HAT courses are given for respiratory care (RC) majors. The courses are sequential and require successful completion of prior courses. Non-RC students may take selected HAT courses (with the exception of clinical courses), with permission of instructor.
The courses in the upper division of the program are semester based.
Junior Year: Professional Courses
HAT 301 Foundations of Respiratory Care Practice
Credits: 2.0
This course introduces students to the field of respiratory care, focusing on its history, current practices, and future trends. Students will learn the roles of respiratory therapists, including credentialing, licensing, and continuing education requirements. Emphasis is placed on professional ethics, conduct, and confidentiality. Students will also develop skills in professional communication, medical terminology, basic patient assessment, and clinical documentation.
HAT 302 Cardiopulmonary Anatomy
Credits: 3 (2 lecture, 1 lab)
This course aims to provide the student with a strong foundation of the functional anatomy of the heart and lungs.
HAT 304 Cardiopulmonary Physiology
Credits: 4
This course presents a detailed study of the physiology of human respiration and circulation. Topics include functional cardiopulmonary anatomy, embryology, ventilation, diffusion, blood flow, gas transport, acid-base states, mechanics and regulation of ventilation and basic cardiac function.
HAT 330 Cardiopulmonary Pathology
Credits: 4.0
This course will provide a comprehensive study of the etiology, diagnosis, pathogenesis, pathophysiology, pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment, integration of physical assessment, prognosis, and management plans of various types of cardiopulmonary pathologies.
HAT 331 Respiratory Care Principles, Therapies, and Applications
Credits: 4.0
This course introduces students to the beginning skills and therapies that are utilized in the field of respiratory therapy. Major topics include principles of infection control and prevention; a review of the basic physics of respiratory care; medical gas storage, delivery and therapy; pharmacological interventions; humidity and bland aerosol administration; bedside monitoring; lung expansion and airway clearance therapies. Laboratory sessions will provide practical experience in the clinical application of the therapeutic modalities discussed.
HAT 332 Respiratory Care Assessment and Intervention
Credits: 4.0; 3 Lecture, 1 lab
This course continues with intermediate skills and therapies that are utilized in the field of respiratory therapy. Major topics include airway management, conscious sedation, performing arterial blood sampling and A-line insertions, high flow oxygen therapy, non-invasive ventilation, airway clearance methods and pharmacology, alternative site care, and disease and disaster management. Laboratory sessions will provide practical experience in the clinical application of the therapeutic modalities discussed.
HAT 333 Pulmonary Diagnostic Testing and Rehabilitation
Credits: 4.0 (2.0 lecture, 2.0 lab)
This course combines lectures and labs to provide comprehensive training in pulmonary function diagnostics and cardiopulmonary rehabilitation. Students are introduced to the instrumentation and principles of clinical measurement, procedures for measuring lung function, and interpretation of test results related to various pathophysiologies. Labs offer hands-on experience with pulmonary function testing and practice in planning and evaluating rehabilitation programs for patients with chronic cardiopulmonary disorders. Additionally, the course will reinforce patient assessment, interviewing skills, patient education, and cover therapies used in the rehabilitation setting.
HAT 334 Neonatal & Pediatric Care Pathophysiology and Treatment Strategies
Credits: 2.0
This course covers fetal development, assessment techniques, and risk factors in newborns. Students will explore neonatal and pediatric evaluations, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders, as well as congenital cardiac anomalies and airway management differences.
HAT 345 Case Management of the Respiratory Care Patient
Credits: 3.0 lecture
This course utilizes case studies as a learning tool to motivate critical thinking and foster evidence-based clinical decision-making relevant to the case management of the respiratory care patient in a variety of settings. Students will integrate and apply knowledge from prior coursework to develop comprehensive responses to clinical scenarios.
HAT 351 Research Concepts
Credits: 2.0
This course prepares students to participate in research related to respiratory care. Students will learn how to perform a literature search for peer-reviewed scientific articles, develop skills to choose appropriate manuscripts related to a specific research focus, and write a succinct literature review. Students will also develop an understanding of research terminology, various research designs and methodology, and build skills to enhance interpretation and critical appraisal of research articles. Content will also include ethical research considerations and responsible conduct for research on human subjects.
Junior Year: Clinical Rotations
HAT 350 Basic Respiratory Care Clinical
Credits: 4.0
This course provides the student with an introduction to the clinical application of basic respiratory procedures such as oxygen administration, aerosol therapy, pulmonary hygiene, arterial punctures and other monitoring and diagnostic procedures. This clinical practicum is designed to be an extension of the junior year courses in HAT 331 and 332 as well as a review of patient assessment, pharmacology, physiology and pathology.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of: HAT 331 and HAT 332.
