1228 Urban Life Building
404/413-1225
respiratorytherapy.gsu.edu
Yong Tai Wang, Assistant Dean, Health Professions
Robert Hardwood, Division Head
Faculty: Ari, Bryant, Gardenhire, D, Gardenhire,R, Goodfellow, Harwood, Murray, Sheard, Zimmerman
The Division of Respiratory Therapy offers a Master of Science major in health sciences a specialization in the respiratory therapy. The purposes of the program are to 1) foster critical thinking, inquiry, and professional leadership in the health professions; 2) prepare health professionals who can formulate research questions, organize and test research problems, and evaluate research study results; 3) provide health practitioners with advanced study in professional specialty areas; 4) enhance career development in the health professions; and 5) provide the framework for advanced degree study.
The overall program objectives are to develop an understanding of the theoretical basis for the health professions; to gain proficiency in the processes, techniques, and practices that are currently being developed within the health professions; to enable the student to discover and utilize specialized knowledge in other disciplines that are related to the effective practice of the health professions; and to develop within the student the ability to see health care as a whole, to visualize the interrelationships of its components, and to recognize the influence of political, social, and economic milieu on the health care system.
There are two options in graduate study for Respiratory Therapy. One option is the Traditional M.S. degree which is built on a common core of courses and allows for maximum flexibility to meet the needs of the students and their professions. Various specialty tracks or specialties in the Division of Respiratory Therapy are offered. In this way, each program may be individualized to meet the students' professional goals in keeping with the overall objectives of the program. The curriculum includes core health sciences courses, specialty courses, elective courses, and either a thesis or nonthesis capstone option. An initial program of study is planned by the student in consultation with the Major Advisor or Chair of the Graduate Thesis Committee by the end of the first year or before 12 semester hours of coursework has been completed.
The Division of Respiratory Therapy also offers an Integrated Program (IP) for students who already have a bachelor's degree and want to enter the profession without having to earn another bachelor's degree. This program provides students with the opportunity to meet undergraduate and graduate pre-professional experiences required for eligibility to take the National Board for Respiratory Care credentialing exams. Admission to this option requires an undergraduate degree and completion of program pre-requisites.
Application to this specialization option requires a completed application to the M.S. in Health Sciences and a supplemental application. This application must be returned to the School of Nursing and Health Professions Office of Academic Assistance for review by March 15.
Students in the master's program in health sciences are required to maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0. Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 before registration for any capstone experience (thesis, project, or portfolio) will be permitted. Any grade below a C is not acceptable toward the master's degree. No more than two C grades (maximum of six semester credits) in the health sciences core and/or major can be applied toward the degree. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required to receive the master's degree.
A minimum of 36 hours are required for the traditional Master's degree. Semester hours are shown in parenthesis after each entry.
Courses required by the Program beyond Degree Requirements [This section includes courses that can be satisfied in an undergraduate curriculum and additional practice hours beyond the typical institutional requirements for the M.S. degree]
Students who must complete a clinical component as part of their program of study must complete the School of Nursing and Health Professions Health Form and provide evidence of current tuberculosis status, immunization for hepatitis B, and review of current CDC guidelines on universal precautions. The health form and review of CDC guidelines on universal precautions must be updated annually. Clinical agencies may require additional evidence of health status. It is the responsibility of the student to consult with the graduate program director in their academic unit prior to beginning a clinical assignment. Liability insurance must be purchased before the clinical course begins.
Your application for licensure may ask you to respond to questions regarding any violations of federal, state or local law. You may be required to provide documentation to the state licensing board explaining any such occurrence. The individual state licensing agencies have exclusive authority to issue a license and could decline to issue such a license based on an applicant's prior criminal record.
Additionally, many of the clinical sites with which we have a clinical agreement require criminal background checks, finger printing and drug screen prior to allowing the student to be placed in the facility. The clinical facility has the right to deny the student an internship in the facility based on the findings of the criminal background check or drug screen.
Students in the traditional program in health sciences will select, with assistance from the major adviser, a Graduate/Thesis Committee, consisting of a chairperson (usually the major adviser) and at least two additional members. The committee should be selected by the time 12 semester hours have been completed. The Committee should be selected in accordance with the following criteria: