Respiratory Care (M.S.R.C.)

M.S.R.C. Respiratory Care

The M.S.R.C. graduate will be a leader in acute care, specialty clinics, pulmonary rehabilitation, home care and academic settings.
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Program Overview

The Department of Respiratory Care operates two research labs, three teaching labs and a four-bed sleep lab that is fully accredited to diagnose and treat patients suffering from sleep disorders. Students have access to internationally recognized faculty and the most up-to-date equipment to complement learning and research opportunities.

Course Work

The 36-credit-hour non-thesis program consists of a core curriculum and a concentration curriculum in a specialty area chosen by the student. The core curriculum focuses on cardiopulmonary physiology, clinical practice guidelines/protocols, research methods/design, patient education, academic leadership, and diagnostics/ therapeutics. The concentration curriculum includes content in leadership, sleep, and clinical specialization. Courses are developed around current and emerging healthcare topics. All courses are taught online using an advanced learning management system. Students work with faculty and peers in a supportive environment to hone knowledge and expertise. Students enrolling in nine hours each semester will complete the program in one year. Part-time completion options are also available.

DegreeConcentrationHoursThesis OptionMinor Option
Degree
M.S.R.C.
Concentration
Leadership
Hours
36
Thesis Option
Non-Thesis
Minor Option
No minor
Degree
M.S.R.C.
Concentration
Leadership
Hours
48
Thesis Option
Non-Thesis
Minor Option
Polysomnography
Degree
M.S.R.C.
Concentration
Leadership
Hours
48
Thesis Option
Non-Thesis
Minor Option
Clinical Specialist
Degree
M.S.R.C.
Concentration
Polysomnography
Hours
36
Thesis Option
Non-Thesis
Minor Option
No minor
Degree
M.S.R.C.
Concentration
Clinical Specialist
Hours
48
Thesis Option
Non-Thesis
Minor Option
Polysomnography
Degree
M.S.R.C.
Concentration
Clinical Specialist (Accelerated Online)
Hours
36
Thesis Option
Non-Thesis
Minor Option
No minor
Degree
M.S.R.C.
Concentration
Leadership (Accelerated Online)
Hours
36
Thesis Option
Non-Thesis
Minor Option
No minor
Degree
M.S.R.C.
Concentration
Leadership (Accelerated Online)
Hours
48
Thesis Option
Non-Thesis
Minor Option
Polysomnography
Degree
M.S.R.C.
Concentration
Leadership (Accelerated Online)
Hours
48
Thesis Option
Non-Thesis
Minor Option
Clinical Specialist
Degree
M.S.R.C.
Concentration
Polysomnography (Accelerated Online)
Hours
36
Thesis Option
Non-Thesis
Minor Option
No minor
Degree
M.S.R.C.
Concentration
Leadership (Accelerated Online)
Hours
48
Thesis Option
Non-Thesis
Minor Option
Clinical Specialist

Online Availability

The accelerated online programs are completely online. If you are not a Texas resident and will not relocate, please visit the Office of Distance and Extended Learning. International applicants will not be eligible to receive a Form I-20 or DS-2019 for an F-1 or J-1 visa from Texas State and may review the eligibility requirements of enrolling in online programs and contact the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) with questions.

What Our Alumni Say

“The Respiratory Care faculty are truly excited about offering a post-professional master’s degree to registered respiratory therapists in an effort to advance their knowledge, skills and careers in clinical practice, education, management and research.”

— Dr. Chris Russian, Ph.D., RRT, RRT-NPS, RPSGT, RST

Program Details

The department owns state-of­-the-art equipment to conduct bench-top and clinical research on pulmonary function and mechanics, ventilator assessment, oxygen delivery, asthma management, aerosol deposition and sleep diagnostics.

Program Mission

The mission of the Department of Respiratory Care is directed toward advancing critical-thinking skills, developing competent professionals and preparing graduates for cardiopulmonary, polysomnography and leadership roles in various healthcare delivery systems. The curriculum is structured to encourage a lifelong habit of research advancement, continuing education and professional skill growth. The vision of the Department of Respiratory Care is to produce quality graduates who meet the expectations of the communities of interest served by the program, to establish and maintain an excellent national reputation, and to be a leader in innovative educational endeavors in the profession.

