Advantages

• Two years of prerequisite courses on the UIndy campus are followed by two years of professional studies at IU Health Methodist Hospital.
• Hands-on learning of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures
• Development of critical thinking and problem solving skills
• Over 1000 hours of clinical experience at healthcare facilities throughout central Indiana
• Accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC)
• Graduate success on credentialing examinations offered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) consistently exceeds the national average
• Completion of the examinations offered by the NBRC allows the graduate to use nationally recognized credentials and to apply for licensure in the 49 states that require it

Professional Studies Admission

While you may enter the General Studies component of this program upon admission to UIndy, you are not guaranteed admission to the Professional Studies component. Admission is selective due to a limited number of clinical positions. Preference in admission will be given to residents of Indiana. The number of non-residents will be limited to 10% of each class. The application deadline is January 10th, the year of admission to the professional studies portion of the program. You can apply for admission once you have met the following requirements:

• 28 hours of required courses are completed
• 10 of these completed hours are in required math/science courses
• "C" or better in required math/science courses
• 2.5 overall GPA
• A personal interview is required, during which communication skills in English will be assessed

Other requirements:

• Completion of all prerequisites is required by August 1, the year of admission to the professional studies portion of the program.
• Due to the vulnerable nature of the patients treated by respiratory therapists, a criminal background check, drug screen and documentation of vaccinations is required prior to admission.
• A social security number is necessary to facilitate the background check and allow students access to hospitals that serve as the program's clinical partners.

Outcomes

The goals of the respiratory therapy program are:

• To prepare graduates with demonstrated competence in the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective learning domains of respiratory care practice as performed by registered respiratory therapists.
• To prepare leaders for the field of respiratory care by including curricular content related to the acquisition of skills in management, education and research.
• See more information on program outcomes
• Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care

Potential Careers

Respiratory therapists are needed in many different settings:

• Hospital Settings: Adult, Pediatric and Neonatal Intensive care; emergency rooms; labor and delivery, medical and surgical areas, sleep lab, clinical instructor
• Flight / Transport (Lifeline)
• Skilled nursing home, long term care facilities and rehabilitation centers
• Equipment and pharmaceutical sales

Curriculum Guides

These curriculum guides outline the different classes you will need to take as a Respiratory Therapy major. The general education guide provides a list of all the classes you need in order to fulfill UIndy’s general education requirements. The Respiratory Therapy guide lists the classes you'll need to take to fulfill your major’s requirements. Be sure to take a look at both guides in order to get a complete picture of what your classes will look like at UIndy.

• University of Indianapolis General Education curriculum guide
• Respiratory Therapy Major curriculum guide

Other Resources

• Respiratory Therapy Brochure
• Clinical Observation Sites
• Clinical Observation Documentation
• Prospective Student Information 2021-2023