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2024-2025 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog

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Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care - Degree Advancement Program

Website: gvsu.edu/ahs

The Bachelor of Science in respiratory care (BSRC) degree advancement program resides within the School of Interdisciplinary Health. The program prepares respiratory therapists with the knowledge, skills, and attributes to serve as educators, researchers, managers, and leaders within the profession and the health care industry. The format for the major courses is online.

The Bachelor of Science in respiratory care has been developed for two distinct student groups that require two distinct pathways to completion: students entering Grand Valley State University (GVSU) who do not currently have a respiratory care degree, and those who are already graduates from a Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) associate degree program who have at least the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credential.

  • Track A is for students entering GVSU who do not currently have a respiratory care degree. Students will take prerequisite and general education courses during their first year at GVSU for the respiratory care portion of the program, and then enroll concurrently in a CoARC-accredited respiratory care program in partnership with GVSU. Students will then complete the last year of the degree at GVSU.
  • Track B is for students who are already graduates from a CoARC-accredited associate degree program. Students can transfer up to 80 credits from the respiratory care associate degree program.

For students in either track, the completion of the CRT credential will be required for entry into the final 45 credits of BSRC classes. Per CoARC, students entering the program (last 45 credits) without the advanced Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential must achieve this credential as a GVSU BSRC graduation requirement. Specifically, prior to taking the BSRC Capstone course (RSC 495), students must obtain the RRT credential from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). Students can choose to complete the final 45 required online credits within one full year (three semesters) or choose to complete the program on a part-time basis. A minimum of 120 credits are required for the bachelor's degree.

Current GVSU students interested in pursuing a bachelor's degree in respiratory care are encouraged to contact a College of Health Professions Student Services academic advisor: gvsu.edu/chpss. The advisor can assist with setting up an academic plan to meet the qualifications to apply to the program.

Respiratory Care Core (15 credits)

Remaining General education courses (credits vary)
Note: Many of these courses may have been fulfilled through the associate degree and/or with the Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA).

  • Art (3 credits)
  • Global Perspectives (3 credits)
  • Historical Analysis (3 credits)
  • Issues (2 of 2) (3 credits)
  • Life Science (3 to 4 credits)
  • Philosophy and Literature (3 credits)
  • Physical Science (3 to 4 credits)
  • Two courses in Social and Behavioral Sciences (6 credits)
  • U.S. Diversity (3 credits)
  • WRT 150 - Strategies in Writing (4 credits)

Respiratory Care Major Courses (30 credits)

Summary of Coursework

Coursework

Credit Count

Associate or Associate of Applied Science in Respiratory Care

Up to 80 credits can transfer to GVSU

GVSU respiratory care core courses

15 credits

GVSU respiratory care major courses

30 credits

Remaining general education courses

Credits will vary depending on the associate program

Total

Minimum of 120 credits

Track A: Admission to the Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care Program

The Bachelor of Science in respiratory care program: Track A is conducted in collaboration with Muskegon Community College's (MCC) fully accredited program in respiratory therapy. Up to 18 qualified GVSU students will be admitted to the MCC secondary admission cohort each year (fall) after completing GVSU's first year science prerequisite and general education courses. The curriculum sequence is listed as follows. Admitted students will complete the professional respiratory therapy curriculum at MCC during their second and third year. Following the completion of the MCC professional respiratory therapy curriculum and earning an Associate of Applied Science degree from MCC, students return to GVSU to complete their fourth year. The program sequence would include: one-year GVSU + two years MCC + one-year GVSU.

Secondary Admission Requirements for Admission to the GVSU-MCC Respiratory Care Program

Application process: Students must complete and submit the following materials by March 15 for fall admission of the year of application.

  1. Application for admission to the Bachelor of Science in respiratory care program: Track A (available at gvsu.edu/chpss)
  2. Demonstrated completion of and/or enrollment in the courses listed previously
  3. Demonstrated fulfillment of minimum grade requirements for courses completed

Students who are accepted into the program must successfully complete the first-year sciences and general education courses prior to starting the professional respiratory therapy courses in fall - year two.

