Respiratory Therapy (R.R.T. to B.S.), B.S.

This Respiratory Therapy program provides Respiratory Therapy graduates with an Associate Degree an opportunity to earn a Bachelor’s of Science degree to enhance their professional practice with additional knowledge, skills, and attributes in leadership, management, education, research, or advanced clinical practice. This allows the graduates of this program to meet their professional goals and to prepare them for practice as advanced degree respiratory therapists. Students will expand their clinical practice foundation with classes in Cardiopulmonary Physiology, Research, advanced assessment, and Respiratory Therapy leadership. The student may elect to explore additional administration/management, geriatrics, or healthcare topics.

Requirements for Admission:

1. A minimum of 75 credits from a CoARC accredited RT program, an earned A.S. degree and meet core curriculum requirements (see below).
2. A minimum of 2.0 or higher in all core curriculum courses as well as required courses in the major.
3. Completion of the following prerequisite core curriculum courses:
   • Anatomy and Physiology 1 with lab 4 credit hours
   • Anatomy and Physiology 2 with lab 4 credit hours
   • Microbiology with lab 4 credit hours
   • Chemistry course with lab 4 credit hours
   • Genetics course with lab 4 credit hours
4. Cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher in Associate’s Degree program

To remain in and progress through the Respiratory Therapy major, a 2.0 or higher must be obtained in each respiratory therapy (RT) course. In addition, the student must carry a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5. A student who receives less than a 2.0 in any Respiratory course will be permitted to repeat the course only one time. Since course sequencing is essential, a failed course will necessitate the student stepping out of the Program until the course is offered again the following year. All students who interrupt the suggested progression of courses for any reason must submit a letter of intent to the Respiratory Therapy Program Director at least two months prior to the start of the semester for which they desire reinstatement. Reinstatement into the Program is not guaranteed and will be evaluated on an individual basis as space is available. An interview with the Program staff and testing of base knowledge will be required to determine which courses will need to be repeated, possibly including some that were already passed. A student may not fail more than one Respiratory course. A second failure will result in dismissal from the Program.

It is becoming a common trend that employees who work in health care will not be allowed to use tobacco. WellSpan has already made this a requirement for new applicants. Therefore, following the guidelines as put forth for WellSpan employees, applications to Allied Health Education Programs will not be accepted if the applicant uses tobacco in any form. Including the use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigs). Students must remain tobacco-free during the entire program. Furthermore, if a student presents “smelling like smoke”, the student will be asked to leave the health care institution.

Requirements for Graduation:

To be eligible for graduation, students majoring in Respiratory Therapy (R.R.T to B.S.) must complete a minimum of 120 credits, achieve a cumulative grade point average of 2.0, and satisfy the College’s residency requirements.