Current Students
Programmatic Goals
The Respiratory Care Program is an integrated hybrid four-year classroom instruction and clinical training program leading to an Bachelor’s Degree in Respiratory Care (BSRC). It is designed to prepare the student for employment in the field of respiratory care. The program provides the student with the knowledge and experience that will qualify her/him to take the required NBRC examinations to become a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT). The GVSU BSRC program has two major goals:
- To prepare graduates with demonstrated competence in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains of respiratory care practice as performed by registered respiratory therapists (RRTs).
- To prepare leaders for the field of respiratory care by including curricular content with objectives related to the acquisition of skills in one or more of the following: management, education, research and advanced clinical practice (which may include an area of clinical specialization).
Career Options
- In hospitals giving breathing treatments to people with asthma and other respiratory conditions.
- In intensive care units managing ventilators that keep the critically ill alive.
- In emergency rooms delivering life-saving treatments.
- In newborn and pediatric units helping kids with conditions ranging from premature birth to cystic fibrosis.
- In operating rooms working with anesthesiologists to monitor patients’ breathing during surgery.
- In patient’s homes providing regular check-ups and making sure people have what they need to stay out of the hospital.
- In sleep laboratories helping to diagnose disorders like sleep apnea.
- In skilled nursing facilities and pulmonary rehabilitation programs helping older people breathe easier and get more out of life.
- In doctor’s offices conducting pulmonary function tests and providing patient education.
- In asthma education programs helping kids and adults alike learn how to cope with the condition.
- In smoking cessation programs assisting those who want to kick the habit for good.
- In air transport and ambulance programs rushing to rescue people in need of immediate medical attention.
- In case management programs helping devise long-term care plans for patients.
Certifications
- The National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) offers certification and registration to graduates of programs accredited by the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).
- Two credentials are awarded to respiratory therapists who satisfy the requirements: Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) and Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT). Graduates from accredited programs in respiratory care may take the NBRC RRT credentialing exam, which has two cut scores. Achieving the lower cut score earns the CRT credential, and earning the higher confers the RRT credential.
Handbook
Page last modified August 18, 2026