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Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy,
RRT to BSRT Degree Completion

Respiratory therapists assess and manage a wide array of patients, from neonates with underdeveloped lungs to seniors with lung diseases.

As the field evolves, it's increasingly focusing on holistic care—encompassing acute care, preventive measures, and patient education.

The American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) acknowledges that a bachelor's degree represents the future of the profession. With the Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy from Nebraska Methodist College, you're poised to rise as an industry leader.

best online bachelors respiratory therapy 2019

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests that in May 2023, a Respiratory Therapist's median salary was $77,960 annually ($37.48 hourly). The forecast also shows an encouraging 13% growth for this profession from 2023 to 2033. Furthermore, for 2024, Intelligent.com ranked NMC's RRT to BSRT degree as the 6th best online bachelor's degree in respiratory therapy nationwide.

intelligent.com-top-11-online-respiratory-therapy-programs_2022_seal

NMC proudly ranks as the 4th best online bachelor's degree in respiratory therapy in the country by Best Colleges in 2019.

 

The ranking commended NMC for having the best specialization options among the top group.

RRT to BSRT Program Perks
  • Entirely online coursework allows uninterrupted practice in your locality.
  • Clinical hours are not required in the degree advancement courses.
  • Syllabi reflect the dynamic role of respiratory therapists, incorporating health promotion, leadership, health education, case management, and healthcare policy insights.
  • Emphasizes the all-encompassing nature of respiratory care.
  • Option to select from two advanced practice tracks: Education & Research or Healthcare Management & Leadership.
  • A generous grant of six credits for "Credit for Prior Learning" is given to those entering with a RRT certification.
  • Interested in minoring in Spanish? Find out more
  • CoARC Respiratory Therapy Program Goals and Outcomes
COARC

Accreditation & Licensure

The Nebraska Methodist College, of Omaha, Nebraska, CoARC program number 510010, awards the Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy degree, holds Provisional Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (www.coarc.com). 

This status signifies that a program with an Approval of Intent has demonstrated sufficient compliance with the Standards (through submission of an acceptable Provisional Accreditation Self Study Report (PSSR) and any other documentation required by the CoARC, as well as satisfactory completion of an initial site visit), to be allowed to admit students. It is recognized as an accredited program by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC), which provides enrolled students who complete the program with eligibility for the Respiratory Care Credentialing Examination(s). The program will remain on Provisional Accreditation until it achieves Continuing Accreditation.

Students must pass the two National Board for Respiratory Care exams (Therapist Multiple Choice and Clinical Simulation exams) and earn the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential before graduation from the program. This is a CoARC accreditation requirement.

Admissions Information

Criteria

Applicants are evaluated on the basis of the following criteria:

  • Graduation from a CoARC-approved respiratory care program.
  • Must complete RRT advanced credential by the end of the fourth year prior to graduation.
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.
  • College record.
  • Non-Nebraska residents or students planning to practice outside the state of Nebraska meet State Authorization requirements.

Requirements

To be considered for admission the following items must be submitted to the Admissions Office:

Deadlines

Prospective students may apply anytime and are accepted on a rolling basis. Applications will be reviewed upon receipt and students will be notified of their acceptance by postal mail, email or phone.

Starting Term - Summer 2025

Standard Deadline - 4/25/2025

Starting Term - Fall 2025

Priority Deadline - 2/1/2025

Standard Deadline - 7/11/2025

Starting Term - Spring 2025

Standard Deadline - 12/6/2024

Costs & Financial Aid

NMC is committed to helping you find every avenue to finance your education. View the Tuition by Program & Degree page for a comprehensive list of all fees.

Cost Per Credit Hour

$623

NMC Scholarships

NMC Scholarships consist of funds generously provided by the Methodist Hospital Foundation to assist our students.

Student Grants or Loans

Visit our Financial Aid page to learn more about what's available and how to apply.

Employee Education Benefits

Employees of Methodist Health System can find details on the MHS Intranet.

External Scholarships

Visit our Scholarships page to learn more.

Calculate Your Net Price

Nebraska Methodist College Net Price Calculator.

Curriculum

The program requires a minimum of 125 credit hours. All students are required to complete specific coursework. This list should only be used as a curriculum guide. Course listings and required curriculum are subject to change. 

Included within this list is the Educated Citizen Core Curriculum. All students seeking to complete an undergraduate degree at Nebraska Methodist College must complete this set of Arts and Sciences requirements.

