Carlow University is enrolling students for a bachelor’s degree program in Respiratory Care. The program has been accredited by CoARC.
| University Communications | For Immediate Release |
| Drew Wilson, Director, Media Relations | |
| 412.578.2095 (phone) | |
| 412.260.6807 (cell) | |
| 412.578.2080 (fax) | |
| agwilson@carlow.edu |
CoARC Accredited Program is one of only 60 such programs in the country.
Pittsburgh, Pa. – Carlow University will launch its new Respiratory Care bachelor’s program this fall, after receiving accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).
“Carlow’s BSRC program will be one of just 60 such programs in the country,” said Dr. Mellon. “Students admitted to this program will be able to take advantage of the University’s longstanding relationships with world-renowned health systems, while still working and learning with Carlow faculty.”
The first cohort of 15 students will enroll this fall, and, upon completion of the program, will be awarded a bachelor of science degree in respiratory care.
“Students who complete Carlow’s BSRC will possess versatile advanced level skills expected of registered respiratory therapists and will be eligible to participate in the National Board of Respiratory Care Examinations,” said Carlow’s Respiratory Care Program Chair, Michael Mehall, MEd, BSRT, RRT-NPS, CPFT.
An important first step for any new program is receiving accreditation. CoARC has conferred provisional accreditation on Carlow University’s bachelor of science in respiratory care (BSRC) degree program.
“The conferral of provisional accreditation denotes a new program that has made significant progress towards meeting the Standards of Accreditation. The program will remain on provisional accreditation until achieving continuing accreditation,” wrote CoARC’s executive director, Thomas Smalling, PhD, RRT, RPFT, RPSGT, FAARC, in a letter to Carlow’s president, Suzanne K. Mellon, PhD. “CoARC commends Carlow for its commitment to quality respiratory care education, as demonstrated by its participation in programmatic accreditation.”
Carlow’s program will combine classroom work with clinical experiences. Students in Carlow’s BSRC program will be able to:
• Master the evaluation, treatment, management, and education of patients with a variety of respiratory illnesses and cardiopulmonary disorders;
• Cultivate clinical decision-making skills in various environments including adult and neonatal critical care;
• Rotate through a minimum of four different clinical facilities where students will develop substantial versatility and prepare for many different employment opportunities;
• Study closely with faculty in small classes and receive personal attention;
• Take classes that are integrated with clinicals, which reinforces content and skills.
A bachelor of science in respiratory care is a flexible degree that prepares students to work in a variety of settings, including neonatal/pediatric units, sleep laboratories, outpatient care centers, pulmonary function laboratories, or critical care units. Students can also pursue careers as a hyperbaric oxygenation technician, asthma educator, flight therapist, home care specialist, medical sales associate, or acute care clinician.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, by 2022, employment of respiratory therapists is projected to grow 19 percent, faster than the average for all other occupations.
“One of the factors for this projected increase in employment opportunities is the growth of the middle-aged and elderly populations,” said Mehall. “Those populations are more susceptible to respiratory conditions, such as emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and pneumonia. These disorders can permanently damage the lungs or restrict lung function.”
Environmental factors, such as smoking or the effects of second hand smoke and air pollution, can also damage lungs and increase the need for respiratory therapists.
“Carlow’s BSRC program provides a dynamic, specialized, academic, and technical education that will prepare our students to be integral members of a health care team,” said Mehall.
For more information about Carlow University’s BSRC program, please visit www.carlow.edu/respiratory_care.aspx, or call 412.578.6558.
###
About Carlow University
Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Carlow University was founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1929. Offering both undergraduate and graduate programs, Carlow University is a comprehensive master’s institution dedicated to learner-centered education at the collegiate levels and at the elementary school level in the Campus School of Carlow University.