Respiratory Therapy
Continue to main contentOutcomes & Careers
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98%
Successful Outcomes Rate
98% of students in the Department of Kinesiology, Nutrition, and Recreation report being employed or furthering their education within six months of graduation.
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$61k
Respiratory Therapist
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for respiratory therapists is $61,830.
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$96k
Outpatient Care Centers
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a respiratory therapist working in a out patient care center is $96,470.
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23%
Projected Employment Growth
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of respiratory therapists is projected to grow 23 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Respiratory Therapy Degree Map
Explore the courses you'll need to complete your degree
What You'll Study
This is a cooperative program with the Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center (CTC). The RT program will admit the first cohort of students in the fall 2023 semester. The time it takes to earn a degree will vary based on several factors such as dual enrollment, remediation, and summer enrollment. Students will meet with an academic advisor each semester and use Degree Works to monitor their individual progress.
Respiratory Therapy
(120-Hour Major – No Minor Required)
Required Courses- 51 hours:
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BS113/013 Anatomy and Physiology I (4)*
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CH181/081/001 Basic Principles of Chemistry (5)*
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EN100 English Composition (3)
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EN140 Rhetorical and Critical Thinking (3)
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FN235 Nutrition for Health (3)
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HL105 Introduction to Allied Health Professions (2)
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HL113 Medical Terminology (3)
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HL120 Health Perspectives (3)
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HL303 Research Methods (3)
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MA155 Statistical Reasoning (3)*
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PS103 US Political Systems (3)
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PY220 Psychological Development Across the Lifespan (3)
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SC155 Interpersonal Communication (3)
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Additional General Education requirements (10)
CTC Required Courses – 69 hours:
- RT100 Introduction to Respiratory Therapy (3)*
- RT208 Clinical Observation (1)
- RT210 Pharmacology (5)
- RT214 Cardiopulmonary A&P (5)
- RT220 Laboratory I (2)
- RT225 Fundamentals of Respiratory Therapy I (5)
- RT300 Adult Respiratory Disease I (3)
- RT302 Adult Respiratory Disease II (2)
- RT304 Clinical Practice I (4)
- RT305 Pediatric Respiratory Diseases (2)
- RT310 Pulmonary Diagnostics-PFT (1)
- RT314 Clinical Practice II (4)
- RT325 Fundamentals of Respiratory Therapy II (3)
- RT330 Laboratory II (1)
- RTXXX Microbiology (1)
- RT350 Mechanical Ventilation Theory (3)
- RT405 Advanced Neonatal & Pediatric Respiratory Care (4)
- RT410 Hemodynamics and EKG (4)
- RT420 Respiratory Care Simulation and Prep (4)
- RT424 Respiratory Care Advanced Internship (4)
- RT425 Respiratory Care Advanced Internship (4)
- RT440 Advanced Mechanical Ventilation (4)
*Requires a grade of C or higher
Some requirements may be fulfilled by coursework in major program.
- Social and Behavioral Sciences – 6 hours
- Constitution Requirement – 3 hours
- Written Communication – 6 hours
- Oral Communication – 3 hours
- Natural Sciences – 7 hours (from two disciplines, one to include a lab)
- Mathematics – 3 hours
- Humanities & Fine Arts – 9 hours (from at least two disciplines)
- Additional requirements – 5 hours (to include UI100 for native students)
- Civics examination
Freshman Year
Fall Semester (13 Hours)
- UI100 (1)
- BS113/013 (4)
- EN100 (3)
- HL105 (2)
- MA155 (3)
Spring Semester (15 Hours)
- EN140 (3)
- FN235 (3)
- HL120 (3)
- PY220 (3)
- RT100 (3)
Sophomore Year
Fall Semester (14 Hours)
- CH181/081/001 (5)
- PS103 (3)
- SC155 (3)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
Spring Semester (12 Hours)
- HL113 (3)
- HL303 (3)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
Junior Year
Fall Semester (18 Hours)
- RT208 (1)
- RT210 (5)
- RT215 (5)
- RT220 (2)
- RT225 (5)
Spring Semester (14 Hours)
- RT300 (3)
- RT304 (4)
- RT305 (2)
- RT325 (3)
- RT330 (1)
- RTXXX (1)
Summer (10)
- RT302 (2)
- RT310 (1)
- RT314 (4)
- RT350 (3)
Senior Year
Fall Semester (12 Hours)
- RT405 (4)
- RT410 (4)
- RT424 (4)
Spring Semester (12 Hours)
- RT420 (4)
- RT425 (4)
- RT440 (4)
Department of Kinesiology, Nutrition, and Recreation
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Accreditations
Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63701