Core

COM 101
ENGLISH COMPOSITION
DETAILS
This course provides instruction and practice in writing, with emphasis on the recursive processes of generating, drafting, revising and editing. Students develop skills in producing and evaluating written communications in private and public contexts.

HUM 220-279
Humanities Elective
DETAILS

MAT 120
COLLEGE ALGEBRA
DETAILS
This course provides an advanced study of algebraic methods and prepares students for further studies in mathematics and physics. Content of the course starts with a review of basic concepts of algebra, and then it intensifies the study of the following topics: equations, inequalities, polynomials, exponents, logarithms, and the concept of functions and their graphs.

RCP ---
TRANSFERRABLE RESPIRATORY CARE COURSEWORK
DETAILS
Professional Coursework can be found on the Associate of Science in Respiratory Care program page.

SCI ---
TRANSFERRABLE SCIENCE COURSEWORK
DETAILS
Science credit from previously completed coursework will be evaluated to fulfill this requirement.

First year - First Semester

COM 255 or 262
Beginning Healthcare Spanish or American Sign Language Basic Skills
DETAILS

Beginning Healthcare Spanish

This course will provide basic knowledge of the Spanish language and Latino culture, and emphasize the importance of this knowledge as it relates to healthcare in the United States. The student will demonstrate an ability to express ideas and thoughts in Spanish using both verbal and nonverbal communication skills in a culturally competent manner. In addition, the student will develop strategies to continue acquiring proficiency with the Spanish language beyond this course.

OR

American Sign Language Basic Skills

This course presents practical communication skills needed for health professionals working with deaf clients. Everyday communication is the centerpiece of every lesson. Topics revolve around sharing information which is vital in the healthcare industry. Grammar is introduced in context, with an emphasis on developing question and answering skills that would occur between healthcare professional and patient. Students will learn conversational strategies to help maintain a conversation with deaf patients. Students will appreciate the diversity of deaf people and their culture. Interaction activities will allow students to rehearse what they’ve learned.

COR 101
Educated Citizen 101
DETAILS

First year - Second Semester

COR 201
Educated Citizen 201
DETAILS

HUM 220-279
HUMANITIES ELECTIVE
DETAILS

PSY 101 or 215
Introduction to Psychology or Lifespan Development
DETAILS

PSY 101     INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY This course offers students an engaging introduction to the essential topics in the field of psychology. Throughout this scientific study of human behavior and the mind, students will survey and gain insight into the history of the field of psychology, as well as explore current theories and issues in areas such as wellness, emotion, cognition, motivation, perception, consciousness, social and personality, and memory.

 

PSY 215     LIFESPAN DEVELOPMENT The Lifespan perspective involves several basic contentions: development is life-long, multidimensional, multi-directional, plastic, historically embedded, multi-disciplinary and contextual. Three imperative developmental issues are explored: maturation and experience, continuity and discontinuity and stability and change. Students study how humans develop and how they become who they are.

First year - Third Semester

HUM 213
PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF ETHICS
DETAILS
This course introduces students to theories and practices of individual, communal and societal obligations. Moral inquiry in the course proceeds from a philosophical basis, with an emphasis on varied professional codes of ethics in healthcare disciplines. Students will explore codes of ethics and how they relate to traditional Western philosophies.

HUM 220-279
HUMANITIES ELECTIVE
DETAILS

SSC 325
APPLIED ANALYSIS OF RESEARCH
DETAILS
Evidence-based practice is an important component of effective clinical management. This course allows students to develop skills in applied statistics and research while learning to critically examine healthcare information from a variety of sources, including but not limited to professional journals, governmental reports and public media.

Second year - First Semester

COR 301
EDUCATED CITIZEN 301
DETAILS

Prerequisites: COM 101 and HUM 150 or HUM 152

RCP 320
HEALTH EDUCATION
DETAILS
This course will provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to communicate health-related information among groups and individuals. Topics covered include adult learning styles, strategies for promoting healthy lifestyles, the importance of providing applicable health information, mechanisms used for distribution of information and methods for discussing the relationship between diseases and health behaviors.

Education Track

BSH 340
HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
DETAILS
A study of the history of health records, professional ethics, the functions of a health information department, retention of records, medical forms, health information practices, and responsibilities to healthcare administration, medical staff, and other medical professionals.