Financial aid plans: Students in the GVSU cohort receiving financial aid will need to meet with a designated GVSU financial aid advisor to coordinate aid between GVSU and MCC. This is necessary because there are two consecutive semesters where students take courses only at MCC.

Track B: Admission to the Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care Program

Applicants are reviewed for admission based on their cumulative GPA, all college transferable coursework, and their personal statement. Satisfactorily completing the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission into the program as seats are limited. Note: Students may reapply the following year(s) if not admitted.

  • Associate degree in respiratory care from a CoARC accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 2.5
  • Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) or Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) who is RRT eligible
  • Application for admission to GVSU
  • Submission of official transcripts from colleges/universities attended
  • Completed BSRC program application
  • Personal statement of career goals and how this program will help achieve educational and professional objectives

Suggested Order of Coursework for a Respiratory Care Major

Track A: GVSU to MCC to GVSU students

This program covers four years and one semester beginning in the fall semester. Students may complete the program on a full-time or part-time basis.

Note: In addition to the respiratory care major courses, students must complete all university requirements and general education coursework. Many of these requirements and courses may have been fulfilled through the associate degree and/or with the Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA).

Year One

Fall - at GVSU (14-15 credits)

Winter - at GVSU (14 credits)

Spring/Summer - at GVSU (4 Credits)

Year Two

Fall - dual enrolled at GVSU and MCC (13 Credits)

GVSU Coursework

MCC Coursework

  • RT 101 - Respiratory Therapy Physics (1 credits)
  • RT 102 - Basic Patient Care Skills (3 credits)

Winter - at MCC (13 Credits)

Jan-Feb

  • RT 110 - Equipment and Procedures I (3 credits)
  • RT 111 - Introduction to Respiratory Therapy (3 credits)

Apr-May

  • RT 120 - Equipment and Procedures II (3 credits)
  • RT 121 - Pharmacology (2 credits)
  • RT 122 - Clinical I (2 credits)

Spring/Summer - at MCC (10 Credits)

  • RT 130 - Equipment and Procedures III (3 credits)
  • RT 131 - Physiology (3 credits)
  • RT 132 - Clinical II (3 credits)
  • RT 134 - Introduction to Mechanical Ventilation (1 credits)

Year Three

Fall - at MCC (17 Credits)

Aug-Oct

  • RT 141 - Pulmonary Pathophysiology (2 credits)
  • RT 144 - Adult Mechanical Ventilation (3 credits)
  • RT 152 - Clinical IV (5 credits)

Oct-Dec

  • RT 162 Clinical V (7 credits)

Winter - dual enrolled at GVSU and MCC (14 Credits)

GVSU Coursework

MCC Coursework

  • RT 210 - Cardiovascular and Renal Physiology (4 credits)
  • RT 220C - Peds and Neonatal Care (4 credits)

Spring/Summer - dual enrolled at GVSU and MCC (10 Credits)

GVSU Coursework

  • General education (3 credits)

MCC Coursework

  • RT 212A Advanced Clinical I (7 credits)

Year Four

Fall - dual enrolled at GVSU and MCC (12 Credits)

GVSU Coursework

MCC Coursework

Graduate from MCC with AAS in respiratory care and earn CRT credential prior to earning eligibility for next term.

  • RT 222A - Advanced Clinical Rotation II (3 credits)
  • RT 230A - Pulmonary Diagnostics and Rehabilitation (2 credits)
  • RT 240 - The Health Care Environment (1 credits)

Winter - at GVSU (12 Credits)

Spring/Summer - at GVSU (12 Credits)

Year Five

Fall - at GVSU (12 Credits)

Track B - Graduates from a CoARC-accredited associate degree program

This is a one-year degree advancement program covering three semesters beginning in the winter semester. Students may complete the program on a full-time or part-time basis.

Note: In addition to the respiratory care major courses, students must complete all university requirements and general education coursework. Many of these requirements and courses may have been fulfilled through the associate degree and/or with the Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA).

Year One

Winter Semester (18 credits)

Summer Semester (12 credits)

Fall Semester (15 credits)


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