Respiratory Care

KU offers a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care degree program with the option to specialize in pulmonary rehabilitation, neonatology, adult critical care, management, education, sleep disorders, cardiopulmonary diagnostics, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Most students enter this program after completion of their sophmore year of undergraduate study or after finishing two years of community college course work. With an advanced curriculum and located at an academic medical center, students receive extensive experience in advanced respiratory therapy techniques. The program includes a semester-long clinical assignment during the senior year in the student's area of specialization.

Smooth transition.
Current KU biology and pre-pharmacy students have a great opportunity to enter this field because your existing undergraduate study often overlaps the prerequisites for respiratory care. Students complete 2 years of biology study in Lawrence and then obtain their respiratory care degree after two years at the KU Medical Center. Students may enter the program as a junior-year undergraduate or after graduation from KU. The program also is open to transfer students from other institutions.

Advanced learning environment.

At the KU Medical Center, you will be exposed to the broad range of healthcare problems in an urban setting. You'll study on the cutting edge of research and technology. During your clinical rotations, you'll be exposed to large and small healthcare facilities in the metropolitan area, each offering their own unique qualities and clinical experiences. Your clinical experiences will be broad and comprehensive. The practicums will allow you to experience the work place to refine those competencies usually not acquired until after graduation.

The Faculty

The faculty in the Department of Respiratory Care Education have over 115 years of combined experience in respiratory care. Few respiratory care programs in the country can claim to offer students the opportunity to learn from faculty with an average of 18 years of teaching experience. KU faculty are dedicated to developing students who have the knowledge and skills necessary to provide the highest quality of patient care. Each student is given the opportunity to learn the theories of practice and to develop the competencies necessary to perform at the therapist level. Lawrence Campus Students
Students on the KU-Lawrence campus interested in this program should declare pre-respiratory care as their major and enroll in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. During your first semester, contact a respiratory care adviser to plan biology course work so prerequisites will be met on time. It is recommended that you apply to the respiratory care program while you are completing the program prerequisites at the Lawrence campus or other accredited colleges or universities. It permits the program to monitor your progress and assist you along the way. Most Lawrence campus students enter the program as a junior.
Transfer Students
Most students transferring in from other academic institutions will enter this program as a senior. Please contact an advisor as soon as possible, as specific rules apply to how course work may transfer for credit toward a B.S. degree at KU.
A maximum of 64 credit hours may be transferred to the program from another academic institution. Note: To be transferable, prerequisite course work must be from an educational institution that is regionally accredited. This is not the same as national accreditation. More information.
Accreditation Statement
The KU Respiratory Care program is accredited by the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC), 1248 Harwood Rd., Bedford, Texas, 76021; (817) 283-2835.