About the Program

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Click on the above picture to learn more about being a Respiratory Therapist.

Download the Respiratory Care Flyer

The respiratory care program is available for traditional students entering the profession for the first time as well as for non-traditional, practicing professionals and graduates of CoARC accredited Associate Degree respiratory care programs wishing to complete the Bachelor of Science Degree.

Mission & Values

Mission Statement

The UAMS Cardio-Respiratory Care program is dedicated to developing practitioners of influence who demonstrate the value of our profession, and lead it forward to meet the needs of a diverse healthcare community.  

Core Values

  • We value and steward our legacy of student excellence and national prominence.
  • We value our collective vision that embraces change to promote the future of respiratory care.
  • We value a supportive environment that promotes a culture of professional achievement and mutual respect.

Program Tracks

Traditional Program

Each fall semester, the traditional program admits a full-time (5 semesters) and a part time (8 semesters) cohort who attend classes during the day.  The number of students in each cohort depends upon clinical slot availability.  Second year part-time students and first year full-time students comprise a clinical cohort.  There are 24 clinical slots available.  The program consists of 58 semester credits of prerequisite course work and 62 credits in the respiratory care curriculum for a total of 120 credits.

Students earn credentials in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) as program requirements.  Graduates are eligible to earn the CRT (Certified Respiratory Therapist) credential and the RRT (Registered Respiratory Therapist) credential.  Successful completion of all program requirements qualifies graduates to sit for national credentialing exams and apply for a license to practice in Arkansas.  Successful completion of the program does not itself ensure licensure.

RRT A.S.-to-B.S. Degree Advancement Program

The A.S.-to-B.S. Degree Advancement Program is designed to allow graduates of Associate Degree programs the opportunity to meet their educational and professional goals as practicing professionals. The thirty semester credit professional program is offered in a 100% online format, designed for working therapists who need flexibility to complete their Bachelor’s degree while meeting family, professional and personal obligations.  The curriculum allows students to pursue study in specific areas of interest or professional specialty through various projects, papers and/or directed study.  In this way, students have the opportunity to prepare for advanced levels of specialty credentialing, if desired.  The maximum number of students accepted to the degree completion program may vary from year to year.  Cohort size is dependent on several factors that include, but are not limited to:  number of students currently enrolled, number of available faculty advisors, and size of the traditional cohort.   The full time cohort begins with the summer term.  The part time cohort begins each fall.

Admission Factors

Admission to the program is competitive and based on the following criteria:

  • Academic achievement
  • Academic aptitude
  • Academic experience
  • Math and science aptitude

The Little Rock program receives significant support from the Central Arkansas Veteran’s Healthcare System.