Students

Respiratory Therapy

Students work with neonate mannequin and breathing equipment

Help patients breathe easier.

Respiratory therapists manage patients with various cardiopulmonary disorders, promoting optimal patient outcomes as part of an interprofessional care team.

Respiratory therapy is a diverse, rewarding, and in-demand medical field, with a particularly high demand in the state of West Virginia due to a growing community with respiratory disorders and rapid expansion of healthcare organizations.

The Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy (BSRT) program at West Virginia University offers a robust curriculum, taught by faculty with extensive practical experience in the field. The program comprehensively prepares students to be competent providers in all areas of respiratory therapy, including general practice, critical care, neonatal/pediatrics, sleep medicine, outpatient diagnostics, and more. Students will also graduate prepared to pursue leadership positions, or to work in research or patient education.

The program is located on the WVU Health Sciences Campus, giving students access to accomplished faculty, groundbreaking research, and opportunities to collaborate with peers across different areas of study. The curriculum includes hands-on, clinical opportunities with partners in the state’s largest health system, WVU Medicine.

Enrolling now for Fall 2024!

Our BSRT program was recently awarded Provisional Accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). Following this recognition, which is detailed on our accreditation page, we are delighted to announce that we are enrolling students for Fall 2024.

Interested in applying as an incoming first-time freshmen? Contact Julie Day via email to learn how to apply!

Are you a prospective transfer or change-of-major student? Contact Kayla Poling via email to discuss possible transfer credits, time to completion, and the application process!

Who You Are

Respiratory therapists are passionate caregivers who improve the lives of those they serve. They are valued, knowledgeable, and skilled members of the interprofessional patient care team. Respiratory professionals assist in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of patients and perform specialized work to target the improvement of breathing difficulties. They provide care to patients of all ages in a variety of work environments, which leads to excellent career opportunities.

The Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy (BSRT) program at WVU provides students the opportunity to learn in a small cohort with individualized attention from program faculty. Our professors and clinical partners have extensive experience in the field of respiratory medicine and are committed to mentorship and delivery of high-quality instruction. Throughout the program, students enjoy opportunities to participate in clinical rotations at facilities associated with our program partner, the multi-state WVU Medicine system, allowing them to naturally develop clinical competency and leadership skills prior to graduation.

Facts

  • One of two
    BSRT programs in West Virginia
  • Guaranteed access to critical training tools through a
    one-to-one
    student-to-ventilator ratio

What You’ll Do

Respiratory therapists are a critical part of the interprofessional patient management team, working with physicians and other care providers to support optimal patient outcomes. They are versatile clinicians who perform a wide range of services, including: 

  • Delivery of therapeutics to neonatal, pediatric, and adult populations
  • Patient transportation
  • Hemodynamic and critical care monitoring of patients
  • Adjustment of treatment modalities based on assessment of patients
  • Delivery of specialized pulmonary diagnostic testing within acute and outpatient areas
  • Ventilator management
  • Sleep studies

Regardless of their area of specialization, respiratory therapists must demonstrate leadership, communication, and professional competency in the management of high-risk patient scenarios. 

As of 2022, the median salary for a respiratory therapist was $70,540/year, with available positions expected to grow 13% within the next 10 years. 

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Who We Are

A head shot photo of Michael Mehall.

Michael Mehall

Respiratory Therapy

“Educational opportunities that result from professional training can change peoples’ lives, and is the reason that I teach. I want to provide a comprehensive education to every student so that they feel empowered encountering any situation as a respiratory therapist.”

Michael's Story

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Accreditation

The Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy Program at West Virginia University, (CoARC program # 200661-BS Degree) located at 64 Medical Center Drive, Morgantown, WV 26506 holds Provisional Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (www.CoARC.com).

More information is available via our accreditation page.