Career Options

  • faculty member in an academic institution
  • director of clinical education in a respiratory care program
  • program director of a respiratory care program
  • director/manager in a hospital respiratory care department or sleep lab
  • clinical specialist in a healthcare/equipment company
  • research scientist
  • research project manager
  • clinical educator for a hospital or respiratory care company
  • bedside clinician as a respiratory therapist or sleep technologist

Program Faculty

Faculty research interests provide students with a range of expertise. Clinical/technical interests include sleep disorders, ventilator machines, and anatomic flow dynamics of upper airways; other key research areas are more professional in nature, such as leadership and learning styles, best practices in distance education, stress management and role ambiguity, and evidence-based practice in the clinical settings, helping students achieve a holistic, well-rounded education.

Contact us for general questions about your application, funding opportunities, and more. If you have specific questions after reviewing the program details, contact the program's graduate advisor.

Graduate Advisor
Dr. Christopher Russian
cr23@txstate.edu
512.716.2697
Willow Hall (WILW), Room 214

Advisor Support
Kary Daily
aoi21@txstate.edu
512.716.2682
Willow Hall (WILW), Room 214

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Application Deadlines

Non-Accelerated Program

DeadlinesU.S. CitizenInternational
Deadlines
Fall
U.S. Citizen
June 15 (*Flexible)
International
June 1
Deadlines
Spring
U.S. Citizen
October 15 (*Flexible)
International
October 1
Deadlines
Summer I
U.S. Citizen
April 15 (*Flexible)
International
March 15

*This program’s deadline is flexible for those not requiring an F/J visa. A flexible deadline means applications received after the standard deadline may be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis with no guarantees for admission consideration.

Funding Information
The deadlines to apply for certain types of funding may be earlier than the deadlines above.

Decision Timeline
This program reviews applications on a rolling basis after the priority deadline has passed.

Accelerated Online Program

TermPart of TermDeadlineStart Date
FallFirst 8 WeeksAugust 12August 26
FallSecond 8 WeeksOctober 1October 15
Spring First 8 WeeksDecember 30January 13
Spring Second 8 WeeksFebruary 18March 4
SummerFirst 8 WeeksTBDTBD

Admission Requirements

The items required for admission consideration are listed below. Additional information for applicants with international credentials can be found on our international web pages.

  • Review important information about the online application.

    • $55 nonrefundable application fee
      OR 
    • $90 nonrefundable application fee for applications with international credentials

    Review important information about application fees.

    • baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university (U.S. Citizens)
      • International applicants not eligible for the NBRC RRT credential must have a baccalaureate degree in Respiratory Care/Therapy (Non-U.S. degrees must be equivalent to a four-year U.S. Bachelor’s degree. In most cases, three-year degrees are not considered. Visit our International FAQs for more information.)
    • a copy of an official transcript from each institution where course credit was granted
    • a 2.75 overall GPA or a 2.75 GPA in your last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses)

    Review important information about transcripts. Official transcripts, sent directly from your institution, will be required if admission is granted.

  • GRE

    • GRE not required

    Approved English Proficiency Exam Scores

    Applicants are required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score that meets the minimum program requirements below unless they have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or the equivalent from a country on our exempt countries list.

    • official TOEFL iBT scores required with a 78 overall
    • official PTE scores required with a 52 overall
    • official IELTS (academic) scores required with a 6.5 overall and
      • minimum individual module scores of 6.0
    • official Duolingo Scores required with a 110 overall
    • official TOEFL Essentials scores required with an 8.5 overall

    This program does not offer admission if the scores above are not met.

    Review important information about official test scores.

    • proof of the RRT national credential administered through the NBRC (U.S. Citizens)
      • International students not eligible for the NBRC credential must complete their country’s credentialing exam, if one exists
    • resume/CV
    • statement of purpose indicating ability and interest in completing the degree program
    • three letters of recommendation from professionals or academics competent to assess your interest in pursuing a career or advancing in the field of study

    Review important information about documents.

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