New program will prepare future respiratory therapists to help meet Indiana’s growing healthcare workforce needs.

Butler University will expand its healthcare offerings with the launch of a new Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy program. The program will welcome its first cohort in fall 2027, with applications opening in January 2027. 

The new degree is designed to prepare students for one of healthcare’s fastest-growing professions while helping address the increasing demand for respiratory therapists across Indiana and the nation. 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for respiratory therapists is projected to grow 12 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for other healthcare jobs and all other occupations over the next decade. The median annual wage for respiratory therapists was $80,450 in May 2024. Healthcare systems throughout Indiana continue to recruit respiratory therapists, reflecting a sustained need for highly trained professionals who specialize in the assessment, treatment, and care of patients with breathing and cardiopulmonary disorders. 

“Respiratory therapists are essential members of every healthcare team, and the need for highly skilled clinicians continues to grow across Indiana,” Jo Isley, Respiratory Therapy Manager at Community Hospital North and chair of Butler’s Respiratory Therapy Advisory Committee, said. “We’re excited to partner with Butler because we know firsthand the value of strong clinical preparation. Students will gain meaningful experiences alongside practicing respiratory therapists, and we’re confident they’ll graduate ready to make an immediate impact on patient care.” 

“Respiratory therapists play an essential role across the healthcare continuum, caring for patients during some of the most critical moments of their lives,” Christy Kane, Program Director for Butler’s Respiratory Therapy program, said. “Our program is designed to prepare graduates who are clinically skilled, compassionate, and ready to become leaders in the profession. Through Butler’s personalized approach to education and extensive clinical experiences, students will graduate ready to make an immediate impact in healthcare organizations throughout Indiana.” 

Respiratory therapists work in hospitals, emergency departments, intensive care units, neonatal and pediatric units, rehabilitation centers, sleep laboratories, physician practices, home healthcare, and air medical transport programs. They evaluate patients with breathing disorders, manage ventilators and other life-support equipment, provide emergency respiratory care, educate patients and families, and collaborate with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to improve patient outcomes. 

After one year of pre-requisite coursework, students will enter the Respiratory Therapy program. The curriculum during the final three years includes hands-on courses that combine foundational sciences, liberal arts, and advanced respiratory therapy coursework. Clinical experiences begin during the professional phase of the program and culminate in approximately 1,000 hours of experiential learning with healthcare partners throughout Central Indiana. Students will also complete a capstone project alongside healthcare leaders, applying classroom knowledge to solve real-world challenges identified by clinical partners. 

Butler’s bachelor’s curriculum includes additional preparation in leadership, healthcare systems, research, evidence-based practice, and advanced cardiopulmonary care. The curriculum aligns with the profession’s increasing emphasis on bachelor’s-prepared practitioners and positions graduates for future leadership opportunities within healthcare organizations. 

“The healthcare challenges facing our communities require professionals who are not only technically proficient but also prepared to lead, collaborate, and innovate,” Bob Soltis, Dean of Butler’s College of Health Professions, said. “This program reflects Butler’s commitment to preparing graduates who will strengthen the healthcare workforce while improving the health and well-being of the communities they serve.” 

Students will benefit from Butler’s hallmark small class sizes, individualized faculty mentoring, and partnerships with leading healthcare organizations, including Community Health Network, Eskenazi Health, Ascension St. Vincent, IU Health, Parkview Health, Pike Medical, and Kindred Hospitals. These clinical partnerships provide students with diverse learning experiences across multiple healthcare settings while building connections with future employers. 

The Respiratory Therapy program further expands Butler’s growing portfolio of healthcare education programs within the College of Health Professions, joining nationally recognized programs in pharmacy, physician assistant studies, nursing, healthcare administration, health sciences, and pharmaceutical sciences. 

Additional information about Butler’s Respiratory Therapy program is available at butler.edu.