Respiratory Therapy, BS


Program Description

A Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy consists of comprehensive classroom and clinical curricula that prepare students for the credentialing exam offered by the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC). The NBRC is the credentialing arm of the American Association of Respiratory Care (AARC). Successful completion of the curriculum and the credentialing exam certifies students as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) and enables them to apply for licensure in their state of residence. Employment opportunities with health care providers range from home health and hospice to neonatal, pediatric, and adult intensive care units in Utah Tech University's (Utah Tech) service area and across the country. 

Licensure

Graduates are eligible to sit for the National Board for Respiratory Care examinations under the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) Initial Accreditation Status, to become credentialed as National Board for Respiratory Care Certified or Registered Respiratory Therapists (CRT or RRT). These credentials allow therapists to become licensed to practice respiratory care in Utah as well as throughout the USA and Canada.

Professional Licensure/Certification (PLC) Requirements

The curriculum for programs at Utah Tech University leading to professional licensure are designed to prepare students for Utah licensure and certification requirements. Admission into programs for professions requiring licensure and certification does not guarantee that students will obtain a license or certificate. Licensure and certification requirements are set by agencies that are not controlled by or affiliated with the University, and licensure and certification requirements can change at any time. 

Licensure boards in each state establish requirements for licensure and certification for their respective state. States vary by which professions are required to be licensed and how licensure functions, and such requirements may change at any time. The terms related to licensure and certification, among others, also vary by state as well.

Students and prospective students are strongly encouraged to contact the state licensure entity in the state where they intend to work to review all licensure and certification requirements imposed by the student’s state(s) of choice. The University cannot provide verification of a student’s ability to meet licensure or certification requirements unrelated to its educational programming. Some states require individuals to complete additional requirements that are unrelated to educational prerequisites. For more information, visit the State Authorization and Professional Licensure web page and select the program, or speak to the director of the program. 

Utah Tech University shall not be held liable if a student is unable to qualify for licensure or certification in any jurisdiction.

This disclosure is made pursuant to 34 CFR §668.43(a)(5)(v)(C).

Accreditation

The Utah Tech University Respiratory Therapy Program is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC; #200565).

Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care
264 Precision Blvd.
Telford, TN 37690
Phone: 817-283-2835
Fax: 817-354-8519
http://coarc.com


Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to the Respiratory Therapy program, an applicant must first be accepted as a Utah Tech University student. Then, the applicant must complete a separate application to the Respiratory Therapy program.

The application deadline is May 1st. Applications are available from the Respiratory Therapy program website at: https://health.Utah Tech.edu/respiratory-therapy/program-admissions/.

Admission to the Respiratory Therapy program is based upon academic performance in both general education and specific program prerequisite courses in addition to other selection criteria, including:

  1. Submission of a complete Program Application
  2. Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.25 or higher
  3. Completion with a “C” or better of specified program prerequisite courses
  4. Individual interview with the Respiratory Therapy Program Selection Committee

Additional factors that will be taken into consideration for program admission include previous healthcare experience and weighted GPA in specific prerequisite courses. A criminal background check and selected immunizations will be required upon acceptance to the program.

Program Prerequisites:
ENGL 1010Introduction to Writing (EN)3
MATH 1030Quantitative Reasoning (MA) (or higher [MATH 1040 recommended])3-4
PSY 1010General Psychology (SS, GC)3
or PSY 1100 Human Development Through Lifespan (SS, GC)
or FSHD 1500 Human Development Lifespan (SS, GC)
or SOC 1010 Introduction to Sociology (SS, GC)
or SOC 1020 Social Problems (SS, GC)
CHEM 1010Introduction to Chemistry (PS) (or higher [CHEM 1150 recommended])3
CHEM 1015Introduction to Chemistry Lab (LAB) (or higher [CHEM 1155 recommended))1
BIOL 2320
BIOL 2325
Human Anatomy
and Human Anatomy Lab
5
BIOL 2420
BIOL 2425
Human Physiology
and Human Physiology Lab
4
RESP 1010Introduction to Respiratory Therapy2
Recommended Prerequisites: 1
Pathophysiology
Pathophysiology

Students must complete specified prerequisite courses prior to admission to the Respiratory Therapy Program. Respiratory Therapy Program courses include 64 semester hours that must be completed sequentially. Students will be eligible for employment after graduation and meeting licensure requirements.


Program Curriculum

121 credits

Utah Tech General Education Requirements

All Utah Tech General Education requirements must be fulfilled. A previously earned degree may fulfill those requirements, but courses must be equivalent to Utah Tech's minimum General Education standards in American Institutions, English, and Mathematics.

General Education Core Requirements
English3-7
Mathematics3-5
American Institutions3-6
Life Sciences3-10
Physical Sciences3-5
Fine Arts3
Literature/Humanities3
Social & Behavioral Sciences3
Exploration 3-5
Respiratory Therapy Required Courses
BIOL 2320
BIOL 2325
Human Anatomy
and Human Anatomy Lab
5
BIOL 2420
BIOL 2425
Human Physiology
and Human Physiology Lab
4
CHEM 1010Introduction to Chemistry (PS) (or higher [CHEM 1150 recommended])3
CHEM 1015Introduction to Chemistry Lab (LAB) (or higher [CHEM 1155 recommended])1
HLTH 4020Research Methodology in Population Health3
MATH 1030Quantitative Reasoning (MA) (or higher [MATH 1040 recommended])3-4
NURS 3900Pathophysiology3
or BIOL 4400 Pathophysiology
PSY 1010General Psychology (SS, GC)3
or PSY 1100 Human Development Through Lifespan (SS, GC)
or FSHD 1500 Human Development Lifespan (SS, GC)
or SOC 1010 Introduction to Sociology (SS, GC)
or SOC 1020 Social Problems (SS, GC)
RESP 1010Introduction to Respiratory Therapy2
RESP 2020Cardiopulmonary Anatomy and Physiology3
RESP 2040Respiratory Care Therapeutics I3
RESP 2041Laboratory Practice/Therapeutics I2
RESP 2060Patient Assessment2
RESP 2065Cardiopulmonary Pathophysiology3
RESP 2200Cardiopulmonary Diagnostics3
RESP 2100Clinical Practice I5
RESP 2070Respiratory Care Therapeutics II3
RESP 2300Introduction to Mechanical Ventilation3
RESP 2301Laboratory/Adult Mechanical Ventilation2
RESP 3005Critical Care/ACLS3
RESP 3010Introduction to Respiratory Care Pharmacology3
RESP 3020Neonatal/Pediatric Respiratory Care3
RESP 3021Laboratory Practice/Neonatal Care2
RESP 3150Critical Thinking Seminar/NBRC Review3
RESP 3310Advanced Mechanical Ventilation4
RESP 3765Clinical Practice III / Clinical Application of Neonatal / Pediatric Respiratory Care5
RESP 3775Clinical Practice II / Clinical Application of Adult Critical Care5
RESP 4230Advanced Diagnosis, Assessment, and Management of Respiratory Disease3
RESP 4410Teaching Foundations and Techniques for Healthcare Professionals4
Recommended Electives:
Health & Disease
Consumer Health Issues
Health Promotion
Healthcare Project Management
Patient Navigation
Research Methodology in Population Health

Graduation Requirements

  1. Complete a minimum of 120 college-level credits (1000 and above).
  2. Complete at least 40 upper-division credits (3000 and above).
  3. Complete at least 30 upper-division credits at Utah Tech for institutional residency.
  4. Cumulative GPA 2.0 or higher.