About the Degree Program
The Bachelor of Science in 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 health care community.
Learn MoreThe Respiratory Care Profession
Respiratory therapists, also known as respiratory care practitioners, are the health care professionals specially trained for the treatment, management, care and education of patients with heart and lung diseases such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, pneumonia, cystic fibrosis or sleep apnea.
Learn MoreInformation Sessions
The Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care Program occasionally hosts information sessions meant to inform prospective students about the program requirements, the curriculum, or just to answer questions they may have.
Learn MoreProfessional Links
Explore essential links for students and alumni of the Department of Respiratory Care degree programs. Discover accrediting and credentialing organizations, professional organizations and valuable resources to advance your career.
View LinksExplore Our Local Area
Learn more about all that central Arkansas has to offer! Residents of Little Rock can enjoy a wide variety of historic preservations, visual arts, performing arts, libraries and nightlife.
Learn MoreAccreditation
The baccalaureate (B.S.) degree program in Cardio-Respiratory Care (#200176) at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, Arkansas holds Continuing Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (www.coarc.com).
The UAMS Cardio-Respiratory Care program is proud to be a multi-year recipient of the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) credentialing awards — each year since 2009 — including:
- The Excellence in Respiratory Care Education Award: This award was CoARC’s first recognition of programs with outstanding credentialing success.
- The Distinguished RRT Credentialing Success Award: The primary criteria for this award requires an accredited program to achieve 90% or higher RRT credentialing success for the most recent three-year graduate cohorts, and to have met specific retention and job placement thresholds. We are proud to be the only bachelor of science degree program in the United States to receive this award each year since its inception.
- The President’s Award for Excellence in Credentialing Success: This award was instituted in 2021 and distinguishes programs which have 100% pass rates for credentialing exams, and recognizes the overall credentialing success rate of 100% for the previous years. UAMS has received the award in 2021 and 2022.
See COARC Program Outcomes Data
The Online Associate to Bachelor Degree Advancement Program, designed for practicing professionals who already have the registered respiratory therapist credential, does not require accreditation and is, therefore, not accredited by CoARC.
Contact Information
Primary Contacts
General Information
Phone: 501-526‐4490
Fax: 501-526-4491
Tom Jones, Ed.D., RRT, CPFT
Program Director and Chair of the Department of Respiratory Care
Email: TJones4@UAMS.edu
Lynn Ellison
Executive Assistant I
Email: EllisonLynn@UAMS.edu
Mailing Address
Department of Respiratory Care
College of Health Professions
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
4301 W. Markham St., Slot 737
Little Rock, AR 72205