Respiratory Care — M.S.R.C.

Program director
Abdullah Alismail

Medical director
Laren D. Tan

Advisory committee
Benga Agbelemose
Alan Alipoon
Abdullah Alismail
Anthea Gibbons
David Lopez
Michael Lum
Loreen Scott
Marco Soto
Laren D. Tan
Michael Terry

Program description

The faculty of the Loma Linda University Master of Science in Respiratory Care Program believe in the promotion of and support for excellence in the profession of respiratory care and cardiopulmonary sciences through education, knowledge development, research, leadership, and public service. The mission of the program is to:

1. Support the mission and goals of Loma Linda University and the School of Allied Health Professions.
2. Facilitate student professional development, expansion of knowledge, and contribution to the field of respiratory care and cardiopulmonary sciences through guidance, resources, and leadership.
3. Support the medical community's needs for qualified graduate respiratory therapists and cardiopulmonary researchers who will facilitate positive changes through patient advocacy, leadership, and knowledge discovery and implementation.
4. Encourage continuing professional and personal development within the community through volunteerism and community service geared toward disease prevention, education, and intervention.

The four-quarter program is designed to allow customizable options for interactions with the program faculty—both face-to-face and online—offered through various electives. The core curriculum courses set the foundation for this graduate degree in respiratory care. In addition, electives may be chosen by students, based on their area of interest and with program director approval. Program electives are in the areas of leadership and management, education, research, advanced clinical practice, and polysomnography. 

Program learning outcomes

In addition to the stated institutional learning outcomes, by the end of this program, the graduate should be able to:

1. Apply advanced respiratory care clinical skills to cardiopulmonary patients, using current evidence-based medicine practices.
2. Exhibit fundamental skills in leadership and management in health care.
3. Exhibit research interpretation skills in evidence-based medicine.
4. Exhibit presentation skills necessary to successfully promote advancements in the respiratory care profession for health-care professionals.
5. Participate in professional activities promoting professional growth.
6. Exhibit mastery of best practices in treating cardiopulmonary patients.

Admission to the Master of Science in Respiratory Care Program is open all year long. Students may apply to autumn, winter, spring, or summer quarters. In addition to Loma Linda University and School of Allied Health Professions admissions requirements, the applicant must also complete the following requirements:

• An earned baccalaureate degree from a U.S. accredited institution of higher education  or an international institution having appropriate government recognition as a degree-granting institution
• Have earned the Registered Respiratory Therapist credential from the National Board for Respiratory Care; and licensed in their state of residence or eligible to practice by the government or equivalent
• Interview
• G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher

Technology requirements

Students are required to have an up-to-date laptop/computer that runs Windows or Mac OS to bring to class. All program materials, including quizzes, assignments, and exams, are completed electronically through our learning management system. 

¹

Multiple registrations required to complete total unit requirement.

²

Students lacking research and statistics must take AHRM 571 Statistics and Research for Health Professionals I and AHRM 572 Statistics and Research for Health Professionals II (or equivalent) as part of their degree completion requirements. 

³

Fulfills service learning requirement.

Capstone 

The capstone project must be completed as a written document of publishable quality and presented orally as a seminar (face-to-face or online).  It must be prepared either for publication or implementation (including protocol) at the facility for which it was designed. The program director will assign each student a mentor having expertise in the student's chosen capstone topic area.

Normal time to complete the program

One (1) year (four [4] academic quarters) based on full-time enrollment; part time permitted