Master of Science in Respiratory Therapy (Entry-Level Track)

School of Health Professions

Prepare for a career in respiratory care

Respiratory therapy students in scrubs study together around a classroom table.

Through full-time, on-campus study in Galveston, students gain the clinical knowledge, hands-on skills, and professional preparation needed to become respiratory therapists. The program combines coursework, simulation, and supervised clinical training across acute, critical, and specialized care settings. Graduates are prepared to pursue RRT credentialing and enter professional practice.

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Application Dates
Spring 2027 SemesterNovember 1
International StudentsSeptember 1
View Application Process
A respiratory therapy student raises her hand during a classroom lesson with an instructor and classmates.

  • Master of Science in Respiratory Therapy (Entry-Level)

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    Estimated Tuition and Fees
    SemesterCredit HoursTexas ResidentsNon-Texas Residents
    Year 1
    Fall16$6,548.74$13,970.02
    Spring17$7,663.99$15,330.05 
    Summer13$5,279.25$11,257.29 
    Year 1 totals46$19,488.98$40,497.36
    Year 2
    Fall14$5,770.24$12,151.36 
    Spring7$3,225.74$6,446.31
    Summer8$4,109.50$7,709.14
    Year 2 totals29$13,105.48$19,860.50

    View Entry-Level MSRT Tuition by Credit Hour

Additional Expenses

Program Highlights

Distinctive Entry-level Graduate Pathway

UTMB offers a distinctive entry-level graduate pathway in respiratory care.

Supportive Faculty Engagement

A low student-to-faculty ratio supports individualized attention from highly qualified, specialty-credentialed faculty.

Advanced Simulation Facilities

Students train with current respiratory care technology in UTMB’s Health Education Center, which includes a 77-bed simulation hospital and a 10-bed intensive care unit.

Strong Credentialing Outcomes

Since 2010, the program has consistently received CoARC recognition for Distinguished RRT Credentialing Success.

National Recognition

UTMB was the first MSRT program in Texas to receive the American Association for Respiratory Care Apex Recognition Award.

Research Opportunities

Students can engage with respiratory care research through the CardioRespiratory Assisted Ventilation and Evaluation Research Lab.

Community and Global Engagement

Learning opportunities may include the St. Vincent’s Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program, the St. Vincent’s ICOPE Clinic and global health experiences in Africa, Central America and the Caribbean.

Clinical Training in Leading Healthcare Settings

Students gain experience at clinical sites within the Texas Medical Center and other healthcare settings that serve diverse patient populations.

Courses & Prerequisites

The Entry-Level MSRT program can be completed in two years and is designed for college graduates preparing to enter the respiratory therapy profession without earning a second bachelor’s degree. The 75-credit curriculum includes 20 credit hours of supervised clinical education, along with advanced coursework, simulation and research.

During the final semester, students complete a clinical internship, capstone project and focused preparation for the National Board for Respiratory Care credentialing exams.

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  • Courses

    Fall I

    • MSHP 5336: Quantitative Research — 3 credits
    • RESC 5103: Respiratory Therapeutics Lab — 1 credit
    • RESC 5301: Pharmacology — 3 credits
    • RESC 5303: Introduction to Respiratory Care — 3 credits
    • RESC 5304: Foundations of Cardiopulmonary and Renal Physiology — 3 credits

    Total: 13 credits

    Spring I

    • RESC 5101: Instrumentation Lab — 1 credit
    • RESC 5201: Introduction to Research — 2 credits
    • RESC 5302: Cardiopulmonary Diagnostics I — 3 credits
    • RESC 5305: Fundamentals in Pulmonary Disease Management — 3 credits
    • RESC 5306: Principles of Mechanical Ventilation — 3 credits
    • RESC 5307: Cardiorespiratory Monitoring and Instrumentation — 3 credits

    Total: 15 credits

    Summer I

    • RESC 5102: Graphics Interpretation Lab — 1 credit
    • RESC 5204: Advanced Cardiopulmonary Diagnostics — 2 credits
    • RESC 5308: Advanced Strategies in Pulmonary Disease Management — 3 credits
    • RESC 5309: Advanced Mechanical Cardiopulmonary Support — 3 credits
    • RESC 5407: Respiratory Therapy Clinical Practicum I — 4 credits

