Start or advance your career in respiratory therapy

Prepare to enter a vital healthcare profession or take your respiratory therapy career further. UTMB offers educational pathways for new students and working respiratory therapists, with programs designed to build clinical expertise, expand career opportunities and prepare graduates to make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives.

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  • Open House

    Learn about our institution, academic programs, curriculum, and more 

    • June 5, 2026 (Virtual) 
    • June 12, 2026 (In-Person) 
    • June 18, 2026 (Virtual) 

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  • Get in Touch

    Use our form to contact an admissions coordinator for additional information.

    Contact Us 

  • Contact

    Department of Respiratory Therapy 
    301 University Blvd.
    SHP/SON Building, Room 3.724
    Galveston, TX 77555
    Phone: 409-772-5693 
    Fax: 409-772-3014 
    shprespc@utmb.edu

Degree Plans & Tracks

A healthcare professional in scrubs sits at a desk with a laptop and medical reference materials.

B.S. in Respiratory Therapy

For practicing respiratory therapists with an associate degree 

Advance your respiratory therapy career through a fully online bachelor’s degree designed for working professionals. Build on your associate degree, strengthen your clinical expertise, expand your career opportunities and prepare for graduate study while continuing to care for patients. 
A group of healthcare students in blue scrubs stands together outside on a college campus.

M.S. in Respiratory Therapy (Entry-Level Track)

For students who want to become respiratory therapists

Begin a career in respiratory therapy through this full-time, on-campus graduate program. Designed for students without previous respiratory therapy education or experience, the Entry-Level Track prepares graduates to become Registered Respiratory Therapists and provide direct patient care in a variety of clinical settings. 
A healthcare professional wearing a white coat holds a clipboard in a bright clinical setting.

M.S. in Respiratory Therapy (Degree Advancement Track)

For practicing respiratory therapists with a bachelor’s degree

Prepare for advanced professional roles through a fully online graduate program designed for experienced respiratory therapists. Deepen your expertise through focused study in operational leadership, education or research, and develop the skills to expand your impact within the profession. 

Career Outlook

Why choose a career in respiratory therapy? 

From supporting a premature baby’s first breaths to managing lifesaving care in the intensive care unit, respiratory therapists make an immediate and lasting difference for patients of all ages. It is a hands-on healthcare career for people who want meaningful work, strong connections with patients and an essential role on the care team. 

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  • Role & Responsibilities

    Respiratory therapists assess, treat and monitor patients who have difficulty breathing because of illness, injury or chronic disease. They care for patients of all ages, from premature infants with underdeveloped lungs to older adults living with conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. 

    Depending on the patient and setting, respiratory therapists may: 

    • Administer oxygen, medications and breathing treatments 
    • Manage mechanical ventilators and other life-support equipment 
    • Perform pulmonary function and diagnostic tests 
    • Monitor patients and evaluate their response to treatment 
    • Assist during medical emergencies, rapid responses and resuscitation 
    • Help patients manage chronic respiratory conditions 
    • Teach patients and families how to use medications and respiratory equipment 

    Respiratory therapists work closely with physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals, but they also use their own clinical knowledge and judgment to recognize changes in a patient’s condition and respond quickly. 

  • Work Environment

    Respiratory therapy is an active, hands-on profession that combines patient care, critical thinking and advanced medical technology. Respiratory therapists may work with several patients during a shift and must be prepared to respond when a patient’s breathing or condition changes unexpectedly. 

    Many respiratory therapists work in hospitals, including: 

    • Emergency departments
    • Adult intensive care units
    • Neonatal and pediatric intensive care units
    • Labor and delivery units
    • General patient-care units
    • Surgical and recovery areas 

    Respiratory therapists may also work in pulmonary function and sleep laboratories, rehabilitation programs, outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, home healthcare and medical equipment companies. 

    Because hospitals provide care around the clock, some positions require evening, overnight, weekend or holiday shifts. Work schedules vary by employer and area of practice. 

  • Job Growth

    Demand for respiratory therapists is expected to grow as the population ages and more people need care for chronic respiratory and cardiopulmonary conditions.

    The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of respiratory therapists to grow 12% from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 8,800 openings are projected nationwide each year during that period.

    Respiratory therapists may work in direct patient care, critical care, neonatal and pediatric care, pulmonary diagnostics, rehabilitation and home care. With experience and additional education, they may also pursue roles in education, research, management, operational leadership and advanced practice.

  • Income

    In 2025, The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics Profiles projected the mean annual wage of Respiratory Therapists working in the U.S. as $87,300 annually; range $63,660 (10th percentile) to $118,050 (90th percentile). 

    Actual earnings vary based on: 

    • Geographic location 
    • Employer and work setting 
    • Education and credentials 
    • Clinical experience 
    • Specialty area 
    • Shift schedules and additional responsibilities 

    Salary information is provided as a general guide and does not guarantee a particular starting salary or level of compensation. 

