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Career Information
The Bachelor of Science Degree Completion Program enables registered respiratory therapists to earn a bachelor’s degree in the field 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, departmental director, medical equipment marketer, clinical specialist and pharmaceutical representative.
The percentage of respiratory therapists with higher degrees has increased considerably since 2000, according to a 2005 study of 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 field is particularly lucrative in private industry.
About the Program
The program enables working individuals to earn a degree through flexible scheduling with a curriculum tailored to the student’s interests, needs and background. The program has a low student-to-teacher ratio and strongly emphasizes professional and academic growth.
The program requires 120 semester hours for completion: 60 hours of academic core, (see core curriculum) 30 semester hours of professional courses with GRU (see program curriculum) and 30 semester hours of conferred with proof of the RRT credential. Course work includes lectures,Web-based learning, individualized independent study and clinical training in such diverse areas as perinatal/pediatrics, burn care, pulmonary functions and diagnostic sleep studies.
Admission Requirements
Admission is based on college grade point average, personal interview, references and 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 2.30
- Current cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first-aid certification
- Minimum TOEFL score of 500
- Computer literacy is expected
For information on the TSE-P, please visit http://www.ets.org.
Technical Standards
In addition to demonstrating personal characteristics appropriate for a health professions career, students must satisfy general and specific technical standards. Visit www.gru.edu/alliedhealth/respther/techstandards.htm to review these requirements.
Financial Aid
GRU participates in all federal student aid programs. Educational assistance may be available for students who want to work in rural Georgia. GRU helps students fund their education through grants, scholarships, loans, a service commitment program and/or employment. GRU students are very competitive for national, regional and local scholarships for the first and second years.
Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care
1248 Harwood Road
Bedford,Texas 76012-4244
817-283-2835
When to Apply
A complete application must be received by:
Summer - April 1
Fall - June 1
Spring - September 1
How to Apply
Apply online at www.gru.edu/Admissions, or contact:
Office of Admissions
170 Kelly Building–Administration
Georgia Regents University
Augusta, Georgia 30912
Telephone: 706-721-2725
800-519-3388
E-mail: Admissions@gru.edu
Courses to Take the First Two Years
The program’s core curriculum is divided into six categories (A-F). The options for completing these prerequisites for transfer to GRU are listed below. Courses can only be used in one Area.
| A. Essential Skills |
9 semester hours |
| English Composition I |
3 hours |
| English Composition II (literature-based) |
3 hours |
College Algebra, Mathematical Modeling,
Trigonometry, Pre-calculus or Calculus |
3 hours |
| |
| B. Institutional Options** |
4-5 semester hours |
Introduction to Computers
Critical Thinking
Creative Writing
Ethics
Health and Wellness
Statistics
Economics
Speech
Medical Terminology
Any approved guided elective from Area F |
| |
| C. Humanities and Fine Arts** |
6 semester hours |
Ethics
Foreign Language
Speech, Oral Communications
Literature
Philosophy
Drama, Art, or Music Appreciation
Logic
Electives in Humanities and Fine Arts
Religion |
| |
| D. Science, Mathematics and Technology |
10-11 semester hours |
| 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 |
United States History
United States Government
Other History
Economics
Psychology
Sociology
Anthropology
Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups
Lower-division electives in Psychology and Sociology |
| |
| F. Courses Appropriate to the Major |
18 semester hours |
| Anatomy and Physiology I and II w/ labs |
8 hours |
| Microbiology w/ lab |
4 hours |
| Other approved guided electives |
6 hours |
** If a student planning to transfer to GRU from another school in the University System of Georgia has completed this area with courses taken there or at another institution from which GRU accepts transfer credit, GRU 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
For estimated tuition and fees, please see the Financial Information section of this catalog.
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