Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care - Degree Advancement
Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care Degree Advancement Program Admissions Requirements
Admission is on a competitive basis. In addition to non-academic factors, the applicant’s academic performance represented by coursework grades, load, trends, and degree of difficulty will be considered. Application deadlines can be found on the program's admission webpage.
Requirements for admission to the professional phase of the program in respiratory care include:
Completion of the Texas Core Curriculum (42 hours) and Professional courses with a grade of "C" or better.
RRT's admitted to the Degree Advancement program may be allowed to enroll while working to Texas Core requirements. The Texas Core must be completed prior to the final semester of graduation from UT Health San Antonio.
Texas Core Curriculum Requirements
- English Composition I & II (6 semester credit hour)
- College Algebra or higher (3 semester credit hours)
- Natural Sciences
- (BIOL, CHEM, PHYS or other natural science) (12 semester credit hours)
- Humanities
- Any Philosophy, Language, Humanities, or English Literature course (3 semester credit hours)
- Visual and Performing Arts
- Any Arts, Drama, Dance or Music course (3 semester credit hours)
- American History (6 semester credit hours)
- Texas State & Local Government & U.S Government (6 semester credit hours)
- Any Psychology or Sociology course (3 semester credit hours)
Application Requirements
- Completion of 60 or more semester credit hours from an accredited educational institution.
- The Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential should be earned prior to matriculation but must be earned prior to enrollment in the second semester of study. Failure to do so is grounds for dismissal.
- Completion of all required courses with a grade of "C" or better.
- Ability to complete all general education curriculum and program prerequisite courses by the semester the student is to graduate.
- Completion of the online Allied Health Centralized Application System (AHCAS).
- Payment of a non-refundable application fee of $95 to AHCAS.
- Submission of the following documents to AHCAS or Office of University Registrar contingent on which application system was used
- All official transcripts from each college/university attended. Applicants who are enrolled in college courses at the time of application should submit official transcripts showing courses in progress. An updated transcript must be submitted upon completion of courses.
- Note: Transcripts from institutions outside the United States must be evaluated by an acceptable NACES Members organization. For additional information – www.naces.org
International Applicants only:
- Applicants from countries where English is not the official language are required to submit scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL, the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or Duolingo English Test. The minimum required scores are listed below:
- TOEFL 84
- IELTS 7.0
- Duolingo 115
- Scores on TOEFL, IELTS and Duolingo tests taken more than two years prior to the date of application are not acceptable.
- This requirement may be waived when the applicant is graduate from an accredited post-secondary institution in the USA.
- Admission is on a competitive basis. In addition to non-academic factors that may be considered, the basis for inviting an applicant for an interview includes the applicant’s academic performance represented by coursework grades, load, trends and degree of difficulty.
- Students applying to online programs who reside outside of Texas must live in a participating National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) state to be accepted into our program. To see if your state participates and get more information, visit the NC-SARA website.
If accepted to the Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care Degree Advancement program the following are required:
- Pay a non-refundable tuition deposit of $450.00 to the School of Health Professions.
- Completion of a background check. Directions for this process will be sent to accepted students.
- Proof of immunization: All enrolled students at the health science center are required to be fully immunized with required immunizations prior to orientation and registration. Additional information is available on the Wellness 360 website.
- Evidence of current health insurance showing dates of coverage. Unless proof of proper insurance coverage is provided before the first day of classes, students will be charged for a health insurance policy through the university.
- Final updated transcripts must be submitted upon completion of courses from each college/university to the Office of University Registrar. All foreign transcripts must be also sent to include the original transcript and the NACES evaluated official transcript (course by course).
Health Science Center Office of the University Registrar Mailing Address:
Office of the University Registrar – MC 7702
7703 Floyd Curl Drive
San Antonio, TX 78229-3900
Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care Degree Advancement Program Requirements
To graduate from the Respiratory Care Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care Degree Advancement program, students must:
- Complete all required respiratory care professional courses with a grade of C (75%) or better.
- Complete all general education course work no later than their enrollment for the final semester in the Degree Advancement Program. Otherwise, the student will not be able to enroll in the courses for the final semester.
- Successfully complete a capstone project. Options include:
- create and implement an educational project
- create and implement a quality improvement plan
- create and implement a research project
- Complete all university requirements for graduation.
