Program Information
BS Degree - Code 660000 - Catalog 2025/2026
Melanie McDonough, Assistant Chair, 386-506-3759, Melanie.McDonough@daytonastate.edu
Melissa Brown-Mack, Academic Advisor, 386-506-3052, Melissa.Brown-Mack@daytonastate.edu
Program Mission, Description, and Outcomes
Mission:
The mission of the Bachelor of Science in Cardiopulmonary Sciences program is to enhance the ability of respiratory therapists and allied healthcare practitioners to excel in clinical, educational, administrative, and research settings. Through a scholarly, comprehensive, and innovative curriculum, the program promotes excellence in patient care and prepares graduates to meet the demands of evolving healthcare environments, increasing patient acuity, and expanding scopes of practice.
Description:
The Bachelor of Science in Cardiopulmonary Sciences at Daytona State College is an entirely online degree advancement program designed for practicing allied health professionals seeking to expand their knowledge and career opportunities in cardiopulmonary care. This flexible program is ideal for working respiratory therapists, cardiovascular technologists, and paramedics who have already earned an Associate of Science or Associate of Applied Science degree from an accredited program.
The Cardiopulmonary Sciences program offers two distinct tracks designed to meet the advanced educational needs of healthcare professionals: the Respiratory Therapists track and the Allied Healthcare track. Each track is tailored to support practitioners who have already completed accredited associate degree programs in their respective fields and are seeking to expand their expertise and career opportunities in cardiopulmonary care.
Respiratory Therapists Track:
This track is ONLY available to graduates from CoARC accredited A.S. or A.A.S. Respiratory Care programs from a regionally accredited college. Applicants must be eligible or already credentialed with the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential. Licensed RRTs from non-regionally accredited schools may be considered on a case-by-case basis after consulting with college and program advisors. While not required, this degree advancement program has obtained provisional accreditation from CoARC, making it the first to do so in the state of Florida.
Allied Healthcare Track:
Daytona State College also offers a track for allied health professionals with an A.S. degree in Emergency Medical Services from a CAAHEP accredited program that hold the NREMT-P or FL-paramedic credential or an A.S. degree in Cardiovascular Technology from a CHEA accredited program that hold either the RCES or RCIS credential. NOTE: This program is NOT a CoARC accredited entry to practice program or CoARC accredited Degree Advancement program and DOES NOT allow graduates to take exams offered by the National Board for Respiratory Care.
Admission to the Cardiopulmonary Sciences program is open year-round, and the accelerated online format allows students to balance professional responsibilities while earning a bachelor’s degree in Cardiopulmonary Sciences.
Program Accreditation: The B.S. in Cardiopulmonary Sciences – Respiratory Care track holds provisional accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC), 264 Precision Blvd., Telford, TN 37690, (817) 283-2835.
Institutional Accreditation: Daytona State College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate and bachelor's degrees. For accreditation inquiries, contact SACSCOC at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, (404) 679-4500, or visit www.sacscoc.org
Outcomes:
Respiratory Therapists Track Goal: To provide graduates of entry into respiratory care professional practice degree programs with additional knowledge, skills, and attributes in leadership, management, education, research, and/or advanced clinical practice that will enable them to meet their current professional goals and prepare them for practice as advanced degree respiratory therapists.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Cardiopulmonary Science will be able to:
- Plan care in accordance with management and leadership principles for patients across the lifespan.
- Integrate inherent values as defined by health law and ethics as a foundation for practice.
- Synthesize knowledge of advanced therapeutics to improve patient-care outcomes.
- Examine safe and appropriate care based on health promotion, disease, and injury prevention to improve population health.
- Understand the importance of research to identify best evidence-based practices in health care.
Financial Aid
This program is eligible for federal financial aid and state Bright Futures Scholarship Program.
Financing Options: All students are encouraged to apply for federal and state student financial assistance by completing their FAFSA at studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. For more information on grants, loans and work programs available see the Office of Financial Aid webpage at daytonastate.edu/financial-aid/. Students are also encouraged to apply for one of the many Daytona State College Foundation scholarships offered each semester. For more information see: daytonastate.edu/scholarships/.
Approximate Costs
Program Tuition
|
$4,331.52 |
| Access Fee |
$46.08 |
| Assessment Fee |
$34 |
| Textbook Estimate |
$850 |
*This is a one-time fee for first time DSC students
Additional Admission Requirements
This is a limited access program.
- Submit a Bachelor of Science in Cardiopulmonary Science Application for admission to the Admissions Office or online: Apply Now.
