The Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care program is part of the Grand Valley State University's School of Interdisciplinary Health, which sits within the College of Health Professions.

Respiratory care is an allied health profession whose practitioners focus on the diagnosis and treatment of cardiopulmonary disorders and diseases. A respiratory care practitioner (RCP) is a credentialed medical professional who can be instrumental in assisting a physician in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of a wide spectrum of disorders affecting the heart and lungs, and specializes in the application of scientific knowledge and theory to practical, clinical problems of respiratory care. Also known as respiratory therapists (RTs), RCPs are qualified to assume primary clinical responsibility for all respiratory care modalities, and are an integral part of today’s multidisciplinary health teams. They must enjoy working with people and providing direct patient care to those of all ages, from neonatal to geriatric.

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To ensure the respiratory therapy workforce is prepared to meet the growing challenges and demands it will face in terms of protocol-driven care and disease management, the American Association for Respiratory Care has called for 80% of therapists to either hold or be working toward a bachelor's degree. The degree provides the opportunity for professional career enhancement and offers the foundation for rapid advancement in administration, research, and critical care.

Source: EMSI 2021

Why Study Respiratory Care at Grand Valley?

• For students also working as respiratory therapists, the program offers flexibility with a totally online format.
• Students can complete the 45 required credits in as few as one year/three semesters.
• Located in the state-of-the-art Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall in close proximity to five hospitals, the Grand Rapids Medical Education and Research Center, and many research, clinical, and treatment facilities.
• Courses are taught by faculty members who meet the highest levels of professional standards, not graduate assistants.
• The College of Health Professions maintains a dedicated staff of academic advisors in its Student Services Office to meet the academic advising needs of its students.

Which Track is Right for You?

The GVSU Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care (BSRC) major has been developed for two distinct student groups that require two distinct pathways to completion:

• Respiratory Care Track A:  This track is for students entering Grand Valley State University (GVSU) who do not currently have a respiratory care degree. This is a secondary admission program, and upon completion of prerequisites, the students will complete a sequenced full-time live respiratory care curriculum before entering the final year of online BSRC classes.
• Respiratory Care Track B:  This track is for students who are already graduates from a Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC)-credentialed associate degree program who have at least the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credential. Students can complete the 45 required credits in as little as one year/three semesters.

BSRC courses are offered in an online format and can be taken full or part-time.