Apr 28, 2024  
Graduate Catalog | 2023-2024 
    
Graduate Catalog | 2023-2024

Respiratory Care, M.S.


The UNC Charlotte Master of Science in Respiratory Care (MSRC) program is a fully online program designed for respiratory care professionals. The program prepares respiratory therapists to advance the respiratory care profession through leadership and evidence-based practice. Students have the opportunity to pursue relevant topics that can be applied to current practice. The program provides graduates with additional knowledge, skills, and competencies that support advancement opportunities in clinical and educational leadership, scholarship and research, and disease management.

Admission Requirements


In addition to The Graduate School  admission requirements, admission requirements for acceptance into the program include:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Respiratory Therapy, related science, or social science from a college or university accredited by an accepted accrediting body
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).  If an applicant has earned or attempted a post-baccalaureate degree (i.e., a master’s, doctoral, or other), grades in that program will also be taken into consideration.
  • Registered Respiratory Therapist (achieving and maintaining the RRT Credential offered by the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC))
  • Current state license to practice Respiratory Therapy
  • Professional experience consisting of at least 2 years of clinical Respiratory Therapy practice
  • Written statement of the applicant’s educational goals and expectations of the program
  • Evidence of knowledge in the field from academic or professional colleagues or supervisors in the form of 2 reference letters

Documents that applicants must provide for application review include:

  • Associate and Bachelor’s degree transcripts
  • Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT Credential)
  • Copy of current state license
  • Statement of Purpose: 500 to 1000 words describing the applicant’s educational goals and expectations of the program
  • Two letters of recommendation from individuals with academic or professional knowledge of the applicant’s capabilities

Early Entry Program

Exceptional undergraduate students at UNC Charlotte may apply for the Early Entry Program and begin work toward the graduate degree before completion of the baccalaureate degree.  See the Undergraduate Catalog for details and requirements.  Also see the Degree Requirements and Academic Policies  section of the Graduate Catalog for more information about Early Entry Programs.

Degree Total = 30 Credit Hours


Student Learning Outcomes


Students are required to successfully complete all direct effectiveness measures for the four Student Learning Outcomes to complete the program:

  1. Leadership: Students apply leadership theories and evidence-based practice concepts to plan and make collaborative and effective decisions relevant to respiratory care services or education.
     
  2. Evidence-Based Practice: Students conduct scholarly activities using evidence-based practice concepts, research methodology, and statistical procedures relevant to study of or application to respiratory care.
     
  3. Professional Communication: Students develop culturally competent and effective oral and written communication for professional interactions.
     
  4. Cardiopulmonary Disease Management: Students develop evidence-based care plans in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and management of patients with cardiopulmonary diseases.

Advanced Respiratory Care Practice Concentration


The UNC Charlotte Master of Science in Respiratory Care - Advanced Respiratory Care Practice (MSRC-ARCP) concentration is designed for registered respiratory therapists who desire to seek clinical leadership opportunities as an advanced practice provider. The concentration prepares registered respiratory therapists to provide evidence-based, diagnostic and therapeutic clinical practice and disease management under the supervision of licensed physician.

Admission Requirements


  • Graduate of a CoARC accredited respiratory therapy education program
  • Bachelor’s degree in Respiratory Therapy, related science, or social science from an accepted accredited college or university.
    • Accepted accrediting bodies: Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Higher Learning Commission (HLC), Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), and WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
  • GPA 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).  If an applicant has earned or attempted a post-baccalaureate degree (i.e. a master’s, doctoral or other), grades in that program will also be taken into consideration.
  • Registered Respiratory Therapist (achieving and maintaining the RRT Credential offered by the National Board of Respiratory Care).
  • Current state license to practice Respiratory Therapy.
  • Minimum of one year experience as a Registered Respiratory Therapist
  • Completion of NURN 3108 Health Assessment for Nurses or its equivalent with a grade of C or above
  • Current Resume
  • Written statement of purpose (500 -1000 words) describing the applicant’s educational goals and expectations of the program.
  • Two professional letters of recommendation from colleagues or supervisors are required.
  • Complete and submit an application via the Graduate School’s admission system.

Degree Requirements


Degree Total = 49 credit hours