MSU Respiratory Care Program Earns National Award

MSU Respiratory Care Program Earns National Award

The Respiratory Care Department at Midwestern State University has earned the Distinguished Registered Respiratory Therapist Credentialing Success Award given by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). This award recognizes the department for being among the top 10 percent of approximately 440 respiratory care programs in the country and places the MSU respiratory care program among the top master's, bachelor's and associate's respiratory care degree programs in the nation.

In selecting programs for this recognition, the CoARC board used objective criteria based on key accreditation metrics documented in the 2015 Annual Report of Current Status. These programs were required to have three or more years of outcomes data, hold accreditation without a progress report, document Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credentialing success of 90 percent or above, and meet or exceed established CoARC thresholds for Certified Respiratory Therapist credentialing success, attrition and positive job placement.

In 2014 and 2015, 100 percent of MSU graduates earned the RRT credential. In 2015, 96.4 percent of MSU graduates were employed immediately after graduation.

"This honor demonstrates the commitment and dedication of the MSU respiratory care department faculty, staff, students, clinical affiliates, and alumni in achieving excellence," said Jennifer Anderson, department chair. "I am very proud of their work to exceed the respiratory care accreditation standards and outcome measures required by the accrediting agency."

The RRT is the advance credential for respiratory therapists. CoARC views the RRT credential as a measure of program success in inspiring its graduates to achieve their highest educational aspirations.

Anderson and two faculty members will accept the award during a reception June 26, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., the site of the American Association for Respiratory Care Summer Forum meeting.

Visit our website for more information about the respiratory care program.