Program Overview

Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care

The University of Kansas offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Respiratory Care. The program covers areas such as neonatal, pediatrics, and adult critical care, management, education, sleep disorders, pulmonary rehabilitation, and cardiopulmonary diagnostics.

Overview

Most students enter the program after completing the sophomore year of undergraduate study or after two years of community college coursework. With an advanced curriculum and located at an academic medical center, students receive extensive experience in advanced respiratory therapy techniques. The program includes a semester-long clinical assignment during the senior year in the student's area of specialization.

Degree Advancement Program (Online)

The University of Kansas also offers a program for the respiratory therapist with the RRT credential to obtain a bachelor's degree. This program is perfect for students unable to be physically present on campus or those with schedule constraints that make traditional college class schedules a challenge. Courses in this program are Web-based and are available anytime from anywhere in the world with an Internet connection.

Concurrent Enrollment Option (Online)

Students currently enrolled in a regionally accredited AS/AAS respiratory care program that are interested in earning a bachelor's degree may be eligible to complete up to 3 courses (9 credit hours) of the bachelor's degree advancement program. Students must have completed at least one semester in their AS/AAS respiratory care program prior to applying to the dual degree option.

International Degree Advancement Program (Online)

The University of Kansas offers a program for those living outside the United States that work as respiratory therapists or as health professionals who provide respiratory care services to patients in their respective countries. This program is entirely virtual with a blend of asynchronous and synchronous online learning and engagement.

Admission Requirements

• Valid/current professional credential of registered respiratory therapist (RRT) from the National Board for Respiratory Care
• Associate degree (or equivalent) from a CoARC accredited respiratory care program at a regionally accredited institution
• Overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) on all transfer credits
• Student transcripts must document an individual course grade of no less than "C" on all transfer courses

Technical Standards

The program prepares candidates to practice respiratory therapy within organizations and businesses. Graduates require knowledge and skills to function in diverse practice settings. An essential requirement for completing all Respiratory Care Bachelor’s Degree programs within the department is an ability to function within a clinical learning environment and to interact with a variety of interprofessional teams and patients.

Visual – Auditory

The applicant/student must be able to accurately observe patients from a distance or close at hand, correctly read and interpret digital, analogue or graphic gauges, scales and monitors, and recognize biohazardous fluids.

Sensory-Motor

The applicant/student must have sufficient fine and gross motor skill capabilities to perform patient care procedures.

Communication

The applicant/student must be able to communicate accurately, orally and in writing, with all members of the healthcare team.

Intellectual-Conceptual, Integrative, and Quantitative Abilities

The applicant/student must be able to comprehend and apply concepts to the clinical setting.

Behavioral and Social Attributes

The applicant/student must act professionally and exercise good judgement, critical thinking, complete patient care responsibilities, and maintain effective relationships with others in classroom, laboratory and clinical settings.

Curriculum

The program requires a minimum 30 credit hours of respiratory care coursework. Upon acceptance, students work with an advisor to organize a graduation plan and select a clinical specialty area. Specialty areas include neonatal critical care, adult critical care, asthma education specialist, leadership, and management.

Required Core Courses

• RESP 450: Chronic Respiratory Disease Management
• RESP 480: Simulation and Interprofessional Education (IPE)
• RESP 495: Management, Ethics, and Law in Respiratory Care
• RESP 620: Community and Global Health
• RESP 650: Medical Writing & Research
• RESP 665: Capstone Project

Optional Elective

• RESP 460: ACCS Specialty Credential Prep
• RESP 465: NPS Specialty Credential Prep
• RESP 470: AE-C Specialty Credential Prep (Cardiopulmonary Diagnostics)
• RESP 490: Special Studies or Projects 1
• RESP 630: Lean Management
• RESP 640: Professional Communication
• RESP 655: Leadership Management

Degree Requirements

Two years of undergraduate coursework – including at least 53 credit hours of specific prerequisites – is required prior to entry into this program. While in the 2-year respiratory care program, students complete 60 hours of course credits in a prescribed sequence covering five academic semesters. Students are responsible for completing additional electives to fulfill the university's requirement of 120 total credit hours for a bachelor's degree from KU.

Course List

• RESP 300: Introduction to Respiratory Care Procedures
• RESP 301: Respiratory Care Evidence Based Practice
• RESP 305: Cardiopulmonary Anatomy and Physiology
• RESP 306: Cardiopulmonary Pathophysiology
• RESP 310: Clinical Pharmacology
• RESP 315: Clinical Application I
• RESP 325: Mechanical Ventilation
• RESP 326: Mechanical Ventilation Lab
• RESP 330: Pulmonary Function
• RESP 335: Clinical Application II
• RESP 340: Respiratory Review I
• RESP 341: Respiratory Review II
• RESP 345: Clinical Application 3
• RESP 405: Advanced Critical Care
• RESP 410: Neonatal Respiratory Care
• RESP 411: Neonatal/Pediatric Respiratory Care Lab
• RESP 415: Clinical Application IV
• RESP 420: Health Care Management, Ethics and Law
• RESP 440: Health Care Leadership and Management
• RESP 500: Respiratory Therapy Capstone: Community Involvement and Healthcare Promotion
• RESP 615: Respiratory Review III
• RESP 620: Community and Global Health
• RESP 625: Clinical Application V

Professional Credentialing

Upon graduation, students will be prepared to sit for the national credentialing examinations. To be employed as a respiratory therapist, graduates must pass this exam and will be recognized with the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential.