Respiratory Care

This is a 3+2 agreement where the students complete three years of course work at Lewis University and two years at Rush University.  The program leads to a Bachelor of Science in Biology (B.S.) from Lewis University and a Master of Science in Respiratory Care (M.S.) from Rush University.  Respiratory therapists play critical roles as members of the healthcare team in caring for patients with deficiencies and abnormalities of the cardiopulmonary system. Working with the physician and healthcare practitioners, respiratory therapists help patients breathe better by providing patient assessment, care plan development and respiratory care protocol administration, critical care support, cardiopulmonary diagnostics and patient education, pulmonary rehabilitation and disease management. Respiratory therapy as a career, like many healthcare professions, is growing in demand in response to the U.S. aging population. Rush University College of Health Sciences and the Biology Department at Lewis University have an articulation agreement.

Rush University College of Health Sciences

Rush is a small private university integrated in Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois, that offers more than 30 unique degree or certificate options in medicine, nursing, allied health, and biomedical research. Since 1975, the College of Health Sciences (CHS) at Rush University has been responsible for education and research in the allied health professions. Rush seeks to provide the growing healthcare industry with superb health practitioners, managers, researchers, and leaders. By integrating patient care, research, scholarship, and service, they provide educational programs that rank among the very best in an energetic, academic medical center setting. Rush University is known for its practitioner-teacher model, translational research, nurturing academic environment, and focus on community and global health.

The Rush University Respiratory Care program prepares students for rewarding careers as advanced respiratory care practitioners and provides a foundation for leadership in management, education, and clinical specialization.  Respiratory Care Programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).