Respiratory TherapyPhoto of Oxygen Tank

 

At IPFW you may complete two years toward the Bachelor of Science in respiratory therapy. You must apply and be admitted to the respiratory therapy program at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) to complete the degree. Completion of IPFW course work does not guarantee admission to the IUPUI program. The IUPUI respiratory therapy program is part of a hospital- and university-based consortium. Graduates receive their degree from the IU School of Medicine.

Overview

Respiratory therapists evaluate and treat patients with cardiopulmonary disorders and are actively involved in health promotion and disease prevention.

Prerequisite Courses

Prior to entering IUPUI’s respiratory therapy program, the student must complete the minimum prerequisites. These prerequisites may be completed at IPFW. Students should consult with an IPFW health sciences advisor for appropriate courses and semester sequencing.

IUPUI Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements

Total Number of Prerequisite Hours

55     These may be completed at IPFW.

Class Size

Approximately 30 students in the consortium.

Application Deadline

January 1. Late applications will be considered on a space-available basis.

Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average

2.50 on a 4.00 scale - This requirement is applied at the time of program application and must be maintained.

Minimum Specific Grade Point Average

2.00 on a 4.00 scale for math and science course work.  This requirement is applied at the time of program application and must be maintained.

Cardiopulmonare Resuscitation (CPR) Certification

All students are required to complete instruction for adult, child, and infant CPR before entry into the program.  This must be the Healthcare Provider CPR or CPR for the Professional Rescuer.  These courses are offered for a fee through the American Heart Association and the American Red Cross.

Technical Standards

See IUPUI Health Professions Programs policy. All accepted students will be required to sign a statement certifying that they can meet the program’s technical standards.

Medical Requirements

All students are required to complete a medical history and document a complete vaccination program once accepted into the respiratory therapy program.

Interview

All qualified applicants must participate in an interview.

Clinical Observation

Applicants must complete and document at least three hours of clinical observation with a respiratory therapist.

The details of your prerequisite course work should be discussed with an IPFW health sciences advisor. You are also encouraged to consult an advisor at the IUPUI campus to discuss the degree by calling (317)278-4752 or by e-mail at askhpp@iupui.edu. The most current program information is found at http://msa.iusm.iu.edu/hpp/.

At IPFW you may complete the following courses:

  • BIOL 220 - Microbiology for Allied Health Professionals Cr. 4.
  • CHM 115 - General Chemistry Cr. 4.
  • ETCS 106 - Introduction to Computers Cr. 3.
  • ENG W131 - Elementary Composition I Cr. 3.
  • ENG W233 - Intermediate Expository Writing Cr. 3.
  • MA 153 - Algebra and Trigonometry I Cr. 3.
  • MA 154 - Algebra and Trigonometry II Cr. 3.
  • PSY 120 - Elementary Psychology Cr. 3.


Choose one of the following sequences Credits: 8

  • BIOL 203 - Human Anatomy and Physiology Cr. 4.
  • and
  • BIOL 204 - Human Anatomy and Physiology Cr. 4.

 

Or select:

 

  • BIOL 215 - Basic Human Anatomy Cr. 4.
  • and
  • BIOL 216 - Basic Mammalian Physiology Cr. 4.


Choose one of the following Credits: 3

  • COM 114 - Fundamentals of Speech Communication Cr. 3.
  • COM 212 - Approaches to the Study of Interpersonal Communication Cr. 3.


Choose one of the following Credits: 3

  • PHIL 111 - Ethics Cr. 3.
  • PHIL 312 - Medical Ethics Cr. 3.


Choose one of the following Credits: 3

  • ECON E270 - Introduction to Statistical Theory in Economics and Business I Cr. 3.
  • PSY 201 - Introduction to Statistics in Psychology Cr. 3.
  • SOC S351 - Social Statistics Cr. 3.
  • SPEA K300 - Statistical Techniques Cr. 3.
  • STAT 301 - Elementary Statistical Methods I Cr. 3.


Choose one of the followingCredits: 3

  • EDUC P249 - Growth and Development in Early Childhood Cr. 3.
  • PSY 235 - Child Psychology Cr. 3.
  • PSY 362 - Human Development II: Adolescence Cr. 3.
  • PSY 367 - Adult Development and Aging Cr. 3.
  • PSY 369 - Development Across the Lifespan Cr. 3.


Choose one of the following Credits: 4-5

  • PHYS 201 - General Physics I Cr. 5.
  • PHYS 218 - General Physics Cr. 4.
  • PHYS 220 - General Physics Cr. 4.


