Respiratory Therapy Program

The Respiratory Therapy program at Colorado Mesa University is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to become a respiratory care practitioner. The program is offered at the main campus and leads to an Associate of Applied Science in Respiratory Therapy degree.

Program Description

The Associate of Applied Science in Respiratory Therapy program exposes students to oral and written communication skills, social/behavior sciences, and biomedical
atural sciences, as well as respiratory care. The program also provides students with experience in a variety of settings, including inpatient, outpatient, and home care, and with different patient populations.

Admission Requirements

The program has selective admission requirements. Students must earn a grade of "C" or better in each of the following prerequisite courses:

• BIOL 209/BIOL 209L: Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Human Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory
• BIOL 250/BIOL 250L: Introduction to Microbiology and Introduction to Microbiology Laboratory
• CHEM 131/CHEM 131L: General Chemistry I and General Chemistry Laboratory I
• ENGL 111: English Composition I
• ENGL 112 or SPCH 101 or SPCH 102: English Composition II or Interpersonal Communication or Speechmaking
• MATH 113: College Algebra
• KINA Activity Class:
  • KINE 100: Health and Wellness
• PSYC 150 or PSYC 233: General Psychology or Human Growth and Development

Additional admission requirements also apply. Students should visit the Department of Health Sciences' website for a complete list of admission requirements and program information.

Program Requirements

The program requires a minimum of 73 semester hours. Students must complete the following courses with a grade of "C" or better:

• RESP 201: Introduction to Respiratory Care
• RESP 202: Cardiopulmonary Anatomy and Physiology
• RESP 203/RESP 203L: Respiratory Procedures I and Respiratory Procedures I Laboratory
• RESP 204: Respiratory Pharmacology
• RESP 205: Cardiopulmonary Pathophysiology
• RESP 206: Cardiopulmonary Diagnostics
• RESP 207: Noninvasive Care Management
• RESP 208/RESP 208L: Respiratory Procedures II and Respiratory Procedures II Laboratory
• RESP 209: Respiratory Clinical I
• RESP 211/RESP 211L: Mechanical Ventilation and Mechanical Ventilation Laboratory
• RESP 213: Fundamentals of Pediatric and Neonatal Care
• RESP 214: Professional Development for Respiratory Care Practitioners
• RESP 219: Respiratory Clinical II
• RESP 229: Respiratory Clinical III

Essential Learning Requirements

Students must also complete the following essential learning requirements:

• Communication: ENGL 111 and ENGL 112 or SPCH 101 or SPCH 102
• Mathematics: MATH 113
• Other Essential Learning Core Courses: PSYC 233 or PSYC 150, BIOL 250/BIOL 250L

Institutional Degree Requirements

The following institutional degree requirements apply to all CMU and CMU Tech Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees:

• 60 semester hours minimum
• Students must complete a minimum of 15 of the final 30 semester hours of credit at CMU/CMU Tech
• 2.00 cumulative GPA or higher in all CMU/CMU Tech coursework
• A course may only be used to fulfill one requirement for each degree/certificate
• No more than six semester hours of independent study courses can be used toward the degree
• Non-traditional credit, such as advanced placement, credit by examination, credit for prior learning, cooperative education and internships, cannot exceed 20 semester credit hours for an AAS degree
• Pre-collegiate courses (usually numbered below 100) cannot be used for graduation

Graduation Process

Students must complete the following in the first two months of the semester prior to completing their degree requirements:

• Review their DegreeWorks audit and create a plan that outlines how unmet requirements will be met in the final semester
• Meet with their advisor and modify their plan as needed
• Submit the "Intent to Graduate" form to the Registrar's Office to officially declare the intended graduation date and commencement ceremony plans
• Register for all needed courses and complete all requirements for each degree sought

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this major will be able to:

• Exemplify proficiency as a respiratory care practitioner, as outlined by the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC) and the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC)
• Aid in the diagnosis, management, and treatment of cardiopulmonary patients
• Apply and evaluate information pertinent to the respiratory care practitioner role
• Exhibit technical competency in skills researched and utilized as a respiratory care practitioner
• Display professionalism, as well as, culture, ethnic, and individual diversity as expected of a respiratory care practitioner
• Describe and discuss alternative care sites