COR 401
EDUCATED CITIZEN 401
DETAILS

COR 402
EDUCATED CITIZEN 402: SEMINAR
DETAILS

RCP 363
WELLNESS COACHING FOR THE HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL
DETAILS
This course is designed to introduce the wellness coaching model to a healthcare professional. The major topics covered are defining a scope of practice, coaching relationships, and motivational interviewing. The course structure is designed around weekly themes that align with the course objectives. All course materials/assignments are required unless otherwise noted.

RCP 371
WELLNESS ASSESSMENT & DESIGN IN HEALTHCARE
DETAILS
This course is designed to introduce the needs assessment process and provide direction relative to conducting needs assessments with a variety of populations. The course will outline methods for assessing the health and development needs of the population. The student will identify at-risk populations and conduct research to identify specific processes and interventions necessary to address the needs identified.

RCP 383
WELLNESS IMPLEMENTATION & EVALUATION
DETAILS
This course will educate the student about developing goals, objectives and strategies to address specific population wellness needs. Students will learn to develop an action plan for reaching program goals including methods for evaluating program success and deficiencies.

RCP 420
EDUCATIONAL STRATEGIES FOR THE PULMONARY PATIENT
DETAILS
This course is designed to assist respiratory therapy practitioners to improve their pulmonary disease education knowledge and skills to improve chronic pulmonary disease care and to promote patient knowledge of their disease. At the end of this course, the student will be able to identify significant components of patient pulmonary disease education. The knowledge gained can be applied to educate patients on various pulmonary diseases and interventions.

RCP 427
CASE MANAGEMENT AND THE RESPIRATORY PRACTITIONER
DETAILS
This course will cover behaviors that impact health including physical activity, nutrition, obesity, substance abuse, and stress. This course will provide information regarding the ways in which common risk factors relate to disease. Strategies for prevention of disease in these areas will also be covered.

RCP 490
RESPIRATORY CARE CAPSTONE
DETAILS
This course is designed to bring together all bachelors-level Respiratory Care coursework. Each student will take all of the aspects taught throughout the program and create a wellness or education program targeting a population identified at the beginning of the bachelor’s degree program. The course will culminate with students presenting their program as they would present it to a group of stakeholders.

Healthcare Management Track

BSH 310
HUMAN RESOURCES
DETAILS
This course explores the function of human resources within the healthcare organization. The focus of the course is on the development of skills that the department leader needs for effective management of personnel. Subjects include strategies to attract, hire, and retain high quality employees, compensation and benefit packages, productivity, and employee development, evaluation and training, as well as existing laws and policies surrounding employee relations.

BSH 340
HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
DETAILS
A study of the history of health records, professional ethics, the functions of a health information department, retention of records, medical forms, health information practices, and responsibilities to healthcare administration, medical staff, and other medical professionals.

BSH 401
HEALTHCARE QUALITY
DETAILS
This course provides an introduction to knowledge and skills needed to lead quality improvement initiatives. Focusing on the evolution of quality from management to assurance and final to improvement students will explore the history of quality improvement. Students will examine principles, concepts and methods related to the application of quality initiatives and strategies to quality improvement in a healthcare setting. Thematic topics for specific initiatives may include Lean Methodology concepts, Six Sigma, and Plan-Do-Check Act (PDCA) Cycle related to performance improvement in healthcare.

BSH 403
LEADERSHIP IN HEALTHCARE
DETAILS
This course provides a foundational investigation of personal and organizational leadership with an emphasis on developing leadership talent. The following topics in leadership are included: overview of key leadership theories; differences between management and leadership; followership, implementing change, and emerging trends. Students will learn attributes of successful leaders, including interpersonal skills, attitudes, and behaviors, which can facilitate effective leadership within organizations.

BSH 410
OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT IN HEALTHCARE
DETAILS
This course focuses on healthcare operations management from the perspective of a healthcare professional. It provides a quantitative approach to analyzing business and logistics concepts and how they impact the healthcare equation. The course explores the foundations of operations management in healthcare, healthcare as a business, fundamentals of financial performance in healthcare, and the supply chain in support of healthcare and pharmaceutical operations management.

COR 401
EDUCATED CITIZEN 401
DETAILS

COR 402
EDUCATED CITIZEN 402: SEMINAR
DETAILS

RCP 363
WELLNESS COACHING FOR THE HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL
DETAILS
This course is designed to introduce the wellness coaching model to a healthcare professional. The major topics covered are defining a scope of practice, coaching relationships, and motivational interviewing. The course structure is designed around weekly themes that align with the course objectives. All course materials/assignments are required unless otherwise noted.

