What is Respiratory Care?

Respiratory Care is an allied health specialty concerned with the treatment, management, control, and care of the patient's breathing.

Complete our online form!

The RCP is a specialist in the use of therapeutic and evaluation techniques in respiratory care. The respiratory care curriculum consists of a pre-professional year followed by two years of professional study, leading to an Associate of Science Degree in Respiratory Care. The Associate of Science Degree qualifies students for the examination of the National Board for Respiratory Care. Students may continue their education for an additional year, to earn the Bachelor of Science Degree. The Respiratory Care Program has been granted accreditation by the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care.

Admission with Advanced Standing
Admission to the Junior Year
Candidates who have received a passing score on the Entry Level Examination (CRT) offered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) may be given credit for all RESPCARE and HLTHST prefixed courses taught within the Sophomore Year of the Respiratory Care Program. Candidates may be admitted into the Junior Year of the Respiratory Care Program, as space is available, and once the candidate has completed all courses within the Freshman Year of the Respiratory Care Program.

Admission to the Senior Year
Candidates who graduated from an Advanced Practitioner Respiratory Care Program may receive transfer credit for all RESPCARE and HLTHST prefixed courses in the Sophomore Year. Candidates who received a passing score on the Written Registry Examination and Clinical Simulation Examinations offered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) may be given credit for all RESPCARE and HLTHST prefixed courses taught within the Junior Year of the Respiratory Care Program. Candidates may be admitted into the Senior Year of the Respiratory Care Program, as space is available, and once the candidate has completed all courses within the Freshman Year of the Respiratory Care Program, and received credit for all RESPCARE and HLTHST prefixed courses within the Sophomore and Junior years of the Respiratory Care Program.

To earn the Bachelor of Science Degree, students must complete the Freshman Year courses, the Area I, II, and III Core elective requirements and all other University requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree. Students must complete, or receive credit for, all RESPCARE and HLTHST prefixed courses required for the Associate of Science Degree in Respiratory Care. Finally, students must successfully complete the courses required for the Senior Year. The student must complete 30 of the final 36 credits at BSU.

If a student has already earned an Associate of Science Degree in Respiratory Care, it is not necessary to transfer all sophomore level Respiratory Care courses or to earn a second Associate of Science Degree. If necessary, the student will receive Challenge credit for all RESPCARE courses in the junior year after verification of the successful completion of the NBRC Written Registry and Clinical Simulation Exams. The student will receive a Bachelor of Science Degree after completing the required English, Area I, II and III Core Elective, Area II/III elective, all senior level courses, and the appropriate number of electives as listed in the University Catalog.