Respiratory TherapyM

The curriculum grid outlines the particular MSRT courses where content for learning outcomes are housed and discussed as objectives within the program. All courses utilize study questions, case studies, and clinical scenarios in the courses allow for participation in group chats, peer responses, and guided discussions to help meet the objectives of the course. Learning outcomes are followed based on the following:

	Professional Writing & Program Synthesis	Expanded Pathophysiology & Case Study in Medicine	Stacked Professional Credentials	Health Administration & Ethics	Curriculum Development & Education	Clinical Research & Course Design
MHA 6000				X
MSRT 6010	X
MSRT 6020		X
MSRT 6030	X				X
MSRT 6040	X				X
MSRT 6050	X				X
MHA 6100				X
MSRT 6130	X					X
MSRT 6140	X					X
MSRT 6150	X					X
MHA 6240				X
MSRT 6410			X
MSRT 6420			X
MHA 6440				X
MSRT 6460			X
MSRT 6470			X
MSRT 6480			X
MSRT 6700	X
MSRT 6800	X

The curriculum grid above outlines the particular MSRT courses where content for learning outcomes are housed and discussed as objectives within the program. All courses utilize study questions, case studies, and clinical scenarios in the courses allow for participation in group chats, peer responses, and guided discussions to help meet the objectives of the course. Learning outcomes are followed based on the following:

Program and Contact Information

Respiratory Therapy can be characterized as a life-support specialty that routinely consults with a multi-disciplinary healthcare team in the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, evaluation, management, and education of patients with lung, heart and kidney dysfunction. They work across the life spectrum interfacing with pre-mature newborns, children, adults, and geriatric populations as a cardiopulmonary specialist with knowledge and skill to treat acute and chronic illnesses while preserving life e.g., CPR, ACLS, neonatal and pediatric resuscitation, intubation, and other livesaving therapeutic procedures. The Weber State University Department of Respiratory Therapy offers an advanced degree at the Master of Science level for bachelor's degree graduates with a "registered respiratory therapist" [RRT] credential wishing to pursue careers as advanced-practitioners (APRT), or "mid-level providers" as pulmonary navigators, critical care specialists, consulatants, and/or clinical educators in hospitals, industry, or in higher education institutions. This is a critical departure from the entry-level practitioner programs (majority AAS/AS degree graduates) currently taught at most US institutions to more adequately address the rising complexity and widening spectrum of patient care required in cardiopulmonary health in this rapidly growing field. Professional associations in the field of respiratory therapy specifies that more graduate degree programs in respiratory care must be developed to meet the need for clinical specialists, researchers, faculty, and professional leaders (EAB, 2016). Additionally, there is growing physician support for advanced-practice providers for patients with cardiopulmonary disease (Strickland, et al, Nov. 2020, and Joyner, 2020). The program emphasizes specialized preparation for advanced-practice beyond the entry-level CRT credential to including the adult critical care specialty [ACCS], neonatal/pediatric specialty [NPS], certified or registered pulmonary function technologist [C/RPFT], sleep disorder specialty [SDS] or Registered Polysomnographic Technologist [RPsgT], and as asthma educators [AE-C], and to increase skill and knowledge required to function as an advanced-practitioner (APRT). This is carried out with programmatic emphasis in health administration, education (as clinical educators and for future faculty), and to direct research forwards "best-practice" opportunities for practitioners in the field of Respiratory Therapy.

References

EAB. (2016). Market research brief, Market Demand for a Master's Degree in Respiratory Care: Analysis of National Employer Demand and Competitor Program Structure, The Advisory Board Company.
Strickland, S.L., Varekojis, S.M., Goodfellow, L.T., Wilgis, J., Hayashi, S.W., Nolan, L.M., and Burton, G.G. (Nov. 2020). Physician Support for Non-Physician Advanced Practice Providers for Persons With Cardiopulmonary Disease, Respiratory Care, v20, n11, p. 1702-1711.
Joyner, R.L., Strickland, S.L., Becker, E.A., Ginier, E., Keene, S., Rye, K., and Haas, C.F. (2020), Adequacy of the Provider Workforce for Persons with Cardiopulmonary Disease, Chest, v157, n5, p. 1055-57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chest.2019.09.030

The goals of the program are accomplished through predominately on-line courses, independent study, cooperative learning groups, individual and group assignments, and intensive writing projects that emphasize a practical application of theory in the practice of respiratory care. The 36-hour program of study consists of professional core requirements and a guided emphasis in health administration, education courses, and research content. A portion of the core requirement is the completion of a Master's capstone project, a practical application of knowledge and research gained while in the program.

Contact Information

Dr. Paul Eberle, Professor and Graduate Program Director
Department of Respiratory Therapy

3875 Stadium Way Dept. 3904
Ogden, UT 84408
(801) 626-6840

Assessment Plan

The MSRT program builds upon the professional knowledge and credential(s) that students acquire during undergraduate enducation. The MSRT program was developed to increase professional knowledge and skills. Additionally, the program is preparing students to assume leadership roles in healthcare facilities and educational programs. Evidence accumulated from each class listed is evaluated to assist the student with developing the necessary competencies and allow for further professional development to include increased responsibility and autonomy in practice.

Goals of the program include successful completion of core courses in medical writing, medical pathophysiology (case study), and medical ethics and law. Students will complete one area of emphasis to include health administration, education, and/or research. Additionally, the student will successfully credential in two advanced-practice specialities prior to graduation. A graduate thesis will be evaluated by a student advisory committee as a capstone project. Students will be encouraged to publish their results in a peer-reviewed journal.

Assessments of the program to the community of interest will include reporting to the graduate faculty, medical advisor, and program advisory board the following data:

Admission, attrition, and graduation reports to program advisory board
Student course evaluations
Number of graduates employed in the Respiratory Therapy field, clinical supervisory positions, or industry researchers/product managers
Graduate surveys of student experiences in the program
Employer surveys of student skills
National certification of specialty exams

A program advisor will be responsible for advising and tracking progess toward degree completion. Expected Standards of Performance and competencies are currently under development by the national accreditation agency, the Commission of Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). The program faculty is fully engaged in assessing standards and addressing the commission in written feedback of drafts sent out for review. The program participates in and advises the commission on proposed standards and will expect to be in full compliance when accepted by the CoARC Board of Directors. The program will meet or exceed the following benchmarks established by the development of graduate accreditation standards:

70% of graduates employed (Commision for Accreditation for Respiratory Care [CoARC] standard)
80% of students "satisfied" or "very satisfied" on Likert Scale on evalution of program (program graduate evaluation in CoARC accreditation survey)
80% of employers "satisfied" or "very satisfied" on Likert Scale with perception of graduates' skill (program employer survey in CoARC accreditation survey)

Annual Assessment Results

Program Review

Master of Respiratory Therapy