LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Bellarmine University updated its graduate respiratory therapy program to be the fastest entry-to-practice practice in the country.
The program was shortened to four semesters, instead of five, and includes 56 credit hours. Pre-requisites for the program were reduced to 12 hours instead of 28-30 hours.
"In just four semesters, you will be prepared to start a career as a respiratory therapist," Dr. Christy Kane, director and chair of Bellarmine's Respiratory Therapy Program, said in a news release Wednesday. "We hope that anyone who had found the program's previous time commitment a deterrent will welcome this news and consider applying for the fall 2025 semester."
The name of the degree will be changed from Master of Health Science in Respiratory Therapy to Master of Science in Respiratory Therapy. Kane said the changes won't affect the quality of the program, which is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care and rated a top-10 program nationally.
All graduates earn a Registered Respiratory Therapist credential. The program is also eligible for funding through the Norton Healthcare Scholars Program.
Respiratory therapists care for patients who have trouble breathing, working directly with doctors to treat a range of patients like premature infants to elderly adults. Respiratory therapists help patients at intensive care units, emergency rooms, acute care and outpatient centers.
There's a growing need for respiratory therapists and their skills to help treat chronic conditions like asthma and COPD. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of respiratory therapists is projected to grow 13% from 2023 to 2033, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.
According to the American Lung Association, in Kentucky the rate of new lung cancer cases is 84.8, significantly higher than the national rate of 54.6. Kentucky ranks 48th among all states.
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