The Professional Master of Science in Respiratory Therapy offers individuals with baccalaureate degrees in disciplines other than respiratory therapy the opportunity to complete the professional component of the respiratory therapy program for graduate credit and enter practice with advanced preparation. In addition to a baccalaureate degree, applicants must also meet the respiratory therapy program's math and science prerequisites. The Master of Science curriculum encompasses the baccalaureate professional respiratory therapy curriculum, which consists of 70 credit hours, 37 hours of which are courses offered at the graduate level. Upon successful completion of the professional curriculum graduates are eligible to sit for state licensing and national credentialing examinations offered by the National Board for Respiratory Care, leading to the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential.
The Master of Science in Respiratory Therapy provides graduates with accelerated mobility into leadership roles, such as healthcare education coordinators, clinical instructors, clinical team leaders, assistant managers, or specialty therapists. Each student chooses one of three major specialty areas in which to concentrate: (1) a patient care or diagnostic area; (2) an education focus (for example, respiratory care classroom/ lab/clinical teaching and testing); (3) a management focus (such as respiratory care departmental management and leadership experiences).
Mission
The mission of the Respiratory Therapy Education Program is to prepare students at the graduate level to become competent registered respiratory therapists who think critically; engage in evidence-based practice; function as expert resources to physicians and other healthcare professionals; assume leadership roles in academia and practice; and interact respectfully and compassionately with others, regardless of cultural background, values and lifestyles.
Outcomes
Upon completion of the Master of Science in Respiratory Therapy, graduates will be able to:
Demonstrate knowledge of the physiological bases for all therapeutic interventions and diagnostic procedures in all areas of respiratory therapy practice
Demonstrate proficiency in implementing all respiratory therapy treatment and diagnostic procedures
Demonstrate proficiency in interpreting physical exam findings, cardiopulmonary monitoring data, laboratory data, and diagnostic imaging information
Demonstrate problem solving and critical thinking skills as consultants to physicians and other healthcare personnel in developing cardiopulmonary care strategies
Demonstrate proficiency in establishing an evidence base for best practice through research and the critique and interpretation of the professional scientific literature
Demonstrate knowledge of the ethical obligations and responsibilities of healthcare professionals and institutions
Demonstrate knowledge of the legal, social and economic environments in which healthcare institutions function
Demonstrate effective cross-cultural human interaction skills in the healthcare setting and the broader community
Demonstrate knowledge of current issues and trends in healthcare, including public policy, healthcare access and reimbursement issues
Demonstrate proficiency in oral and written communication, including the preparation of a manuscript suitable for submission to a peer-reviewed scientific journal
Educate patients and the general public in matters of cardiopulmonary health and chronic disease management
Develop a healthcare related research proposal that meets requirements for institutional review board approval
Demonstrate advanced knowledge in one of three specialization areas in respiratory therapy: (1) professional education; (2) hospital department administrative leadership; or (3)a clinical specialty practice area
Accreditation Status
The Respiratory Therapy Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC), 1248 Harwood Road Bedford, Texas 76021-4244, telephone (817) 283-2835. The Program's outcomes (attrition, job placement and graduate credentialing success) can be compared to the outcomes of all accredited programs in the United States at http://www.coarc.com/47.html.
Admissions Requirements
The application deadline is February 15 each year. Applicants for admission to the Professional Master of Science in Respiratory Therapy degree must meet the following minimum qualifying criteria:
Earned baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university with an overall college grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or higher
Admission to the University of Mary Graduate Studies
A 3.00 or higher GPA in the respiratory therapy program's prerequisite preprofessional courses in math, biology, chemistry, physics, pharmacology, ethics, English (communication) and social sciences, with no individual course grade below a "C."
Three letters of reference from the applicant's undergraduate professors or academic counselors who are in a position to judge the applicant's written communication proficiency and ability to perform graduate level work. In addition, applicants must have successfully completed the following prerequisite courses:
General Inorganic Chemistry (two semesters)
Microbiology
College Algebra
Ethics
Introduction to Physics
Human Anatomy and Physiology (two semesters)
Pharmacology
Upon meeting preliminary qualifying criteria, applicants are eligible for a respiratory therapy admissions interview. Admissions decisions are based academic GPA, references, and the interview score.
Rolling Admissions
If the class number does not reach its maximum capacity by the application deadline, a rolling admissions policy will be followed. Students must meet all criteria previously outlined and participate in the formal interview process. Rolling admissions are considered until the first day of class in the fall. Applicants will be reviewed based on the time of submissions of a completed application.
Our Program
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