    Total: 13 credits

    Fall II

    • MSHP 5310: Human Resource and Leadership — 3 credits
    • RESC 6301: Evidence-Based Practice — 3 credits
    • RESC 6303: Neonatal and Pediatric Respiratory Therapy — 3 credits
    • RESC 6501: Respiratory Therapy Clinical Practicum II — 5 credits

    Total: 14 credits

    Spring II

    • RESC 6203: Capstone Experience — 2 credits
    • RESC 6502: Respiratory Therapy Clinical Practicum III — 5 credits
    • MSHP 5301: Medical Ethics — 3 credits

    Total: 10 credits

    Summer II

    • RESC 6208: NBRC Exam Review — 2 credits
    • RESC 6601: Respiratory Therapy Internship — 6 credits
    • RESC 6201: Education Methods — 2 credits

    Total: 10 credits

  • Prerequisites

    Applicants to the Entry-Level MSRT program must hold a bachelor’s degree and complete 16 credit hours of prerequisite coursework. To be considered for admission, applicants must provide official documentation of the following:

    Degree: Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts from an accredited college or university

    GPA: Minimum cumulative GPA: 2.7 on a 4.0 scale. Preferred cumulative GPA: 3.0 or higher.

    Prerequisite Coursework:

    • Anatomy and Physiology: 8 credit hours
    • Chemistry: 4 credit hours
    • Microbiology: 4 credit hours
    • Total prerequisite coursework: 16 credit hours
    • A grade of C or higher is required in each prerequisite course.

    To determine whether previous coursework may satisfy these requirements, review course equivalencies through the Texas General Education Core Web Center.

  • International Students

    Applicants whose tertiary-level education was completed at an international institution in a non-English-speaking country must submit satisfactory scores from either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) if their native language is not English.

    Minimum satisfactory scores are:

    • 550 on the TOEFL paper-based test
    • 79 on the TOEFL internet-based test
    • 6.5 on the IELTS

    TOEFL and IELTS scores are only one part of the admissions review. Requirements may vary based on previous education, GPA, and other relevant factors.

    Applicants who attended international institutions must use a UTMB-approved credential evaluation service to verify their transcripts and provide a course-by-course evaluation. The application includes instructions for completing this process.

    Additional information for international students, including visa requirements, is available on the UTMB Enrollment Services website.

A student in blue scrubs talks with a classmate outside a university building.

Student Experience

After You Are Accepted

Accepted students receive a formal offer of admission with instructions for confirming their place in the program. The offer also includes links to checklists that guide students through the enrollment process. This information can also be found on the New Students section of the School of Health Professions website.

Admission is contingent upon successful completion of a background check and drug screening.

A Community of Support

The MSRT Entry-Level program is designed to help students feel connected, supported, and prepared throughout their academic and clinical training.

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  • Faculty Mentoring and Guidance
    • You will be matched with a faculty mentor during orientation.
    • The program director, director of clinical education and faculty offer weekly office hours.
    • Faculty are typically available in person, by email or by phone during business hours and respond to student emails within one business day.

  • Academic, Financial and Personal Support
    • The School of Health Professions Office of Student Affairs provides academic coaching, assistance with educational accommodations and support for personal concerns.
    • UTMB Student Health and Counseling Services offers counseling and wellbeing resources for enrolled students.
    • Financial aid counseling and scholarship guidance are also available.

  • Professional Resilience and Wellbeing
    • The cohort model gives students a consistent network of peer support throughout the program.
    • Faculty openly address stress, wellbeing, and professional resilience within healthcare education and practice.
    • Students may also have access to additional wellbeing resources during their clinical experiences.

  • Peer and Professional Community
    • Students progress through the program with a small, consistent cohort.
    • The UTMB student chapter of the American Association for Respiratory Care offers opportunities for professional involvement and connection.
    • Students participate in interprofessional learning with peers from physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical laboratory sciences and other School of Health Professions programs, as well as the John Sealy School of Medicine and School of Nursing.

