Considering Completing Your Bachelor’s Degree in Respiratory Therapy? Here’s What RRTs Should Know.
If you’re a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT), you’ve already built a vital career in patient care. But as the field continues to evolve—with growing expectations for leadership, education and specialized expertise—many RRTs with associate degrees are choosing to complete a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy (BSRT) to stay competitive and advance professionally.
For working professionals, RRT to BSRT online programs offer a flexible path forward. These degree advancement programs are designed specifically for RRTs who already hold an associate degree and want to earn their respiratory therapy bachelor’s degree without stepping away from their current job.
This guide will walk you through how RRT to BSRT online programs support career advancement for respiratory therapists by offering flexible learning and skill-building opportunities.
What You’ll Learn in a BSRT Program
The curriculum in a BSRT program builds on your associate-level clinical foundations and prepares you for advanced roles in leadership, education and specialized care. Courses focus on:
Leadership in respiratory care – Learn about decision-making, cost reduction, collaboration and organizational structures in both clinical and academic settings.
Advanced concepts in respiratory and critical care – Explore best practices in diagnostics, therapeutics and patient assessment in critical care and emergency room settings.
Disease management – Study strategies to improve outcomes for patients with chronic respiratory conditions like COPD and asthma.
Healthcare delivery and quality – Understand how healthcare systems function, including payment models, quality measures and patient safety.
Sleep medicine and polysomnography – Get an introduction to diagnosing and managing sleep-related breathing disorders.
Research and evidence-based practice – Learn how to evaluate clinical research and apply findings to improve respiratory care.
Together, these courses are designed to help RRTs build the knowledge, skills and leadership abilities needed to advance professionally—while staying current with emerging healthcare trends and technologies.
Who Should Consider a BSRT Degree Advancement Program?
BSRT degree advancement programs are intended for students and working therapists who have earned at least an associate degree, hold an active RRT credential and are ready to take the next step in their careers.
This pathway is especially valuable for respiratory therapists who want to:
Strengthen their skills in advanced critical and respiratory care
Work in high-acuity settings like the ER or ICU and manage ventilators
Learn the latest tools and techniques in patient care and respiratory therapy
Move into more advanced and specialized roles
Stay competitive in a growing and evolving field with increasing expectations
Prepare for graduate study in healthcare leadership or related areas
What to Look for in Online Respiratory Therapy Bachelor’s Programs
When comparing online degree advancement programs in respiratory therapy, keep the following key criteria in mind. The right program should support your goals, respect your experience and fit into your life.
1. Accreditation
Make sure the program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). Accreditation guarantees that the curriculum meets professional standards and prepares you for advanced roles in the field.
2. RRT Eligibility Requirements
Look for programs that require (and recognize) your associate degree in respiratory care and active RRT credential—this confirms the program is appropriately advanced and built for working professionals like you.
3. Transfer-Friendly Credit Policies
You’ve already put in the work—make sure it counts. Choose a program that allows you to maximize previously earned credits so you can save time, reduce costs and move forward efficiently.
4. Flexible, Asynchronous Learning Format
Flexibility is essential when balancing a full-time job, family responsibilities and coursework. Look for programs with fully asynchronous coursework that let you learn when and where it works best for you—so you can earn your degree without stepping out of your scrubs.
5. Strong Hospital Partnerships
Programs connected with major hospital systems or healthcare employers often offer better alignment with industry needs. These partnerships can enhance the curriculum, provide networking opportunities and show that employers recognize and respect the degree.
Why Choose an Online BSRT Program?
For many RRTs, going back to school can feel like a logistical challenge—especially while working full-time or managing family responsibilities. That’s where online respiratory therapy programs come in.
Here’s why online BSRT programs are gaining popularity among experienced therapists:
Flexibility: Asynchronous coursework allows you to complete assignments on your schedule—before or after shifts, on weekends or whenever time allows.
Career mobility: The online format makes it easier to complete your bachelor’s while continuing to work—so you can qualify for leadership, education or advanced clinical roles without putting your career on hold.
Affordability: Online programs often come at a lower cost than traditional in-person degrees—without the added expense of commuting or relocating. Many are also designed with working professionals in mind, offering competitive tuition and financial aid.
With the right program, you don’t have to pause your career to move it forward—online BSRT degrees make career advancement for respiratory therapists more accessible than ever.
Is a BSRT Degree Worth It?
Completing your bachelor’s in respiratory therapy is absolutely worth it—especially if you’re a practicing RRT ready to advance. Here are a few key things to consider as you weigh the investment:
Employment of respiratory therapists is projected to grow 13% from 2023 to 2033, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics—much faster than the average for all occupations.
More employers now prefer or require a BSRT for non-entry-level roles, especially in leadership, education and specialized care settings.
“Five to 10 years down the road, I didn’t want to be the only one with an associate degree working alongside therapists who all have at least a bachelor’s,” says Jeff P., BSRT, RRT-ACCS, CPFT, a practicing respiratory therapist who recently completed his BSRT at Rowan University.
BSRT graduates are better positioned for specialized roles in areas like sleep medicine, apnea care, pulmonary rehabilitation and chronic disease management—fields where advanced training can make a real impact.
Higher earning potential and broader career opportunities are common outcomes, especially for RRTs looking to move beyond bedside care or step into supervisory positions.
“… the degree advancement program has deepened my knowledge and strengthened my confidence as a respiratory therapist.” – Desiree G.
Rowan University offers the only BSRT program currently available in New Jersey. Exclusively open to transfer students with an associate degree in respiratory care and an active RRT credential, this program with 100% online coursework is built for practicing RRTs who want to complete their bachelor’s degree and move into more advanced and specialized roles.
Backed by strong partnerships with major hospital systems and holding Provisional Accreditation from CoARC, Rowan’s BSRT program is designed to meet the real-world needs of today’s healthcare system—ensuring your training is current, respected and career-focused.
If you’re looking for a program that checks all the boxes—flexibility, accreditation, affordability and strong transfer support—Rowan delivers, with a national reputation as a Top 100 public research university and one of the fastest-growing in the country.
Whether you’re aiming to move into education, leadership or a specialized clinical path, Rowan’s BSRT Degree Advancement program offers the support and structure you need to grow—on your schedule.
“Earning my BSRT through the degree advancement program at Rowan sharpened my leadership skills, deepened my clinical knowledge, and empowered me to lead with greater confidence and credibility.” – Jeff P., BSRT, RRT-ACCS, CPFT
The inaugural Respiratory Therapy Program Pinning Celebration at Rowan College South Jersey Gloucester Campus, Thursday, May 8, 2025.
30 major credits required at Rowan University (120 total for degree)
Fully asynchronous coursework tailored to working professionals
Transfer-friendly admissions
Ready to Take the Next Step in Your Respiratory Therapy Career?
Completing your bachelor’s degree in respiratory therapy can do more than expand your resume—it can elevate your entire career. Whether you’re motivated by leadership opportunities, lifelong learning or a desire to impact more patients, enrolling in the right RRT to BSRT program can help you get there.
If you’re an RRT ready to take the next step, learn more about how Rowan University’s online BSRT program can help grow your career on your schedule and on your terms.
