Admission Requirements

In addition to The Graduate School  admission requirements, admission requirements for acceptance into the program include:

• Bachelor’s degree in Respiratory Therapy, related science, or social science from a regionally accredited college or university
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).  If an applicant has earned or attempted a post-baccalaureate degree (i.e., a master’s, doctoral, or other), grades in that program will also be taken into consideration.
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (achieving and maintaining the RRT Credential offered by the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC))
• Current state license to practice Respiratory Therapy
• Professional experience consisting of at least 2 years of clinical Respiratory Therapy practice
• Written statement of the applicant’s educational goals and expectations of the program
• Evidence of knowledge in the field from academic or professional colleagues or supervisors in the form of 2 reference letters

Documents that applicants must provide for application review include:

• Associate and Bachelor’s degree transcripts
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT Credential)
• Copy of current state license
• Statement of Purpose: 500 to 1000 words describing the applicant’s educational goals and expectations of the program
• Two letters of recommendation from individuals with academic or professional knowledge of the applicant’s capabilities

Degree Requirements

The program requires the completion of 37 credit hours in approved courses.

• RESP 5101 - Health Outcomes and Quality Assessment (3)
• RESP 6101 - Respiratory Care Leadership (3)
• RESP 6102 - Pulmonary Disease Management (3)
• RESP 6103 - Cardiovascular Disease Management (3)
• RESP 6104 - Health Policy, Law, and Ethics in the Health Professions (3)
• RESP 6105 - Pulmonary Function Testing and Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation (3)
• RESP 6106 - Ventilation Application and Monitoring (3)
• RESP 6115 - Research Methods for Respiratory Care (3)
• RESP 6601 - Emerging Issues in Respiratory Care Seminar (3)
• RESP 6801 - Advanced Credential Exam Preparation Course (3)
• RESP 6803 - Respiratory Care Capstone I (4)
• RESP 6804 - Respiratory Care Capstone II (3)

Degree Total = 37 Credit Hours

Student Learning Outcomes

Students are required to successfully complete all direct effectiveness measures for the 5 Student Learning Outcomes to complete the program.

1. Knowledge - Demonstrate an expanded breadth and depth of knowledge in specific respiratory therapy content areas that would allow the student to successfully challenge and complete an advanced credentialing exam offered by the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC).  These include the Adult Critical Care Specialist credential (ACCS), Neonatal/Pediatric Specialist credential (NPS), or the Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist credential (RPFT).
    
2. Leadership - Demonstrate the ability to use leadership theories and practices to successfully lead a group of fellow clinicians to complete a specific education or management project.  This includes gathering information, engaging persons of interest, leading meetings, delegating tasks, utilizing electronic tools of modern leadership, and meeting established goals.
    
3. Project Management - Successfully complete a research, quality improvement, or educational project that includes planning, needs analysis, information gathering, organization, reporting, and executing elements that impact positive change in the clinical, research, or educational environment.
    
4. Research - Demonstrate knowledge of study design, data analysis, and research methods related to developing a research proposal that answers a relevant clinical question.  Develop a subject for systematic review related to the Capstone Project during RESP 6115, after discussion with faculty.  Complete a thorough evidence-based systematic review under the guidance of a faculty advisor, which culminates in a Systematic Review Paper that is in the Capstone course.
    
5. Professional Communication - Demonstrate effective oral and written professional communication skills consistent with a master prepared respiratory therapist.  This includes oral presentation using presentation software, a poster that meets the standards of the American Association of Respiratory Care Open Forum, and the final Capstone paper.