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Career Information
The Online Bachelor of Science Degree Completion Program enables respiratory therapists to earn a bachelor’s degree with minimal disruption to their lives and livelihoods. A bachelor’s degree can increase base pay and enhance competitiveness for positions such as disease or case manager, clinical educator, supervisor, clinical specialist departmental director, clinical sales specialist, and pharmaceutical representative.
The percentage of respiratory therapists with higher degrees has increased considerably since 2000, according to the American Association for Respiratory Care. Approximately a third of respiratory therapists have a bachelor’s or graduate degree. Average salaries for experienced respiratory therapists range from $50,000 to $70,000, depending on job responsibilities, education and location.
The program enables working individuals to earn a degree through part time online classes. The program has a low student-to-teacher ratio and strongly emphasizes professional and academic growth, through development of critical thinking and effective communication skills.
The program requires 120 semester hours for completion: 60 hours of academic core, (see core curriculum) 30 semester hours of professional courses with GHSU (see program curriculum) and 30 semester hours of conferred with proof of the RRT credential. Students may take up to 6 semester hours of courses per semester. Students will choose from four tracks: Education, Research, Adult Critical Care, and Neonatal/Pediatric Critical Care. Students in all tracks will complete 7 required courses and 2 required elective courses. The remainder of the courses will be chosen from the general electives.
The Online Bachelor of Science Degree Completion Program requires 60 hours of core classes prior to admission (see academic core). Admission is based on college grade point average, references, personal interview, assessment of professional qualities needed to complete the program. Admission criteria include:
- Current National Board for Respiratory Care credentials as a registered respiratory therapist
- Minimum overall GPA of 2.5
- Current cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first-aid certification
PC/Mac Minimum Hardware Specifications
These are the minimum hardware requirements; you may choose to exceed these requirements. Contact ITService@georgiahealth.edu if you have any questions.
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PC Laptop/Tablet
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Apple Mac Laptop |
| Processor |
Intel Core Duo 1.4 GHz |
Intel Core Duo 1.6 GHz |
| Ram |
4 GB |
4 GB |
| HD Size |
80 GB |
80 GB |
| Operating System |
Windows XP Professional or Windows 7 |
Apple OS X (latest version*)
*NOTE: Apple is releasing its new MAC OSX v. 10.7, also known as Lion, in July. SofTest will not initially be supported on Lion and should not yet upgrade to Lion. ExamSoft does not yet have an expected release date for the new version of SofTest, but anticipate it will be available to you by mid-August. We will be contacting you with further updates.
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| Network |
Ethernet and Wireless 802.11b, g, or n
All testing using ExamSoft requires a wired connection (wireless testing is not supported) and students are required to bring a network cable - CAT 5, 5e, or 6. CAT 6 is preferred.
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Ethernet and Wireless 802.11b, g, or n
All testing using ExamSoft requires a wired connection (wireless testing is not supported) and students are required to bring a network cable - CAT 5, 5e, or 6. CAT 6 is preferred.
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PC/Mac Recommended Hardware Specifications
Note: These following specifications are not required buy highly recommended.
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PC Laptop/Tablet |
Apple Mac Laptop |
| Optical Media |
DVD +/- RW |
DVD +/- RW |
| Monitor |
15” Not required but highly recommended |
15” Not required but highly recommended |
| Service Contract |
3 year NBD Onsite |
3 Year AppleCare Protection Plan |
| Tracking Software |
3 Year Computrace |
3 Year Computrace |
All faculty, staff, and students are eligible for manufacturer discounts through the Technology Services website. From this page: http://www.georgiahealth.edu/itss/computing/hardware.html, click the entry “Discounts” then select the manufacturer and build the machine wanted.
Required Software
Symantec Antivirus Software
Antivirus software is required and provided by the University. To access antivirus software, please visit: http://www.georgiahealth.edu/itss/software/sav.html
MS Office 2007/2010
Our Microsoft campus agreement covers students so you will be eligible to download the full versions of MS Office 2007/2010 free of charge from the Technology Services website: http://www.georgiahealth.edu/itss/software/index.html
ExamSoft
All of your online examinations will be given using this software. It is your responsibility to ensure that the software is installed and functioning properly on your laptop. During your first week of class, you will be instructed on how to register, set up and use the ExamSoft system on your device.
During this session you will also receive support installing and configuring:
Adobe Reader (latest version)
Safe Connect
GHSU’s wireless net access system
GHSU’s enterprise e-mail client
In addition to demonstrating personal characteristics appropriate for a health professions career, students must satisfy general and specific technical standards. Visit www.georgiahealth.edu/alliedhealth/respther/techstandards.htm to review these requirements.
GHSU participates in all federal student aid programs. Educational assistance may be available for students who want to work in rural Georgia.
GHSU helps students fund their education through grants, scholarships, loans, a service commitment program and/or employment. GHSU students are very competitive for national, regional and local scholarships.
Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care
1248 Harwood Road
Bedford, Texas 76012-4244
817-283-2835
A complete application must be received by April 1.
Apply online at www.georgiahealth.edu/Admissions, or contact:
Office of Admissions
170 Kelly Building–Administration
Georgia Health Sciences University
Augusta, Georgia 30912
Telephone: 706-721-2725
800-519-3388
E-mail: Admissions@georgiahealth.edu
The program’s core curriculum is divided into six categories (A-F). The options for completing these prerequisites for transfer to GHSU are listed below. Courses can only be used in one Area.
| A. Essential Skills |
9 semester hours |
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| English Composition I |
3 hours |
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| English Composition II (literature-based) |
3 hours |
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College Algebra, Mathematical Modeling,
Trigonometry, Pre-calculus or Calculus |
3 hours |
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| B. Institutional Options** |
4-5 semester hours |
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Introduction to Computers
Critical Thinking
Creative Writing
Ethics
Health and Wellness
Statistics
Economics
Speech
Medical Terminology
Any approved guided elective from Area F |
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| C. Humanities and Fine Arts** |
6 semester hours |
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Ethics
Foreign Language
Speech, Oral Communications
Literature
Philosophy
Drama, Art, or Music Appreciation
Logic
Electives in Humanities and Fine Arts
Religion |
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| D. Science, Mathematics and Technology |
10-11 semester hours |
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| One eight-hour laboratory course sequence in Chemistry, Biology, or Physics AND an additional course in Science, Mathematics, or technology |
| E. Social Science** |
12 semester hours |
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United States History
United States Government
Other History
Economics
Psychology
Sociology
Anthropology
Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups
Lower-division electives in Psychology and Sociology
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| F. Courses Appropriate to the Major |
18 semester hours |
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| Anatomy and Physiology I and II w/ labs |
8 hours |
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| Microbiology w/ lab |
4 hours |
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| Other approved guided electives |
6 hours |
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** If a student planning to transfer to GHSU from another school in the University System of Georgia has completed this area with courses taken there or at another institution from which GHSU accepts transfer credit, GHSU will accept the area as satisfied. A student planning to transfer from a school not in the University System of Georgia should choose from the list of courses.
Estimated Tuition and Fees
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For estimated tuition and fees, please see the Tuition and Fees section of this catalog.
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