RCP 490
RESPIRATORY CARE CAPSTONE
DETAILS
This course is designed to bring together all bachelors-level Respiratory Care coursework. Each student will take all of the aspects taught throughout the program and create a wellness or education program targeting a population identified at the beginning of the bachelor’s degree program. The course will culminate with students presenting their program as they would present it to a group of stakeholders.

Meet the Faculty

Our respiratory therapy faculty are highly experienced and credentialed in their own fields, giving you constant real-world insight you can use. While any instructor can recite from a textbook, ours go a step further and draw from vast personal and professional experiences. Instructors here care as deeply about their students as they do the subject matter and it shows.

Meet the Faculty

Additional information

Which degree is right for me?

Nebraska Methodist College offers different degree programs in respiratory therapy to fit your current level of education and/or certification. We've illustrated the most common situations below as a guide. For information specific to your situation, please contact one of our admissions coordinators.

Which-RT-Degree-is-Right-for-Me-Build-02

 

Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy Program Goals, Outcomes & Assessment

To provide graduates of entry into respiratory care professional practice degree programs with additional knowledge, skills, and attributes in leadership, management, education, research, and/or advanced clinical practice that will enable them to meet their current professional goals and prepare them for practice as advanced degree respiratory therapists.
It is a requirement to complete the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential by the end of the fourth year prior to graduation. A student cannot graduate without passing the national board exams leading to the RRT credential. This is a requirement for a degree  advancement program set forth by CoARC accreditation.

BSRT Programmatic Student Outcomes Data

The Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care maintains the latest information on student outcomes from all accredited programs. https://coarc.com/students/programmatic-outcomes-data/ 

CoARC accredits respiratory therapy education programs in the United States. To achieve this end, it utilizes an ‘outcomes 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.

Program Outcomes

Graduates of the BSRT program will:

1. Develop model, evidence-based protocols and respiratory care plans for clinical practice to include disease management.

2. Demonstrate the effectiveness of the respiratory therapist in health promotion and disease prevention.

3. Comprehend the role of leadership and management as it relates to healthcare policies that affect patient care and professional practice.

4. Utilize oral and written interdisciplinary communication in coordinating care for patients.

5. Apply educational theory practice to implement education programs for pulmonary disease patients.

AARC STATEMENT of ETHICS and PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

In the conduct of professional activities, the Respiratory Therapist shall be bound by the following ethical and professional principles. Respiratory Therapists shall:
  • Demonstrate behavior that reflects integrity, supports objectivity, and fosters trust in the profession and its professionals.
  • Promote and practice evidence-based medicine.
  • Seek continuing education opportunities to improve and maintain their professional competence and document their participation accurately.
  • Perform only those procedures or functions in which they are individually competent, and which are within their scope of accepted and responsible practice.
  • Respect and protect the legal and personal rights of patients, including the right to privacy, informed consent, and refusal of treatment.
  • Divulge no protected information regarding any patient or family unless disclosure is required for the responsible performance of duty as authorized by the patient and/or family or required by law.
  • Provide care without discrimination on any basis, with respect for the rights and dignity of all individuals.
  • Promote disease prevention and wellness.
  • Refuse to participate in illegal or unethical acts.
  • Refuse to conceal, and will report, the illegal, unethical, fraudulent, or incompetent acts of others.
  • Follow sound scientific procedures and ethical principles in research.
  • Comply with state or federal laws which govern and relate to their practice.
  • Avoid any form of conduct that is fraudulent or creates a conflict of interest and shall follow the principles of ethical business behavior.
  • Promote health care delivery through improvement of the access, efficacy, and cost of patient care.
  • Encourage and promote appropriate stewardship of resources.
  • Work to achieve and maintain respectful, functional, beneficial, relationships, and communication with all health professionals.

Disregard for the effects of one’s actions on others, bullying, harassment, intimidation, manipulation, threats, or violence are always unacceptable behaviors. It is the position of the American Association for Respiratory Care that there is no place in a professional practice environment for lateral violence and bullying among respiratory therapists or between healthcare professionals.

Effective: 12/94
Revised: 10/21

For a more detailed description of the expectations for ethical behavior, see AARC's Position Statements.