Best Online Respiratory Therapy Programs

Respiratory therapists assist patients with breathing issues, such as asthma, pneumonia, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). An aging population will lead to more of these conditions — and a greater demand for respiratory specialists.

Respiratory therapy requires an associate degree, making it one of the quickest career paths among healthcare degrees and careers. In this guide, we introduce the best online respiratory therapy programs and outline some considerations to keep in mind when entering this profession.

An associate in respiratory therapy is a two-year program that prepares you to become a respiratory therapist. In the program, you’ll gain the knowledge, skills, and techniques in respiratory care to prepare you for licensure and work as a registered respiratory therapist (RRT).

According to the American Association of Respiratory Care (AARC), an associate of applied science (AAS) degree prepares graduates to begin a career after graduation. You could also earn an associate of science (AS) degree from many community colleges or four-year colleges, but the AS typically prepares students to pursue a bachelor’s degree.

You can earn a respiratory therapy degree online, on campus, or through hybrid programs, although most online programs require some on-campus components. Coursework covers diagnosing, treating, and rehabilitating patients with cardiorespiratory diseases, including COPD.

While respiratory care practitioners or pulmonologists are medical doctors and require a doctorate, respiratory care therapists can start working with just an associate degree. Some employers, though, prefer job-seekers to hold a more advanced degree.

If you want to advance in your career more quickly or take on a managerial or teaching role, earning a bachelor’s or advanced degree can help you get there. After earning an AS or AAS, you can pursue a bachelor’s or master’s in respiratory therapy.

Bachelor’s programs in respiratory therapy provide more in-depth knowledge of respiratory care than an associate degree program. You can find degree advancement programs in respiratory care specifically designed for practicing respiratory therapists.

Advancing your degree could lead to higher lifetime earning potential. It could also be a step toward a career shift into related professional roles such as disease manager, case manager, or clinical specialist.

A master’s program in respiratory therapy covers coursework that advances your skills in respiratory therapy, plus topics such as education, research, management, and health policy. You might choose to earn a master’s to pursue a career in teaching respiratory care or to prepare for a research or management position.

Respiratory therapy degree programs let you hone your critical thinking, problem-solving, and technical skills.

In a respiratory therapy program, you’ll learn how to administer oxygen, operate mechanical ventilators, and measure lung function. You’ll also study math so you can perform key tasks, such as measuring patients’ medications.

Here are some common courses in associate in respiratory therapy programs:

Accreditation does much of the school and program vetting process for you. Accredited institutions meet a high standard of academic quality, making your college selection process a little easier.

When you choose an accredited school, you know you’ll have access to federal financial aid. Graduate schools and potential employers will recognize your degree as well.

In addition to institutional accreditation, be sure to look for programmatic accreditation of any respiratory therapy programs you’re considering.

You must graduate from a respiratory therapy program that’s been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) in order to qualify for NBRC’s professional credentialing exams. Most states require NBRC credentials for licensing and employment as a respiratory therapist.

The cost of a respiratory therapy degree program is determined by the university and whether it’s private or public. The delivery format, credit load, and any scholarships or grants you qualify for will also affect your total cost of attendance.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), in 2020, the average annual cost of associate programs in health professions (including respiratory therapy) was $17,448 for full-time on-campus programs and $15,523 for full-time online programs. For a two-year program in this field, this equates to a total cost of around $31,000-$35,000.

Part-time students can expect to pay less annually, but their programs will take longer than two years to complete.

According to NCES data, for the 2022-2023 academic year, the average total cost of attendance for a private nonprofit two-year college was $36,400 for off-campus students not living with family, while public two-year colleges cost an average of $20,900.

The earning potential for respiratory therapists depends on where they live and their years of experience. According to the BLS, in 2023, the median annual salary for respiratory therapists in the U.S. was $77,960.

According to Payscale data, as of October 2023, entry-level respiratory therapists in the U.S. earned an average annual salary of $53,710. Experienced respiratory therapists with over 20 years of experience earned an average annual salary of $73,470.

According to the AARC, all U.S. states except Alaska require respiratory therapists to have a license.

Exact licensure requirements vary by state, but you’ll generally need a respiratory therapy degree from an accredited program and an NBRC respiratory therapy credential.

NBRC offers two credentials: certified respiratory therapist (CRT) and registered respiratory therapist (RRT). For either credential, you must be at least 18 years old and pass the Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) Examination.

A low score is enough for the CRT credential, whereas a high score can get you the CRT credential and qualify you for the Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE). If you pass the TMC and the CSE, you’ll be awarded the RRT credential.

Both exams feature questions on patient data, troubleshooting of devices, infection control, and interventions. The TMC costs $190, while the CSE costs $200. State licensure fees fall between $30 and $340.

A typical respiratory therapy program takes two years to complete. You’ll need that time to earn an associate degree and qualify for the licensing exam. If you opt for an accelerated program or take courses during the summer semester, you could finish in less than two years.

Yes, you can earn an AS online. You can also earn a bachelor’s in respiratory therapy online. Most programs have an on-campus component, but some allow you to complete the program entirely online if you meet certain prerequisites.

As with programs in many healthcare fields, respiratory therapy can be challenging. It covers an array of critical health and science topics, including anatomy and advanced diagnostics. You must understand care principles and master various technical skills.

Clinical elements may prove tricky for some students as well, so be prepared to work hard in your respiratory therapy program.

On average, respiratory therapists make more money in outpatient care centers, employment services, and management of companies and enterprises. The states with the highest average salaries for respiratory therapists are California, New York, Alaska, and Washington.

The states with the highest number of respiratory therapist jobs are California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Ohio.

After earning an AS or AAS and becoming a respiratory therapist, you can choose to earn a bachelor’s degree and then go on to medical school. A bachelor’s or master’s may lead to more job opportunities and growth later in your career, and they can also be stepping stones toward med school.