Program Overview

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Introduction to the Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care Program

The Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care program is designed to provide students with the knowledge and clinical skills required to function competently as a registry-eligible respiratory therapist. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (COARC) and meets professional licensure standards for the state of Idaho.

Program Overview

The program consists of a pre-professional year followed by three years of professional study, leading to a Bachelor of Science Degree in Respiratory Care. The curriculum is cohort-based and takes 3 years to complete once accepted into the program.

Pre-Professional Year

During the pre-professional year, students are recommended to meet with the academic advisor to ensure they are on track to graduate in a timely fashion. The pre-professional year includes courses such as:

• BIOL 227: Human Anatomy & Physiology
• ENGL 101: Introduction to College Writing
• HLTH 101: Medical Terminology
• MATH 254: Introduction to Statistics
• UF 100: Intellectual Foundations

Curriculum

The entry-to-practice respiratory care program is a 5-semester or 2.5-year program that runs fall and spring. The courses students take each semester while enrolled in the program include:

1st Year: Fall Semester

• RESPCARE 105: Interdisciplinary Patient Care Skills Lab
• RESPCARE 203: Foundations of Respiratory Care
• RESPCARE 204: Foundations of Respiratory Care Lab
• RESPCARE 208: Clinical Practicum I
• RESPCARE 217: Pulmonary Assessment
• RESPCARE 220: Cardiopulmonary Renal Physiology
• RESPCARE 302: General Pathology
• UF 2XX: Foundations

1st Year: Spring Semester

• RESPCARE 223: Respiratory Care Therapeutics and Introduction to Mechanical Ventilation
• RESPCARE 224: Respiratory Care Therapeutics and Introduction to Mechanical Ventilation Lab
• RESPCARE 228: Clinical Practicum II
• RESPCARE 229: Cardiopulmonary Diagnostics
• RESPCARE 282: Introduction to Evidence-Based Inquiry

Course Descriptions

Detailed descriptions of each course are provided, including the credits, prerequisites, and corequisites. For example:

• RESPCARE 105: INTERPROFESSIONAL PATIENT CARE SKILLS LAB
• RESPCARE 203: FOUNDATIONS OF RESPIRATORY CARE
• RESPCARE 204: FOUNDATIONS OF RESPIRATORY CARE LAB

Cost of Attendance

Earning a Bachelor's degree in Respiratory Care is an excellent investment. In addition to the cost of tuition, students should budget for books, uniforms, and required health and background checks. The total cost of books during the 6-semester respiratory care program is between $1000 and $1500.

Professional Fees

Each semester, students admitted to the on-campus pre-licensure respiratory care program are assessed a fee of $500. The professional fee funds supplies for labs, clinical placement, liability insurance, teaching assistants, adjunct instructors, specialty certifications, and other costs related to the specialization of respiratory care.

Application Requirements

Admission to the respiratory care program is competitive. Applicants must earn a grade of C (2.00) or above in all pre-respiratory care courses and have a cumulative college GPA of 2.0 or above. Pre-professional courses may be taken at Boise State University or eligible courses may be transferred from other schools.

Physical and Technical Requirements

Students must demonstrate the ability to perform required functions as a routine part of classroom, laboratory, or clinical education. Successful graduation from the Respiratory Therapy Program will depend upon the ability to meet the technical standards listed.

What Makes Our Program Unique

Boise State graduates consistently achieve higher pass rates for Registered Respiratory Therapy licensure than the national average. The program has awarded over $35,330 in scholarships over the last year, and the faculty are supportive teachers who are passionate about respiratory care. The program has an exceptional 10:1 faculty/student ratio in undergraduate clinical courses and strong partnerships with local healthcare facilities.

Conclusion

The Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care program at Boise State University is a comprehensive and competitive program that prepares students for a successful career in respiratory care. With its strong curriculum, experienced faculty, and excellent job placement rates, the program is an excellent choice for those interested in pursuing a career in this field.