We are no longer accepting new students for this program. Most courses are still being offered; please consult with an academic and student support services representative for more information.  

The Master of Science in Respiratory Therapy is a Direct Entry program designed to prepare those without a respiratory therapy background for one of the fastest growing opportunities in the country. (If you are a credentialed respiratory therapist, learn about our MS in Respiratory Care Leadership.) Respiratory therapists (RTs) are on duty in hospitals and are also found in rehabilitation facilities, home care agencies, and pharmaceutical and equipment manufacturing firms. RTs respond to all resuscitation "stat" pages for cardiac and/or respiratory arrest and are responsible for airway management and other advanced cardiovascular life support procedures. They are assigned to intensive care units where they have major life support responsibilities involving mechanical ventilation and other critical-care life-saving procedures. RTs graduating from advanced-level programs serve as physician extenders working under medical board-approved protocols for patient care under the medical direction of physicians specialized in critical-care medicine, anesthesiology, and pulmonary medicine.

Northeastern University's Direct Entry RT program is the result of a collaboration with the Bouve College of Health Sciences. It allows students to use their baccalaureate degree to qualify for a master's degree in this high-demand profession. The program is built on a solid core of didactic and laboratory courses and includes intensive clinical experience at Boston-area teaching hospitals.

The Direct Entry RT Program can be completed in sixteen months and will qualify the graduate to sit for the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) examinations. After passing the NBRC entry-level exam, graduates will become certified respiratory therapists (CRTs) and issued a state license to practice respiratory care. After passing two additional advanced-practice board examinations, they will qualify as Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRTs).

The MS in Respiratory Therapy degree is offered at the College of Professional Studies through the Bouve Institute for Healthcare Leadership and Professional Development, the continuing education division of the Bouve College of Health Sciences.