Degree Plan & Curriculum

The Degree Advancement MSRT program is designed for Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRT) with a baccalaureate degree in any field. This fully online program allows students to advance their skills and knowledge and prepares them to be the next leaders in management, education, research, advanced clinical practice, or industry.

The UTMB MSRT program supports the professional advancement and increased scope of practice for RRTs, empowering the next generation of leaders to thrive in a growing field and build upon the foundations laid by experienced professionals.

Curriculum

This fully online MSRT degree advancement program features a flexible, customizable curriculum totaling 31+ credit hours, designed to be completed in 2-4 years. Students complete 20 credit hours of required core courses and choose at least 11 credit hours from three leadership domains: operational, educational, and research.

Our core curriculum focuses on topics such as Evidence-Based Practice, Advanced Mechanical Ventilation, Current Trends in Respiratory Care and includes a Capstone Experience for those in the operational and education tracks or Thesis for those in the research track.

Guided by faculty mentorship, students select a Capstone Experience or Thesis designed to drive meaningful outcomes, such as improving patient care, shaping policy, or advancing professional practice.

Potential career paths for our graduates include:

Operational Leadership Track

• Department leader (supervisor/team lead, manager, or director)
• Quality improvement leader
• Care Coordinator
• Disaster response leader
• Industry leader

Education Leadership Track

• Academic Educator (with 20 credits of graduate education in RC often needed for accreditation)
• Health System Educator
• Industry Educator or Coordinator
• Patient Education Coordinator
• Educational Specialist

Research Leadership Track

• Research Coordinator
• Preparation for a PhD program (thesis available)
• Clinical Research Organization Leader
• Staff Researcher
• Industry Research Program Leader
• Clinical Specialist

Admission Requirements

• Fall Semester: May 1 - July 1
• Spring Semester: September 3 - November 1
• Summer Semester: January 2 - March 1

Admission Prerequisites

To be considered for the Degree Advancement Master's in Respiratory Therapy Applicants must present official documentation of the following:

• Bachelor's degree  
• Unexpired RRT Credential
• GPA 2.75

Application Process

1. Visit the UTMB Online Application and choose either new applicant or returning applicant.
2. New applicants should create an online account. Returning applicants should login and complete the application. (Pay a $60.00 non-refundable application fee.)
3. Program information page on the UTMB application, make note to select the following
1. Semester you wish to enroll: Entry Period (Year) and Term (Fall, Summer or Spring)
2. School of Anticipated Enrollment: School of Health Professions
3. Program: "Master of Science in Respiratory Care for licensed respiratory therapists who hold a baccalaureate degree"
4. Applicants must arrange to have a sealed official transcript from EVERY regionally accredited U.S. institution they have attended. UTMB only accepts official transcripts sent directly to UTMB by the issuing institution. Applicants are strongly encouraged to request to have their transcripts sent electronically to UTMB whenever possible. This greatly expedites processing and improves the accuracy of transcript evaluation. The accepted standard for this process in Texas goes by the name SPEEDE. The school code for UTMB is 004952.
5. References will be contacted via the email address provided on the application.
6. Once the application has been completed and all transcripts and reference letters have been received, applications will be reviewed. All applicants will be notified via email when the admissions decision has been made. Please allow several weeks for processing.

Pre-Enrollment

If accepted into the program, students will receive a formal offer of admission letter with instructions on how to accept the position into the program. The offer of admission provides incoming students links to checklists that serve as guides to the matriculation process (to enroll as a new student). This checklist can also be found on the New Students webpage of the School of Health Professions website.

The offer of admission is contingent on the receipt of a clear background check and clear drug screen.