Respiratory Care

This program is being discontinued and will not accept new students after Fall 2020. Students who have enrolled in the program prior Fall 2020 will use these standards to complete their degree.

Faculty:  Claire Aloan, MS, RRT; Margaret Garfoot, MS, RD, CDN; Marie Larcara, EdD; John Rutkowski, MPA, MBA, RRT, FACHE, FAARC; Kenneth Wyka, MS, RRT, AE-C, FAARC.

Degree: Master of Science

Introduction

The online Master of Science degree program in Respiratory Care (MSRC) is designed for Registered Respiratory Therapists looking to strengthen their career and become an expert in the field.

The MSRC program is offered in a fully online format, structured to fit the busy lifestyle of working students. The 33 credit hour master’s program may be completed in as little as 1 year with full-time study. The MSRC consists of 5 core courses and 6 specialty track courses. The program provides students with the opportunity to select one of the specialty areas below:

• Respiratory Therapeutics
• Respiratory Care Education

Students in the online Master’s Degree in Respiratory Care program can expect to prepare for clinical practice, undergo leadership training in management, supervision, education and research, develop skills to formulate appropriate questions, organize and test hypotheses, and apply research results to practice, among other acquired skills.

Admission

Applications are processed on a rolling basis and are considered as they are received for each term. We recommend submitting all materials required for admission at least 30 days prior to the start of the term you wish to begin. Earlier application will ensure the best scheduling options, as some course sections may become unavailable. Terms are eight weeks in length, and students may start in the fall, spring, or summer semesters. The online application can be submitted with no application fee.

To qualify for admission, all students must:

• Complete the graduate admissions application.
• Submit one (1) official undergraduate transcript showing completion of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher learning with a minimum GPA of 2.70.
• Submit two (2) letters of recommendation.
• Submit a current resume.
• Provide evidence of current licensure as a Registered Respiratory Therapist.
• Provide a statement of purpose of approximately 500 words explaining your motivation for pursuing the MS in Respiratory Care. The statement may be submitted in the essay section of the graduate application.

Transfer credit: Previous graduate level transfer credits will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Program Details

Academic Standing

Students must maintain a GPA of 3.00 to graduate from the program. If the GPA drops below 3.00, the student will be placed on academic probation. If the student does not bring his/her cumulative GPA above 3.00 by the end of the next term, the student may be dismissed from the program. A student may also be academically dismissed from the program by receiving more than 2 grades below B-. 

Curriculum

Total credit hours = 33

Every student must complete 21 credit hours of core courses and each of the courses in one (1) of the specialty tracks (12 credits).

Specialty Track 1: Respiratory Therapeutics

¹

Students will receive a grace period of 1 term to complete the thesis without having to register for ALH 700.  However, any student who has not completed their final thesis/project by the end of the grace period will be registered for the 1-credit hour course, ALH 700 for that semester, and then for each subsequent semester until the project/thesis is complete.

Specialty Track 2: Respiratory Care Education

¹

 Students will receive a grace period of 1 term to complete the thesis without having to register for ALH 700.  However, any student who has not completed their final thesis/project by the end of the grace period will be registered for the 1-credit hour course, ALH 700 for that semester, and then for each subsequent semester until the project/thesis is complete.

Learning Goals & Objectives

Learning Goal 1

Candidates in the Respiratory Care program will demonstrate content knowledge and professional knowledge necessary for successful advanced performance in respiratory therapy.

Students will:

• Assess and evaluate patient's cardiopulmonary status,to provide appropriate care by applying patient care protocols, and to evaluate the medical and cost effectiveness of their care.

Learning Goal 2

Candidates in the Respiratory Care program will demonstrate professional skills and dispositions necessary for successful advanced performance in respiratory therapy. 

Students will:

• Develop a better understanding of therapeutic techniques, medications, and medical devices to evaluate and treat patients with increasingly complex cardiopulmonary disorders.
• Develop clinical knowledge to become specialists in the areas of critical care, pulmonary function technology and cardiopulmonary diagnostics, polysomnography, and other clinical areas, as needed.

Learning Goal 3

Candidates in the Respiratory Care program will demonstrate willingness to use their advanced skills to benefit and serve patients who utilize respiratory therapy services while maintaining an environment that offers  a commitment to social justice with respect and dignity to all.  

Students will: 

• Model and promote dignity and respect to all patients while administering appropriate care and assistance in respiratory care.

Learning Goal 4

Candidates in the Respiratory Care program will continuously assess and refine their professional practice as they build a large collection of research-based knowledge, skills , and attitudes for ensuring professionalism throughout their professional career as respiratory therapists.

Students will:

• Demonstrate professional educational knowledge necessary to teach at college and university based respiratory care educational programs.
• Demonstrate ability to formulate appropriate questions, organize and test hypotheses, and apply research results to the practice of respiratory care.
• Act with integrity and fairness to ensure a professional system of accountability for every student’s academic and social success and will model principles of self-awareness, reflective practice, transparency, and ethical behavior.

Learning Goal 5

Candidates in the Respiratory Care program will become acquire the necessary knowledge to become effective leaders in their field by developing confidence in their own decision-making with respect to their patients, the community and their peers.

Students will:

• Demonstrate critical thinking, decision-making, and competence to perform newly expected responsibilities.
• Demonstrate leadership in the areas of management, supervision, education and research.
• Demonstrate ability to plan, develop, and deliver high quality, cost-effective health care services.

Courses

In addition to the courses listed below, courses for this program with the Allied Health (ALH) prefix can be found on the Professional Studies page.