General Requirements (Core Areas A - E) Credit Hours: 42

Additional Requirements Credit Hours: 4

Area F - Courses Appropriate to Major Credit Hours: 18

• BIOL 2251 - Anatomy and Physiology I (3 Credit Hours)
• BIOL 2251L - Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory (1 Credit Hour)
• BIOL 2252 - Anatomy and Physiology II (3 Credit Hours)
• BIOL 2252L - Human Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory (1 Credit Hour)
• BIOL 2260K - Foundations of Microbiology (4 Credit Hours)
• PHYS 1111K - Introductory Physics I (4 Credit Hours)

• or  PHSC 1211 - Physical Science (3 Credit Hours)  

Major Requirements Credit Hours: 66

• HLPR 2130 - Medical Terminology (3 Credit Hours)
• RESP 3140 - Fundamentals of Respiratory Care I (4 Credit Hours)
• RESP 3141 - Fundamentals of Respiratory Care I Lab (3 Credit Hours)
• RESP 3150 - Respiratory Care Pharmacology (2 Credit Hours)
• RESP 3240 - Fundamentals of Respiratory Care II (3 Credit Hours)
• RESP 3241 - Fundamentals of Respiratory Care II Lab (3 Credit Hours)
• RESP 3250 - Diagnostics in Respiratory Care (2 Credit Hours)
• RESP 3260 - Cardiopulmonary Disease I (2 Credit Hours)
• RESP 3330 - Mechanical Ventilation I (3 Credit Hours)
• RESP 3331 - Mechanical Ventilation I Lab (1 Credit Hour)
• RESP 3340 - Neonatal and Pediatric Respiratory Care I (1 Credit Hour)
• RESP 3350 - Cardiopulmonary Advanced Care I (2 Credit Hours)
• RESP 3601 - Respiratory Care Seminar I ( 1 Credit Hour)
• RESP 3602 - Respiratory Care Seminar II ( 1 Credit Hour)
• RESP 3701 - Clinical Practicum I (4 Credit Hours)
• RESP 3702 - Clinical Practicum II (4 Credit Hours)
• RESP 4150 - Cardiopulmonary Disease II (2 Credit Hours)
• RESP 4170 - Mechanical Ventilation II (2 Credit Hours)
• RESP 4171 - Mechanical Ventilation II Lab (1 Credit Hour)
• RESP 4340 - Neonatal and Pediatric Respiratory Care II (1 Credit Hour)
• RESP 4350 - Cardiopulmonary Advanced Care II (2 Credit Hours)
• RESP 4601 - Respiratory Care Seminar III (1 Credit Hour)
• RESP 4603 - Respiratory Care Professionalism (2 Credit Hours)
• RESP 4701 - Clinical Practicum III (4 Credit Hours)
• RESP 4702 - Clinical Internship (12 Credit Hours)

Additional Requirements

Total Credit Hours: 130

Honors in Respiratory Therapy

To graduate with Honors in Respiratory Therapy, a student must:

• be admitted to the Honors College
• complete and present an Honors Thesis equivalent to three credit hours with a measurable outcome approved by the Respiratory Therapy faculty assigned to the project
• maintain a 3.3 overall GPA, including a minimum GPA of 3.5 in all major courses applied toward graduation
• be in good standing in the Honors College at the time of graduation

Program Admission Criteria

Admission to Georgia Southern University:

All transfer credits must be evaluated by the Undergraduate Office of Admissions and posted on the Georgia Southern transcript upon official acceptance to the University. 

Admission to Georgia Southern University does not guarantee admission to the respiratory therapy program. The department has a separate formal admissions process managed by the Allied Health Centralized Application Service (AHCAS). Cohorts start each Fall Semester. See the program webpage for the AHCAS application process.

Admission is made on a space-available basis and is limited to the best-qualified students. Meeting admission criteria does not constitute acceptance into the program. Minimum admission criteria include:

• Completion of all core requirements for the major before the program start date,
• An overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or greater,
• A grade of C or higher is required for all courses in Core Areas A, D, and F. 
• A calculated GPA of 2.5 or greater in math and science courses found in Area A, D, and F. This calculated GPA includes all passed and failed attempts of a course with the exception of courses for which grade forgiveness or academic renewal has been approved. 
• Students with outstanding admission requirements must provide proof of meeting to the program coordinator before the beginning of the admitted semester. Failure to do so will result in removal from the admitted list. 
• Students who are dismissed from the program due to course failues may be considered for re-admission to the program after a period of 5 years. 

Special Requirements

Criminal Background Checks and Drug Testing. The Respiratory Therapy program’s clinical agencies may require criminal background checks and/or drug testing prior to acceptance of the student into clinical facilities. Students who do not pass the criminal background check and/ or drug test may be unable to attend clinical courses and, therefore, may be unable to complete their program of study. Any fees or costs associated with background checks and/or drug testing are the student’s responsibility.

Legal. The Composite State Board of Medical Examiners of Georgia has the authority to refuse to grant a license to an applicant upon a finding by the board that the applicant has been convicted of any felony, a crime involving moral turpitude, or a crime violating a federal or state law relating to controlled substances or dangerous drugs.

Health and Insurance. Students are required to submit a complete health history form and evidence of health insurance, immunizations, and liability (malpractice) insurance prior to participation in clinical practicum.

Progression Requirements

Students must complete the respiratory therapy program within three consecutive academic years from the date of initial entry. Students who do not complete the program within this time limit must reapply for admission, meet current criteria for admission, and have their previous credits evaluated at the time of their subsequent admission. Students who are readmitted must meet course requirements in effect at the time of readmission.

A grade of C or better is required for each course in the major field of study. Students who earn a failing course grade of less than C will be suspended from the program with the possible readmission option in the next cohort. Readmission to the respiratory therapy program is a programmatic decision based on space availability and faculty recommendation. Students failing more than one course in the major field of study will be dismissed from the program with no readmission option.

Advisement

Undergraduate Academic Advisement at Georgia Southern is provided to all degree-seeking undergraduate students by professional advisors. Academic Advisors are located on all three Georgia Southern University campuses. Students are required to meet with their assigned Academic Advisor at least once a semester. For more information visit Academic Advisement .