Overview:
A career in the medical field can be a dynamic and rewarding opportunity. The changing nature of the medical profession is creating a demand for multi-skilled health professionals with communication, interpersonal, and excellent clinical skills such as the Respiratory Care Practitioner. The Respiratory Care Program is designed to prepare students to be employed in the hospital, clinic, laboratory, and alternate care settings such as the patient's home. Respiratory care practitioners perform a variety of clinical, diagnostic, and management functions in these settings.
The Respiratory Care Department offers these career tracts:
- an Associate of Science Degree in Respiratory Care
- a Baccalaureate Degree in Health Sciences. See MSSU Core Requirements and course descriptions.
The curriculum offers the following options:
Graduates of the associate degree respiratory care program will be eligible to take the NBRC Certification examination. Successful completion of the CRT exam will allow the graduate to take the written registry and clinical SIM exams to become a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).
For those students interested in a bachelor degree, there are two options:
- a Bachelor's in Health Sciences, designed for graduates of the Respiratory Care program
- or a Bachelor of General Studies
Associate of Science Degree Program
The Associate of Science Degree Program in Respiratory Care prepares students for a position as a respiratory care practitioner. The program is provided by Missouri Southern State University and Franklin Technology Center, through a consortium for respiratory care education. The programs are accredited by the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) and the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). The Associate of Science program consists of a core academic component and a major concentration component. The academic section consists of the MSSU Associate of Science degree core requirements, including courses in the Humanities and Fine Arts, Natural Science, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Mathematics, English, Communication, and Physical Education concentration areas. The respiratory care major concentration components comprise both the didactic and respiratory care clinical instructional areas.
Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC)
1248 Harwood Road, Bedford, TX 76021-4244
Phone: 817-283-2835
Fax: 817-354-8519
Office hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CST
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
1361 Park Street, Clearwater, FL 33756
Phone: 727-210-2350
Fax: 727-210-2354
Email: mail@caahep.org
A comprehensive self assessment exam must be successfully completed as a requirement for graduation. In addition, all students must successfully complete the NBRC Entry Level Certification Exam (CRT) prior to taking the Registry Exam (RRT).
Admission to Missouri Southern or Franklin Technology Center does not automatically grant admission to the respiratory care program. In addition to meeting admission requirements to the University, candidates must apply for admission to the Department of Respiratory Care. Applications are accepted during the Spring Semester for the fall class.
Enrollment is competitive; Applicants must submit the necessary information to the department office by the designated deadline to be considered for acceptance. Evidence of computer literacy and satisfactory completion of the following prerequisites with a "C" or better must be presented: Math 030 Intermediate Algebra or higher. Department Recommendation: High school or college course work in Physical Science and Chemistry.
Interested individuals are encouraged to contact the Program Director of Respiratory Care for more specific information regarding admissions criteria.
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