Educational Philosophy
Baccalaureate degree education in respiratory therapy provides students with the liberal arts and science foundation they need to be competent, fully participating professionals in the world of healthcare. Professional competence means one has a high degree of clinical skill combined with skills in communicating, critical thinking, personal ethics, appreciating social and cultural diversity, and in life-long learning.
The philosophy of education in the professional program is based on the idea that students should not only learn to apply existing knowledge, but learn how to develop and use new knowledge to solve new problems. Only when education teaches one how to learn will persons continue to learn throughout their lives. The teacher's role is to facilitate learning by providing relevant experiences, and by coaching, mentoring, challenging, and encouraging students. The professionally competent person not only has excellent technical skills, but also excellent clinical assessment and decision-making skills. The ability to perform clinical tasks skillfully is important, but is not sufficient of itself to function as a respiratory therapist. The professionally competent respiratory therapist has the ability to analyze information, think critically, and make sound clinical decisions. Most of all, respiratory therapists are concerned about their patients' welfare, and about continually learning how to give more effective care.
Program Goals and Standards
Goal 1: To prepare students to function as competent respiratory therapists eligible to take the national board examinations for registered respiratory therapists (RRT). Upon completion of the respiratory therapy program, students will:- comprehend, apply and evaluate information relevant to the role of the registered respiratory therapist
- be technically proficient in all skills relevant to the function of the registered respiratory therapist
- demonstrate behaviors consistent with employer expectations and the respiratory therapy professional code of ethics.
Goal 2: To respond to the need for registered respiratory care practitioners locally, regionally, and nationally.- The Respiratory Therapy Program will annually graduate its maximum capacity of registry eligible students.
Goal 3: To produce graduates prepared to assume leadership roles in health care.- Within 5 years of graduation, one-third of graduates will hold leadership positions in the respiratory care profession, defined by one or more of the following:
(1) involvement in administrative, educational, supervisory or other leadership roles in the employment setting;
(2) election to a position in local, state, or national professional health related organizations.
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