Ahead of its inaugural cohort starting classes this spring, Jacksonville University’s new Master of Science in Respiratory Care (MSRC) program received provisional accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Respiratory Care (CoARC), the national accrediting body for respiratory care educational programs.
CoARC accreditation guarantees that a program meets the quality standards established by the profession as well as helps students choose a quality respiratory care education program. It’s used by registration, licensure, and certification boards to screen applicants.
Jacksonville University announced the launch of the Master of Science in Respiratory Care program, in partnership with Rush University, in 2021 as a response to the national workforce demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Jacksonville University’s respiratory care program is one of nine graduate respiratory care programs in the United States, and the only program of its kind in Florida. Graduate-level programs like JU’s make up only five percent of the available respiratory care programs across the nation.
“This is an extraordinary testament to how terrific this university is, and what great educational opportunities await incoming students,” said Amanda Dexter, MSRC Program Director. “The respiratory therapy faculty are happy to announce that we have officially received CoARC Provisional Accreditation status. This provisional report is also evidence of the work of our entire community including staff, faculty, administration, advisory committee members, and clinical affiliates. What a privilege it is to work in such a community, and how satisfying indeed it is to see that reflected by the CoARC accreditation site visitors.”
This spring, the inaugural cohort of Master of Science in Respiratory Care students will begin their first semester in the two-year program. Over the course of the program, these students will have the ability to work with high-fidelity simulators at the JU Healthcare Simulation Center, as well as participate in high-quality clinical rotations at local top-tier hospitals. Graduates of this program will qualify for the national board examination, as well as state licensure.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increasing need for registered respiratory therapists (RRT) across the country. Between 2020 and 2021, the profession saw a 19% increase in jobs and is expected to see a 23% increase, or 10,100 jobs per year, by 2030, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor & Statistics.
Registered Respiratory Therapists can work in a variety of settings including hospitals, clinics, critical care units, physician offices, diagnostic and sleep centers, universities, and more. Advanced programs such as the Master of Science in Respiratory Care create pathways to becoming an advanced practice respiratory therapist (APRT), where licensed individuals can provide advanced cardiopulmonary care services, similar to physician assistants or nurse practitioners, in multiple settings across the healthcare spectrum.
National Respiratory Care Week is coming up in October. Jacksonville University’s Master of Respiratory Care program is hosting an in-person event at the JU Healthcare Simulation Center at 6 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 24, to showcase the importance of the respiratory care profession and give some insight into the program and its curriculum. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the MSRC Program Director, program faculty, and the Florida Society for Respiratory Care President, as well as tour the Simulation Center. Register online today by visiting our website.
