Mar 28, 2024  
2017-2018 Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Catalog ARCHIVED CATALOG: Content may no longer be accurate.

Master of Science in Respiratory Therapy (MSRT)


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  • Grade Requirements: To earn the MSRT degree, candidates must complete all program courses with a grade of “B-” or higher and maintain an overall program GPA of 3.0 or above.
  • Credit Hour Requirements: A total of 36 credit hours are required.
  • Program Code:  2047MSRT
  • CIPC: 510908

Admission Requirements

Enrollment Director (801) 626-6840

Criteria for admission to the WSU Master of Science in Respiratory Therapy Program can be found on the MSRT Program website (weber.edu/msrt). Select the “Applications” option. Admission is competitive; therefore, the listed criteria for admission should be considered as minimum standards. For more information, please contact the department Enrollment Director (801) 626-6840.

Admissions to the MSRT program require a completed application form to graduate programs at Weber State University. The applicant should possess a strong academic record, three letters of recommendation from appropriate professional references, and high achievement in the last 60 semester hours or minimum achievement on Miller’s Analogy or Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Students who fail to enroll in courses for three consecutive semesters must reapply for admissions to the program. Students have a maximum of five calendar years to complete degree requirements.  

The MSRT Program application requirements may be requested through email to MSRT@weber.edu or by phone (801) 626-7071. Applications are available online at weber.edu/msrt during fall semester on January 1. The deadline for accepting applications is April 1 of each year. Pending student enrollment, the MSRT coursework begins each fall semester. Admission to the program requires a Bachelor’s degree (for optional application track Conditional Acceptance for AS RRT to MSRT degree below) from a regionally accredited institution of higher education (see the U.S. Department of Education website for a list of recognized regional accreditation agencies) in Respiratory Therapy and a registered respiratory therapy (RRT) credential. Research emphasis will require a basic statistics course (MATH 1040-Intro to Statistics or equivalent) prior to admission.

Optional Application Track for AS to MSRT

Students who have earned the AS degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education in Respiratory Therapy and an RRT credential have the option of applying for a conditional acceptance to MSRT program.  The structure of this program is intended to reduce the time from admission with an AS degree to graduation with an MSRT degree to as few as 3 years.

Applicants who are given a conditional acceptance to the MSRT program will use the first year of the three year program to complete the required bachelor degree in respiratory therapy requirements as outlined in the catalog.  Equivalency credit may be issued to transfer students who completed their associate degree and RRT prior to applying to WSU.  At the end of the first year of the program, the student will have met all bachelor of science in respiratory therapy program requirements and the required 120 credits required to earn a bachelor degree, but may not have met the institutional requirement of 30 hours of residency required to earn a bachelor degree from WSU.  Therefore, the student will be allowed to matriculate to MSRT courses.  These courses will count toward the necessary 30 hours of institutional residency credit.  Once the student has completed year two (first year of MSRT courses), the student will have earned sufficient institutional residency credit and will apply for graduation with the BSRT degree.  Following year three (second year of MSRT course), the student will have met the MSRT program requirements and may apply for graduation with a master of science in respiratory therapy degree. 

Advisement for AS to MSRT

All students who wish to pursue the conditional acceptance of AS RRT to MSRT application track are required to schedule an appointment with an advisor in the Respiratory Therapy Department prior to application.  Once admitted to the program, the student will be required to complete an academic contract specifying major courses, approved electives, and graduation requirements for both the BS and MSRT degrees.  All students in the AS to MSRT admission track are held to the program requirements outlined in the catalog for both the BS and MSRT degrees.

Acceptance Criteria

Criteria to be considered for acceptance into the AS RRT to MSRT program include:

Associate of Science degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education in Respiratory Therapy and a registered respiratory therapy (RRT) credential is required. 

Student must also meet all BS and MSRT admission requirements and acceptance criteria as outlined in the catalog.

Criteria to be considered for acceptance into the program include:
  • Undergraduate GPA
  • Minimum GPA of 3.00 on the last 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of approved undergraduate/graduate course work or
    if less than GPA of 3.00 on the last 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) a minimum score of either 396 on the Miller’s Analogies Test (MAT) or 480 each on the Verbal, Quantitative, Analytical portions of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
  • 3 Letters of recommendation with one from a reference concerning knowledge of graduate success.

Additional requirements for International Students

All International students and any applicant educated outside the United States must demonstrate proficiency in English and register with the International Office in the Student Services Center. Those whose native language is not English must submit official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) of 570 (paper-based) with a TSE-A of 50, or 83 (computer-based) with a 26 or higher on speaking. The score may not be more than two years old.

Application Fee

Each MSRT application form must be accompanied by a $60 (U.S.) application fee ($120 for International applicants).

Each AS RRT to MSRT application form must be accompanied by a $90 (U.S.) application fee ($180 for International applicants).

Credit card is the preferred form of payment, but other forms are welcome. Additional instructions for payment are in the online application process. Checks must be made payable to Weber State University. Please make sure your name is clearly written on your check. Your application will not be reviewed without payment.

Application Submission

You are responsible for submitting a complete application. The final online application process will prompt you to submit your completed application. Your application will not be considered complete until you have submitted a complete online application and all necessary items received by the MSRT Department.

Notification of Admissions Decision

Each application is reviewed in depth by the MSRT Admissions Committee. Decisions are made only after thoughtful weighing of all the evidence provided by each candidate and with careful consideration given to the overall balance of participants sought for the MSRT program. The listed application criteria is considered a minimum requirement. Each applicant is considered on an individual basis and qualifications evaluated in a competitive selection process. Consideration can be made at the discretion of the selection committee for professional work experience. You will be notified in a timely fashion after the MSRT Admissions Committee has considered your application.

Students apply to and will be accepted to the graduate program first through an integrated online application available at http://www.weber.edu/graduateprograms/RespiratoryTherapy.html.  WSU Admissions requires a $60 application fee ($120.00 for International students) for those applying for the MSRT.  For those applying for the AS RRT to MSRT, the fee is $90 ($180 for International applicants).

Course Requirements for MSRT Degree


Concentration/Emphasis Courses Required (9 credit hours)


Select one of the following concentrations:

MSRT Capstone Project (6 credit hours)


Note:


Electives (6 credit hours) may be fulfilled with additional advanced-practice credential(s) or other concentration/emphasis courses.  Additionally, proof of two advanced-practice specialty credentials are required for awarding of MSRT degree.

Please see Admissions Advisors.

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