WEATHER ALERT for January 25 & 26:
Important Information regarding Thomas Jefferson University for Sunday 1/25 and Monday 1/26 due to expected storm.
Read More [1/23/26 4 p.m.]
Information Sessions
Register for a virtual information session with our Program Director, Jerin George Juby, DMgt, RRT, to learn more about the Bachelor of Science Respiratory Therapy Program. In this session, we will present an overview of the program, review the curriculum, and address any of your questions.
Jefferson Offers Two Pathways to Earn Your BS in Respiratory Therapy
Jefferson College of Health Professions, in collaboration with National Jewish Health in Denver, Colorado offers the following Bachelor Degree in Respiratory Therapy (BSRT) programs:
- Entry Into Practice track prepares students who have completed their first two years of prerequisite courses to become Respiratory Therapists.
- Degree Advancement track prepares students who are practicing as Respiratory Therapists to advance in their careers.
Pathway Options
The Entry Into Practice BSRT Program prepares students who have completed their first two years of pre-requisite coursework to become respiratory therapists. The program consists of:
- 60 credits of general education and core competency requirements that students can complete at Jefferson or transfer from a regionally accredited institution.
- 60 credits of major respiratory therapy foundational courses.
- All didactic coursework will be fully online for students located in Denver and Philadelphia.
- Clinical and Lab experiences will be completed at local affiliated institutions in either the Philadelphia, Lehigh Valley, or Denver, CO.
Graduates of this program will be prepared to sit for the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credentialing exam offered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) and will be eligible to apply for licensure to practice.
What is Respiratory Therapy?
Respiratory therapists evaluate and treat patients with lung and heart problems. They administer medications, manage airways and perform cardiopulmonary rehabilitation. Respiratory therapists play a critical role in healthcare and work in emergency rooms, intensive care units, nursing homes, outpatient clinics, and even sleep centers. To learn more about the respiratory therapist profession, review this video developed by Be An RT.
Job responsibilities include:
- Manage ventilators
- Assess lung capacity
- Perform diagnostic tests
- Develop and implement treatment plans
- Monitor and record progress of treatment plan
- Educate patients about diseases and their treatments
How much do Respiratory Therapists make?
Respiratory Therapy is a health profession in demand. According to BLS, Respiratory Therapists (RTs) have an overall growth rate of 13% (much faster than average). The median annual wage for respiratory therapists in May 2024 is $80,450.
The Degree Advancement program allows licensed Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRT) who have completed an Associate degree in Respiratory Therapy from an accredited CoARC program to earn a BS in Respiratory Therapy. The program consists of:
- Up to 80 transfer credits including at least 40 credits of General Education courses completed at a regionally accredited institution.
- 40 credits of respiratory therapy advanced courses and electives.
- All coursework will be fully online.
- Accelerated 8-week format
Why should I consider a BSRT?
Respiratory therapy is a profession in transition. Earning a BSRT will advance your career and eventually advance the field. Jefferson’s BSRT program prepares you not only to become a better clinician, but also in research, teaching and learning, and leadership and management. The program will advance your knowledge and expertise.
Why Jefferson's Respiratory Therapy Program?
Jefferson has a long history of training medical professionals for over 200 years. As an innovative, long-standing university, Jefferson’s programs are both innovative and of high quality. The entry-level respiratory therapy program consists of two years of hybrid learning, 800 clinical hours, specializing in acute care, critical care, neonatal and pediatric care, pulmonary function testing, and post-acute care. The program prepares our graduates to be leaders in the field through courses focusing on research, management, and leadership. We offer unique pathways that give students the flexibility to fast-track their education and advance their careers.
BS in Respiratory Therapy to MS in Physician Assistant Studies Pathway
Our exclusive RT-to-PA pathway offers a limited number of seats in our Physician Assistant program for our Respiratory Therapy graduates. Upon completion of Jefferson's Entry into Practice Respiratory Therapy program and becoming a licensed Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT), we offer an guaranteed interview into our Jefferson Physician Assistant Program (East Falls/NJ). Please contact the respiratory therapy program director to learn more about the requirements and eligibility for this pathway.
Paramedic to BS in Respiratory Therapy Pathway
We offer a Paramedic to Respiratory Therapy pathway for paramedics to pursue a career in respiratory therapy. Paramedics with an active paramedic license may be eligible for 20+ credits awarded towards the pre-professional phase of the program.
Program Details
Tuition for the Entry into Practice and Degree Advancement options are listed on the Tuition page here.
Other Estimated Costs:
Entry into Practice
Books - $1,000
Therapist Multiple Choice SAE - $100
Clinical Simulation SAE - $140
Clearances - $150
Scrubs - $150
Stethoscope and other supplies - $100
Total: $1,640
Degree Advancement
Books - $500
Is the program online?
The program is hybrid. All didactic coursework is completed online. Labs are conducted at state-of-the-art clinical simulation centers located in three cities: Philadelphia, Lehigh Valley, and Denver.
Where do I do clinicals?
Clinicals are completed in the Philadelphia metro, Lehigh Valley, PA area as well as Denver, CO for our students living in Denver. Students are placed at major academic medical centers, children’s hospitals, outpatient clinics, and acute rehabilitation centers in these regions, and are required to complete 800 clinical hours as part of the program.
Can I work while being in the program?
Yes, you can work while being in the program. We recommend not more than 24 hours per week.
I have not completed all my prerequisites. When can I apply?
We require you to have all the prerequisites completed prior to the start of the program. If you have completed most of the prerequisites (48 credits or more), we welcome you to submit your application online.
Where can I work after graduation?
Respiratory therapists are in high demand. Hospitals in most regions are looking to hire RTs. Most of our students receive job offers during their clinical placements. Our students currently work at Jefferson Health, AtlantiCare, and Cooper University Health in the Philadelphia metro region.
Is the program online?
Yes, the program is 100% online and asynchronous.
Can I work while being in the program?
Yes, most of our students work full-time as respiratory therapists.
Do I need to work at Jefferson to do this program?
No, you can work at any institution. As long as you’re a graduate of a CoARC-accredited program, have earned the RRT credential, and have maintained the recommended GPA, you can join and complete the program.
How long does it take to complete the program?
You can complete the program in less than two years. We allow up to six years to complete. Most of our students are working full-time and taking courses part-time, with an average completion time of three years.
What can I do with a BSRT degree?
Many students continue to work clinically in respiratory therapy, whereas some students plan to apply for management roles, or education programs (Physician Assistant, Cardiovascular Perfusion, MBA).
Accreditation Status
Entry into Practice
The Thomas Jefferson University/National Jewish Health, program # 200652, BS RT Entry into Practice, in Philadelphia, PA, 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 on-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.
Degree Advancement
The Thomas Jefferson University/National Jewish Health, program # 510030, BS RT Degree Advancement, in Philadelphia, PA, 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 on-site visit.
