Program Overview

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Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care - Degree Advancement Program

Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care Degree Advancement Program is designed to assist registered respiratory therapists (RRTs) with an associate degree in attaining a baccalaureate-level degree. This program helps RRTs meet professional expectations of having at least a bachelor's degree and opens up career opportunities in clinical and non-clinical leadership positions.

Admissions Requirements

Admission is on a competitive basis. In addition to non-academic factors, the applicant's academic performance, represented by coursework grades, load, trends, and degree of difficulty, will be considered.

• Completion of the Texas Core Curriculum (42 hours) and Professional courses with a grade of "C" or better.
• RRT's admitted to the Degree Advancement program may be allowed to enroll while working to Texas Core requirements. The Texas Core must be completed prior to the final semester of graduation from The University of Texas at San Antonio.

Texas Core Curriculum Requirements

• English Composition I & II (6 semester credit hours)
• College Algebra or higher (3 semester credit hours)
• Natural Sciences (12 semester credit hours)
• Humanities (3 semester credit hours)
• Visual and Performing Arts (3 semester credit hours)
• American History (6 semester credit hours)
• Texas State & Local Government & U.S Government (6 semester credit hours)
• Any Psychology or Sociology course (3 semester credit hours)

Application Requirements

• Completion of 60 or more semester credit hours from an accredited educational institution.
• The Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential should be earned prior to matriculation but must be earned prior to enrollment in the second semester of study.
• Completion of all required courses with a grade of "C" or better.
• Ability to complete all general education curriculum and program prerequisite courses by the semester the student is to graduate.
• Completion of the online Allied Health Centralized Application System (AHCAS).
• Payment of a non-refundable application fee of $95 to AHCAS.
• Submission of the following documents to AHCAS or Office of University Registrar:
  • All official transcripts from each college/university attended.
  • Note: Transcripts from institutions outside the United States must be evaluated by an acceptable NACES Members organization.

International Applicants

• Applicants from countries where English is not the official language are required to submit scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or Duolingo English Test.
• The minimum required scores are:
  • TOEFL 84
  • IELTS 7.0
  • Duolingo 115
• Scores on TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo tests taken more than two years prior to the date of application are not acceptable.
• This requirement may be waived when the applicant is a graduate from an accredited post-secondary institution in the USA.

Program Requirements

To graduate from the Respiratory Care Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care Degree Advancement program, students must:

• Have a cumulative GPA of a 2.0 to be eligible for graduation.
• Complete all required respiratory care professional courses with a grade of C (75%) or better.
• Complete all general education course work no later than their enrollment for the final semester in the Degree Advancement Program.
• Successfully complete a capstone project.
• Complete all university requirements for graduation.

Sample Plan of Study

First Year

• Fall:
  • RESC 4117: Health Care Research: Concepts and Critical Review (3 credit hours)
  • RESC 4118: Respiratory Care Protocols and Clinical Practice Guidelines (3 credit hours)
  • RESC 3117: Advanced Concepts in Adult Critical Care (4 credit hours)
• Spring:
  • RESC 3118: Disease and Case Management in Respiratory Care (4 credit hours)
  • RESC 4113: Specialization in Neonatal and Pediatric Respiratory Care (4 credit hours)
• Summer:
  • RESC 4128: Quality Improvement in the Delivery of Health Care (4 credit hours)
  • RESC 4121: Advancing Clinical Practice in Respiratory Care (4 credit hours)
  • RESC 4191: DAP Independent Study (2 credit hours)
  • RESC 4140: DAP Capstone (4 credit hours)

Course Descriptions

RESC 3002: Fundamentals of Respiratory Care

This course presents the principles of chemistry and physics as they apply to respiratory care. Students will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with basic respiratory care equipment.

RESC 3005: Respiratory Care Pharmacology

This course introduces the physiologic and pharmacologic basis of pulmonary and cardiac medications. Students will study several aspects of the formulation and preparation of the most commonly prescribed respiratory drugs.

RESC 3008: Introduction to Clinical Practice

The introduction to clinical practice provides the students the opportunity to observe and attain clinical competencies related to respiratory care procedures in general medical and surgical floors.

RESC 3009: Introduction to Critical Care

This course provides the students the opportunity to observe and achieve competencies related to respiratory care procedures in the critical care units, the diagnostic labs, and other specialty areas.

RESC 3023: Pulmonary Function Testing

This course provides a comprehensive overview of diagnostic tests used to evaluate normal and abnormal pulmonary function. Students will have the opportunity to perform, interpret, and evaluate various tests of lung functions.

RESC 3117: Advanced Concepts in Adult Critical Care

This course focuses on advanced concepts in adult critical care. Topics include ECMO, LVADs, IABPs, 12 Lead EKGs, and other modalities used to treat critically ill patients.

RESC 3118: Disease and Case Management in Respiratory Care

This course focuses on building the foundations needed in pulmonary disease management caring for a patient with chronic pulmonary disease. Topics include evidence-based practices, disease/case management, and patient education.

RESC 4014: Clinical Practice 1

Students will have an opportunity to develop skills required in the basic floor and intensive care of the respiratory patient.

RESC 4024: Clinical Practice 2

This clinical course develops skills for caring for critically ill patients in the adult, pediatric, and neonatal units.

RESC 4113: Specialization in Neonatal and Pediatric Respiratory Care

This course focuses on advanced concepts in neonatal and pediatric respiratory care. Topics include ventilation management and oxygenation, specialty gas administration, and treatments based on clinical status.

RESC 4117: Health Care Research: Concepts and Critical Review

This course introduces research concepts and the critical review of medical literature to assess quality to create evidence-based practices effectively.

RESC 4118: Respiratory Care Protocols and Clinical Practice Guidelines

The course examines the process and development of evidence-based clinical guidelines and care protocols.

RESC 4121: Advancing Clinical Practice in Respiratory Care

This course focuses on the current trends and issues faced by practicing respiratory therapists, including health care ethics, diversity and inclusion, emerging technologies, and advancing clinical practice.

RESC 4128: Quality Improvement in the Delivery of Health Care

The course examines the techniques and strategies used to effectively measure quality for high-level performance, strategic planning, marketing tools, policy process, and team building.

RESC 4140: DAP Capstone

This course will allow students to focus on a specialty area of interest to research an issue and propose solutions on topics such as cardiopulmonary respiratory care, leadership, management, case management, research, education, or another particular area of interest.

RESC 4191: DAP Independent Study

Students will choose an area of interest for growth and professional development by researching, discussion, and/or writing, and/or presenting findings under the direction of a faculty member. This course may be repeated.