Master of Respiratory Therapy (MRT)

Calm focused young medical worker putting on an oxygen mask on the aged male patient

Program Overview

The Ohio State University Master of Respiratory Therapy (MRT) is the first advanced practice clinical master’s degree for respiratory care in the nation. The MRT is designed to prepare advanced respiratory care practitioners as clinical specialists in various settings. Graduates of the MRT program will be prepared to successfully obtain advanced practice credentials to position themselves for independent supervised practice positions with more responsibility. The MRT will allow for an expanded scope of practice and additional professional growth opportunities.


Application Requirements

GPA

A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is required. The GPA will be computed using all grades earned from all institutions attended, and only applicants with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher at the time of application will be evaluated for possible admission.

Registered Respiratory Therapist (RT) in Good Standing

Applicants must be an RT in good standing, as evidenced by NBRC official credential verification letter (see Application Materials).

COARC Accredited Degree

A Bachelor of Science or MS graduate from a CoARC accredited entry-level RT program or a CoARC accredited degree advanced placement program in Respiratory Care. To determine if an applicant’s program is CoARC accredited, please visit https://coarc.com.

Application Deadlines

Term: Autumn 2025
Fellowship Deadline: 12/1/2024
Priority Deadline: 3/1/2025
Final Deadline: 7/31/2025

Application Process

Application: Applicants must first apply through Ohio State’s Graduate and Professional Admissions.

Review: The Respiratory Therapy Division will review applications between November to March.

Interview: Interviews will be held for competitive applicants between mid-February to mid-March.

Admission Decisions: Decisions will be made between the end of March through the beginning of April.

Required Application Materials

Transcripts

Official transcripts from all coursework an applicant has completed must be submitted.

CV/Resume

Applicants must submit a resume with evidence of at least one year of experience in their desired clinical specialty; adult critical/emergent care, pediatric critical care, or neonatal critical care.

Personal Statement

All applicants must submit a personal statement that shows they have an established and direct career pathway and have chosen a desired clinical specialty. The statement should explain why they have decided to pursue a career as an MRT, how an MRT degree relates to the applicant’s immediate and long-term professional goals, and how their personal, educational, and professional background will help them achieve their career goals.

Reference Evaluations

All applicants must submit contact information for three references who can provide personal and/or professional evaluations. The applicant must include the following:

  • One licensed and practicing physician with whom the applicant has spent time clinically in the applicant’s desired clinical specialty.
  • One professor or instructor in the applicant’s undergraduate course of study; if the applicant cannot obtain a reference in this category, a 2nd licensed and practicing physician that meets the criteria above can serve as this reference.
  • One current or former employer.

NBRC Verification Letter

All applicants must submit an official NBRC Verification Letter attesting that the applicant is a Registered Respiratory Therapist. Applicants can visit the NBRC website to download a letter template, save the letter as a PDF, and upload it to their application. If an applicant does not have an Ohio license, they will receive assistance from the program in obtaining an Ohio license before they can begin clinicals.

Year 1

Autumn

HEALTH AND REHABILITATION SCIENCES 7900 Evidence-Based Practice I (1 credit)

NURSING 7450 Pathophysiology (5 credits)

RESPIRATORY THERAPY 7700 Ethical Issues in Advanced Practice (2 credits)

RESPIRATORY THERAPY 7895 Graduate Seminar in Respiratory Therapy (1 credit)

9 credits total

Spring

HEALTH AND REHABILITATION SCIENCES 7910 Evidence-Based Practice II (1 credit)

NURSING 7410 Advanced Health Assessment (3 credits)

NURSING 7470 Advanced Pharmacology (4 credits)

RESPIRATORY THERAPY 7895 Graduate Seminar in Respiratory Therapy (1 credit)

9 credits total       

Summer

RESPIRATORY THERAPY 7800 Advanced Practice in Respiratory Therapy (3 credits)

RESPIRATORY THERAPY 8189 Advanced Clinical Practice I (4 credits)

RESPIRATORY THERAPY 7895 Graduate Seminar in Respiratory Therapy (2 credits)

9 credits total       

Year 2

Autumn

RESPIRATORY THERAPY 7800 Advanced Practice in Respiratory Therapy (3 credits)

RESPIRATORY THERAPY 7895 Graduate Seminar in Respiratory Therapy (1 credit)

RESPIRATORY THERAPY 8289 Advanced Clinical Practice II (7 credits)

11 credits total

Spring

RESPIRATORY THERAPY 7895 Graduate Seminar in Respiratory Therapy (2 credits)

RESPIRATORY THERAPY 8389 Advanced Clinical Practice III (7 credits)

9 credits total       

Suggested scheduling plan

The above plan demonstrates how students may complete the Master of Respiratory Therapy Advanced Practice program in four semesters plus a summer term. The semester and year in which some non-clinical courses are taken can be adjusted to meet students’ individual needs. During the clinical phase, there is no part-time or evening-only enrollment provision. The program includes a minimum of 1,000 hours of supervised practice by a licensed physician.

Ohio State academic programs are designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure and certification and state licensing board contact information for online programs and Professional Licensures & Certification Disclosures for On-campus Programs.

Questions?

Contact the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at 614-292-1706 or HRSGraduateStudentServices@osumc.edu
Degree requirements and course offerings are subject to changes.
Last updated on: July 1, 2024