- Provide an official transcript from all previous institutions attended. International students must have their transcripts evaluated by a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) naces.org/members.htm
- Possess a conferred Associate of Science or Associate of Applied Science from a regionally accredited program in one of the following:
- Respiratory Care with Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) accreditation and Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) eligible,
- Cardiovascular Technology with Council for Higher Education accreditation (CHEA) and Registered Cardiac Electrophysiology Specialist (RCES) or Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS) eligible,
- Emergency Medical Services with Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accreditation and Paramedic (NREMT-P) eligible, or
- Other certified and licensed healthcare providers may be eligible. Applications must be approved by the Program Director and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
- Applicants without an associate degree must meet with an Academic Advisor.
- Complete all college coursework with a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average.
Additional Completion Requirements
- Earn a grade "C" or better in all program specific and prerequisite courses.
- Successfully pass the highest-level credentialing exam specific to their profession (only one of the following):
- National Board for Respiratory Care Therapist Multiple Choice and Clinical Simulation Exam to obtain the Registered Respiratory Therapist Credential,
- Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) Registered Cardiac Electrophysiology Specialist (RCES) or Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS) credentialing exam,
- National Registry of Emergency Medical Technician exam to obtain the Nationally Registered Paramedic (NREMT-P) OR hold a FL-Paramedic certification, or
- Other healthcare disciplines as approved for admission to the program
- Submit the credentialing exam report in order to obtain college credit for course RET3960 Respiratory Therapy Professional Credentialing.
- Successfully complete 36 credit hours of General Education courses within the first 12 credit hours of upper division coursework.
- Undertake and pass 12 additional lower-division credit hours prior to RET4950 Cardiopulmonary Capstone:
- BSC1085 Human Anatomy & Physiology I, equivalent or higher
- BSC1086 Human Anatomy & Physiology II, equivalent or higher
- MCB1010 Microbiology, equivalent or higher
- Fulfill the 36 upper-division credit hours of the Cardiopulmonary, B.S. program specific courses.
- Conclude two years of the same foreign language in high school or two semesters of the same college level foreign language.
- Satisfy the College-Level Communication and Computational Skills and the Civic Literacy Competency requirement.
Note: Need help preparing for your job search? Login to Daytona State's Career Services Online (CSO) to create your personal career account, or email your Daytona State College Career Advisor.
Program Credit Requirements
|
General Education |
36.00 |
|
Associate Degree - Program Specific and Electives |
36.00 |
| |
Additional Lower-level Sciences |
12.00
|
|
Cardiopulmonary Science BS Program Specific |
36.00 |
| TOTAL |
... |
120.00 |
Note: Prior to enrollment in college-level English or math courses, some students may be advised to complete college preparatory/developmental course work. See an Academic Advisor to determine developmental course requirements.
Program Specific Courses
| RET4354 | Advanced Pharmacology | 3 |
| HSC4550 | Pathophysiology for Health Care | 3 |
| RET3960 | ProfessionalCredentialing | 3 |
| HSC4645 | Legal and Ethical Aspects of Health Care | 3 |
| RET4445 | Cardiopulmonary Diagnostics | 3 |
| HSA4107 | Health Services Administration | 3 |
| RET4245 | Advanced Life Support | 3 |
| HSA4383 | Quality Management and Process Improvement | 3 |
| HSC3730 | Research Methods for Health Professions | 3 |
| RET3536 | Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation | 3 |
| RET3041 | Cardiopulmonary Education and Promotion | 3 |
| RET4950 | Cardiopulmonary Capstone | 3 |
RET4950: This capstone course must be taken during the final semester of the program.
Sample Program of Study
Year 1
1st Semester
| RET3041 | Cardiopulmonary Education and Promotion | 3 |
| HSC4550 | Pathophysiology for Health Care | 3 |
| RET3536 | Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation | 3 |
2nd Semester
| HSA4383 | Quality Management and Process Improvement | 3 |
| RET4245 | Advanced Life Support | 3 |
| RET4354 | Advanced Pharmacology | 3 |
Year 2
3rd Semester
| HSA4107 | Health Services Administration | 3 |
| RET4245 | Advanced Life Support | 3 |
| HSA4383 | Quality Management and Process Improvement | 3 |
| Humanities Core | 3 |
| Natural Sciences Core | 3 |
4th Semester
| HSA4107 | Health Services Administration | 3 |
| HSC4645 | Legal and Ethical Aspects of Health Care | 3 |
| RET4950 | Cardiopulmonary Capstone | 3 |
RET4950: This capstone course must be taken during the final semester of the program.