Bachelor of Science in Cardiopulmonary Sciences
- What is Cardiopulmonary Science?
- Academic Learning Compact
- Opportunities in Cardiopulmonary Sciences
- How to Apply to the Traditional Program
- RRT-Transfer Option
- Contacts
What is Cardiopulmonary Sciences?
Students receiving Haz-Mat training in class.
In cardiopulmonary sciences, respiratory therapists conduct prescribed therapy and diagnostics for cardiopulmonary patients, either in a hospital, clinic, or home-care environment. Respiratory therapists are life support specialists who assist physicians in stabilizing cardiopulmonary parameters in patients with a wide range of medical and surgical problems. A therapist's responsibilities include, but are not limited to, patient assessment, direct patient care, life support through the use of mechanical ventilators, obtaining arterial blood gasses, hemodynamic monitoring of critically ill patients, and rehabilitation of the pulmonary and cardiac systems.
Academic Learning Compact
The BS in Cardiopulmonary Sciences (Traditional Program) is an upper level limited access program. Graduates of the program will have advanced practice skills and are prepared to assume future leadership roles within the profession. Graduates are prepared to become registered respiratory therapists through the National Board for Respiratory Care examination process and then licensed to practice respiratory care in the state of Florida. UCF's program is accredited by the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC), in conjunction with the Commission of Accreditation of Education Programs (CAAHEP) of the American Medical Association. Students who are admitted to this program will take advanced courses in respiratory care, pharmacology, life support systems, disease assessment and management, several clinical practice courses, and assisting with diagnostic testing.
Working respiratory therapists who are graduates of an accredited A.S. Degree program in respiratory care who wish to earn a B.S. Degree in Cardiopulmonary Sciences can take advantage of the University of Central Florida's RRT-transfer option. The RRT-transfer option enables a qualified student to earn up to 26 credit hours of course work through 'Credit by Examination'. CBE credit will be awarded to the RRT-student by the Cardiopulmonary Sciences faculty during the last semester before graduation in recognition of the successful completion of the RRT credentialing process.
Opportunities in Cardiopulmonary Sciences
"It's very rewarding to help babies go home, knowing you were part of making it happen." — Jaime Magnetico
Graduates in cardiopulmonary sciences provide services in a variety of settings, including hospitals, local health departments, clinics, private offices, mobile units and laboratories. Excellent career opportunities for respiratory therapists exist in intensive care units of hospitals, emergency and trauma centers, diagnostic laboratories, physician groups, flight medicine, pulmonary and cardiac rehabilitation centers and home care. Beyond acute care clinical practice, respiratory therapists with four-year degrees typically qualify for advancement to supervisory or managerial positions in respiratory care departments, and are often sought as educators and clinical consultants in many healthcare environments.
As the health industry continues to grow and change, respiratory therapists will continue to grow and change with it. The aging population will produce a substantial growth for the need for professionals in this and other healthcare fields. Employment opportunities are expected to be highly favorable for respiratory therapists with neonatal care and cardiopulmonary care skills. Rapid growth in firms that provide respiratory care on a contract basis will also continue to create a demand for respiratory therapists.
How to Apply to the Traditional Program
Students may apply to the traditional program once they have been admitted to the University of Central Florida either as freshmen or as transfer students from a community college with an AA degree. Students already admitted to the university must submit a separate program application to the Program in Cardiopulmonary Sciences no later than March 1 of the year admission is sought. Applicants must fulfill the following requirements. (For information on prerequisites, admission requirements and the official program of study, go to index of undergraduate catalog and select program: http://www.catalog.sdes.ucf.edu/degree_programs/cardiopulmonary_sciences.pdf)
- Completion of the UCF general education (GEP) course work (including foreign language requirements) or an A.A. degree from a Florida community college
- A minimum overall 2.5 GPA
- A clear criminal background check must be on file with the program before an interview will be scheduled.
- Prerequisite courses must be completed with a minimum grade of "C". Prerequisite courses are primarily in math and science.
The program faculty will interview applicants meeting minimum admission criteria. Admission will be based on professional appearance, general aptitude, interpersonal skills, attitude toward profession, current GPA and knowledge and experience regarding the cardiopulmonary sciences profession. Application materials are found at the following links:
Cardiopulmonary Sciences Application
Cardiopulmonary Sciences Reference form
RRT-Transfer Option
The Bachelor of Science degree opens doors to new opportunities in the Cardiopulmonary Sciences profession by providing a foundation for leadership in management, education, research, and clinical specialty areas. The University of Central Florida (UCF) offers the only Bachelor of Science in Cardiopulmonary Sciences program with a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) transfer option in the state of Florida.
Graduates of an accredited Florida A.S. program in respiratory care who are either registered or registry-eligible and who have fulfilled all of the university’s general education requirements to qualify as a transfer student can take advantage of this unique RRT-transfer option.
Designed with the working clinician in mind, our program is developed to provide the flexibility you need to further your degree.
- Reduced seat time – students attend classes only one day per week per semester
- Convenient online learning – approximately half of the 32 credit hours can be obtained online
- Credit by examination – earn up to 26 credit hours of course work through “Credit by Examination.” CBE credit is awarded by the Cardiopulmonary Sciences faculty during the last semester before graduation to students who have sucessfully completed the RRT credentialing process and have gained their RRT credential.
- Flexibility – complete the program in two full-time semesters, or part-time to fit your schedule
- Convenient admission schedule – students are admitted three times per year by the university.
- Affordable state tuition rates – as part of the Florida State University System
Admission Requirements
All transfer students must meet the following admission requirements:
- General Education Requirements (Your AA degree from a Florida community college satisfies this requirement)
- Foreign Language Admissions Requirement (see current catalog)
- Grade Point Average of 2.5 overall
- CLAST Examination completed and passed
- AS Degree in Respiratory Care from a Florida CoARC accredited program
RRT-Transfer Option Application Process
Once admitted to UCF, students wishing to enroll in the Cardiopulmonary Sciences program's RRT-transfer option must complete the transfer-option application. In addition, students seeking admission for the transfer-option program may be admitted to the program any semester (Fall, Spring, or Summer) on a space available basis. Please check the transfer students information page on the Web site or printed catalog for exact admissions deadline dates. To complete the application process successfully RRT-transfer students must:- Already be accepted by the University of Central Florida as a transfer student.
- Send official transcripts to the UCF Office of Admissions, and a second copy of any official transcripts to the Cardiopulmonary Sciences Program.
- Apply to Cardiopulmonary Sciences Program using RRT-Transfer Application. This should take place after admission to the University has been confirmed.
- Meet with a program faculty advisor to determine a program of study.
- Hold an A.S. Degree in Respiratory Care from a Florida CoARC accredited program.
- Be eligible to sit for the N.B.R.C. written and simulation registry examinations.
- Submit proof of completion of the N.B.R.C. Registry Examination. A copy of your Registered Respiratory Therapist certificate must be on file before any form of credit-by-examination can be granted.
- Pathophysiologic Mechanisms
- Cardiopulmonary Diagnostics
- Patient Management
- Neonatal Medicine
- Medical Pharmacology
- Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation
- Directed Independent Research
Electives outside the CPS program are available from the Health Sciences and Health Administration curricula.
RRT Transfer Option Information Sheet
RRT Transfer Option Application
RRT Transfer Option Reference Form
Transfer Student Information
Contacts
Cardiopulmonary Sciences Program Director
Mr. Steve Shideler, MSHS, RRT
HPA II 201
E-mail: shideler@mail.ucf.edu
Phone: 407-823-3888
Program Email: CardioInfo@mail.ucf.edu
Program Phone: 407-823-2747
