30
$338
Spring 2 2025 classes start on March 10, 2025
Expand your career opportunities with LSU Health Shreveport's online Bachelor of Science in Cardiopulmonary Science—a Degree Advancement Program (DAP) designed for practicing respiratory therapists. This program builds on your existing knowledge in anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and clinical medicine, enhancing your critical thinking and autonomy. By mastering your skills in interpreting diagnostic test results and preparing for professional credentialing exams, you will be well-positioned for leadership roles in hospitals, clinics, and beyond.
This 30-credit hour degree completion program also focuses on developing leadership, research, and communication skills, opening career paths beyond direct patient care into areas like research and education. It effectively bridges the knowledge gap for roles in leadership, specialization, and research that often require a bachelor's degree. By aligning with workforce needs, the program ensures graduates are prepared for crucial roles in critical care and other specialties. Its streamlined design allows working professionals to complete the degree quickly with minimal career disruption, empowering experienced RRTs to excel in the evolving respiratory therapy landscape and contribute comprehensively to patient care.
Note: Applicants must hold a CoARC-accredited Associate's degree (e.g., Associate of Science or Applied Science) in Respiratory Therapy and possess a valid RRT credential from the National Board for Respiratory Care.
100% online coursework, flexible for your schedule. Balance life, work, and education with two start dates a year.
All courses are taught by credentialed and licensed Registered Respiratory Therapists; many have advanced or specialty clinical credentials.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of respiratory therapists is projected to grow 13 percent by 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.
This program provides a pathway for respiratory therapists who have earned an associate’s degree to earn a bachelor’s degree, as recommended by the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC).
We are looking forward to offering this bridge opportunity for associate-degree Registered Respiratory Therapists to attain their BS degree, all online, creating opportunity for the many working professionals that will require a non-traditional option for their educational pursuits."
Dr. Tim Gilmore
Program Director, Associate Professor Cardiopulmonary Science Program School of Allied Health Professions, LSU Health Shreveport
Total credit hours per program: 30 credit hours
Cost per credit hour: $338
Total cost with fees: $10,140
LSU Online also offers several ways to help you pay for your degree including financial aid, and veteran education benefits. Learn More.
* The online Cardiopulmonary Science – Degree Advancement Program does not accept transfer credits from other institutions or programs to substitute any required courses in its curriculum.
Cost per credit hour and fees are subject to change. Fee schedules may vary by program depending on course-specific fees for proctoring and/or books. Please contact a Student Success Coach for more information.
| Course | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| CPSO 4200: Issues & Trends in Respiratory Care | 3 |
| CPSO 4205: Introduction to Public Health | 3 |
| CPSO 4210: Interprofessional Healthcare & Practice | 3 |
| CPSO 4220: Respiratory Care for Special Populations | 3 |
| CPSO 4180: Professional Development in the Health Sciences | 3 |
| CPSO 4230: Culture & Ethics in Respiratory Care | 3 |
| CPSO 4190: Introduction to Research & Statistical Methods | 3 |
| CPSO 4215: Leadership Theory | 3 |
| CPSO 4225: Advanced Survey of Cardiopulmonary Disease and Diagnostics | 3 |
| CPSO 4240: Capstone | 3 |
Admission Criteria:
*Fine Arts: Music, Visual Arts, Applied Arts, Theatre, Dance, Interdisciplinary
**Humanities (recommended): Literature, Foreign Languages, History, Classical Studies, Communications, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Interdisciplinary
***Social/Behavioral Sciences (recommended): Social: Anthropology, Criminal Justice, Economics, Geography, International Studies, Interdisciplinary, Political Science. Behavioral: Psychology, Sociology
All applicants must submit a copy of their official transcript, which reflects the earned associate degree from a CoARC-accredited institution, and provide verification of current RRT credential from the National Board for Respiratory Care.
More information can be found here.
Since the LSU Health Shreveport incoming students are already Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRTs), the online bachelor's degree in Cardiopulmonary Science empowers them to transcend their current roles and pursue exciting new career paths. This program equips them with the knowledge, skills, and leadership qualities to excel in the following areas:
Graduates of the online cardiopulmonary science degree program will gain the skills to become experts in patient care and respiratory therapy.
Students will learn to do the following:
LSU Health Shreveport's online Bachelor of Science in Cardiopulmonary Science equips you with the skills and knowledge to advance your career in respiratory therapy, all on a flexible schedule that fits your busy life. This program boasts a faculty of highly qualified Registered Respiratory Therapists with extensive clinical experience. Many hold advanced credentials in areas like neonatal/pediatric care, adult critical care, and pulmonary function testing, ensuring you receive the most up-to-date and specialized instruction.
This Degree Advancement program also offers students many educational opportunities and “seeks to provide graduates of entry into respiratory care professional practice degree programs with additional knowledge, skills, and attributes in leadership, management, education, research, and/or advanced clinical practice that will enable them to meet their current professional goals and prepare them for practice as advanced degree respiratory therapists.” (CoARC DA3.1)
Join LSU Health Shreveport in making a real difference in patients' lives.
The Cardiopulmonary Science Degree Advancement program, CoARC #510035, Bachelor of Science degree awarded through LSU Health Shreveport at 1450 Claiborne Ave., Shreveport, LA 71103, hold Provisional Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (www.coarc.com).
This status signifies that a program with an Approval of Intent has demonstrated sufficient compliance with the Standards through submission of an acceptable Provisional Accreditation Self Study Report (PSSR) and any other documentation required by the CoARC, as well as satisfactory completion of an initial on-site visit.
Take the first step forward by completing the form and our enrollment team will contact you soon to discuss:
