Respiratory Therapy, B.S. (R) or (R, A, L)* - Radford University Carilion Site

The Respiratory Therapy (RT) program is a four-year program distributed over nine semesters. Foundational courses are delivered within the first two years. The blend of classroom, lab, and clinical components is designed to prepare students for careers as Respiratory Therapists. RT courses begin in the junior year and are interspersed with other foundational courses. Students wishing to decrease their course load in the Junior and Senior years may take some of their required foundational courses prior to beginning the first semester of their junior year of the program.

The Respiratory Therapy program requires that RT courses (with a RETH prefix) must be taken in the sequence listed. Students must successfully complete the first- two years of the plan of study before advancing to the junior year with a GPA of 2.5 or above. Any deviation from this policy must be approved by the Program Director. The student must achieve a minimum grade of C in the professional courses, as well as meeting prerequisite or co-requisite requirements in order to advance to the next semester.

This major fulfills the R, A, and L areas of the REAL Curriculum. These areas are developed through a sequence of progressive courses designed to enrich the students learning experience. Student’s need majors and/or minors to fulfill the E area to complete the REAL Curriculum requirements.

Writing Intensive courses are denoted below with a (WI). Two writing intensive courses are required to graduate, with at least one at the 300- or 400-level. The Respiratory Therapy major includes 3 credits of writing intensive courses.

General Education courses will be denoted below with a (GE). Students are required to take at least 30 credit hours of general education designated courses within their degree requirements. The Respiratory Therapy major includes 17 general education credits.

In order to graduate from the RT Program all students must:

• Complete the Plan of Study and pass all required Biology and RETH courses with a letter grade of “C” or “P” (Pass).
• Pass all Clinical Competencies

These credits can be used to fulfill additional courses, majors, minors, and/or REAL Curriculum requirements, including Foundational Writing and Foundational Math.

Junior Level Transfer Criteria: In addition to the traditional four-year academic path in Respiratory Therapy, Radford University Carilion offers the opportunity for junior-level transfer students with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 and eight credits of anatomy and physiology if they have completed one of the following:

• Completed the first two years of this Plan of Study.
• Graduated from a VCCS school with an associate’s degree.
• Graduated from a regionally accredited institution with a bachelor’s degree.

Licensing within a state requires a comprehensive background check on individuals attempting to practice within said State.  Students should be aware that if they have had any serious criminal convictions, it might prevent them from obtaining a respiratory therapist license. The Virginia Board of Respiratory Therapy, or the licensing agency of the state the student plans to practice in, should be contacted to discuss the situation. 

The Respiratory Therapy (RT) Degree Advancement (DA) program is designed specifically to meet the needs of current or soon to be practicing respiratory therapists who wish to obtain advanced training in Respiratory Care.  This fully online curriculum emphasizes:

• The history, current state, and future direction of the field of respiratory therapy.
• The evolution and current state of credentialing, licensing, directional organizations and related legal issues. 
• Landmark studies regarding clinical practice and the direction of the field.
• Educational standards, techniques, methods, theory and designs used within the educational domain of Respiratory Therapy.
• Evidence-based techniques and procedures that promote effective departmental management and leadership within the respiratory therapy field.
• Principles of research-based practice in the field of respiratory therapy. 

The degree culminates in a capstone course in which the student integrates and synthesizes core concepts of respiratory therapy into a managerial, educational, or research project.

Students who have completed of a VCCS Transferable Associate Degree (see additional information within the Radford University Transfer Guide) will satisfy all requirements for the REAL Curriculum.

Students who have not completed one of these approved transfer associate degrees but have at least 56 approved transfer credit hours and at least 3 credit hours in each of the REAL areas (E, A, and L) are only required to complete the “R” which is contained within the DA BSRT Program.

This major fulfills the R area of the REAL Curriculum. This area is developed through a sequence of progressive courses designed to enrich the students learning experience.

If transfer students are missing any of the 3-credit hour coursework in these (E, A, and L) areas, those courses may be taken at Radford University to fulfill the REAL Curriculum general education requirements. This only applies to students who transfer in at least 56 approved transfer credit hours.

Writing Intensive courses are denoted below with a (WI). Two writing intensive courses are required to graduate, with at least one at the 300- or 400-level.

General Education courses will be denoted below with a (GE). Students are required to take at least 30 credit hours of general education designated courses within their degree requirements.

Students within this curriculum may transfer Human Anatomy and Physiology, Statistics, and Research Methods but must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours from Radford University to graduate.

These credits can be used to fulfill additional courses, majors, minors, and/or REAL Curriculum requirements, including Foundational Writing and Foundational Math.

Students must transfer from an accredited Respiratory Care program and hold the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT – RRT Eligible) credential by the completion of the first term.

Students must obtain the Registered Respiratory Therapy (RRT) Credential and verify employment within the field to receive the 10 additional (waived and applied) credits (RETH 320, 430, 490).  Failure to obtain stated criteria by the completion of RETH 495 will result in mandatory enrollment within RETH 320 or 430 or 490.  Online availability of these courses is not guaranteed. Progression through the 320, 430, 490 sequence will continue until the student completes the 10 credits or obtains stated criteria.

Due to the potential availability of open credits to fulfill this degree, students are encouraged to pursue potential minors as their interests and individual circumstances allow. All students will be transferring a minimum of 60 up to a maximum of 80 credit hours.  Through obtaining the RRT credential and verification of employment within the field, students will receive an additional 10 credits.  Therefore, students will need to complete 0-30 credit hours outside of the plan of study.  Students are encouraged to add the Healthcare Organizational Management or Public Health minor to their program of study.