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“Beginning as a freshman creates a smoother in management and research. The bachelor’s
path toward a bachelor’s degree,” Miller said. program focuses more on developing critical-
In January 2016, the American Association for thinking and problem-solving skills. Also,
Respiratory Care (AARC) called for a shift toward “students will still take the standard lab and
bachelor’s degrees as the profession’s entry-level clinical courses, just more of them,” Miller said.
credential. The association noted how the nurs- “Our students will be able to look at patient
ing profession has benefited from an emphasis on care more holistically,” Miller said. “Since many
bachelor’s degrees as the gateway into the field. of our graduates stay in the region to work, this
A statement on the association’s website is good news for community members who need
reads: “Respiratory care is quickly evolving from respiratory care from healthcare providers in the
a profession based on the provision of individual area.”
components of care to one encompassing the Miller and her colleagues developed the
higher order thinking skills needed to manage degree over the course of two years. The AARC,
chronic respiratory disease patients across the where Miller has a leadership role, monitored
continuum of care. … Every profession that is in their work so it can help other colleges and
health care has come to the point where they’re universities duplicate the effort.
advocating advanced degrees for entry.” “We’re proud of our work,” Miller said. “We
One of the major differences between think potential students interested in respiratory
associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in RT is the therapy careers are going to be very excited to be
four-year program’s greater emphasis on courses part of it.” ■

MGA is now recruiting students to join the charter class
of those pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy.
For more information, see www.mga.edu/health-sciences/respiratory-therapy,

call 478.471.2783, or send an email to teri.miller@mga.edu.

Spring 2018 Respiratory therapists care for patients
who have trouble breathing – for example, from
a chronic respiratory disease, such as asthma or
emphysema. Their patients range from premature
infants with undeveloped lungs to elderly
patients who have diseased lungs. They also
provide emergency care to patients suffering from
heart attacks, drowning, or shock. Employment of
respiratory therapists nationwide is projected to
grow 23 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster
than the average for all occupations. The
median annual wage for respiratory therapists was
$58,670 in May 2016.*

*SOURCE: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

Alexis Pope, right, an adjunct faculty member for MGA’s
respiratory therapy department, works with student Elexis
Sharpe in the program’s clinical lab. JESSICA WHITLEY

MGA TODAY 17