Master of Science in Respiratory Care

Master of Science in Respiratory Care Program Overview

This program provides an excellent career opportunity to join the first approved entry-level-to-practice Master of Science in Respiratory Care (MSRC) degree program in Texas. Our program is one of six MSRC first-professional degree programs in the country and provides a great opportunity to become a leader in the respiratory care profession.

Options within the Master of Science in Respiratory Care Program

The Master of Science in Respiratory Care (MSRC) offered by UT Health San Antonio provides two tracks of study: Entry to the Profession and Degree Advancement. The Entry to the Profession Program provides students with any background the necessary knowledge and skills to become registered respiratory therapists (RRTs). An Early Acceptance Option is available for qualified University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA) students to shorten their course of study en route to earning a MSRC degree. The Degree Advancement Program is designed for RRTs with bachelor degrees in any field to obtain their Master of Science in Respiratory Care degree. The Degree Advancement Program can be taken either entirely online or in a face-to-face format. 

Master of Science in Respiratory Care Objectives/Program Outcomes

Goals of the Master of Science in Respiratory Care Program

The Respiratory Care Program is designed to offer the student an environment that fosters learning through didactic, laboratory and clinical experiences so that the student will be able to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes for the profession of respiratory care. 

One of the goals for the Master of Science in Respiratory Care (MSRC) program is to prepare excellent clinicians that will advocate for their patients and make their lives better. In addition, the program provides graduates with additional knowledge, skills, and attributes in leadership, management, education, research, or advanced clinical practice both to meet their current professional goals and to prepare them for practice as advanced degree respiratory therapists.

The MSRC program will also 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 therapist (RRT). 

Lastly, the MSRC program will prepare leaders for the field of respiratory care by including curricular content that includes courses and objectives related to the acquisition of skills in management, education, research and advanced clinical practice. These will lead to: 

• Preparation of strong advanced-level respiratory therapists for advanced clinical practice.
• Leadership development in the areas of management, education and research.
• Development of clinical specialists in the following areas: adult, pediatric and neonatal critical care, chronic disease management, cardiopulmonary diagnostics, pulmonary rehabilitation; and asthma education.
• Preparation of future faculty for college and university respiratory care educational programs.
• Development of individuals who are able to formulate appropriate questions, organize and test hypotheses, and apply research results to the practice of respiratory care.

Program Policies and Regulations

Computer Requirement

Students are required to purchase a laptop computer from the Health Science Center Computer Store upon matriculation.  The cost of the purchase is included in determination of students' financial aid package.

Program Costs

In addition to required tuition and fees, there are costs for textbooks, scrubs, and equipment. Clinical rotations in the curriculum may require that students relocate outside of San Antonio for the duration of the rotations. The expenses associated with these clinical rotations will vary according to individual arrangements for the cost of travel, temporary housing, etc. Students are encouraged to budget for major expenditures that could be associated with these assignments.  Detailed information about program costs can be found on the Division of Respiratory Care website.

Background Checks and Drug Screening

Background checks are required prior to matriculation.  Any events that occur after the initial background check that might affect the student’s status in the program must be reported to the department immediately. Students are required to comply with additional requests for background checks at any time during their course of study. 

Students are responsible for the cost of any/all required background checks.

Some medical facilities require students that rotate in their facility to undergo drug screening prior to being awarded temporary privileges.  It is the student’s responsibility to comply with this screening.  It is the student’s responsibility to arrange for the screening in a timely fashion so as not to impact their rotation duties. 

The student is responsible for any applicable fees associated with drug screening. 

Working and Employment While Enrolled as a Respiratory Care Student

Students are encouraged to devote the maximum time possible to their studies while enrolled in the Respiratory Care Program. The curriculum is intense, demanding, time consuming, and requires long hours of class and study time. Any activity that takes time away from a student’s efforts within the program is discouraged.