Program Description
PROFESSIONThe respiratory care practitioner is a member of the health-care team in medical centers, skilled-nursing facilities, outpatient rehabilitation programs, physician offices, and in-home care. Many are involved in research and development of new and innovative care protocols and equipment. They are effective communicators and compassionate caregivers, possessing an awareness of cultural sensitivity and diversity. They have leadership roles in patient education, wellness intervention and development of respiratory care plans. Respiratory care professionals apply critical-thinking skills in cardiopulmonary diagnostics and patient assessment to optimize the delivery of patient care. In a time of high technology, increasing growth of the elderly population and increasing numbers of patients with asthma and chronic lung disease, there is a great demand for educated and skilled respiratory care practitioners.
PROGRAM
This program is for respiratory care practitioners (RCP) with a previous AS degree in respiratory care who would like to continue in pursuit of their Bachelor of Science degree. 180 university units are required by Loma Linda University to award a bachelor’s degree and the university will accept up to 105 quarter units which includes all the pre-requisites and all the course work from your associates of science degree in respiratory care. There are 60 quarter core units in this post-professional program which you can take on a full-time or part-time schedule. Adding 105 and 60 will take you to 165 quarter units requiring you to complete and additional 15 units of electives taken from a four-year college or university to meet the 180 units required to award a bachelor’s degree. The official school year starts every fall quarter however, you can start at the beginning of any quarter which can be winter, spring, or summer quarter. The Post-Professional Bachelor of Science in respiratory care is an Online program.
State laws across the nation require universities to be authorized to legally deliver online education to students residing in states other than the home state of the institution. To view the list of states authorizing Loma Linda University online students, go to: https://home.llu.edu/education/office-of-provost/departments-and-divisions/educational-effectiveness/online-programs/llu-state-authorization
Program Length
4 quarters (1year)Possible Careers
Prerequisites
- Human Anatomy & Physiology w/lab; or General Biology w/lab; or General Zoology w/lab; complete sequences
- Intro Chemistry w/lab or General Chemistry w/lab
- Microbiology w/lab
- Physics: high school level or one quarter or semester of introductory level, or respiratory physics
- General Psychology or Sociology
- Cultural Diversity (Cultural Anthropology), one course
- Social Sciences: 12 quarter or 8 semester units (anthropology, sociology, geography)
- Math: 2-years of high school selected from: algebra 1 (elementary algebra), algebra II (intermediate), or geometry with a grade of C (2.0) or better.
- Freshman English, complete sequence
- Speech
- Two physical education activities or courses
- Personal Health or Nutrition, one course
- Statistics (suggested)
- Research Methods (suggested)
Discipline Accrediting Agency
Loma Linda University is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), 985 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 100, Alameda, CA 94501; telephone: (510) 748-9001.
Expected Cost of Attendance
The following estimated cost of attendance is based on full-time attendance for the number of months enrolled per academic year. Estimated amounts may vary based on a number of factors. Students may use these estimates when applying for financial aid.
Required Program Costs
Academic Year 2024-2025
| Year of Program Months Enrolled |
Year 1 9 |
Year 2 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Fees | $21,600 | $5,400 |
|
Books, Materials, Supplies & Equipment Allowance (May or may not be purchased through the school) |
$187 | $63 |
Other Educational Costs
Non-required costs that can be funded with scholarships/loans.
Notes
The cost of attendance varies from year to year. Please contact the office of Student Accounts for up-to-date costs.- Estimated amounts are for the academic year specified only. Amounts are based on full-time attendance for the number of months enrolled per academic year. International students need to calculate 12 months of living expenses based on these amounts.
- Amounts are expected to increase each year consistent with inflation in the professional education sector.
- To qualify for financial aid, most students must be enrolled at least half time in an aid eligible program and be taking degree requirements. Half time is 6 units in a quarter for undergraduate programs and 4 units in a quarter for graduate programs.