Program Overview

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Respiratory Therapy Program

The Respiratory Therapy program at Ohio State University is designed to prepare students for a career as licensed healthcare professionals. Respiratory therapists provide testing, treatment, and care to patients who have difficulty breathing.

Program Overview

Graduates of the program are trained to work with patients of all ages, from infants to older adults, in a variety of settings, including intensive care units, emergency departments, diagnostic laboratories, clinics, and home care.

Admission Criteria

Admission to the respiratory therapy major is based on a holistic review of each candidate, including academic achievement in prerequisites and the student's overall cumulative grade-point average. Competitive applicants will be invited for a personal interview.

Curriculum

The professional course work begins in the junior year and consists of five consecutive terms of enrollment, including one summer term, comprising over 60 credit hours in respiratory therapy and professional supporting courses. Students in this major are part of a cohort of students that take courses together and receive individualized attention from faculty.

Clinical Experiences

Most clinical experiences are on-campus at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center or off-campus at Nationwide Children's Hospital. Additional clinical sites include Grant Medical Center, Doctors Hospital, and Central Ohio Specialty Care.

Honors and Scholars Programs

The Honors Program in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences enhances the student experience in many ways, all of which further prepare students for the next step in their academic or professional careers. The Health Sciences Scholars Program and the Dunn Sport and Wellness Scholars Program may be of particular interest to students interested in the major.

Research Opportunities

Students are encouraged to investigate research opportunities. Interested students can graduate with research distinction by completing an undergraduate research thesis.

Student Organizations

Students in the respiratory therapy program can live in the Future Health Professionals Learning Community. Students may also apply to participate in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Ambassadors program.

Career Opportunities

Almost 100% of respiratory therapy graduates earn their Certified Respiratory Therapist credential, and over 90% earn their Registered Respiratory Therapist credential or equivalent specialty credential. Respiratory therapy has a projected job growth at almost twice the national average, including over 4,000 job openings annually.

Salary Estimates

The median annual wage for respiratory therapists is $70,540. The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of respiratory therapists will grow 14% from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations.

Accreditation

The respiratory therapy major is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care to prepare registered respiratory therapists as advanced-level respiratory care professionals. Students earn basic, advanced, and instructor certifications for CPR and are eligible for an Ohio professional license before graduation.