,240, according to Dec. 2021 Payscale data. Those with more than 20 years of experience earn an average of nearly $65,000.
Online respiratory therapy degrees provide convenience. Enrollees do not need to commute to campus or pay for meal plans. Online learners can often continue working while earning their degree.
How Much Does a Respiratory Therapy Degree Cost?
Respiratory therapy online degree costs vary by school and program. Students attending in-state public schools pay the most affordable tuition. According to EducationData.org, in-state learners spend an average of $38,500 earning an online bachelor's degree. Out-of-state students spend $54,180.
Online learners can attend the most affordable program without relocating. Scholarships and grants can help enrollees pay for their degree.
Additional Online Student Fees
Online students typically do not pay student activity or campus maintenance fees. However, they should budget for other expenses such as books and materials. Learners can save money by buying used or digital books. They can also sell their books once their courses end.
Some programs charge technology and graduation fees. Students pursuing online respiratory therapy degrees should also plan for exam and licensure costs. These fees vary by state.
How Much Do Respiratory Therapy Majors Make?
Salaries for respiratory therapists vary by professionals' employer, location, and experience. Respiratory therapists in California earn an average annual salary of $87,190. Professionals in Ohio earn $59,840.
The top-paying employers for respiratory therapists include outpatient care centers and colleges and universities. Most respiratory therapists work in hospitals or nursing care facilities.
Courses in Respiratory Therapy
Students pursuing a respiratory therapy online degree learn how to create patient treatment plans and provide therapies. They also learn how to operate tools like ventilators and breathing machines. Enrollees study breathing disorders and the diagnosis process. Most programs allow learners to select a concentration.
See below for three common courses in online respiratory therapy programs. Keep in mind that courses vary by school.
Patient Evaluation and Diagnosis
Learners study symptoms of common respiratory diseases and disorders. Coursework covers various treatment plans. Students examine how respiratory care differs in palliative care situations. Learners leave the course knowing how respiratory therapists work with doctors and other professionals.Ethics in the Respiratory Therapist Profession
Respiratory therapists must make difficult decisions to save lives. Enrollees identify the ethical implications of using tools like breathing machines. Coursework covers how to provide comfort to family members of patients nearing the end of their lives.Clinical Rotations
Aspiring respiratory therapists complete clinical rotations before graduating. These experiences fulfill licensure requirements. Learners gain hands-on experience in tasks like giving chest physiotherapy and aerosol medications. Online students complete rotations locally.
Featured Online Respiratory Therapy Programs
Find a program that meets your affordability, flexibility, and education needs through an accredited, online school.
How to Become a Respiratory Therapist
Aspiring respiratory therapists need a degree. Most states require an associate degree in the field. However, earning an advanced degree may lead to high-paying positions.
Degree-seekers complete required reading, exams, and essays. Online programs often include in-person components. Most states require a license to practice. Respiratory therapist licensure usually requires an exam and clinical rotation hours.
Practicing respiratory therapists must complete continuing education hours. Requirements vary by state.
Best Online Respiratory Therapy Degrees
#1 Best Online Respiratory Therapy Degrees
Oregon Institute of Technology
- Klamath Falls, OR
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
People looking for a flexible education that prepares them for the respiratory therapy field should consider Oregon Institute of Technology. The 1,618 distance learners at the public college choose from 10 premier online bachelor's programs, including the bachelor of science in respiratory care.
The respiratory care program gives students the tools they need for success in a future career in the respiratory therapy field. Both foundational concepts and advanced topics in respiratory therapy are covered by the various classes in the broad curriculum. Depending on their career goals, degree-seekers can pursue experiential learning opportunities to deepen their industry knowledge. Internships, externships, and applied research projects benefit learners. Students can get help from their academic advisor and career counselor throughout the degree.
Eligible applicants can pursue scholarships, fellowships, or other funding opportunities from within or outside of the school to help bring down degree costs. A leader in distance learning, the college supports degree-seekers' educational endeavors with financial assistance, awarding aid to 78% of enrollees.
Percent Online Enrollment
30%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
#2 Best Online Respiratory Therapy Degrees
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
- Charlotte, NC
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
The premier online degrees at University of North Carolina at Charlotte suit students looking for a competitive program. As many as five remote bachelor's programs are available to the 8,713 distance learners at the public institution. The bachelor of science in respiratory therapy offers degree-seekers a rigorous education relevant to the respiratory therapy industry.
