Respiratory Therapy Major (B.S.)
Purpose
The purpose of the Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy major is to prepare students to enter the respiratory therapy profession. The respiratory therapy curriculum is built upon a foundation from the arts, sciences, and the biblical worldview, to guide the acquisition of knowledge, development of strong clinical and decision-making skills, professional practice, and ethical standards. Topics studied include pharmacology, therapeutic and diagnostic techniques, artificial ventilation, and cardiopulmonary disease management, from birth to the end of life. Interprofessional learning with other health professions occurs through simulated and real patient experiences to ensure graduates are workforce ready for a variety of settings.
Program Learning Outcomes
The student will be able to:
- Comprehend, apply, and evaluate clinical information relevant to their roles as a registered respiratory therapist (cognitive domain).
- Perform the technical skills necessary to fulfill their role as a registered respiratory therapist (psychomotor domain).
- Demonstrate professional behavior consistent with clinical rotation site expectations as a registered respiratory therapist (affective domain).
- Utilize critical thinking/problem solving skills to develop the best patient treatment for those suffering from cardiopulmonary disease.
- Integrate the biblical worldview into all aspects of respiratory therapy.
BSRT - Residential Entry to Practice
The Respiratory Therapy Major is designed for students who wish to pursue a career in Respiratory Therapy. The bachelor’s degree-prepared respiratory therapist is a practitioner able to perform patient assessment, develop and monitor respiratory care plans, administer protocols, carry out disease management and rehabilitation, provide patient and family education, and serve as a physician extender to the pulmonologist, anesthesiologist, intensivist, pediatricians, etc. The bachelor’s degree prepared respiratory therapist will perform basic and critical respiratory care therapeutic and diagnostic procedures in the hospital, home, and alternate care sites. The bachelor’s degree respiratory care program also provides a foundation for professional leadership in clinical practice and clinical specialization. Program graduates are eligible to sit for the national board exams for certification as an entry-level respiratory therapist, to become registered as an advanced-level respiratory therapist, and to take specialty examinations in perinatal/pediatrics and pulmonary function technology.
Selection Process (Entry to Practice)
The Respiratory Therapy program at LU is both competitive and selective. Thus, not every student who applies will be accepted into the RT Program. Students interested in majoring in Respiratory Therapy at LU will go through two application processes following the pre-professional phase of the program. Initial acceptance will occur following the freshman spring semester, while the full acceptance will occur after the sophomore fall semester. When students transfer to LU or change their major, their initial acceptance will be determined by the program director; while full acceptance is determined by the RT Program Admission Committee.
Phases of the RT Program (Entry to Practice)
- Pre-professional (freshman year): Students interested in becoming part of the RT Program at Liberty University should initially enroll in BIOL 203, 213, 214, 215, 216 and PSYC along with available General Studies curriculum requirements.
- Initial Acceptance (summer after freshman year): Applications for initial admission must be submitted by April 15 of the freshman year. The criteria for initial status are outlined in the sections below.
- Full Acceptance (between sophomore fall & spring semesters): Applications for full admission must be submitted by November 15 of the sophomore year. Full acceptance will be based upon the criteria outlined in the sections below.
Application Requirements (Entry to Practice)
Initial Application/Requirements:
- Students must meet the following criteria and provide the following information:
- Candidates must be in good academic standing with the University and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Complete the provisional application form, including personal statement and experience. http://www.liberty.edu/RTApplication
- Provide a copy of all collegiate transcripts; unofficial transcripts are accepted from LU
- Submit a medical history form signed by a physician; the form shall include an endorsement by the physician stating that the student is physically able to meet the requirements of the program (See Essential Functions and Professional Expectations)
- Meet the Essential Functions for admission into the program
- Copy of vaccination records, which must include up-to-date, for Rubella, Tetanus, Mumps, Polio, Chicken Pox, and HBV vaccinations
- All documents are due by April 15 to the RT Program Director
- Initial acceptance will only occur after final grades for the Freshman spring semester have been confirmed by the Registrar’s office
Full Application/Requirements:
Students will apply for full acceptance into LU’s RT Program during the semester after their initial acceptance. The application deadline will be November 15 of their sophomore year. Students must meet and submit documentation for the following criteria and provide the following information to the RT Program to be considered for acceptance:
- Anticipated final grade for each of the following courses: BIOL 203, 213, 214, 215, 216 & PSYC 101 along with any General Studies courses completed
- Full acceptance will only occur after final grades have been confirmed by the registrar’s office
- Cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale
- Verification of AHA Professional Rescuer/BLS CPR (certification must remain current while in RT Program)
- Completed background check through LU approved background check
- Successfully complete a personal interview with focused on knowledge of the respiratory therapy field, academic goals, career goals and communication skills
- Verification of the student’s ability to meet technical standards
- Copy of vaccination records, which must include Rubella, Tetanus, Mumps, Polio, Chicken Pox, Tuberculosis, and HBV vaccination
- Verification of HIPAA and/or FERPA training
- Verification of OSHA/Bloodborne Pathogens Training (annual requirement)
- Read & signed confidentiality statement (annual requirement)
- Read & signed RT Program Handbook (annual requirement)
Acceptance Criteria (Entry to Practice)
Initial Acceptance Criteria:
Initial acceptance is based on the student’s GPA. Students with a cumulative GPA lower than 2.0 will not be initially accepted, while those students with a 2.0 GPA or higher will be allowed to continue the application process. Students not admitted will be notified.
Due to the competitive nature of the program, initial acceptance does not guarantee full acceptance into the program. Additionally, initially-accepted students must meet the Program Retention Standards to remain in the program.
Full Acceptance Criteria:
A criteria/rubric will be utilized to select the top 30 students annually. The rubric is based on individual grades within the major foundational courses, overall GPA and successful interview. At this point, the student may be admitted to the program. Formal declaration of the major, however, cannot occur until ALL university Foundational Courses and INFT requirements have been met.
Accreditation standards limit to the number of students that can be fully accepted for each academic year. The number of students accepted each year is determined by the number of seats available. As such, not all students meeting the above minimum requirements may be accepted. If this is the case, total score will be utilized in determining final acceptance.