BREATHE LIFE INTO YOUR CAREER
Prepare for a rewarding career helping patients breathe easier with Morningside’s bachelor’s degree in Respiratory Care, offered in partnership with St. Luke’s College. Through hands-on learning and clinical experiences, you’ll gain the skills to care for patients with respiratory conditions and make a meaningful impact on their health and well-being.
Degrees
Respiratory Therapy (B.S.)
Major
Why Study Respiratory Therapy?
Morningside University’s Respiratory Therapy program prepares students to care for patients with cardiopulmonary disorders through classroom learning, simulation, and clinical experiences. Graduates are prepared for credentialing examinations and careers in hospitals, critical care, emergency medicine, and specialty respiratory care.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
- Critical care and emergency medicine preparation
- Clinical experiences in diverse healthcare settings
- National credentialing exam preparation
- Experienced faculty and personalized instruction
THE MORNINGSIDE DIFFERENCE
Clinical Experiences
Respiratory Therapy students complete a clinical practice every semester, ensuring that you’ll receive hands-on experience that complements what you learn in the classroom.
Research & Active Learning
Research is encouraged and celebrated at Morningside, including at the annual Maud Adams Nursing Research Day and the Morningside University Palmer Research Symposium where students present on a wide range of healthcare-related topics. Students can also volunteer and take part in a variety of community activities to practice and promote healthcare.
Travel
Morningside students have the opportunity to travel regionally, nationally, and even internationally for professional conferences or May Term courses. Travel grants and special scholarship eligibility may be available.
What Can I Do With This Degree?
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.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
First Two Years: Pre-Respiratory Care
During the first two years of the program, Pre-Respiratory Care students are billed under Morningside University’s traditional tuition model. During this phase, students may qualify for federal, state, and Morningside institutional financial aid, including grants, scholarships, work-study opportunities, and loans.
Students apply to the Respiratory Care program during the fall semester of their sophomore year to begin the professional phase of the program the following fall.
Professional Phase: St. Luke’s College
Once students enter the professional Respiratory Care phase, coursework transitions to St. Luke’s College, and tuition changes to a per-credit-hour model.
Students are no longer eligible for Morningside University institutional grants or scholarships during this phase. However, students may continue to qualify for federal and state financial aid, including grants, scholarships, work-study opportunities, and loans.
Students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Iowa Application for Financial Aid to be considered for applicable financial assistance.
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.
WHY STUDY AT MORNINGSIDE?
13:1
student/faculty ratio so you’re assured a quality education focused on you
99%
employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation
65+
majors & pre-professional programs available
Related Majors & Minors
Still looking for the right fit? Check out some additional program options that we think might interest you or are often paired with this program. You can also view the programs page to keep exploring your options.
Explore Related Programs
MEET THE FACULTY
Amanda Van De Berg
Associate Dean
Apart from the essential nursing skills and knowledge, I hope nursing students at Morningside embrace the broader mission and values that extend beyond the classroom. I hope to cultivate a life-long passion for the field of nursing as they will need to adapt to the ever-evolving demands of the profession.
Amanda’s Profile
Angela Keller
Assistant Professor
It is a rewarding experience to see Morningside students grow and develop throughout their education experience. Morningside University provides students with a vast range of opportunities and educational experiences promoting self-discovery, personal growth, and allows all students an opportunity to explore their interests and passions.
Angela’s Profile
Next Steps
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