The two institutions have partnered to create a pathway for students who want to pursue a bachelor degree in respiratory therapy, which is in high demand in the region.
Walters State Community College and East Tennessee State University have formed a partnership that will help prepare individuals to enter into the region’s workforce as advanced respiratory therapists. The partnership creates a pathway for Walters State Community College students who wish to earn a bachelor degree in respiratory therapy at East Tennessee State University.
According to an article on Walters State Community College’s website, Dr. Saul Reyes, the president of Walters State Community College, was quoted as saying of the partnership, “This agreement provides a convenient way for our respiratory care graduates to advance their education and their careers. Being able to complete the final two years of a bachelor’s degree online enables graduates to advance in their careers."
Sara Smith, who is the director of respiratory care at Walters State Community College, explained, “Respiratory therapists serve on the front lines in emergency departments, critical care units and in outpatient settings. Investing in education growth through this collaboration ensures our region is prepared to provide the needed respiratory therapists for years to come.”
The agreement will allow for students in Walters State Community College’s Associate of Applied Science in Respiratory Care program to seamlessly transfer into the East Tennessee State University College of Health Sciences’ online degree completion program to earn a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy. Students who are licensed or license-eligible and have an associate degree in respiratory care are eligible to enroll in the pathway program.
As the ETSU program is online and asynchronous, students will be able to complete their coursework on their own schedule, and their required clinical hours and fieldwork can be completed at their current workplaces if they are respiratory therapy-related.
Donna Lilly, who serves as the director of ETSU’s Respiratory Therapy program, explained, “This pathway helps working respiratory therapists take the next step without putting their careers on hold. With an accredited, fully online completion option and clinical requirements that can often be met where students already work, graduates can build advanced skills for leadership, education and specialized practice – meeting workforce needs while expanding their own opportunities."
Dr. Jeff Snodgrass, the dean of ETSU’s College of Health Sciences, added, “Respiratory therapists are essential to the health of our region, and the demand for highly trained professionals continues to grow. This partnership creates a clear, accessible pathway for students to advance their credentials while staying rooted in the communities that need them most, strengthening our workforce and improving care across Appalachia.”
For more information about Walters State Community College, visit the school’s website.
For more information about East Tennessee State University, visit the school’s website.