College of Health and Public Affairs

CARDIOPULMONARY SCIENCES

(B.S.)

HPA2 210, 407-823-2214
http://www.cohpa.ucf.edu/health.pro/
Undergraduate Program Director: Jeffery E. Ludy, EdD, RRT,
E-mail: jludy@mail.ucf.edu

Limited Access

Admission Requirements

Acceptance to the university does not necessarily constitute admission to the upper division cardiopulmonary sciences program.

• Separate Application to the limited access program must be made directly to the program prior to February 1st of the year admission is sought.
• Application to the University must also be submitted by the program deadline of February 1st. Acceptance to UCF is necessary before acceptance to the Cardiopulmonary Sciences program can occur.
• This limited access program is work-intensive and courses include clinical practice in a variety of health care settings. Due to this it is strongly recommended that students be at least one-year post high school prior to applying to the program. Students with concerns or questions should contact the program to schedule an appointment with an advisor.
• A personal interview is a required part of the application process.
• Student must complete all general education, foreign language, and program admission prerequisites by the end of Spring Semester before starting the program.
• All applicants must have a minimum overall GPA of 2.5, and complete all program prerequisite courses with at least a grade of “C”.
• A one page statement of intent for entry into the profession must be included with the program application. Typical papers are single spaced and approximately 500 words in length. Candidate should reflect on their reasons for wishing to become a respiratory care professional and their feelings concerning their recent site visit to a respiratory or cardiopulmonary department.
• Applicants are required to complete a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) program specifically designed for health care providers prior to admission to the program.
• The limited access portion of the cardiopulmonary sciences program has a requirement for all students to submit a criminal background check prior to the scheduling of a personal interview. This requirement mirrors clinical affiliates’ need to guarantee patient safety by screening students prior to providing them access to their patient populations.
• The practice of respiratory care can be a physically challenging experience. Students must possess a level of visual acuity, auditory perception, and motor coordination necessary to participate fully in this strenuous patient care centered program. Specific questions about the physical requirements for this program and professional duties should be directed to the Program Director.

This department will continue to accept Associate in Arts (AA) and Associate in Science (AS) transfers, but those students admitted with the AS degree will need to complete the UCF General Education requirements before they can be actively considered for admission to this limited access program. Students should seek advisement from the program as soon as they declare Cardiopulmonary Sciences as their major so that they are kept abreast of current articulation activity.

Note: A total of 20 UCF undergraduate students are admitted each Fall semester for the regular Cardiopulmonary Sciences program. Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRT’s) applying for this program’s transfer option will be admitted each semester on a space available basis. These individuals have a separate application process and are not counted as part of the regular Cardiopulmonary Sciences class. See transfer notes below.

Degree Requirements

• Students who change degree programs and select this major must adopt the most current catalog
• Students should complete the General Education Program, Foreign Language Admissions, and the Common Program Prerequisites Requirements before transferring within the Florida Public University/Community College System
• Student should consult with a departmental advisor
• The courses designated in sections 1 and 2 below may be taken at a Florida Community College, and should usually be completed in the first 60 hours
• A minimum overall GPA of 2.5 and a minimum grade of “C” (2.0) in prerequisite and major courses is required for admission to, continuation in, and graduation from the Cardiopulmonary Sciences Program
• UCF Residency Requirement: 32 hours
• 25% of course work must be completed in residency at UCF
• The courses designated in sections 1 (General Education) and 2 (Common Program Prerequisites) should usually be completed in the first 60 hours

(36 hrs)

1. UCF General Education Program

9 hrs

A. Communication Foundations

9 hrs

B. Cultural Historical Foundations

6 hrs

C. Mathematical Foundations

1. Select MAC 1105
2. Select STA 2023

6 hrs

D. Social Foundations

6 hrs

E. Science Foundations

1. Select BSC 2010C
2. Select CHM 1032 and lab

(16 hrs)

2. Common Program Prerequisites

*See Transfer Notes

(72 hrs)

3. Core Requirements

(3 hrs)

4. Upper Division Restricted Electives

The Cardiopulmonary Sciences program allows students in the traditional limited access program 3 credit hours of 3000-4000 level restricted elective courses with the approval of the program director. Any course or courses used to fulfill the restricted elective requirement must be passed with a grade of “C” (2.0) or better to be counted toward total program credit hours.

(127 hrs)

5. Departmental Exit Requirements

Cardiopulmonary Sciences GPA requirement minimum 2.5 overall required for admission and graduation.

(none)

6. Electives

(0-8 hrs)

7. Foreign Language Requirements

• Admissions: Two years of one foreign language in high school, or one year of one foreign language in college (or equivalent proficiency exam) prior to graduation.
• none
  Graduation:

8. University Minimum Exit Requirements

• A 2.0 UCF GPA
• 60 semester hours earned after CLEP awarded
• 48 semester hours of upper division credit completed
• 32 hours of course work must be completed in residency at UCF
• A maximum of 45 hours of extension, correspondence, CLEP, Credit by Exam, and Armed Forces credits permitted
• Complete the General Education Program, the Gordon Rule, the CLAST and nine hours of Summer credit (if applicable)

127 hrs

Total Semester Hours Required

• Related Programs: Radiologic Sciences, Nursing, Physical Therapy, Health Services Administration, Aging Studies Certificate
• Related Minors: Health Services Administration, Health Sciences, Molecular Biology & Microbiology, Biology, Chemistry

Transfer Notes:

The UCF Cardiopulmonary Sciences program maintains an active transfer program open only to Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRT) and registry eligible respiratory therapists (new respiratory care graduates from an accredited respiratory care program). This program allows working respiratory care professionals to attend UCF and gain a baccalaureate degree in Cardiopulmonary Sciences. To facilitate this process, transfer-credit by examination is available for Registered Respiratory Therapists for 26 credits of course work. Credit will be awarded by the Cardiopulmonary Sciences faculty when students demonstrate advanced knowledge and competencies beyond the level required for entry into the profession. This may be demonstrated by successful completion of the two part registry examination given by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). Only graduates of an accredited institution and program are eligible for the NBRC credentials. Students who successfully complete these requirements will have validated the knowledge and clinical competencies and will be awarded credit in their final semester with grades of “S” recorded in their transcripts.

Community College Equivalents

Tentative Course Schedule for Entering Freshmen