A Respiratory Therapy degree prepares you to care for patients with breathing and cardiopulmonary conditions across every stage of life. Through classroom instruction, laboratory experiences, and extensive clinical training, graduates develop the skills to assess, treat, and educate patients while working alongside physicians and other healthcare professionals in a variety of medical settings. Potential careers include:

• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)
• Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT)
• Critical Care Respiratory Therapist
• Neonatal and Pediatric Respiratory Therapist
• Pulmonary Rehabilitation Therapist
• Emergency and Trauma Respiratory Therapist
• Pulmonary Function Technologist
• Respiratory Care Coordinator

Respiratory Therapy graduates provide lifesaving care in hospitals, specialty clinics, and healthcare organizations across the country. They work with patients of all ages in critical care, emergency medicine, rehabilitation, sleep medicine, and home healthcare, helping improve respiratory health and quality of life. Graduates work in:

• Hospitals and Health Systems
• Intensive Care Units (ICUs)
• Emergency Departments
• Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care Units (NICUs/PICUs)
• Pulmonary and Sleep Clinics
• Rehabilitation and Long-Term Care Facilities
• Home Healthcare Organizations
• Air and Ground Medical Transport Services
• Veterans Affairs (VA) Healthcare Systems
• Academic Medical Centers
• Community and Rural Healthcare Facilities

Respiratory Therapy students build a strong foundation in human anatomy, physiology, microbiology, chemistry, and patient care before completing specialized respiratory therapy coursework through St. Luke’s College. The program combines science coursework with extensive clinical education, preparing students to assess respiratory conditions, operate advanced life-support equipment, provide critical care, and deliver evidence-based treatment in a variety of healthcare settings.

During the first two years of the program, Pre-Respiratory Therapy students are billed under Morningside’s traditional tuition model. Students may apply for Federal, State, and Institutional grants, scholarships, work, and loan funds.  Applications for financial aid are made through the Federal FAFSA Form, Iowa Application for Financial Aid, and Admission to Morningside University.   

Students apply to the Respiratory Therapy program during the fall semester of their sophomore year to begin the professional phase of the program the following fall.

Once students enter the core Respiratory Therapy phase, coursework transitions to St. Luke’s College and tuition changes to a per-credit-hour model. Students may still apply for Federal and State grants, scholarships, work programs, and loans.  Applications for financial aid are made through the Federal FAFSA Form, Iowa Application for Financial Aid, and Admission to Morningside University.

Students complete clinical rotations at a variety of healthcare settings, including UnityPoint Health, and other local and regional clinics and healthcare providers.

Clinical placements are coordinated for students, allowing them to focus on coursework and hands-on learning experiences.

Students remain Pre- Respiratory Therapy majors during their first two years at Morningside and apply to the professional program during the fall semester of their sophomore year.

At the start of their junior year, accepted students transition into the core Respiratory Therapy phase of the program and begin taking courses through St. Luke’s College.