Bachelor of Respiratory Care Degree Advancement Program for RRT to BSRC Sample Plan of Study
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| RESC 4117 | Health Care Research: Concepts and Critical Review | 3 |
| RESC 4118 | Respiratory Care Protocols and Clinical Practice Guidelines | 3 |
| RESC 3117 | Advanced Concepts in Adult Critical Care | 4 |
| Spring | ||
| RESC 3118 | Disease and Case Management in Respiratory Care | 4 |
| RESC 4113 | Specialization in Neonatal and Pediatric Respiratory Care | 4 |
| Summer | ||
| RESC 4128 | Quality Improvement in the Delivery of Health Care | 4 |
| RESC 4121 | Advancing Clinical Practice in Respiratory Care | 4 |
| RESC 4191 | DAP Independent Study | 2 |
| RESC 4140 | DAP Capstone | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 32.0 | |
| Credit By Exam | ||
| RESC 3002 | Fundamentals of Respiratory Care | 5 |
| RESC 3005 | Respiratory Care Pharmacology | 3 |
| RESC 3009 | Introduction to Critical Care | 3 |
| RESC 3008 | Introduction to Clinical Practice | 1 |
| RESC 3023 | Pulmonary Function Testing | 3 |
| RESC 4014 | Clinical Practice 1 | 9 |
| RESC 4024 | Clinical Practice 2 | 9 |
| Total Credit Hours | 33 | |
RESC 3002. Fundamentals of Respiratory Care. 5 Credit Hours.
The course will present the principles of chemistry and physics as they apply to respiratory care. Students will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with basic respiratory care equipment. Specific types of therapy are examined to understand the principles of application to patients, indications, hazards, contraindications, select, assemble, and troubleshoot equipment. Equipment will include oxygen delivery services, aerosol generators, medication delivery devices, pressure ventilators, gas delivery, metering and analyzing devices, percussor, positive pressure devices, environmental devices, manometers, gauges, and vacuum systems.
RESC 3005. Respiratory Care Pharmacology. 3 Credit Hours.
This course introduces the physiologic and pharmacologic basis of pulmonary and cardiac medications. Students will study several aspects of the formulation and preparation of the most commonly prescribed respiratory drugs. Pharmacodynamics and pharmacoknetics will be discussed along with drug formulation, drug dosage calculations, indications, contraindications and side effects of cardiac and pulmonary medications. Topics covered include an overview of bronchactive agents, anti-inflammatory drugs, anti-asthmatics, neuromuscular blocking agents, diuretics, cardiac drugs and drugs that affect the central nervous system.
RESC 3007. Cardiopulmonary Physiology. 5 Credit Hours.
This course provides an in-depth study of cardiac and pulmonary anatomy and physiology, as well as the diagnostic procedures commonly used in the hospital to evaluate these systems. Topics include the function of the respiratory system, ventilatory mechanics, gas transport in the blood, natural and chemical regulation of breathing, circulation, blood flow and pressure, and cardiac output. The heart-lung relationship and clinical applications of these phenomena in the cardiopulmonary system will be emphasized.
RESC 3008. Introduction to Clinical Practice. 1 Credit Hour.
The introduction to clinical practice provides the students the opportunity to observe and attain clinical competencies related to respiratory care procedures in general medical and surgical floors. This course introduces students to the clinical respiratory care procedures. Topics include: introduction to the hospital and patient assessment, medical gas therapy, aerosol therapy, airway clearance therapy, hyperinflation therapy and airway care.
RESC 3009. Introduction to Critical Care. 3 Credit Hours.
This course provides the students the opportunity to observe and achieve competencies related to respiratory care procedures in the critical care units, the diagnostic labs, and other specialty areas. The topics include initiation of mechanical ventilation, patient stabilization and monitoring, measurement and evaluation of hemodynamic variables, bronchial hygiene, evaluation for weaning, extubation, arterial line samples, arterial puncture, blood gas analysis, and noninvasive monitoring. Clinical Practice observation and previous semester courses are a prerequisite to take this course.
RESC 3018. Diseases Affecting the Respiratory System. 4 Credit Hours.
The course provides a comprehensive approach to etiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of common pulmonary diseases and syndromes. Main topics include obstructive and restrictive pulmonary and cardiovascular disorders. Non-respiratory disorders impacting cardiopulmonary function commonly encountered in the critical care unit will be discussed.
RESC 3023. Pulmonary Function Testing. 3 Credit Hours.
This course provides a comprehensive overview of diagnostic tests used to evaluate normal and abnormal pulmonary function. Students will have the opportunity to perform, interpret and evaluate various tests of lung functions, including spirometry, measurement of lung volumes, diffusing capacity and metabolic measurements. Additionally, students will learn how to operate, calibrate and do quality control on pulmonary function and gas analysis equipment.
RESC 4003. Pediatric and Neonatal Respiratory Care. 4 Credit Hours.
The processes of growth and development relating to respiratory care, from the fetus to the adolescent, will be discussed. The study relates physiologic function to respiratory care including assessment, evaluation, and treatment. Topics include fetal growth and development, neonatal growth and development, fetal assessment, fetal evaluation, neonatal assessment, neonatal evaluation, neonatal respiratory care, neonatal pathology, pediatric pathology, and pediatric respiratory care.
RESC 4014. Clinical Practice 1. 9 Credit Hours.
