Program Competencies
The graduate will be able to:
- Communicate effectively.
- Think critically.
- Learn independently.
- Examine relationships in diverse and complex environments.
- Perform cardiopulmonary diagnostic procedures, patient assessment and respiratory care planning.
- Administer therapeutic and life support procedures in the management of patients with cardiopulmonary impairment.
- Evaluate appropriateness of prescribed respiratory care and recommend modifications where indicated.
- Select, assemble, check, correct malfunctions and assure cleanliness and calibration of respiratory care equipment.
- Maintain an ethical and effective relationship with the health care team.
- Perform essential elements of patient education.
- Demonstrate an awareness of organizational and management principles related to respiratory care.
- Perform and act on the results of advanced patient assessment techniques.
- Assist the physician in special procedures of cardiopulmonary care.
- Demonstrate skills and attitudes needed to maintain professional and technical competence.
Assessment
National Board for Respiratory Care Applied Measurement Professional Self-Assessment Examination, National Board for Respiratory Care Respiratory Therapy Program Surveys for Graduates and Employers related to educational preparation, and graduate performance in the clinical area.
All the above assessment results are reported to faculty and the advisory committee annually. Employment is a key indicator of program success. This information is shared at annual advisory committee meetings.
Respiratory Care Program
The respiratory care program is a consortium between Morehead State University, Maysville Community and Technical College, and Ashland Community and Technical College. Morehead State University students, as a part of the consortium, complete all general education program requirements on the MSU campus. Respiratory care courses are taught on the Rowan campus of Maysville Community and Technical College.
The program prepares the graduate to take an active role in the maintenance and/or restoration of cardiopulmonary homeostasis. The curriculum includes intensive course work in the supporting sciences and general education areas. Classroom instruction is supplemented with learning experience in the campus laboratory and area affiliates. Students enrolled in the respiratory care program are required to achieve a minimum grade of "C" in all courses required for completion of the AAS in respiratory care.
Admission Requirements and Procedures
The AAS in respiratory care has a selective admission process. Enrollment in the program is limited (because of laboratory and classroom space) and student applications are assessed using a point-based system that includes student ACT score/Compass scores and grades. In the event there are more qualified applicants than available positions, one to three alternatives will be placed on a waiting list.
Application Procedure
- Be unconditionally admitted to MSU.
- Declare Respiratory Care as academic program.
- University/undergraduate catalog(s) required if transfer credit is sought.
- Course syllabi for all respiratory care courses complete if transfer credit is sought.
- Enroll in required prerequisite courses as outlined in the respiratory care curriculum sequence.
- Submit a completed application packet to the Associate of Applied Science in Respiratory Care Program. The application packet includes:
- Application for admission to Respiratory Care program.
- ACT scores or equivalent.
- Official college transcript.
- Attendance at a preadmission conference or meeting with the program coordinator.
- Documentation of observation hours. (Observation form may be submitted after November 15 if observation hours are not yet completed.)
Student selection process occurs in the fall semester preceding spring admission. To be considered for official admission to the respiratory care program, all materials must be submitted to the respiratory care advisor before November 15 preceding spring admission:
Morehead State University
Respiratory Care Program Advisor
100B Lloyd Cassity
Morehead, KY 40351
m.probst@moreheadstate.edu
Admission Criteria
Admission procedures are reviewed on an annual basis. It is the applicant's responsibility to verify prior to the application deadline that the procedures/criteria have not been revised.
Applicants to the Respiratory Care Program are selected based upon the following criteria:
- American College Test (ACT) scores or equivalent.
- GED validation, if applicable. Preference will be given to a standard score of 50 or above.
- Past performance in college/university: must have a GPA of 2.5 on a scale of 4.0 for all college level courses completed and a grade of "C" or better on BIOL 234 and MATH 135.
Respiratory courses will be taken at the Rowan campus of Maysville Community and Technical College on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Conditions for Enrollment
- Students may be assigned to clinical practicum areas other than those in the immediate Rowan County area, requiring traveling some distance from campus. Transportation to and from these settings is the responsibility of the student.
- Clinical experiences and formal lectures may be required during various hours of the day, evening and night.
- Students have the responsibility for the cost incurred by enrollment in the Associate of Applied Science in Respiratory Care. This cost may include clothing, equipment, malpractice insurance and academic materials.
Program Requirements
A total of 71 credit hours is required for the AAS degree. The student will be required to complete the course sequence approved by the University and in place at the time of admission to the associate degree respiratory care program. Respiratory Care program policies on challenge examination, transfer credit, academic standards and progression and criteria for taking the National Board for Respiratory Care examination can be obtained from the Department of Kinesiology, Health, and Imaging Sciences.
Respiratory Care Requirements
| RCP 110 | Cardiopulmonary Anatomy and Physiology | 3 |
| RCP 120 | Theory and Principles of Respiratory Care | 4 |
| RCP 130 | Pharmacology | 3 |
| RCP 125 | Cardiopulmonary Evaluation | 4 |
| RCP 150 | Clinical Practice I | 2 |
| RCP 175 | Clinical Practice II | 3 |
| RCP 180 | Ventilatory Support | 3 |
| RCP 190 | Advanced Ventilatory Support | 2 |
| RCP 200 | Clinical Practice III | 3 |
| RCP 204 | Emergency and Special Procedures I | 3 |
| RCP 210 | Cardiopulmonary Pathophysiology | 3 |
| RCP 212 | Neonatal/Pediatric Respiratory Care | 3 |
| RCP 214 | Emergency and Special Procedures II | 3 |
| RCP 225 | Clinical Practice IV | 3 |
| RCP 228 | Preventative and Long-Term Respiratory Care | 2 |
| RCP 250 | Clinical Practice V | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 47 |
General Education
Supplemental Requirements
| BIOL 234 | Principles of Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 3 |
| BIOL 235 | Principles of Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 3 |
| | | |
| PSY 154 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| | or | |
| SOC 101 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 9 |