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Respiratory Therapy, B.S.

Program Details

What is Respiratory Therapy?

Respiratory Therapy is a specialized health care field where practitioners are trained in pulmonary medicine in order to work therapeutically with people suffering from pulmonary disease1. 

Why Study Respiratory Therapy?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of respiratory therapists is projected to grow 19% from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. Growth in the middle-aged and elderly population will lead to an increased rate of respiratory conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pneumonia.

And, the coronavirus has demonstrated that respiratory therapists are frontline workers and play a critical role in treating Covid-19 positive patients. Their expertise ranges from assessing blood gases and assisting with intubations and bronchoscopies to ventilator management.

1 What is Respiratory Therapy?

Our Vision

The vision of the UNCW Bachelor’s in Respiratory Therapy program is to be recognized as a premier learning institution in the field of respiratory therapy within the State of North Carolina and beyond.

Find Your Path
UNC Wilmington's Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy (BSRT) program offers two ways to complete a bachelor's degree. 

Bachelor of Science (Entry into Practice)

This program is designed for students who are pursuing an initial bachelor's degree in respiratory therapy. Classes are held on campus in a traditional format.

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RRT-BSRT (Degree Advancement)

This program is tailored to registered respiratory therapists (RRTs) who would like to advance their careers and academic credentials. Classes are offered in an online accelerated program (OAP) format.

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Accreditation

CoARC logoThe Respiratory Therapy Program in the School of Health and Applied Human Sciences at the University of North Carolina Wilmington is pursuing accreditation with the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). The Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care has voted on and accepted our application for provisional accreditation.

The Respiratory Therapy program's, [CoARC program number(s) 200643 & 510021] bachelor’s degrees awarded at the University of North Carolina Wilmington 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 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.

Contact the Respiratory Therapy Program

For questions regarding admissions, contact Jamy Chulak, EdD, MS, RRT | Program Coordinator & Clinical Associate Professor

Phone: (910) 962-0572

chulakj@uncw.edu

School of Health & Applied Human Sciences

For questions regarding advising, please contact the CHHS Student Success Center at (910) 962-3208 or chhsoap@uncw.edu. 

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