Respiratory Therapy

Student Expectations

Graduation Requirements

The academic credit requirement for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Respiratory Therapy at WVU is successful completion of 128 credits as outlined in the program curriculum. Upon completion of all the graduation requirements and the 128 credits required in the program and university, the student will be eligible to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy at West Virginia University.

To be eligible for graduation, students must: 

  • Successfully complete all respiratory therapy didactic, laboratory, and clinical courses in the program curriculum with a minimum final course grade of C or higher.
  • Successfully complete all University residency requirements as reflected in the University catalog.
  • Satisfactorily complete all WVU General Education Foundation requirements.
  • Successfully complete all respiratory therapy requirements, including clinical competencies and physician contact cards/forms contained in the student handbook.
  • Attain a minimum cumulative academic GPA of 2.00 or higher.
  • Officially apply to graduate and successfully satisfy the 128 credits reflected in the BSRT program curriculum.
  • Successfully complete and receive verification by the WVU Registrar's Office and School of Medicine Department of Respiratory Therapy of their fulfillment of all course and program requirements.

Remuneration Policy

The WVU BSRT program states that students must be appropriately supervised at all times during their clinical education coursework and experiences. Students must not be used to substitute for clinical, instructional, or administrative staff. Students must not receive any form of remuneration in exchange for patient care they provide during programmatic clinical coursework. In addition, WVU BSRT program students must not be substituted for paid staff while they are on clinical rotations, and they cannot complete clinical coursework or be evaluated on their clinical competencies while functioning as part-time or full-time employees at any healthcare site/facility. Additional details of this policy are as follows:

  • Students will not receive any form of payment for hours completed in the WVU BSRT clinical practicums or any courses within the BSRT course curriculum.
  • Students will be provided a clinical schedule at the beginning of each semester that reflects the student’s clinical assignment.
  • Students will be assigned a clinical preceptor to oversee and provide guidance each day of their assigned clinical training in the clinical practicum.
  • Students will not receive any form of payment for any actions, completed clinical time/hours, or completion of RT coursework.
  • Students are permitted and may seek employment outside of the program curriculum.
  • This policy does not prohibit a paid/unpaid ‘internship’ in states where this is allowed including the state of West Virginia but is intended to ensure that students are not used as ‘back-ups’ in the absence of paid staff during clinical rotations.

Other Policies

Students in the WVU BSRT program are also subject to other policies and procedures, including the WVU BSRT Programmatic Progression, Probation, and Dismissal Policies and Procedures. The program follows West Virginia University institutional policy for withdrawal from courses as well as add/drop days and times, for both RT course(s) and non-RT course(s). However, additional penalties are incurred for withdrawal from RT course(s) and students should carefully review the programmatic progression policy linked above. 

Students are also responsible for ensuring they are aware of other key information, including the University's academic calendar and information related to tuition, fees, and refunds.