Curriculum for Respiratory Therapy

The core curriculum for respiratory therapy is comprised of:
• Equipment I & II
• Patient Management
• Pharmacology
• Pathophysiology
• Mechanical Ventilation I & II
• Neonatal and Pediatrics

The bachelor’s degree program includes additional courses in:
• Research
• Leadership & Management
• Respiratory Care Education.

There are also four clinical practicums, totaling 840 hours in general floor, ICU, and specialty rotations through the pulmonary function lab, the sleep lab, hyperbaric oxygen, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, and neonatal and pediatrics.

Quick Facts

• Respiratory therapists can work in hospital emergency departments, ICUs, or general floors.
• They can care for patients in any age range – from newborns and children through elderly adults.
• They may work in such varied areas as ambulance and air transport, physician offices, diagnostic labs, or home care. 
• Respiratory therapist is ranked #9 in best healthcare jobs.
• Changes in the roles and responsibilities of respiratory therapists are on the horizon, and pursuing an advanced degree is encouraged.

Admission Requirements and Application Process

Submit an application for admission. It is free to apply.

Request that official transcripts from all current and previous institutions you’ve attended are sent directly to the Carlow University Office of Admissions.

• AS degree cost of attendance is $450/credit

First-time, first-year undergraduate student:

• Minimum 2.000 cumulative High School GPA
• Minimum 2.500 cumulative GPA in science courses

Transfer student

• Minimum 2.000 cumulative college GPA
• Minimum 2.500 cumulative college GPA in science courses

Contact Admissions

Visit admissions @carlow.edu or call 412.578.6059 if you would like to learn more about the program by scheduling an on-campus visit or attending an upcoming event.

The Associate of Science Degree in Surgical Technology Program at Carlow University delivers unmatched learning and hands-on clinical experience.

In 78 weeks, graduates of the Associate of Science Degree in Surgical Technology Program will be prepared to have unparalleled training and experience to become a valued member of the surgical care team.

Throughout the learning experience, Carlow’s team of dedicated faculty provides a supportive student learning environment and prepares students to take a national certification examination to become a valued member of any surgical care team. Carlow graduates go beyond their technical duties and play an active role in fostering a just and merciful world.

The Associate of Science Degree in Surgical Technology Program Outcomes reflect: The Sisters of Mercy Core Values (Carlow University Mission Statement, 2009), and the Association of Surgical Technologist Foundational Principles (1997).

Trained and certified neurodiagnostic technicians are in demand

Over the next 10 years, it is expected the US will need 28,400 Neurodiagnostic Technologists.* You can become one of these highly valued, well-paid healthcare professionals with an Associate of Science in Neurodiagnostic Technology degree from Carlow University.

In just two years, you will gain the hands-on learning and clinical experience needed to earn certification by ABRET (American Board of Registration of Electroencephalographic and Evoked Potential Technologists, Inc.) and move onto a rewarding health sciences career.

Neurodiagnostic technicians are valuable members of the healthcare team. Graduates of this program will:

• Understand fundamental concepts in neuroscience and how they relate to various disease conditions
• Demonstrate the ability to operate neurodiagnostic equipment in accordance with industry standards
• Use a variety of technologies to precisely obtain appropriate recordings
• Accurately interpret and evaluate various neurodiagnostic tests in laboratory and clinical settings
• Apply theoretical knowledge to neurodiagnostic techniques and related disease conditions
• Practice patient-centered care in accordance with the ethical and legal framework of the discipline
• Explain measurements, techniques, and results related to neurodiagnostic testing to healthcare team members.

Admission Requirements and Application Process

• Submit an application for admission. It is free to apply.
• Request that official transcripts from all current and previous institutions you’ve attended are sent directly to the Carlow University Office of Admissions.

Contact Admissions

If you are interested in this certificate program, our Admissions team is available to assist you with the next steps, including scheduling an on-campus visit.

• First semester courses can be applied to most Carlow undergraduate majors.
• You will be part of a living/learning community on campus during your first semester.
• Service-learning projects will occur locally and internationally.

• A residency fee, billed by Carlow, includes round-trip travel on major U.S. carriers, accommodations, meals, activities, and project materials.
• Financial aid and scholarships may be available for eligible students.

Serve, Learn & Volunteer

• Volunteer (provide tutoring and engage in fun learning activities) at Noah’s Ark School for Children with Disabilities in Entebbe
• Participate in service projects (plant orchards and tend to school gardens) for Bright Kids Uganda on Lake Victoria Island
• Serve (provide instruction and adapt learning materials for children with disabilities) at Silver Memorial Inclusive Community Learning Center (SMILE) in Opucet
• Assist with vision assessments and distribution of donated eye glasses for seniors and school children

Meet a New Culture

• Hear inspiring life stories from locals, young and old; learn about their history including the effects of living as a British colony and subsequent years of conflict
• Become familiar with local customs and their challenges
• Interact with people living in remote villages without access to electricity, clean water, phones or computers
• Prepare, taste and eat authentic Ugandan food 

Take amazing adventures

• Visit the source of the Nile River and go white water rafting 
• Take a hike to the tallest waterfall in eastern Africa, Sipi Falls 
• Observe animals in their natural habitat on a three-day safari 
• Visit Chimpanzee Island

Join a diverse group of aspiring physical therapists in a deep and accelerated experiential learning journey. Our expert team has uniquely designed a well-rounded, hands-on PT curriculum geared towards treating patients beyond their disease to improve functional outcomes.

An integral part of your training will consist of 4, full-time clinical experiences in a variety of healthcare settings (hospitals, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation centers, sports medicine, pediatrics).

To complement your clinical knowledge, you will become well-versed in seeing beyond the patient’s impairment and see how their life circumstances can impact their recovery.

Designed to give you the time you need to reflect and digest your new knowledge, each Fall and Spring semester is divided into two, eight-week sessions.

Curricular highlights

• Learn in a healthcare team model which provides you with the opportunity to learn and discuss with aspiring nurse practitioners, occupational therapists, physician assistants and speech-language pathologists.
• Build confidence in your clinical skill through simulated hospital and ICU scenarios in our state-of-the-art simulation lab.
• Graduate with a competitive resume that will include pro-bono services at our community teaching/learning lab, opportunities throughout the Carlow campus community (early learning center, elementary school, Sisters of Mercy convent) and international clinical experiences.

• A completed application on PTCAS
• A bachelor’s degree (students can apply in their senior year but must graduate before the start of the DPT program).
• Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00+
• Prerequisites completed within 10 years and before matriculation
  • C+ or better: One course in anatomy with Lab, one course in physiology with Lab, or two courses sequence in anatomy and physiology with lab.
  • C or better: Two courses in biological sciences, one course in psychology/sociology, two courses in general chemistry with Lab, two courses in general physics with Lab, one course in statistics
• One page resume
• Two Letters of recommendation describing the following:
  • From a licensed physical therapist that you observed describing your passion for physical therapy and how our profession is a right fit for you.
  • From an undergraduate counselor or professor who can describe your personal and academic abilities to be successful in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program and become a licensed practitioner 
• No set number of observation hours is required. However, it is expected that interested students will have engaged in those opportunities to be able to articulate their interest in the physical therapy profession confidently and competently.

If you are an international student, additional items are required.