Health and Life Sciences Majors at IUPUI

Undergraduate Majors : Respiratory Therapy

Description

Respiratory therapists evaluate and treat patients with cardiopulmonary disorders and are actively involved in health promotion and disease prevention. They care for all types of patients, from the premature infant to the extremely old, and practice in a variety of settings, ranging from patients' homes to the highest level of critical care units. Students in the respiratory therapy major will learn diagnostic procedures ranging from physical examination to the use of highly sophisticated computerized equipment. Patient treatment skills will include everything from the administration of inhaled medications to maintaining critically ill patients on ventilators. The Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy will provide graduates with the critical-thinking and problem-solving skills that they will need to be successful in their careers.

Admission

The application deadline is January 1st each year with entry into the program beginning the following fall and continuing for 22 months. 55 credit hours of coursework is needed prior to entrance into the program with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 and a minimum grade of (C) in math and science prerequisites. An interview is required and all applicants must observe in a respiratory therapy department prior to applying to the program.

What can you do with this major?

Most respiratory therapists work in hospitals, but they can work in other areas such as home care, clinics, physician or health practitioner offices, consumer goods rental firms, or medical sales. Since they utilize life-support equipment to treat disease and aid in assessing and diagnosing cardiopulmonary disorders, Respiratory Therapists often work in settings that teach patients and their families about various respiratory diseases, smoking cessation techniques, or the equipment and drugs used to treat these problems.