Bachelor of Arts or Science in Respiratory Therapy

Respiratory therapists evaluate and treat patients with cardiopulmonary disorders, and are actively involved in health promotion and disease prevention. They care for all sorts 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. Following a carefully planned sequence of classroom and laboratory instruction, as well as supervised clinical practice, students in this major will learn the skills needed to be successful as a respiratory therapist. They 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 medical gases and inhaled medications to maintaining critically ill patients on ventilators. Students will also develop critical thinking and problem solving skills that will enable them to be effective in the education and rehabilitation of their patients. Overview of the program: UIndy is one of three central Indiana affiliates to join IU Health in the Indiana Respiratory Therapy Education Consortium to offer a four-year bachelor's degree in respiratory therapy. The program has two components. The first (General Studies) component is completed on the University of Indianapolis campus. The second (Professional Studies) is offered at nearby IU Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis with additional clinical experiences at sites throughout central Indiana.