Respiratory Therapy

Degree: B.S.

MU offers two degree programs for aspiring respiratory therapists: 

  • The Respiratory Therapy option within the Biology major consists of three years study at MU followed by 19-month clinical training at UPMC Lititz Medical Center. At the completion of the training, students are awarded a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Biology degree with an option in Respiratory Therapy.
  • The Respiratory Therapy option within the Allied Health Technology major consists of two years of undergraduate liberal arts and science coursework at Millersville followed by a 19-month professional education and training phase at UPMC Lititz Medical Center. At the completion of the training, students are awarded a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Allied Health Technology degree with an option in Respiratory Therapy.

Why Study This Program?

Millersville University's Respiratory Therapy program is one of the longest continuously accredited Respiratory Care schools in the nation, with roots in a training course that was first offered in 1963.

Both Respiratory Therapy tracks at MU are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) and provide an exciting opportunity to enter this dynamic profession at an advanced level. Graduates of this program are eligible to sit for the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) Certification Examination (CRT), and subsequently, the Advanced Practice Registry Examination (RRT).

What Will You Learn?

The Respiratory Therapy program within the Biology major is recommended for students who might be considering going to a graduate or professional school following completion of their clinical training. This course of study provides students with a thorough understanding of biology, mathematics and physics before they begin the clinical phase of their undergraduate education.

Students who are more interested in the clinical aspects of the medical field than in its biological underpinnings are good candidates for the Respiratory Therapy program within the Allied Health Technology major. You will still gain a firm background in mathematics and sciences while being exposed sooner and in greater depth to the courses that interest you most.

Both courses of study culminate in a concentrated professional program at the UPMC Lititz Medical Center that is designed to provide students with all of the skills needed to practice as a graduate respiratory therapist.