DEPARTMENT OF CARDIORESPIRATORY CARE

Chair: William Wojciechowski (434-3405)
Medical Director: Ronald Allison
Associate Professors: Op't Holt, Wojciechowski
Clinical Assistant Professor: Hill

The University of South Alabama offers a complete program in Cardiorespiratory Care leading to the Bachelor of Science degree. The curriculum provides a broad education in liberal arts and basic sciences and an in-depth study in Cardiorespiratory Care. The program is fully accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of Allied Health Educational Programs (CAAHEP) and the Joint Review Committee for Respiratory Therapy Education. Upon graduation students are eligible to sit for the National Board for Respiratory Care Examination for entry into practice.

The curriculum is divided into two components: the Pre-Professional Component and the Professional Component.

PRE-PROFESSIONAL COMPONENT
The Pre-Professional Component (Freshman and Sophomore years) may be completed in two years and consists of 65 semester hours of prescribed and elective course work.

PROFESSIONAL COMPONENT
The Professional Component (Junior and Senior years) consists of two years of academic and clinical study in Cardiorespiratory Care. The program includes one summer term between the Junior and Senior year. All candidates must have satisfied the requirements of the Pre-Professional Component to qualify for admission to the Professional Component. Enrollment into the Pre-Professional Component as a Cardiorespiratory Care major does NOT automatically assure the student admission to the Professional Component. Enrollment in the Professional Component is limited and admission is based on academic record and aptitude for a career in Cardiorespiratory Care as evidenced by personal qualifications such as character and motivation. Students enrolled in the B.S. degree program at USA will be given preference for admission.

Students will be required to complete formal application to the Professional Component. The application process normally begins in the spring semester of the Sophomore year.

PROBLEM BASED LEARNING CURRICULUM
The Cardiorespiratory Care curriculum is a problem-based curriculum. This instructional methodology requires that students become active participants in the learning process. This method of teaching is used to develop and improve the students' problem-solving abilities.

In this curriculum, students work in groups (5-7 students) and solve case studies under the direction of faculty members. Students assume the major responsibility for resolving the problems in the case studies by utilizing a variety of resources.

This approach to learning emphasizes self-direction, independent thinking, decision-making, information gathering, and problem solving. All of these skills are needed to succeed in the clinical setting. Students also develop and improve communication skills through this process, as they are forced to interact with fellow students, instructors, and other health care personnel. Students learn the value of working together as a team through the small group process.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PROFESSIONAL COMPONENT

1. Completed application form submitted no later than April 15 of the year for which admission is requested. (Late applications will be evaluated based on individual circumstances.)

2. A minimum of a 2.50 cumulative grade-point average in the science prerequisites.

3. A personal interview with the Cardiorespiratory Care Admission Committee.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A MAJOR IN CARDIORESPIRATORY CARE:
Successful completion of 131 semester hours of Pre-professional and Professional course work as specified below.

I. Pre-Professional Component:
(65 semester hours including the following:)

II. Professional Component

(66 semester hours of Cardiorespiratory Care courses including the following:)

CRC 330, 331, 332, 333, 342, 343, 335, 345, 430, 440, 431, 441, 432, 442, 446, 447, 415, 450, 451, and EMT 330.

PROFESSIONAL COMPONENT CURRICULUM
Junior Year
Fall

Spring

Summer

EITHER:

OR:

OR:

Senior Year
Fall

EITHER:

OR:

OR:

AND:

Spring

EITHER:

OR:

OR:

AND:

In special situations, advanced standing may be available in the form of transfer credits and equivalency examinations. Documentation of pertinent information submitted by advanced-standing applicants, such as on-the-job trainees, individuals having an associate degree in respiratory therapy, certified respiratory therapy technicians, or practitioners credentialed in other allied health professions, will be reviewed by the Cardiorespiratory Care Admissions Committee to determine the actual awarding and the method of advanced standing. Applicants seeking advanced standing at the University of South Alabama should consult directly with the Chair of the Department of Cardiorespiratory Care, USA Springhill, 1504 Springhill Avenue, Mobile, Alabama 36604-3273, Phone: (334)434-3405.

Special Fees

A special course fee is assessed in each of the following courses:

Descriptions of all Cardiorespiratory Care (CRC) courses

College of Allied Health Professions

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