The Learning Environment

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  • Hands-On Learning
    • Complete 20 credit hours of supervised clinical education at UTMB Health and partner sites.
    • Gain experience through specialized rotations in neonatal and pediatric critical care, emergency care, adult intensive care, pulmonary rehabilitation, cardiopulmonary diagnostics and disease management.
    • Complete a clinical internship during the final semester, paired with focused preparation for the National Board for Respiratory Care credentialing exams.

  • Technology and Simulation
    • Train in UTMB’s Health Education Center, which includes a 77-bed simulation hospital and a 10-bed simulated intensive care unit.
    • Gain hands-on experience with ventilation and cardiopulmonary assessment technology through the CardioRespiratory Assisted Ventilation and Evaluation Research Lab.

  • Peer and Faculty Collaboration
    • Learn from faculty who combine teaching with active clinical practice.
    • Progress through the program with the same cohort, building connections from orientation through graduation.
    • Work with faculty mentors to develop, submit and present research at state and national respiratory therapy conferences.
    • Build professional experience by networking and learning alongside faculty and respiratory care professionals at these events.

What to Expect Throughout the Program

Week 1: Begin with orientation, laboratory safety, introductions to the simulation environment and a review of key anatomy and physiology concepts. You will also meet your cohort and faculty mentor.

Weeks 2–5: Build foundational knowledge through courses in cardiopulmonary anatomy and physiology, patient assessment and mechanical ventilation. You will begin hands-on laboratory activities in the simulation hospital and complete your first clinical observation experience, typically shadowing a registered respiratory therapist in an inpatient setting.

Mid-program, around month 12: A typical week may include two days of classroom and laboratory instruction and two days of clinical training in an intensive care, pediatric or other specialty setting. Under supervision, you may perform ventilator setup and management tasks, participate in interprofessional rounds, and begin developing your capstone research question.

Final term: Spend much of the week completing your clinical internship while participating in structured preparation for the National Board for Respiratory Care credentialing exams. By this stage, you will demonstrate increasing independence and entry-level competence as faculty and clinical instructors evaluate your readiness for professional practice.

Essential Functions

Respiratory Therapy students must demonstrate competency in all three learning domains.

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  • Cognitive Domain

    Students learn, practice, and verify these competencies in a number of settings including the classroom, laboratory and clinic.

    To achieve the required competencies in the classroom setting, Respiratory Therapy students must perceive, assimilate and integrate information from a variety of sources. These sources include oral instruction, printed material, visual media, and live demonstrations. Students must participate in classroom discussions, give oral reports, and pass written and computer-based examinations of various formats. Completion of these tasks requires cognitive skills, such as reading, writing and problem-solving.

    To be physically capable of the classroom work, the student must, with assistance, be able to: hear, see, speak, sit, and touch. Respiratory Therapy laboratories provide students with the opportunity to view demonstrations, evaluate and practice with medical devices and perform simulated clinical procedures.

  • Psychomotor Domain

    In addition to the cognitive skills required in the classroom, students must demonstrate psychomotor skills in manipulating patients and equipment, as well as general professional behaviors, like team-building and interpersonal communications. To satisfy laboratory requirements, students must perform all procedures without critical error. This requires high levels of cognitive, perceptual, and psychomotor function.

    In addition to the physical capabilities required for classroom work, the laboratories require students, with assistance to: assemble equipment, stand while using both hands to perform procedures, perform fine motor skills, and perform procedures requiring considerable strength. Examples of the latter procedures include: turning and moving patients, endotracheal intubation and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

  • Affective Domain

    Clinical education in Respiratory Therapy involves application of skills acquired in the classroom and laboratory settings to actual patients in the clinical setting. In addition to the cognitive skills required in those settings, students must demonstrate skills in patient assessment, developing and evaluating patient care plans, clinical reasoning, problem-solving, and troubleshooting equipment.

    Professional behaviors required for clinical training include constructive responses to situations involving emergencies, deaths, stress, frustrating situations and complex interactions with other members of the health care team. Students must also demonstrate respect for others, empathy, responsibility, efficiency, integrity, and initiative.

