Respiratory Therapy Major, Degree Completion Option, B.S.

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College of Nursing and Health Professions >> Respiratory Therapy

www.usi.edu/rrt-to-bsrt

43 hours

The degree completion option of the respiratory therapy program allows practicing registered respiratory therapists with the NBRC credential RRT to earn a Bachelor of Science degree with a major of respiratory therapy through 100% online coursework. Individuals entering the degree completion program in respiratory therapy must have completed a CoARC accredited associate degree program in respiratory therapy and must hold a current National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) credential in Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).

A traditional 4-year program in Respiratory Therapy is available to students who are not already a practicing respiratory therapist.

In addition to the required supporting coursework and required respiratory therapy coursework, students in the degree completion option must earn a minimum of 120 credit hours, including a minimum of 30 hours completed at USI and a minimum of 39 hours completed at the 300/400 level.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the RRT to BSRT degree completion program is based upon the following criteria:

Completion of an associate degree in a CoARC accredited respiratory therapy program and regional accredited college or university
Cumulative GPA of 2.3 on a 4.0 scale; students with a 2.0 – 2.3 will be considered on an individual basis
Unencumbered RRT credential through the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC)
Completion of the USI RRT-BSRT undergraduate application
Submission of official transcripts from all colleges attended

Non-native speakers of English must provide an official report confirming a TOEFL score of 197 (computerized test) or 71 (Internet based), or IELTS score of 6, or Cambridge English (Advanced) Minimum grade of C, or ELS Completion Level 112.

Program Goals (Degree Completion Option, B.S.)

To provide graduates of entry into respiratory care professional practice degree programs with additional knowledge, skills, and attributes in leadership, management, education, research, or advanced clinical practice both to meet their current professional goals and to prepare them for practice as advanced degree respiratory therapists.
To provide community leadership through engagement, service learning, and organizational involvement.
To provide an inclusive learning, caring community that supports students’ success and graduation.
To serve as a leader in respiratory education, evidence based practice, research, and health care.
To promote and advance personal development and inter-professional collaboration of respiratory faculty, staff, graduates, and health professionals.

Required Core 39 and Supporting Courses (19 hours)

MATH 107 - Fundamentals of Mathematics for Health Professions Credits: 4
NUTR 376 - Principles and Applications in Nutrition Credits: 3
WLC 155 - Cultural Awareness Credits: 3
HP 302 - Biostatistics Credits: 3
IPH 356 - Ethics and Healthcare in a Pluralistic Society Credits: 3
IPH 401 - Interprofessional Perspectives on Global Health Credits: 3

Required Respiratory Therapy Courses (24 hours)

REST 451 - Management and Leadership in Respiratory Therapy Credits: 3
REST 452 - Introduction to Research and Evidence Based Practice in Respiratory Therapy Credits: 3
REST 453 - Respiratory Therapy Disease Management Credits: 3
REST 454 - Advanced Critical Care Credits: 3
REST 455 - Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Geriatrics Credits: 3
REST 456 - Professional Issues in Respiratory Therapy Credits: 3
REST 460 - Independent Study of Respiratory Therapy Credits: 1-3 (3 credits are required; may be taken twice for up to 6 credits)
REST 499 - Special Topics in Respiratory Therapy Credits: 3 (may be taken twice)