Electives:

·  General electives to bring total credits to 55

Total Credits: 55

 


Suggested Plan of Study

The following is a suggested two year plan for completing the prerequisites. Variations of the schedule can be made. Please check with an advisor to be sure all admission requirements are being met.

Semester 1 Courses
Credit Hours
ENG W 131
3 cr
MA 153
3 cr
BIOL 203 or BIOL 215
4 cr
PSY 120
3 cr
Total
13 cr
Semester 2 Courses
Credit Hours
COM 114 or 212
3 cr
MA 154
3 cr
BIOL 204 or BIOL 216
4 cr
CHM 115
4 cr
Total
14 cr
Semester 3 Courses
Credit Hours
ENG W233
3 cr
PHYS 218 or 220 or 201 (See 220 *note)
4 cr
PHIL 111 or 312
3 cr
ETCS 106 or K211, 212, and 213
3 cr
Total
13 cr
Semester 4 Courses
Credit Hours
PSY 201 or STAT 301 or equivalent
3 cr
BIOL 220
4 cr
PSY 369 (See other options below)
3 cr
Electives
5-6 cr
Total
15-16 cr

NOTE: MA 159 may be substituted for MA 153 and MA 154.

Suggested Electives: The following courses, while not inclusive or mandatory, are suggested: cellular biology, nutrition, healthcare administration, exercise physiology, medical terminology, epidemiology, personal health, and psychology.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

In addition to the above courses, all students are required to complete instruction for adult, child and infant CPR before entry into the program.  This must be the Healthcare Provider CPR or CPR for the Professional Rescuer.  These courses are offered for a fee through the American Heart Association and the American Red Cross.

 


For questions regarding IPFW course requirements, contact:

 

Student Success Center
IPFW - College of Health and Human Services

Wayne Williams, Advisor
Neff Hall Room 120B
Phone: (260)481-0144

 

For additional IUPUI information:
www.iupui.edu

Contact:

Linda Van Scoder, Program Director
Respiratory Therapy Program
Wile Hale 652
1701 N Senate Boulevard
Indianapolis, IN 46202
Phone: (317)962-8475
E-mail: lvanscoder@clarian.org


 

IUPUI Program Facts

Graduates of the Program

Graduates of the Respiratory Therapy program are eligible for state licensure examinations as well as examinations offered by the National Board for Respiratory Care.  Completion of the program will allow a graduate to sit for the Registered Respiratory Therapist (R.R.T.) examination.

Credential Required to Practice

C.R.T., Certified Respiratory Therapist: R.R.T., Registered Respiratory Therapist.

Licensure Requirements to Practice

Graduates of the Respiratory Therapy Program will file an application for a license as a respiratory care practitioner in the state of Indiana.  Over 40 states require Respiratory Therapists to be licensed in order to practice.

Indiana Resident Preference Policy

See IUPUI School of Medicine Health Professions Programs Policy

Educational Program

Structure of the Program

The professional phase of the program consists of a carefully planned sequence of classroom and laboratory instruction, as well as over 1,000 hours of supervised clinical instruction.  Clinical instruction is provided in a variety of hospitals and healthcare facilities located throughout central Indiana.

Length of the Program

Four years; two years of prerequisite course work plus two years (70 credit hours) of professional course work.

Design of the Professional Curriculum

The program is designed to cover all aspects of respiratory therapy, with an emphasis on general and critical care.

Location of Clinical Sites

Clinical education experiences occur in a variety of settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, physician offices, and other healthcare facilities in Indiana.  Most of the clinical sites are located within a 60 minute drive from downtown Indianapolis, and many are in Indianapolis.  Students are expected to provide their own transportation to all clinical sites.

Program Facilities

The program offices are located in Wile Hall on the Methodist Hospital campus.

Additional Cost

In addition to standard university fees, students are responsible for travel to clinics, laboratory fees, clinical fees, uniforms, vaccination costs, and CPR card fees.  Students may be required to attend professional meetings or seminars, and fees for attending these events may be necessary.  Membership in the professional organization is required.

Opportunity for Students to Work

Most students work part-time while completing the program.  Students may be eligible to apply for a limited student permit as a respiratory care practitioner following successful completion of the first year of the professional course work.

Accreditation

The Respiratory Therapy Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Allied Health Education Programs.

Employment Outlook

Employment for respiratory therapists is expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2012, because of substantial growth in numbers of the middle-aged and elderly population - a development that will heighten the incidence of cardiopulmonary disease.  Those with cardiopulmonary care skills or experience working with infants are expected to be in highest demand (Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07).

Salary Expectation

Median annual earnings of Respiratory Therapists were $43,140 in 2004.  The middle 50 percent earned between $37,650 and $50,860  (OOH, 2006-07).