    In addition to the physical capabilities required during the classroom and laboratory sessions, clinical training includes moving briskly between patient care areas and meeting the mental and physical demands of twelve-hour shifts, on both day and night rotations.

Program Outcomes

The following statistics are for the Entry-Level Master of Science in Respiratory Therapy program.

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202320242025
BOC pass rate100%92%100%
Attrition rate90%100%89%
Employer satisfaction100%100%100%
Job placement rate100%100%100%

Frequently Asked Questions

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  • What makes the Entry-Level MSRT program different?

    UTMB’s Entry-Level MSRT program offers a distinctive pathway for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree and want to enter the respiratory therapy profession at the master’s level. Unlike many respiratory therapy programs in Texas that lead to an associate or bachelor’s degree, this full-time, two-year program does not require prior healthcare experience.

    Students also benefit from advanced simulation, research and community-based learning opportunities, including:

    • The CardioRespiratory Assisted Ventilation and Evaluation Research Lab
    • UTMB’s Health Education Center, which includes a 77-bed simulation hospital
    • Interprofessional clinical experiences through St. Vincent’s
    • A student-led pulmonary rehabilitation clinic serving patients with limited access to care

    UTMB was also the first MSRT program in Texas to receive the AARC Apex Recognition Award for 2025–2026.

  • Do I need prior healthcare experience to apply to the Entry-Level MSRT program?

    No. The Entry-Level MSRT program is designed for students who are new to healthcare. The curriculum provides the academic, clinical, and professional preparation needed to enter respiratory therapy practice.

    Although not required, prospective students may benefit from:

    • Shadowing a registered respiratory therapist for at least one shift
    • Speaking with current MSRT students during an open house or virtual information session

  • Is the Entry-Level MSRT program a good fit for me?

    The program may be a good fit if you:

    • Enjoy applied science and want a patient-facing healthcare career
    • Can think critically and communicate clearly in fast-paced settings
    • Are prepared for two years of full-time, in-person study in Galveston
    • Are interested in acute care, critical care and other high-acuity environments
    • Want to earn a master’s degree while preparing to enter the respiratory therapy profession
    • Are motivated to improve the health of patients and communities

    The program may not be the right fit if you:

    • Need a fully online or part-time option
    • Cannot relocate to or commute to Galveston
    • Prefer a primarily nonclinical learning environment
    • Are unable to complete clinical rotations that may include evenings, weekends or other varied schedules

    Registered respiratory therapists seeking an online graduate program may be better suited for the Degree Advancement MSRT Track.

  • What can I do with an Entry-Level MSRT degree?

    Graduates are prepared to begin careers as respiratory therapists in a range of clinical and professional settings, including:

    • Adult critical care
    • Neonatal and pediatric care
    • Emergency and trauma care
    • Pulmonary rehabilitation
    • Cardiopulmonary diagnostics
    • Outpatient care and disease management
    • Education, leadership and research

    The degree provides a broad foundation for direct patient care and future professional growth across the respiratory therapy field.

  • How long does the Entry-Level MSRT program take to complete?

    The full-time Entry-Level MSRT program can be completed in two years.

  • Is the Entry-Level MSRT program online?

    No. The Entry-Level MSRT program is offered in person on the Galveston campus.

    UTMB also offers a separate, fully online Degree Advancement MSRT Track for registered respiratory therapists who want to earn a master’s degree.

  • Can I work while enrolled in the Entry-Level MSRT program?

    Because the program is full time and includes intensive coursework and clinical training, many students choose not to work while enrolled. Some students may be able to work limited hours, particularly later in the program, depending on their course and clinical schedules.

    Paid student respiratory therapy positions may also become available after students meet applicable qualifications.

  • What specialized training will I receive in the Entry-Level MSRT program?

    Students receive preparation in areas such as:

    • Adult critical care
    • Neonatal and pediatric critical care
    • Cardiopulmonary diagnostics
    • Pulmonary rehabilitation
    • Disease management
    • Simulation-based learning
    • Hands-on clinical practice
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Last updated: August 27, 2026