Respiratory Therapy, M.S.R.T.

Program Overview

The Master of Science in Respiratory Therapy (MSRT) at the University of Mary is a comprehensive, entry-level graduate program designed to prepare students for advanced clinical practice and leadership in respiratory care. The program is open to individuals from a variety of academic backgrounds and does not require a baccalaureate degree for admission, though applicants must meet the program’s math and science prerequisites.

The MSRT curriculum builds upon the foundational baccalaureate-level respiratory therapy coursework (70 credit hours) and includes two additional semesters (34 credit hours) of advanced study. These final semesters focus on advanced techniques in critical care, patient monitoring, and specialized electives in education or leadership. This structure equips graduates with the clinical expertise and strategic insight necessary to thrive in today’s dynamic healthcare environment.

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are eligible to sit for state licensing and national credentialing examinations administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC), leading to the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential. The Respiratory Therapy Program is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). For more information, visit www.coarc.com. See also umary.edu/accreditation.

Program Highlights

• Advanced Clinical Training: Students receive hands-on experience in high-acuity settings, mastering advanced respiratory care techniques and technologies.
• Leadership Development: Elective coursework in education and leadership prepares graduates for roles such as clinical instructors, team leaders, and healthcare managers.
• Exceptional Faculty: Students benefit from small class sizes and direct mentorship from faculty who are nationally recognized scholars and authors.
• Outstanding Outcomes: The program consistently ranks in the top 10% nationally for graduate credentialing success. Graduates routinely exceed national averages on credentialing exams and enjoy a 100% employment rate prior to graduation.
• Accreditation and Credentialing: Graduates are eligible for licensure and credentialing through the NBRC. Program outcomes can be compared nationally at the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care Outcomes page.

Program Outcomes

1. To prepare graduates with demonstrated competence in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains of respiratory care practice as performed by registered respiratory therapists (RRTs).
2. To prepare leaders for the field of respiratory care by including curricular content that includes objectives related to acquisition of skills in the areas of management, education, research, and advanced clinical practice such as:
   • Evidence-Based Inquiry: Apply research methods to develop and answer relevant research questions.
   • Advanced Knowledge: Demonstrate critical thinking and reasoning to explain advanced concepts related to cardiovascular critical care, disease management, clinical management, and care coordination, or an approved area of focus.
   • Professional Communication: Use effective oral and written communication skills consistent with professional practice.
   • Education: Apply educational and health literacy theories to develop educational projects directed at colleagues, patients, or peers.
   • Leadership: Apply leadership theories to demonstrate leadership within interprofessional teams. 

Admissions Requirements

The application deadline is February 15 each year. Applicants for admission to the Professional Master of Science in Respiratory Therapy Program must meet the following minimum qualifying criteria:

1. Admission to the University of Mary Graduate Studies
2. A 3.00 or higher GPA in the respiratory therapy program’s prerequisite preprofessional courses in math, biology, chemistry, physics, pharmacology, ethics, English (communication) and social sciences, with no individual course grade below a “C.”
3. Earned baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university with an overall college grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or higher - or-
4. Current enrollment in the University of Mary’s BSRT program. These students may opt to pursue the MSRT track. Students must apply to the University of Mary Graduate Studies during the spring semester of the professional phase of the program and must have a minimum GPA of 3.00 in their respiratory therapy coursework.
5. Applicants must have successfully completed each of the following prerequisite courses with a grade of “C” or higher:

• General Inorganic Chemistry (one semester)
• Microbiology
• Human Anatomy and Physiology (two semesters)
• College Algebra
• Ethics

Additional Admission Considerations

• Admissions decisions are based on academic GPA, letters of recommendation, and a personal essay.
• Preference is given to equally qualified applicants who completed their pre-professional coursework at the University of Mary.
• Completion of all program immunization requirements.

Immunization Policy

The official immunization requirements for health science programs are listed in the University of Mary Student Handbook under: Student Experience → University of Mary Health Clinic → Immunization Policy. These requirements supersede any listed in previous academic catalogs or program handbooks

Application Deadline

February 15 for fall semester admission of the same year.

Next Steps

Prospective applicants should contact the Respiratory Therapy Department Chair at 701-530-7756 or cksperle@umary.edu to:

• Request an application,
• Ask questions, and
• Learn more about the program.

International Students

Additional requirements for international students are available on the Admissions  page of this Catalog. This includes requirements for tests of English proficiency for students from countries in which English is not the native language.

Academic Transcript Evaluation

Certified copies of all academic records are required at the time of application. Certified copies include transcripts or school certificates and subjects for which the applicant was enrolled or is presently enrolled. If the applicant has attended a university
outside of the United States, the University of Mary requires the applicant to provide a course-by-course transcript evaluation. The evaluation must include transcript authenticity, GPA calculation, U.S. degree equivalency, and is sent directly from the evaluation service. See the International Students information section of the Admissions page for details on transcript evaluation requirements for international transcripts.

Official transcripts must be sent directly to:

Graduate Admissions
University of Mary
7500 University Drive
Bismarck, ND 58504

Rolling Admissions

If the class number does not reach its maximum capacity by the application deadline, a rolling admissions policy will be followed. Students must meet all criteria previously outlined and participate in the formal interview process. Rolling admissions are considered until the first day of class in the fall. Applicants will be reviewed based on the time of submissions of a completed application.