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School of Medicine

Respiratory Therapy, BSRT

The Respiratory Therapy Program is a dynamic, highly interactive major characterized by individual support and mentorship from program faculty and clinical partners.

Blending a robust curriculum with innovative simulation facilities and practical experience in the field, our students learn extensively across all specializations of respiratory therapy and benefit from hands-on clinical opportunities in West Virginia’s largest health system, WVU Medicine.

With a critical demand for respiratory therapists in the state of West Virginia due to a growing community with respiratory disorders and the rapid expansion of healthcare organizations, our program is designed to provide the skills and expertise needed to become valued, knowledgeable and capable clinicians across all respiratory care practice areas.

Your Degree Plan

Intro

Respiratory therapists manage patients with various cardiopulmonary disorders, promoting optimal patient outcomes as part of an interprofessional care team.

With a strong emphasis on hands-on experience in the laboratory and through clinical placements, our curriculum prepares you for immediate employment or further study. While granting of the Bachelor of Science (BSRT) degree is not contingent on passing any external certification or licensure examination, the RT program also prepares graduates to sit for the Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) Examination and the Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE), given by The National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) and leading upon successful completion to the designation of Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).

The first two years of study consist of a pre-professional curriculum where students complete prerequisite coursework, while the last two years consist of the Respiratory Therapy professional curriculum. The pre-professional curriculum can be completed at the WVU Morgantown campus, one of the WVU regional campuses or any regionally accredited college or university. Prerequisites are outlined under Indirect Admission Pathway requirements, and include anatomy and physiology, biology, chemistry, psychology, communication and other general education requirements.

Take advantage of special options related to this major:

  • Honors

    Expand your curiosity — and enhance your curriculum — through the WVU Honors College. Two programs are offered: Honors Foundations for first- and second-year students and Honors EXCEL for third- and fourth-year students.

    Explore Honors

The WVU Difference

What sets this program apart from its competitors?

  • Our students enjoy the unique opportunity to benefit from a 1:1 student-to-ventilator ratio.
  • The demand for respiratory therapists nationwide is growing. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a 14% growth in the field by 2031.
  • The WVU Respiratory Therapy Program is one of only two BSRT programs in West Virginia.
Scholarships

Over 92% of WVU freshmen receive grants or scholarships (2022-2023).

Learn more

Learn by Doing

Learning happens outside the classroom. Get involved.

As a Respiratory Therapy student, you'll learn to perform clinical skills like:

  • Managing ventilators and hemodynamic monitoring
  • Observing critical care patients
  • Assessing and adjusting patient treatment modalities
  • Performing sleep studies and quality pulmonary diagnostics testing in acute and outpatient facilities

Live, study and pursue outside-the-classroom learning in a residence hall community that shares your interests:

Outside of the Evansdale Crossing building.

What you learn outside of the classroom is just as important as what you learn during class. We’ll help you follow your curiosity.

Careers and Outcomes

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

Respiratory Therapists

Assess, treat, and care for patients with breathing disorders. Assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care modalities, including the supervision of respiratory therapy technicians. Initiate and conduct therapeutic procedures; maintain patient records; and select, assemble, check, and operate equipment.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $77,960

Possible job titles include: Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Respiratory Therapist, Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT), Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).

Explore Career

Meet Your Community

The Respiratory Therapy family will inspire and support you.

Places and Spaces

Learn about all of the places and spaces you'll learn in.

Facility - Respiratory Therapy Lab

Respiratory Therapy Lab

The WVU Respiratory Therapy Program boasts state-of-the-art facilities to enhance student learning. Our dedicated respiratory therapy lab, completed in 2024, offers students a one-to-one ventilator ratio and ample opportunities to practice vital clinical skills.

Explore the Respiratory Therapy Lab
Facilities Thumbnail - STEPS Center

Simulation Training and Education for Patient Safety (STEPS) Center

The state-of-the-art STEPS Center provides a safe and supportive environment for deliberate practice of clinical skills by individuals and teams, including the development of inter-professional, collaborative competencies. STEPS provides 14,000 square feet of instructional space, including four Intensive Care Unit (ICU) setups for life-like manikins; two 10-bed open lab spaces for practicing nursing, basic life support and ultrasound skills; 12 patient exam rooms; a room for obstetrics and pediatric practice; a large surgical skills unit; and more.

Explore the Simulation Training and Education for Patient Safety (STEPS) Center
  • Virtual Tour
    It's the next-best thing to being here – you can virtually tour residence halls and the WVU Morgantown Campus.
  • Student Life
    You will have it all here — epic traditions, quality academics and a supportive community that feels like home.
  • Visit
    Experience WVU in person and start imagining life as a Mountaineer!

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to WVU's Respiratory Therapy major, first-time freshmen must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements. They also must meet one of the following admission requirements. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

Tuition and Aid

How much does Respiratory Therapy at WVU cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates are available on our tuition website. Anyone who is not a current West Virginia resident, including international students, will be charged non-resident rates.

View Tuition and Fees

Scholarships

Estimate your eligibility for merit scholarships at WVU Morgantown.

Find Scholarships

Net Price Calculator

Estimate your cost of attendance and eligibility for financial aid and scholarships at any WVU System campus.

Visit the Net Price Calculator

Ways to Save

Here are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending WVU in addition to university scholarships.

Financial Aid

The most important step toward funding your future with financial aid for the Respiratory Therapy major is submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.

How to Complete the FAFSA

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU.

Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Learn How to Transfer Course Credits

Ready to take the next step?

Learn how to join the WVU family.

Request Info

Want to know more about Respiratory Therapy at WVU? Fill out our request form to receive more information.

Request Info

Visit

​​Experiencing campus is the best way to see if WVU is the right fit. Choose from in-person and virtual options.

Visit WVU

Apply

Your first step to becoming a Mountaineer is applying for admission using our convenient online application.

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