Master of Respiratory Care at Rush University

Rush University offers the Master of Respiratory Care as a full-time degree delivered on campus at its On-Campus campus in Chicago, United States of America. Taught in English and completed over 2 years, the program equips students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required for respiratory care and related professional fields. The next available intake begins on August 28, 2027.

About Master of Respiratory Care

Master of Science in Respiratory Care

Respiratory therapists are critical members of the health care team who apply scientific principles to prevent, identify and treat acute or chronic dysfunction of the cardiopulmonary system in a diverse patient population, from newborns and children to adults and the elderly.

RUSH University is the only institution in Illinois to offer a respiratory therapist master's degree. The Master of Science in Respiratory Care program has a uniquely designed curriculum that offers outstanding leadership and advanced practice preparation in multiple areas, including critical care, neonatal care and cardiopulmonary diagnostics.

You will obtain hands-on experience at top-tier academic medical centers in Chicago. The low student-to-faculty ratio ensures that you will receive individualized attention.

At RUSH, you will experience the innovative practitioner-teacher model, whereby faculty members take on multiple roles as educators, researchers and practitioners.

No previous health care experience is required. However, an advanced standing option is available for individuals who have earned the registered respiratory therapist (RRT) credential from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). Email the CHS admissions office for more information.

After graduating, you will be eligible to take the advanced examinations for registered respiratory therapists given by the NBRC.

Shadowing Session

Prospective students should contact Brady Scott at [email protected] to set up a shadowing session with a respiratory therapist at RUSH University Medical Center. Shadowing sessions typically take place in the morning and last a few hours, as prospective students will rotate through multiple clinical settings.

Requirements and Admission Criteria for Master of Respiratory Care at Rush University

Entry Requirements

Application form - You must create an account to apply. Please click the following link to begin the process:
Unofficial transcripts - An unofficial copy of your transcript from every college and university attended is required, even if only one course was completed. Transfer credits listed on another transcript does not waive the submissions of a transcript from that school. Copies should be uploaded online via the application system only.
Grade point average - GPAs must be converted to a 4.0 scale.
Standardized test scores - Standardized test scores are optional for all programs. Applicants applying to the Integrated Biomedical Sciences Program have the option to submit GRE scores. Please upload a copy of your ETS score report online with your application (even if you have already sent in an official copy to the Graduate College via ETS). Applicants applying to the Biotechnology and Clinical Research MS Program may submit GRE, MCAT, PCAT, GMAT or DAT scores with their application.
TOEFL/IELTS scores - Scores must be submitted for international applicants who have received a diploma from a university at which English is not the language of instruction. TOEFL/IELTS scores will be waived for non-native English speakers who have completed a Bachelor’s degree or higher from a US accredited institution and have demonstrated language proficiency supported by the interview. TOEFL and IELTS are the only scores the Graduate College will accept.
Applicant fee - A $50 application fee is required to submit the application.
CV/Resume - A CV or resume is required and should include academic honors, awards received in college and/or graduate school, employment history, internships, summer research programs, education history, etc.
Statement of purpose - Describe your current research interests as they pertain to your desire to complete the program to which you apply. Please also include specific details about your past research experience. Your statement of purpose should be limited to one page.
Letters of Recommendation – Three letters of recommendation are required for all programs. The Graduate College will only accept professional or institutional email addresses, personal email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc. will not be accepted. Letters must be uploaded by the online application directly by your recommenders. The Graduate College does accept Interfolio letters of recommendation.
Background Check and Immunizations- Prior to matriculation, you will need to complete a criminal background check and submit your immunization records through CastleBranch. Upon acceptance into a program, The Graduate College Admissions Team will contact you with further instructions on ordering your package through CastleBranch.
International students (those with a degree outside the U.S.) must also submit the following:
- Official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores. Scores can be emailed directly to the Graduate College. We will waive the TOEFL/IELTS requirement if you completed your degree in a country where the official language is English.
- Official course-by-course evaluation from Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE), or World Education Services (WES) only. Please review their web site for their individual requirements for evaluation. Once completed, they can then email the formal evaluation directly to Rush.
Rush/Stroger residents and fellows need to submit United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) scores.

English Requirements

TOEFLMin 88

Tuition and Fee Information for Master of Respiratory Care at Rush University

Application Fee 50

How to Apply for Master of Respiratory Care at Rush University

We recommend that you complete the required RUSH University fields and submit your application well before the deadline. It can take several weeks for RUSH University to verify your transcripts and calculate GPAs after you submit the application and transcripts have been received.

Please review the required fields in the sections below that you need to complete before you can submit an application.

Personal information
Academic history
Supporting information
Program materials

You must complete required fields and submit your application by the posted deadline. Otherwise, we will not consider your application for admission. As programs are competitive, we strongly advise that you also submit all required documents to RUSH University prior to the application deadline.

You should check your personal application page on the RUSH University application portal to monitor that your transcripts and recommendations were successfully transmitted. Our admissions staff will also be working with you to ensure that your application is complete.

Master of Respiratory Care at Rush University

Rush University

United States of America, Chicago