Learn more about the Respiratory Care BS program, including course information and how to apply.
"Respiratory therapists today need more clinical time in order to fully learn the advanced technologies we work with today, not less time."
American Association of Respiratory Care
Nothing else matters if you can't breathe.
When you become a respiratory therapist, you work on the front lines of patient care with state-of-the-art technology. You manage lifesaving equipment like ventilators and administer a variety of therapeutic modalities to patients of all ages, helping all to breathe easier.
Respiratory therapists work alongside other medical professionals providing therapy for many types of medical problems and diseases. They work in hospitals, sleep labs and specialty clinics, pulmonologists' offices, and more. They consult with physicians, perform diagnostic tests, treat patients, monitor progress, and teach patients how to take medications and use equipment.
Credentials That Count
IUP's Respiratory Care program has a successful history. It started as a partnership with West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh and now is independent. It always has culminated in a bachelor's degree—and that's important. The American Association of Respiratory Care is calling for all respiratory therapy programs to shift to a minimum of a bachelor's level degree.
Clinical Locations for IUP Respiratory Care Students
- Allegheny Health Network
- UPMC
- Butler Health System
- Independent health care venues, like home care agencies, rehabilitation facilities, and nonprofit organizations
Start Clinicals after Your Second Year
If you are a first-time student, you'll start your studies at IUP's Indiana campus and transition to IUP's Pittsburgh East campus after your second year. You'll have the opportunity to learn through clinical experiences at West Penn Hospital, Allegheny General Hospital, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, and Forbes Regional Hospital, to name a few.
Prepare for Certification Exams
After you complete the program, you will be fully prepared to take the examinations offered by the National Board for Respiratory Care to earn the Certified Respiratory Therapist credential and the Registered Respiratory Therapist credential.
See the full list of courses here.
Transfer Credits from Your Associate's Degree
If you currently are a licensed respiratory therapist with an associate's degree and want to improve your credentials, we will work with you to transfer credits from your associate degree program. Learn more about our program.
A Growing Career That Saves Lives
Zach Isenberg, a 2011 graduate of IUP's Respiratory Care program, loves that every day on the job presents different problems to solve and new people to help. A respiratory therapist in UPMC Presbyterian's cardiothoracic unit, he helps transplant patients learn to breathe with their new lungs—not an intuitive action for the patient—and provides breathing treatments and other therapies to keep patients alive and comfortable.
Learn about Zach's experience treating patients during the pandemic.
According to Salary.com, registered respiratory therapists make a median salary of $64,476 and $67,811. The job outlook, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, is good. Employment opportunities are expected to grow 23 percent until 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations.
IUP has what you need to be a leader in respiratory care.
Apply Now
The bachelor of science degree program at Indiana University of Pennsylvania is located on the main campus in Indiana, Pa. and at the IUP Pittsburgh East regional campus in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, and is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care.