Plan of Study Grid

The plan of study grid outlines the suggested course sequencing for the program. Students should meet with their advisor to determine the best course sequence for their individual needs. The grid includes the following courses:

• First Year Fall Semester: BIOL 209/BIOL 209L, ENGL 111, MATH 113, PSYC 150 or PSYC 233
• First Year Spring Semester: BIOL 250/BIOL 250L, CHEM 131/CHEM 131L, KINE 100, KINA Activity Course, ENGL 112 or SPCH 101 or SPCH 102
• Second Year Fall Semester: RESP 201, RESP 202, RESP 203/RESP 203L, RESP 204
• Second Year Spring Semester: RESP 205, RESP 206, RESP 207, RESP 208/RESP 208L, RESP 209
• Summer Semester: RESP 211/RESP 211L, RESP 219
• Third Year Fall Semester: RESP 213, RESP 214, RESP 229

Colorado Mesa University

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Overview:

Colorado Mesa University (CMU) is a public university located in Grand Junction, Colorado. It offers a wide range of academic programs, including undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as online courses and programs. CMU is known for its affordable tuition, small class sizes, and strong emphasis on hands-on learning.

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Services Offered:

CMU provides a comprehensive range of services to its students, including:

Admissions & Costs:

Admissions counseling, application process, financial aid, scholarships, tuition and fee information, and resources for admitted students.

Academics:

Program search, course catalog, degree requirements, graduate studies, online courses, non-credit courses, semester calendars, and academic advising.

Study and Performance Resources:

Library access, study room reservations, textbook purchasing, tutoring services, and transcript requests.

Getting Help:

IRIS (student assistance), accessibility services, career services, IT help desk, university center information, student services, student wellness center, tutoring, faculty contact information, campus office contacts, directory search, and campus maps.

Campus Life:

Dining services, housing and residence life, student life activities, campus safety, parking services, MAVcard campus ID, and resources for current students.

Events:

Calendar of events, performing arts, commencement ceremony, welcome week, homecoming, parents' weekend, student showcase, and event space reservations.

Campus Activities:

Outdoor program, recreation center, NCAA athletics, clubs and organizations, club sports, and intramural sports.

Working Here:

Faculty and staff employment opportunities, student employment, human resources, and payroll.

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

CMU offers a vibrant campus life with a strong sense of community. Students can participate in a wide range of activities, including:

Outdoor Adventures:

The Outdoor Program provides opportunities for outdoor trips and equipment rentals.

Social Engagement:

Student life offers numerous on-campus activities, clubs, and yearly concerts.

Downtown Exploration:

Grand Junction's historic downtown provides dining, shopping, and entertainment options.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

Affordable Education:

CMU offers a quality education at a competitive price, with one of the lowest tuition rates in Colorado.

Small Class Sizes:

Students benefit from personalized attention and close relationships with professors.

Hands-on Learning:

CMU emphasizes practical experience and prepares students for successful careers.

Vibrant Campus Life:

Students can enjoy a diverse range of activities, clubs, and events.

Beautiful Location:

Grand Junction offers a sunny climate and access to outdoor recreation.

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Academic Programs:

CMU offers over 120 academic programs across various disciplines, including:

Arts and Humanities:

Art, Communication, English, History, Music, Theatre, and more.

Business and Technology:

Business Administration, Computer Science, Engineering, Hospitality Management, and more.

Education:

Elementary Education, Secondary Education, Special Education, and more.

Health Sciences:

Nursing, Health Sciences, and more.

Social Sciences:

Criminal Justice, Psychology, Sociology, and more.

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Other:

CMU has additional locations, including:

CMU Tech:

A technical college offering associate degrees and certificates.

Montrose Campus:

A branch campus offering select undergraduate programs.

CMU also offers online programs through its Distance Education program.