Students in the respiratory therapy program benefit from a supportive remote learning community, connecting with classmates and faculty through a virtual classroom environment. Enrollees learn relevant knowledge for their future respiratory therapy careers in classes covering the foundational and advanced topics of the field. Learners build the competency needed for a respiratory therapy profession through hands-on practice in experiential learning opportunities, such as internships and research projects. The institution offers resources focused on student success to help degree-seekers throughout the course of their program, such as academic advising and career counseling.
Financial aid officers can alert learners to funding opportunities that may help defray the costs of a respiratory therapy degree. The college's students have many funding options available to them, including fellowships, scholarships, and federal aid. Some type of financial assistance is given to 74% of the institution's enrollees.
Percent Online Enrollment
29%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#3 Best Online Respiratory Therapy Degrees
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus
- Cincinnati, OH
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
A public institution, the University of Cincinnati provides flexible learning opportunities to degree-seekers from all walks of life. From its main campus in Cincinnati, Ohio, the college supports 11 online bachelor’s programs, reaching 19,270 distance learners across the country. Of these, the highly rated bachelor of science in respiratory therapy is a great choice for people interested in a respiratory therapy-related career.
After enrolling, respiratory therapy students connect with top faculty and supportive members of the student community. The remote classroom environment lets degree-seekers do coursework and projects relevant to their personal and professional goals. Some learners get involved with faculty-led research, internships, or externships. Academic advisors help enrollees mold the program to their needs and interests by letting them pick electives and select individualized coursework.
Many different internal and external opportunities for funding help with the high price of an education at the college. Eligible students can benefit from scholarships, fellowships, and other forms of aid. Getting some kind of financial assistance helps 75% of the college's enrollees bring down the price of their education.
Percent Online Enrollment
49%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#4 Best Online Respiratory Therapy Degrees
Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health
- Omaha, NE
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Located in Omaha, Nebraska Methodist College offers premier online degrees for students looking for a competitive program. As many as six remote bachelor's programs are available to the 696 distance learners at the private institution. Degree-seekers interested in respiratory therapy get a rigorous, industry-relevant education through the bachelor of science in respiratory therapy.
The respiratory therapy program's distance learning community supports participants, connecting them with faculty and peers in an online classroom environment. Enrollees learn relevant knowledge for their future respiratory therapy careers in classes covering the foundational and advanced topics of the field. Learners can also pursue hands-on learning opportunities, such as research projects and internships, to advance their competency for a career in respiratory therapy. The institution provides degree-seekers with access to student success-focused resources, such as career and academic advising, throughout the course of the program.
When preparing for the cost of a respiratory therapy degree, students should meet with the financial aid office to discuss opportunities for funding at the college. These may include different fellowships, scholarships, and federal aid. Some type of financial assistance is given to 100% of the institution's enrollees.
Percent Online Enrollment
62%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#5 Best Online Respiratory Therapy Degrees
Siena Heights University
- Adrian, MI
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Students looking for a flexible online education in respiratory therapy should consider Siena Heights University’s bachelor of applied science. The private institution's 732 virtual degree-seekers choose from 39 remote bachelor's programs with industry relevance. From its campus in Adrian, Michigan, the college provides institutional resources to benefit its online learners, such as a supportive remote community.
Students in the respiratory therapy program gain knowledge relevant to the industry from immersive classes. The respiratory therapy curriculum includes general education and advanced classes, with the opportunity to customize courses and pick electives. Hands-on learning experiences supplement enrollees' education. Degree-seekers who complete research, internships, or externships get first-hand experience of working in the respiratory therapy field.
Applicants can talk to the admissions office to learn more about enrollment criteria. Students should meet with the financial aid office to check whether they qualify for any funding opportunities, since 99% of all enrollees received some kind of financial assistance. Learners meeting the proper criteria use scholarships, fellowships, and other types of aid to bring down the price of their degree.
Percent Online Enrollment
31%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
Featured Online Respiratory Therapy Programs
Find a program that meets your affordability, flexibility, and education needs through an accredited, online school.