Respiratory Therapy Program
Format: In person on the Armstrong Campus in Savannah
Credit Hours: 130
Major in respiratory therapy and take the first step toward working on the front lines of heart and lung conditions as a credentialed respiratory therapist.
As a respiratory therapist, your work will focus on assessing, treating and managing patients with acute or chronic heart and lung illnesses, as well as diagnosing and preventing cardiopulmonary disease. Our program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care, and will give you the training and hands-on skills to achieve the highest professional credentials available in respiratory therapy.
Graduates are eligible for two credentials after graduation, and would be eligible for three board sub-specialist certifications after significant experience and training under medical direction.
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B.S. Degree Program, Respiratory Therapy Major – Traditional
Format: In person at Armstrong Campus
Credit Hours: 130
Georgia Southern University’s Respiratory Therapy Program offers a traditional program track for students with no previous degree in respiratory therapy. This program requires in-person classes and laboratories, in addition to clinical rotations beginning in the spring semester. A high level of critical thinking skills, interpersonal and fine motor skills among others, are minimally required to be successful in the respiratory therapy program.
A bachelor’s degree from our accredited respiratory therapy program qualifies graduates for entry into the advanced practitioner credentialing system, leading to the highest professional credential available in the field of respiratory therapy.
Areas of Specialization
B.S. Degree Program, Respiratory Therapy Major – Online Career Ladder
Format: Online
Credit Hours: 130
Note: There are no in-person requirements. All students establish a preceptor/mentor at their home hospital/clinic to facilitate project completion for courses within the Online Degree Completion program.
For registered respiratory therapists, Georgia Southern offers an option to advance your education while minimizing duplicated knowledge and skills through the Online Career Ladder Program. Students who have achieved college credit at or above the associate degree level, and the registered respiratory therapist (RRT) credential will be eligible to interview for the Career Ladder Online Degree Completion program. Candidates should have:
- an earned certificate or associate degree in respiratory therapy
- RRT credentials
- completion of all baccalaureate core courses
- a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5
- have completed a professional portfolio
- Military respiratory therapists will receive special consideration
State Authorization to provide a program related to the preparation of professionals may not indicate eligibility for certification/licensure in your state. Please consult the appropriate certification/licensure office in your state before enrolling in our program to confirm that your completion of this program will meet your state requirements.
Careers in Respiratory Therapy
The U.S. News has ranked respiratory therapy No. 36 on the list “100 Best Jobs in America” and No. 15 on the list “Best Health Care Jobs” for 2023!
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited Respiratory Therapy program qualifies you for jobs and career advancement into leadership roles within healthcare organizations, including:
- Anesthesiology
- Pulmonary medicine
- Physician offices
- Hospice care
- Nursing care facilities
- Long-term acute-care facilities
- Home healthcare services
In some hospitals, respiratory therapists perform tasks that fall outside their traditional role, such as:
- Pulmonary rehabilitation
- Smoking cessation counseling
- Asthma and cystic fibrosis education
- Disease prevention
- Case management
- Polysomnography
Program Outcomes
| Number of Graduates | Job Placement | Retention | TMC Exam High Cut Score | Graduate Satisfaction | Employer Satisfaction | |
| 3-year Average | 17 | 90% | 86% | 87% | 100% | 100% |
Professional Licensure
The Department of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Sciences anticipates that graduates of this program will seek the following professional state licenses or certifications: Certified Respiratory Therapist, (CRT) and Registered Respiratory Therapist, (RRT).
The Department of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Sciences has determined that the required classes and educational activities of this academic program will qualify a graduate of this program to take the exam for a Respiratory Therapist State License or certificate in Georgia. The credentialing process is a two-part, nationally administered examination. Part one, a comprehensive written exam, is taken after graduation. Graduates who pass this exam will earn the entry-level credential “Certified Respiratory Therapist” (CRT), and will be eligible to take the Clinical Simulation Examination. The entry-level CRT credential is required for licensure by most states and the Georgia Composite State Board of Medical Examiners. Candidates who pass both the Therapist Multi-choice Examination and Clinical Simulation Examinations will earn advanced-practitioner status, and the credential Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT). The department has not determined whether this program satisfies the requirements of all states and territories for the Respiratory Therapist State Licensure. Visit the American Association for Respiratory Care to determine the requirements of your state or territory.
Accreditation
Georgia Southern University’s Respiratory Therapy program awards the Bachelor of Science degree and is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC), program #200277.
CoARC accredits respiratory therapy education programs in the United States. To achieve this end, it utilizes an ‘outcome 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.
Do You Have Questions? Contact Us!
Department of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Sciences
Georgia Southern University Armstrong Campus
Department of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Sciences Dept #4901
11935 Abercorn Street
Savannah, GA 31419
Respiratory Therapy
Phone: 912-344-2550
Fax: 912-344-3472
Email: respiratory@georgiasouthern.edu
For all Online Programs:
Federal Law requires colleges and universities to make certain disclosures to prospective students of these programs. These disclosure include information on the University’s authority to operate outside of Georgia, complaint processes, adverse actions, and refunds.
For required disclosures in general with regard to online programs offered by the University, visit the Office of Legal Affairs website.
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Last updated: 5/18/2023
