Nov 21, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Respiratory Therapy Major, B.S.


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Department Information


Department of Allied Health Sciences

Lamb Hall
PO Box 70573
Johnson City, TN 37614
Phone: (423) 439-5050
Web Address: https://www.etsu.edu/chs/allied-health/

Accredited by:
Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC)
1248 Harwood Rd.
Bedford, TX 76021-4244
(817) 283-2835

The Respiratory Therapist applies scientific knowledge and theory to practical clinical problems of respiratory care. Respiratory Therapists are qualified to assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care modalities. The Respiratory Therapist may be required to exercise considerable independent clinical judgment, under the supervision of a physician in the treatment of patients with respiratory dysfunction. The Respiratory Care Practitioner may perform the following respiratory care modalities: advanced airway management, pediatric and neonatal critical care, hemodynamic monitoring, metabolic cart studies, cardiopulmonary stress testing, and other advanced procedures.

Upon successful completion of the requirements for the Respiratory Therapy degree, students are eligible to apply for admission to sit for two examinations administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care. Candidates are required to pass the Certified Respiratory Therapist entry-level examination as a prerequisite to the clinical simulation advanced practitioner examination to become a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).

Licensure requirements for respiratory care practitioners vary according to state statutes. In Tennessee, practitioners are required to pass the national examinations for certified and/or registered respiratory therapist respectively.

Traditional Program


Admission Requirements
Students must be admitted to both the university and to the program, requiring separate application processes. Admission into the Respiratory Therapy program is a competitive selection process. Admission to the university does not guarantee entrance into the program. Application to the Respiratory Therapy program requires submission of the online application form, transcripts, written essay, and observation hours by the annual deadline of April 1.

Expenses
In addition to the usual registration and tuition, students are required to purchase items such as scrubs, lab coat, stethoscope, medical scissors, malpractice insurance, background check, drug screening, annual flu vaccinations, professional certifications (BLS, ACLS, PALS, & NRP), various seminars and conferences, board preparation seminars, and organizational memberships. Expenditures for these items are approximately $1,200 and are the responsibility of the student. Fundraising is optional.

Retention/Progression Policy

In order to progress in this major, a student must maintain a grade of C or better in each required course in the major to remain in the program. If a student receives a grade of C- or below in one required course in the major, the student must apply for admission to a new entering class, retake the course and meet the C or better requirement.  This policy applies to only one course and its repeat.

If problems arise during any semester, whereby students are unable to uphold their academic standing, it is their responsibility to seek academic counseling from the course instructor and/or the counseling center on the main ETSU campus.

Progression status will be evaluated at the close of each semester for students receiving less than a C.  

Online BS Completion Program


Admissions Requirements
Students seeking admission to the Respiratory Therapy Degree Completion program must meet the following criteria:

  • College GPA of 2.5 or better on a 4.0 scale on all transferable credit;
  • Transcript(s) - proof of graduation from an accredited allied health professional program in Respiratory Therapy or hold certification in respiratory therapy;
  • Licensed or eligible for professional licensure in the discipline.

Students that have successfully completed an Associate of Applied Science in Respiratory Therapy are eligible for enrollment into the online BS completion program. Regular meetings with the academic advisor for this program are strongly recommended.

Prerequisites for Respiratory Therapy Program


These prerequisite courses MUST be completed prior to enrolling in the Respiratory Therapy traditional degree program.

Note: These prerequisite courses are included in General Education and the major core.

Degree Requirements: 120 credits


Compass Core Curriculum

40-43 credits
Major Total Requirements 78-79 credits
Free Electives 0-2
TOTAL 120 credits

Suggested Four-Year Program of Study: RESP-BS  


Compass Core Curriculum   

These requirements include earning 40-43 credits in Strengthening Foundations, Understanding Natural and Social Worlds, Exploring Connections, Cultivate Artistic Awareness, and Growing as an Individual and Global Citizen categories.

Major Specific courses listed in Compass Core Curriculum Requirements:

Total Requirements for Respiratory Therapy Major: 78-79 credits


Free Electives: 0-2 credits


No Minor Required


Additional Information


Click here to view Degree and Graduation Requirements  for all ETSU students.

CSCI 1100  or Proficiency exam: Must be completed to meet Bachelor’s Degree Requirements. CSCI 1100  has a required lab course, CSCI 1150 .

Most minors range from 18-24 credits. Those few minors with more than 24 credits may affect the number of free electives allowed.

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