To Learn More...
To learn about IUP, the respiratory care program, and a career as a respiratory therapist:
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Contact the program coordinator for an appointment or to discuss program details:
Dr. Jacqueline M. Heisler
IUP at Northpointe Campus
724-294-3300
jheisler@iup.edu -
Visit the professional association American Association for Respiratory Care.
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Read more information about the career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook at the Bureau of Labor Statistics and at Explore Health Careers.
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Browse current job openings at Health Care Careers.
For Prospective Freshmen
Admission Criteria
A student profile for a recent entering class for all IUP freshman was an average SAT score of 1000 (Mathematics and Critical Reading sections only) and an average cumulative high school grade point average of 3.2. There are no special admission requirements for acceptance into the respiratory care major. For more details about a recommended timeline for the application process and to apply, visit Undergraduate Admissions.
Living-Learning Communities
Respiratory care students are encouraged to join nursing, nuclear medicine technology, and clinical laboratory science students in a living-learning community located in Suites on Maple East. This option provides an excellent opportunity to share living space with students who have similar interests and similar curriculum requirements.
Academic Support Services
The respiratory care curriculum includes many challenging courses. IUP offers walk-in peer tutors, special supplemental instruction tutoring sessions, and other support services which help students succeed and excel. For more detail, visit the Department of Developmental Studies. Therespiratory care program coordinator is the academic advisor for respiratory care students and can also assist with plans for academic success.
Progression Criteria
- For clinical phase progression, students are expected to have a minimum overall grade point average of 2.0 and a minimum grade point average of 2.25 in required math and science courses. C or higher grades in BIOL 150 Human Anatomy, BIOL 151 Human Physiology, and the math course will help students succeed in respiratory care courses.
- If a student is not permitted to progress, it is most likely because of low grades, especially in key science courses. In this case, a student may decide to repeat courses to earn higher grades and then plan for progression at a later date.
Special Requirements
Before starting the clinical phase, students will need to meet special requirements that include health screening, drug screening, and a criminal background check.
For IUP Students Who Want to Change Their Major to Respiratory Care
Students must have at least a 2.0 grade point average to be accepted into the respiratory care major. For more information about the program, about progression criteria and special requirements, and for assistance in developing a potential plan of study, contact the respiratory care program coordinator.
For Prospective Transfer Students
Admission Criteria
Students must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 from all postsecondary institutions attended. The clinical phase begins in the fall semester each year. There are no special admission requirements for acceptance into the respiratory care major. For more details about the application process and to apply, visit Undergraduate Admissions.
Online Credit Evaluation System
The online credit evaluation system is an excellent place to begin an assessment of which courses completed are equivalent to the courses required in the respiratory care curriculum. In addition, therespiratory care program coordinator is available to assist in the preliminary planning process for transferring to IUP.
Progression Criteria
- For clinical phase progression, students are expected to have a minimum overall grade point average of 2.0 and a minimum grade point average of 2.25 in required math and science courses. C or higher grades in BIOL 150 Human Anatomy, BIOL 151 Human Physiology, and the math course will help students succeed in respiratory care courses.
- IUP does not guarantee admission to the School of Respiratory Care. Approximately 30 students are permitted to begin the 300-level courses at the School of Respiratory Care each fall semester. In recent years, all students who met the expected minimum grade point averages have progressed to the school on schedule.
- If a student is not permitted to progress, it is most likely because of low grades, especially in key science courses. In this case, a student may decide to repeat courses to earn higher grades and then plan for progression at a later date.
Special Requirements
Before starting the clinical phase work, students will need to meet special requirements that include health screening, drug screening, and a criminal background check.
For Students who Already Have a Bachelor's Degree
Individuals who have already earned one bachelor's degree may be admitted to the university with advanced placement.
- To earn the second bachelor's degree, students must meet the remaining requirements for graduation specified for the respiratory care program. In some cases where the first degree is in a related field, students may have only a few remaining requirements to complete before beginning the respiratory care courses.
- Contact the Office of Distance Learning and Continuing Education for application information. In addition, therespiratory care program coordinator is available to assist in the preliminary planning process for earning a second bachelor's degree and beginning a career as a respiratory therapist.
For Students who are already Certified Respiratory Therapists (CRTs)
Credits
- Prospective students who have already earned the CRT and graduated from an accredited associate degree or certificate program have 33 credits posted to their IUP transcript and are exempt from 100- and 300-level respiratory care courses.
- Students in this track must complete the remaining 400-level courses (27 credits) offered at IUP at Northpointe. Transcripts are reviewed on a course-by-course basis to determine what liberal studies courses still need to be completed.
- Students must earn at least 120 credits, and 45 of those credits must be IUP credits. Since students earn 27 credits in IUP 400-level respiratory care courses, they need complete only another 18 credits from IUP to meet this residency requirement. These courses may be completed at IUP's main campus or the Northpointe campus. Many IUP courses are also available online.
- Students may elect to register for their remaining liberal studies requirements on a part-time basis. In addition, the program faculty confer with each student in the CRT track to plan for full-time or part-time study of the respiratory courses that best suit the student's needs.
Tuition and Fees
- Information about tuition and fees for the IUP courses is available at the website of the Student Billing Office.
- In addition to text books, there are additional expenses associated with the clinical courses, such as special requirements, clearances, and courses.