Chris Russian, Ph.D., RRT, RPSGT, RST, FAARC, Interim Chair, Program Director, Professor
Welcome to the dynamic and rewarding field of Respiratory Care. The Department of Respiratory Care at Texas State University is home to 11 full-time faculty members—six of whom are doctoral-prepared—who are committed to supporting you as you pursue either a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care (BSRC) or a Master of Science in Respiratory Care (MSRC).
The BSRC program offers two pathways to meet the needs of different learners. Our traditional, campus-based BSRC program prepares entry-level Respiratory Care graduates to sit for the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) national credentialing examination. For practicing respiratory therapists who have already earned the RRT credential through an associate degree program, our fully online BSRC completion program provides the flexibility to continue working and living in their home community while advancing their education.
The MSRC program is also delivered fully online and is designed to provide advanced knowledge and professional preparation in Respiratory Care. Students may choose from three areas of concentration: Clinical Specialist, Leadership, or Polysomnography, allowing them to tailor their graduate education to their career goals.
Whether you are a traditional student entering the profession, a working therapist seeking to complete your BSRC degree online, or an RRT with a bachelor’s degree looking to advance your career through a high-quality MSRC program, Texas State University offers a pathway to support your academic and professional aspirations. Our faculty share a unified commitment: to help you become a successful respiratory therapist and achieve the highest level of education aligned with your career plans.
The Texas State University Respiratory Care Program offers the Entry-Level Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care degree on the Round Rock campus in Round Rock, Texas, and is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (http://www.coarc.com).
Dr. Russian has taught at Texas State in the Department of Respiratory Care since 1999 and became the Interim Chair in 2025.
He can be reached at (512)716-2682 or at cr23@txstate.edu.