Students will have an opportunity to develop skills required in the basic floor and intensive care of the respiratory patient. Topics include patient assessment, oxygen therapy, aerosol therapy, hyperinflation therapy, airway clearance therapy, airway care using the various tracheal tubes, initiation of mechanical ventilation, comprehensive ventilator management, measurement and evaluation of hemodynamic parameters, invasive and noninvasive monitoring, arterial blood gas puncture and analysis.
RESC 4017. Introduction to Research. 3 Credit Hours.
This course provides an overview of the basic principles of research, research design and statistical analysis as it relates to healthcare professionals, with the goal of encouraging involvement in research after graduation. Students will develop a hypothesis, write a problem statement, review the literature, and evaluate the literature.
RESC 4018. Clinical Practice 1 Seminar. 3 Credit Hours.
Case presentations are required to integrate clinical and theory. Review of respiratory care with an emphasis on problem solving and decision making. Self Assessment credentialing examinations will be administered for preparation of the national credentialing examination. Current issues relevant to respiratory care will be discussed to include new treatments and technologies, and issues related to critical care, professional development and practice.
RESC 4021. Issues and Trends. 4 Credit Hours.
Current issues relevant to the cardiopulmonary sciences and respiratory care will be explored. Health care delivery systems, new trends in organization and management, new treatments and technologies, ethical issues in health care, as well as issues related to professional development and practice will be discussed in the capstone course for advanced standing students. For Bachelor Degree completion students only.
RESC 4024. Clinical Practice 2. 9 Credit Hours.
This clinical course develops skills for caring for critically ill patients in the adult, pediatric and neonatal units. Topics include: Patient Assessment, medical gas therapy, lung expansion therapy, airway clearance therapy, mechanical ventilation, patient stalization and monitoring, evaluation of hemodynamic parameters, evaluation of ventilator weaning, intubation and extubation, all monitoring devices, labor and delivery and patient transport. In addition, tracheostomy care, ventilator monitoring, arterial puncture and blood gas analysis, endotracheal intubation, EKG, Pulmonary function diagnostics and bronchoscopy observation.
RESC 4028. Clinical Practice 2 Seminar. 3 Credit Hours.
Case presentations are required to integrate clinical and theory. Emphasis will be placed on decision making and problem-solving as they relate to neonatal and pediatric cardiopulmonary critical care. Current issues relevant to the neonatal and pediatric respiratory critical care will be discussed. Review of respiratory care will continue as it pertains to the Therapist Multiple Choice and Clinical Simulation credentialing examinations administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).
RESC 4040. Capstone Project. 4 Credit Hours.
The capstone course is focused on a project on current issues in any area of cardiopulmonary sciences, including quality improvement, disease management, clinical critical care, leadership or management or patient education. The project shall focus on the theory, analysis and current practices and issues.
RESC 4091. Independent Study. 1-6 Credit Hours.
This course includes independent reading, research, discussion, and/or writing under the direction of a faculty member. The course may be repeated.
RESC 5013. Management & Leadership in Health Profession. 3 Credit Hours.
Leadership principles and management of respiratory care departments, health care organizations and programs will be studied.
RESC 5015. Education in Respiratory Care. 3 Credit Hours.
This course is an introduction to basic principles and techniques used in respiratory care education. Topics include patient education, inservice education, course design, objectives, lesson-plan development, learning activities, use of media, development of presentations, testing, and evaluation.
RESC 6301. Advanced Patient Assessment and Care Plan Development. 3 Credit Hours.
Advanced patient evaluation and the design and implementation of evidence-based respiratory care plans will be emphasized. Evidence-based practice and critical diagnostic thinking are reviewed and applied to the review of the medical record, patient interview, physical assessment and evaluation of diagnostic studies. Assessment of oxygenation, ventilation, and arterial blood gases are reviewed. Laboratory studies, imaging studies and ECG monitoring and interpretation are discussed. Pulmonary function testing, diagnostic bronchoscopy and other diagnostic studies are also described. Acute and critical care monitoring, sleep studies and maternal and perinatal/neonatal patient assessment are overviewed. The student will integrate assessment findings in the development and evaluation of care plans for specific disease states and conditions.
RESC 6302. Advanced Critical Care and Ventilatory Support. 3 Credit Hours.
Provides advanced instruction over all phases of adult critical care and continuous mechanical ventilation. Principles of critical-care are reviewed followed by a discussion of respiratory failure to include recognition, causes, and treatment. Principles of mechanical ventilation are then reviewed, and resources provided regarding the operation and features of the major critical care ventilators. An in-depth discussion of the indications for, and implementation of invasive and noninvasive mechanical ventilatory support is provided and patient stabilization and adjustment of ventilatory support is described, to include patient assessment and monitoring. High-frequency ventilation, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, use of inhaled nitric oxide, and mechanical ventilatory assistance are described and point-of-care ultrasound, as well as other diagnostic and supportive techniques used in the ICU are reviewed. An overview of neonatal and pediatric critical respiratory care is provided, followed by an in-depth discussion of ventilator discontinuance.