Marketable Skills   

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  • B.S. in Respiratory Therapy

    Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy (BSRT) program are prepared to meet the evolving demands of today’s healthcare environment with confidence and versatility. This degree advancement program is designed for practicing respiratory therapists who want to expand their professional opportunities and deepen their clinical and professional expertise.

    Through advanced coursework and practical application, students develop the skills needed to succeed in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, education, research, and industry. The program supports growth in leadership, critical thinking and evidence-based practice, preparing graduates to enhance patient care and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of the respiratory therapy profession.

    Here are some of the key skills and competencies you can expect to gain through the program:

    • Advanced Clinical Competency: Assess, manage and optimize care for patients with complex cardiopulmonary conditions using evidence-based practices.
    • Critical Thinking and Decision-Making: Analyze patient data and make informed clinical decisions in high-pressure environments.
    • Leadership and Team Collaboration: Lead interdisciplinary teams, mentor peers and contribute to improved patient outcomes through effective collaboration.
    • Patient Education and Communication: Translate complex medical information into clear, compassionate guidance for patients and families.
    • Quality Improvement and Research Application: Interpret research, apply best practices and participate in quality improvement initiatives that enhance healthcare delivery.

  • M.S. in Respiratory Therapy (Entry-Level Track)

    The Entry-Level Master of Science in Respiratory Therapy (MSRT) program equips students with the knowledge and hands-on training needed to become competitive candidates for employers. Graduates may pursue careers in hospitals, clinics, academic institutions, research facilities and industry settings. Graduates of the Entry-Level MSRT program develop the following marketable skills:

    • Communication and Interprofessional Collaboration: Communicate effectively and contribute as a member of an interprofessional healthcare team.
    • Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Evaluate complex information, identify problems and develop effective solutions with confidence.
    • Evidence-Based Treatment Planning: Develop and implement treatment plans and protocols using evidence-based practice guidelines.
    • Research Development and Regulatory Review: Develop research proposals and prepare them for submission to an Institutional Review Board for approval.
    • Accuracy and Attention to Detail: Complete tasks accurately and demonstrate strong attention to detail.

  • M.S. in Respiratory Therapy (Degree Advancement Track)

    The Master of Science in Respiratory Therapy (MSRT) Degree Advancement Track is designed to help practicing respiratory therapists expand their expertise and prepare for leadership in the field. Students develop the knowledge and skills needed to enhance patient care, contribute to respiratory care education and research, and advance professional practice.

    Here are some of the key skills and competencies you can expect to gain through the program:

    • Evidence-Based Practice: Evaluate current research and apply evidence-based practices to support effective, up-to-date patient care.
    • Leadership and Management: Lead teams, manage resources and make strategic decisions in supervisory and managerial roles within healthcare organizations.
    • Education and Training: Teach and mentor future respiratory therapists using effective instructional and professional development strategies.
    • Research and Scholarship: Design research studies, collect and analyze data, and share findings that contribute to the advancement of respiratory care.
    • Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Assess complex clinical situations, identify priorities and make informed decisions that support safe, effective patient care.
    • Ethical and Legal Practice: Apply ethical and legal principles related to patient confidentiality, informed consent and regulatory compliance.
    • Cultural Competency: Provide respectful, culturally responsive care that considers patients’ diverse backgrounds, values and beliefs.
    • Quality Improvement and Patient Safety: Contribute to quality improvement initiatives that strengthen patient safety and improve healthcare delivery.

Career Paths

B.S. in Respiratory Therapy
M.S. in Respiratory Therapy (Entry-Level Track)
M.S. in Respiratory Therapy (Degree Advancement Track)

Department Foundations

Our Vision

To improve the quality of healthcare through the clinical practice, scholarship, and research of our graduates. We envision graduates serving as leaders in clinical practice, education and research.

Our Mission

To recruit and educate a diverse student body that reflects and responds to the healthcare needs of Texas and the surrounding region.

Our Philosophy

The Respiratory Therapy program prepares students to become competent, ethical and responsible respiratory therapists. The program combines technical education with professional development to support success in entry-level practice.

To support this mission, the program follows the policies and regulations outlined in the School of Health Professions Bulletin and the UTMB Catalog. Additional program policies are based on educational requirements, clinical expectations, and operational considerations. Students are responsible for understanding these policies, how they are applied, and the reasons behind them before beginning the program.

To support advanced-level respiratory therapy education, the program is a member and sponsor of the American College for Respiratory Therapy Education.

Program Goals

B.S. in Respiratory Therapy
M.S. in Respiratory Therapy (Entry-Level Track)
M.S. in Respiratory Therapy (Degree Advancement Track)

Accreditation

MSRT (Entry-Level Track) Accreditation
BSRT and MSRT (Degree Advancement Track) Accreditation

Faculty & Staff

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Awards

APEX 2024-2025 Recipient News Logo
Apex Recognition Award (2025-2026)
CoARC Distinguished Registered Respiratory Therapist Credentialing Success Award (2024)
Distinguished Registered Respiratory Therapist Credentialing Success Award (2024)

Frequently Asked Questions

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Resources 

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Last updated: August 14, 2026