CONTACT:  Gayle Runke, Coordinator

417-836-5252

 

Career Preparation

Respiratory therapists perform procedures crucial in maintaining the lives of seriously ill patients with respiratory problems. RTs administer various types of gas, aerosol and breathing treatments; assist with long-term continuous artificial ventilation; maintain respiratory therapy equipment; and maintain records of patients' therapies.

The therapist's training leads to extensive knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pharmacology and clinical medicine. Individuals who want to assist others by combining personal interaction with technical skills are well suited to this profession.

Respiratory therapists are employed in hospitals, nursing care facilities, clinics, physicians' offices, companies providing emergency oxygen services and municipal organizations.

Academic Program

Missouri State offers a program leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in respiratory therapy for students who have completed, or will complete, a registry-level program at an accredited respiratory therapy school. The curriculum requires 90 university-level credit hours, plus completion of an accredited respiratory therapy program.

The curriculum includes biological and physical sciences basic to understanding the functioning of the human breathing system, such as anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, chemistry, mathematics, microbiology and physics. Please consult the current Missouri State Catalog at www.missouristate.edu/catalog for specific degree requirements.

Link for Ozark Technical Community College

http://www.otc.edu/students/courses/degrees/documents/respiratorytherapy.pdf

Faculty

The on-campus faculty teaches the general education, preparatory and major degree requirements, such as anatomy, physiology and medical and pathologic physiology. Specialists who have considerable experience in the practical, as well as theoretical, aspects of respiratory therapy provide the training received during the clinical phase.

Facilities

The Respiratory Therapy major is administered by the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Department housed in McDonald Arena. The affiliated hospitals are all exceptionally well-equipped with modern medical equipment. During training in the clinical phase, students are taught how to work with such equipment.

Graduate Opportunities

The Master of Science in Health Promotion and Wellness Management and the Master of Public Health are available in the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation for students interested in a career in health, human services and fitness-related business venues.

Courses

See link in left column.

Sample Schedule

Freshman Year
1st Semester
IDS 110 -- 1 hour
ENG 110 -- 3 hours
MTH 135 -- 3 hours
BMS 110 or BMS 121 -- 4-5 hours
BMS 195 -- 1 hour
General Education -- 3 hours
(Humanities Perspective) -- 15-16 hours

Freshman Year
2nd Semester
CHM 105 or 160 -- 4-5 hours
COM 115 -- 3 hours
CIS or CSC 101 -- 2 hours
PSY 121 -- 3 hours
General Education -- 3 hours
(Creativity and Vision) -- 15-16 hours

 If you have questions after reviewing this information, please contact Gayle Runke, Advisor for the B.S. in Respiratory Therapy degree program at Missouri State University.  Her email address is: GayleRunke@MissouriState.edu and her phone number is 417-836-5252.