Respiratory Therapy Degree Advancement Program — AAS to BSRT

Program Overview

The AAS to BSRT Degree Advancement Program (DAP) has been designed for National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) credentialed Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRTs) currently holding an Associate of Applied Science degree in Respiratory Care desiring to complete their Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy degree. Respiratory Therapy program courses can be completed entirely in-person, online synchronous or asynchronous. Each Respiratory Therapy course will be taught in person, live-streamed, and recorded to meet the demands of working RRTs.

Admission is considered for AAS graduates with at least 60 credit hours from a respiratory care program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). Students must earn the last 30 credit hours from The University of Akron to be considered for graduation from the Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy program.

Degree Advancement Program Summary
AAS Degree + RRT Credential 60+ credits
The University of Akron Core Requirements 33 credits
Respiratory Therapy Requirements  28 credits
Total Required for BSRT Degree 120 credits

Program Faculty

  • Stacia Biddle, PhD, RRT – Associate Professor, Program Director
  • Marc Haas, MS, RRT – Associate Professor, Director of Clinical Education
  • Eric Smith, MS, RRT-NPS – Assistant Professor

Program Requirements

  • Mathematics MATH:152 & MATH:153 Tech Math II and III OR MATH:145 Algebra for Calculus OR MATH:250 Statistics for Everyday Life OR MATH:260 Basic Statistics (3)
  • English ENGL:112 English Composition II OR ENGL:222 Technical Report Writing (3)
  • Communication Public Speaking requirement (3)
  • Fine Arts requirement (3)
  • Humanities requirement (3)
  • Fine Arts or Humanities requirement (3)
  • Natural Science requirement (Most likely transfer credits)
  • Social Science requirement (2 courses) (6)
  • Diversity requirement (3)
  • Domestic requirement (3)
  • Global requirement (3)
  • Total General Education Credits: 43

The University of Akron may accept many of the above General Education requirements as transfer credit(s). Students may be required to complete additional General Education Electives as recommended by the Respiratory Therapy Program Director.

Curriculum Requirements

  • PHIL:120 Introduction to Ethics (3)
  • PHIL:361 Biomedical Ethics (3)
  • BSAS:300 Supervision in a Technical Environment (3)
  • RESP:315 Advanced Pharmacology for Respiratory Therapy (3)**
  • RESP:420 Neonatal/Pediatrics for Respiratory Therapy II (3)**
  • RESP:421 Advanced Critical Care (3)*
  • RESP:413 Respiratory Therapy in Alternate Settings with Laboratory (3)**
  • NURS:446 Professional Leadership (3)
  • RESP:430 Capstone Course: Problems in Respiratory Therapy (4)*
  • Total Respiratory Therapy Credits: 28

*Courses are offered in-person and online (synchronous or asynchronous)
**Courses are offered online asynchronous

Frequently Asked Questions

This program is designed for NBRC credentialed Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRTs) currently holding an Associate’s degree in Respiratory Care from an accredited program who desire to complete their Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy (BSRT) degree.

The University of Akron’s Respiratory Therapy DAP program uniquely offers each Respiratory Therapy course with three instructional models: in-person, online synchronous, and online asynchronous. DAP students have the option to attend in-person or online live class sessions or watch a recording of the lecture. Students have the flexibility to attend all live sessions, review all the recorded lectures, or any combination of the two options. This model is ideal for busy working professionals. We welcome out of state students.

Yes! The University of Akron transfer office and Academic Advising team will help you create an individualized plan of study based on accepted transfer courses from your AAS degree.

Articulation agreements are in-place for AAS in Respiratory Care graduates of the following Northeast Ohio academic institutions:

  • Stark State College
  • Cuyahoga Community College
  • Lakeland Community College

Many career paths are available for RRTs with advanced degrees!

Opportunities may include careers in:

  • Healthcare Administration
  • Lead Therapists/Respiratory Department Supervisors
  • Clinical Specialists
  • Medical Device Sales
  • Higher Education
  • Research

Contact for DAP Program

Stacia Biddle, PhD, RRT
Associate Professor, Program Director
Dept/Program
Allied Health: Respiratory Therapy
E-mail: stacia@uakron.edu 
Office: 330-972-7906
Fax: 330-972-2016