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:
- Must have a cumulative GPA of a 2.0 to be eligible for graduation.
- 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 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 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 3117. Advanced Concepts in Adult Critical Care. 4 Credit Hours.
This course focuses on advanced concepts in adult critical care. Topics include ECMO, LVADs, IABPs, 12 Lead EKGs, and other modalities used to treat critically ill patients.
RESC 3118. Disease and Case Management in Respiratory Care. 4 Credit Hours.
This course focuses on building the foundations needed in pulmonary disease management caring for a patient with chronic pulmonary disease. Topics include evidence-based practices, disease/case management, and patient education.
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 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 4113. Specialization in Neonatal and Pediatric Respiratory Care. 4 Credit Hours.
This course focuses on advanced concepts in neonatal and pediatric respiratory care. Topics include ventilation management and oxygenation, specialty gas administration, and treatments based on clinical status.
RESC 4117. Health Care Research: Concepts and Critical Review. 3 Credit Hours.
This course introduces research concepts and the critical review of medical literature to assess quality to create evidence-based practices effectively.
RESC 4118. Respiratory Care Protocols and Clinical Practice Guidelines. 3 Credit Hours.
The course examines the process and development of evidence-based clinical guidelines and care protocols. Topics include developing best practice, clinical efficacy, current research, autonomy, decision-making, cost-effectiveness, and quality assurance.
RESC 4121. Advancing Clinical Practice in Respiratory Care. 4 Credit Hours.
This course focuses on the current trends and issues faced by practicing respiratory therapists, including health care ethics, diversity and inclusion, emerging technologies, and advancing clinical practice.
RESC 4128. Quality Improvement in the Delivery of Health Care. 4 Credit Hours.
The course examines the techniques and strategies used to effectively measure quality for high-level performance, strategic planning, marketing tools, policy process, and team building.
RESC 4140. DAP Capstone. 4 Credit Hours.
This course will allow students to focus on a specialty area of interest to research an issue and propose solutions on topics such as cardiopulmonary respiratory care, leadership, management, case management, research, education, or another particular area of interest. The student will identify and complete a project applying knowledge and skills learned in the program. Projects will be developed in collaboration with faculty and/or community members.
RESC 4191. DAP Independent Study. 2 Credit Hours.
Students will choose an area of interest for growth and professional development by researching, discussion, and/or writing, and/or presenting findings under the direction of a faculty member. This course may be repeated.