Respiratory Care, A.S.

The objective of the Respiratory Care Associate Degree Program is to prepare graduates who are qualified and eligible to take the entry-level examination and the advanced practitioner level examination for Respiratory Care Practitioners given by the National Board of Respiratory Care and to assume entry-level positions as competent respiratory care practitioners. Upon completion of the program and licensure, graduates will have the necessary skills and knowledge to secure employment as registry-eligible respiratory care practitioners.

Students interested in pursuing a Bachelor in Health Science can apply the majority of their credits towards this degree. Students should contact the Health Science Program Director for more information.

Admission Requirements

The following are the admission requirements for students applying to the Respiratory Care program. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission into the program due to the limited number of places available. Admission is based upon completion of the respiratory care prerequisites and other requirements. If courses are in progress, acceptance will be conditional upon submission of an official transcript immediately upon completion. All requirements must be completed before enrolling in RSP 112 - Principles of Respiratory Care .

1. Complete the application for admission into Goodwin University. Applicants to the Respiratory Care Program must first meet the requirements for admission and be accepted into Goodwin University.
2. Complete the Respiratory Care Program Application.
3. A signed attestation that applicant possesses the ability to perform the tasks as stated in the Essential Functions of a Respiratory Therapist.
4. Earn a minimum GPA of 2.7 in the most recent course work. College GPA is based on a minimum of 12 completed credits.
5. Complete the required University placement evaluations. Applicants must test into ENG 101 . All remedial courses must be completed before entering the program.
6. Complete all prerequisite courses.
7. Complete the following prerequisite courses with a grade of “C” or better:
   1. Chemistry - four-credit elective with lab
   2. Math 1XX
8. Complete the following prerequisite courses with a grade of “C+” or better:
   1. Biology - BIO 211 - Anatomy & Physiology I , and BIO 212 - Anatomy & Physiology II  (Goodwin University) or equivalent completed within the last five years. (BIO 120  or BIO 121  (Goodwin University) or equivalent with a laboratory component is the prerequisite for BIO 211  (Note: Applicants meeting all other requirements can be admitted conditionally without completing BIO 212 . However, this course must be successfully completed prior to starting the respiratory program)
   2. BIO 235 , completed within the last ten years.
9. Interview with the Program Director.
10. Personal essay.

Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology I & II, and Microbiology taken at other accredited colleges must be equivalent to Goodwin University courses to meet these admission requirements. Chemistry must have been completed with a “C” or higher. Anatomy & Physiology I & II and Microbiology must have been completed with a “C+” or higher.

Point System

Respiratory Care applicants who have satisfied all of the admission criteria will be selected according to the point system as specified below:

Previous University Education		Score
Associate Degree (60 Credits)		1
Bachelor’s Degree		3
Master’s Degree		5
Cumulative GPA
2.7 - 3.0		1
3.1 - 3.4		2
3.5 - 3.8		3
3.9 - 4.0		4
Personal Essay		up to 5 points
Interview		up to 5 points
Total Possible Points		19

Accepted Students

Respiratory Care students will be required to provide documentation of a Physical Exam (within 2 years) and immunizations prior to starting the program. Student immunizations must remain current throughout the program. Immunization requirements include:

• Hepatitis B vaccination or titer
• Influenza vaccination (within 1 year)
• MMR vaccination or titer
• Varicella vaccination or titer
• Tetanus vaccination (within 7 years)
• Two-step PPD vaccination (within 1 year)

All students must provide proof of CPR certification by the American Heart Association prior to starting the program.

All students must successfully pass a background check and drug test before official acceptance into the Respiratory Care Program will be granted. Forms are provided by program personnel.

Program Goals

To prepare graduates with demonstrated competence in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains of respiratory care practice as performed by Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRT).

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of all program requirements, graduates will be able to:

1. Demonstrate proficiency as a respiratory care practitioner, as described by the National Board of Respiratory Care and the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care;
2. Assist physicians in diagnosis, management, and treatment of patients affected by cardiopulmonary disorders;
3. Demonstrate the ability to apply and evaluate information relevant to his/her role as a respiratory care practitioner;
4. Demonstrate technical proficiency in all skills necessary to fulfill the role as a respiratory care practitioner;
5. Demonstrate professional behaviors consistent with employer expectations for a respiratory care practitioner; and
6. Demonstrate basic competencies in alternate care site (i.e., homecare, rehabilitation centers, and long-term mechanical ventilator centers).

Respiratory Care Program Policies

Policies specific to the Respiratory Care program may be found in the Respiratory Care Student Handbook.

Graduation Requirements

Students must complete all the general Associate graduation requirements as stated in the catalog. In addition, students must complete the following programmatic graduation requirements:

1. Complete all Respiratory Care core courses with a minimum grade of “C”.
2. Complete MATH 1XX and CHEM 101  with a minimum grade of “C”.
3. Complete BIO 211 , BIO 212  and BIO 235  with a minimum grade of “C+”.