Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care

Catalog Description:

This bachelor’s degree offers students a greater ability to advance to management and leadership roles within the profession, to become advanced caregivers, to conduct health related research, and to become educators in the field. Increasingly, Respiratory Care Practitioners are taking on responsibilities, formerly conducted by physicians, requiring a greater level of critical thinking and analytical skills. 

Admission requirements include the following and successful applicants will receive 13 credits for prior learning upon demonstration of the following: 

• Successful passing of High Cut Score TMC and earning the Registered Respiratory Credential (RRT) from the National Board of Respiratory Care (BSRC). 
• An unencumbered license to practice from the Respiratory Care Board of California or from another state licensing board. 
• Completion of the State Law and Ethics course through the CSRC or AARC. 

Program Description:

The program will be conducted primarily via online instruction over an 18-24 month period.  Approximately 30 students per cohort will be admitted on an annual basis with the initiation of each cohort planned to begin in the fall semester of each year.  The program is designed for the working respiratory care practitioner to enhance their leadership, management, education, and research skills in order to advance and promote within the profession and at their specific workplace environment.

Student outcomes relate specifically to the improvement of the skills necessary to advance in the  profession as a practitioner as well as leadership and educational skills.  

It is expected that there will be approximately 30 completing candidates each year.  The first student cohort is projected to begin in fall 2026 with a successful completion by spring 2028.  Thereafter, it is expected that there will be a successful graduating cohort in each subsequent spring semester.  

Given that the student cohorts are expected to be highly motivated to complete the program to achieve the BSRC degree, the anticipated attrition rate is relatively low (e.g. 5%).

Recent discussions with our advisory committee and with facility and respiratory managers in our regions elicited that all of these individuals have acknowledged that the scope of work for respiratory therapists has expanded. Most have reported that specific tasks performed by respiratory therapists require upper-level course content or multiple years of RRT experience. Further, they have indicated that BSRC graduates have higher level opportunities than ASRC graduates, such as lead RRT, transport team member, and other management positions. Most employers preferred to hire RRTs with a baccalaureate degree in respiratory care. Most facility managers in the area have supported workforce education by offering salary incentives and financial assistance to those pursuing higher education. 

The following admission requirements must be demonstrated and documented for admission to the Bachelor's Degree in Respiratory Care at Napa Valley College:

• Successful passing of High Cut Score TMC and earning the Registered Respiratory Credential (RRT) from the National Board of Respiratory Care (BSRC). 
• An unencumbered license to practice from the Respiratory Care Board of California or from another state licensing board. 
• Completion of the State Law and Ethics course through the CSRC or AARC.

None

Sonoma State University (CSU):  Spoke with Dr. Elisabeth Wade who serves as the Dean of the College of Science, Technology, an Business.  Dr. Wade indicated that the BSRC is such a niche specialty that it is not likely that SSU, or the CSU, would delve into the arena of offering a similar degree. She noted that it is dissimilar from the nursing program and profession. As such, Respiratory Care advanced programs are few/far between and is not likely a program that will be offered any time in the near future at the CSU unless there are some significant changes in the profession at the nationwide and statewide lobbying levels.  She does not oppose offering the BSRC at the Community College level nor does she believe the SSU, as an institution, would oppose such an offering.

Sacramento State University (CSU):  Corresponded with Dr. Mary Maguire, Dean of Health and Human Sciences.  She  referred me to Dr. Carlos Nevarez, Provost/Vice President of Academic Affairs who responded with the following: 

"Thank you for your message on the baccalaureate in Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care. Sacramento State and its sister campuses do not engage in the process independently. As per policy, the CSU partner referenced to address outstanding questions and duplication concerns would be the CSU Office of Academic and Faculty Programs, since one criteria in the non-duplication analysis is “BDP is not duplicative of any program offered at any CSU or UC campus statewide.” 

San Francisco State University (CSU):  Reached out via phone and email to the Dean of the College of Health and Social Sciences multiple instances but did not receive any response over the period of two (2) months.  No response.