Cardiopulmonary Sciences, BS (See 2022-2023 Catalog Addendum for Updates)

Purpose

The Bachelor of Science in Cardiopulmonary Sciences (BS-CPS) Program is designed to provide a well-rounded general education in the arts and sciences and an advanced understanding of cardiopulmonary science for credentialed cardiovascular technologists (RCIS or RDCS) and respiratory care professionals (RRT) who want to advance their education.

The Program provides the education necessary for career advancement for entry-level health profession practitioners. Students develop management and leadership skills and gain a broader-based knowledge of healthcare delivery. The Program offers a diverse population of students, innovative educational experiences, and opportunities to meet the healthcare needs of the community within which they serve. The Program provides a career and educational pathway for cardiovascular technologists and respiratory care professionals who have earned an Associate of Science degree in a related area and who hold current certification and licensure to treat patients. The Program also provides an excellent basis for continued formal education at the graduate level in the medical, public health, and education disciplines.

Program Structure

This program is a planned sequence of instruction consisting of 120 credit hours in the following areas: 36 credit hours of General Education Requirements, 4 credit hours of Lower Division Program Requirements, 33 credit hours of Upper Division Program Requirements, 3 credit hours of Upper Division Program Electives, and 44 credit hours of Open Electives.

The Program includes courses in professional issues, advanced pharmacology, diagnosis and intervention, patient management, education research, legal and ethical aspects of healthcare, pathophysiology, leadership, and community health. Courses are offered for full-time and part-time students in a blend of online and traditional formats to accommodate students’ various schedules and learning preferences. Students may select from an array of electives to complement their program requirements.

Career Opportunities

Cardiopulmonary professionals will be able to further promote the expansion of services in their communities, such as diagnosis and treatment of cardiopulmonary and sleep disorders, health promotion and disease prevention, patient education, pulmonary rehabilitation, disease-specific case management, and life support, within and outside of the intensive care unit. Changes in health care policy, regulation, and reimbursements have required professionals to adopt these expanded roles, work more independently in settings across the continuum of care, and collaborate as partners on the healthcare delivery team.

Admission Requirements

1. Applicants must apply for admission to the Bachelor of Science degree program and be accepted to Florida SouthWestern State College. Official transcripts from all previously attended colleges or universities must be sent directly to the Office of the Registrar.
2. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.
3. Applicants must possess licensure, certification, or registration from the profession in which the applicant is practicing. Applicants must hold one of the following credentials:
   • Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) from the National Board for Respiratory Care
   • Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS) or other registry level credentials from Cardiovascular Credentialing International
   • Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS) from the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers.
4. Applicants must have earned: 

   An Associate in Science (AS) degree in either Cardiovascular Technology or Respiratory Care from any regionally accredited college or university, as defined by State Board of Education rule, with a minimum of 60 credit hours.

   OR

   A minimum of 60 credit hours from any regionally accredited college or university, as defined by State Board of Education rule, with all state of Florida general education core requirements met. Students must possess required licensure or credentials as noted above.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

5. Students are encouraged to apply for admission during or after the term in which they will have completed their Associate degree program and received their required licensure or national credential.

​Priority Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester Start - Application due by August 1
• Spring Semester Start - Application due by December 1
• Summer Semester Start - Application due by April 1

Transient Student Enrollment in Upper Division Coursework

Transient students must obtain prior approval to enroll in Upper Division (3000 and 4000 level) Cardiopulmonary Sciences coursework. Transient students are currently enrolled college students who register for courses at another institution on a temporary basis (e.g., university students attending summer semester at a state college). In order to take courses at another institution, students must receive approval from their home institution. The application will initiate your request and be routed to the appropriate personnel. Students initiate this process using Florida Virtual Campus at www.FloridaShines.org.

Graduation Requirements

1. Students must satisfactorily complete a minimum of 120 credit hours as outlined in the Cardiopulmonary Sciences BS program of study. Credit awarded for Developmental Studies instruction may not be applied toward the total number of credits required for graduation. All other specific degree requirements must also be met.
2. To satisfy residency requirements, a minimum of 15 credit hours of Upper Division Cardiopulmonary Sciences coursework and a minimum of 30 total credit hours must be completed at Florida SouthWestern State College.
3. Students must achieve a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
4. Students must earn a grade of “C” or better in all Upper Division (3000 or 4000 level) Program Requirements.
5. Students must complete the State of Florida General Education Core Requirements, including any assessment of General Education outcomes required by the College. Transfer courses will be reviewed for equivalency.  Students who transfer to Florida SouthWestern State College with an Associate in Arts degree from a Florida College or a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution are considered to have met the General Education component of the degree.
6. The State Civic Literacy Competency Requirement may be met by achieving a passing score on the Florida Civic Literacy Exam and by successfully passing a civic literacy course.
7. The State Foreign Language Competency Requirement may be met by:

• 2 years of the same High School Foreign Language, or
• Documented foreign language proficiency through testing (for example, CLEP), or
• 2 semesters of the same College Level Foreign Language (Level II proficiency).

1. Students must indicate their intention to attend commencement ceremony by completing the Commencement Form by the published deadline.

Course Prerequisites

Many courses require prerequisites. Check the description of each course in the list below for prerequisites, minimum grade requirements, and other restrictions.  Students must complete all prerequisites for a course prior to registering for it.