Respiratory Therapy Program
Our Mission
Inspired by and under the patronage of Saint Gianna Beretta Molla we prepare respiratory therapists who are servant leaders that will transform health care for everyone at each stage of life.
Our Vision
Our vision is that our graduates will become competent, ethical, compassionate and caring registered respiratory therapists who think critically, engage in evidence-based practice, function as expert resources to physicians and other healthcare professionals, assume leadership roles, and respect the dignity of the human person.
About Us
The professional phase of the program is located at CHI/St. Alexius Medical Center in Bismarck (faculty offices, laboratory, classroom and clinical facilities), and is co-sponsored by the University of Mary and CHI/St. Alexius Medical Center. The Program offers a 20-month program of study, the curriculum consists of classroom, laboratory and clinical practicum courses, including over 1000 hours of supervised experience in direct patient interaction. The program benefits from small classroom size and direct interaction with professors who are published authors of textbooks and scientific papers. Faculty student ratio is 1:4 in the classroom and laboratory and 1:1 in the clinical patient care setting.
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Students can earn a Bachelor of Science or Master of Science degree and meet the didactic requirements to sit for the National Board for Respiratory Care certification and registry exams. Once the student passes the board exams, they are registered respiratory therapists and are entitled to use the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential.
Our History
The Respiratory Therapy Program began in 1971 at St. Alexius Medical Center as a hospital-based program with no formal ties to a college or university; nevertheless, prerequisite college courses in math and the sciences were required for admission to the program. The program was started by a physician husband-and-wife team with specialties in anesthesia, pulmonology, and critical care. As a result, a legacy of physician involvement in the education of respiratory therapists was started, which persists today.​In 1982, St. Alexius Medical Center formalized a co-sponsorship agreement with its sister institution, the University of Mary. Originally, the University awarded program graduates the Associate of Science degree. In 1991, the University of Mary approved a Bachelor of Science degree entry level curriculum, eliminating the A.S. degree.In 2012, the University of Mary approved a Master of Science entry level curriculum designed for individuals with baccalaureate degrees in other fields. Before the master’s option was implemented the program could only offer a second BS degree to such applicants.​In 2017, the University of Mary approved a Bachelor of Science (RRT to BSRT) curriculum designed for individuals with an associate degree in respiratory therapy. This program serves and assists the Respiratory Care profession in degree advancement.