Respiratory Care, A.S.

The objective of the Associate of Science in Respiratory Care 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’s 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 seats 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 all prerequisite courses.
6. Complete the following prerequisite courses or equivalent with a grade of “C” or higher:
   1. CHEM 1XX - Chemistry Elective with a laboratory component
   2. MATH 1XX - Mathematics Elective
7. Complete the following prerequisite courses or equivalent with a grade of “C+” or higher:
   1. BIO 211 - Anatomy & Physiology I  completed within the last five years.
      1. Note: BIO 120 - Human Biology with a laboratory component or equivalent is a prerequisite for BIO 211.
   2. BIO 212 - Anatomy & Physiology II  completed within the last five years.
      1. 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 care program.
   3. BIO 235  - Microbiology completed within the last ten years.
8. Interview with the Program Director.
9. Personal essay.

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 are 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 Learning 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 graduation requirements as stated in the catalog. Students must complete all Respiratory Care Core courses with a minimum grade of “C”.