HAT 352 Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Clinical
Credits: 2.0
This course provides the student with clinical experience concentrating on program planning and evaluation of patients with chronic cardiopulmonary disorders. Includes discharge planning, rehabilitative services, stress testing, graded exercise and other supportive techniques. This clinical practicum is designed to be an extension of courses in cardiopulmonary disease diagnosis and treatment as well as courses in advanced cardiopulmonary techniques. At the completion of this practicum, the student will be able to perform and evaluate the results of specialized procedures involved in cardiac and/or pulmonary rehabilitation.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of HAT 331 and HAT 333.
HAT 353 Pulmonary Diagnostics Clinical
Credits: 2.0
This course provides the student with patient contact in a PFT lab. The student will have the opportunity to observe, perform (under supervision), and evaluate pulmonary diagnostic testing procedures. This clinical practicum is designed to be an extension of the junior year course in HAT 333 as well as a review of EKG, patient assessment, pulmonary pathology pharmacology, and physiology. At the completion of this practicum, the student will be able to perform pulmonary function procedures in the general medical/surgical setting.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of HAT 304, 331, 330, 333.
Senior Year: Professional Courses
HAT 410 Teaching and Leadership in Healthcare
Credits: 2.0
This course explores inclusive health education, teaching strategies, and leadership roles in healthcare, with a focus on respiratory therapy. Students will examine systemic barriers, biases, and learning environments to enhance education for practitioners and patients.
HAT 425 Medical Ethics
Credits: 2.0
Reviews professional guidelines for ethical conduct and approaches to ethical dilemmas for respiratory therapists. Discuss physician assisted suicide; terminal weaning; brain death; genetics; cloning and euthanasia; advance directives; confidentiality; informed consent; patient rights; professional conduct; and the legal issues that impact healthcare practice in the United States.
HAT 431 Adult Mechanical Ventilation
Credits: 4.0 (3.0 lecture, 1.0 lab)
Introduces the concepts of advanced airway management and mechanical ventilation used in the respiratory support of the critically ill patient. Emphasizes the physiological basis for ventilator use, indications for ventilation, parameters monitored during ventilation, and ventilator design, function, and clinical application.
HAT 432 Neonatal & Pediatric Clinical Management
Credits: 2.0 (1.0 lecture, 1.0 lab)
This course introduces the fundamentals of neonatal and pediatric respiratory care, covering topics such as oxygen and humidity administration, thermoregulation, and monitoring techniques. Students will learn about blood gas sampling, ventilator setup, and specialized respiratory support, including high-frequency ventilation and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). The curriculum also highlights cardiopulmonary resuscitation, surfactant therapy, and the use of specialty medical gases in this population. Students will explore the role of respiratory care practitioners in patient transport, including ventilator selection and transport methods.
HAT 460 Applied Critical Care Lab
Credits: 2.0
This laboratory-based course offers an in-depth exploration of critical care respiratory therapy across neonatal, pediatric, and adult populations. Students will advance their proficiency in ventilator management, critical clinical analysis, and problem-solving strategies. Through hands-on laboratory sessions, they will refine their skills in patient assessment, respiratory monitoring, and therapeutic interventions, with a strong emphasis on age-specific considerations.
HAT 470 Sleep Diagnostics and Therapeutics
Credits: 4 (3.0 lecture, 1.0 lab)
This course introduces students to the terminology, instrumentation, procedures, and therapies that are relevant to the field of polysomnography. Topics include medical terminology, technical instrumentation, patient-technologist interaction, patient setup and calibrations, recording and monitoring techniques, sleep scoring and event recognition, and therapeutic interventions. Documentation, infection control and prevention, and professional issues related to the specialty setting will be included. Laboratory sessions will provide skills training and practical application of the diagnostics and therapeutics discussed. This course will prepare students for the optional nationally recognized sleep credentialing exams.
HAT 491 Respiratory Care Capstone I
Credits: 1.0
This course will provide students with the opportunity to apply both skills and knowledge acquired during their respiratory care course work and clinical rotation towards planning and designing an original project under faculty mentorship.
HAT 492 Respiratory Care Capstone II
Credits: 1.0
This course will provide students with the opportunity to complete an original project under faculty mentorship. Students will be expected to write a paper on their project and to present their project via a poster presentation to faculty and peers
Senior Year: Clinical Rotations
HAT 450 Critical Care Clinical
Credits: 3.0
Develop clinical skills in the management of critical care patients. Includes specialized learning experiences in therapeutic modalities, mechanical ventilation, cardiovascular monitoring and home care ventilation. Prerequisite: Successful completion of HAT 350 and 431.
HAT 451 Neonatal/Pediatric Clinical
Credits: 3.0
This course provides the student with patient contact in the newborn nursery, the neonatal intensive care unit (ICU), the pediatric floors and the pediatric intensive care unit (ICU). The student will have the opportunity to demonstrate proficiency in practicing respiratory care procedures such as ventilator care, non-invasive monitoring, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), arterial and capillary sampling/analysis, oxygen, and aerosol therapy, drug nebulization, incentive spirometry and chest physiotherapy.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of HAT 334 and HAT 432.
HAT 475 Sleep Diagnostics and Therapeutics Clinical
Credits: 3.0
This course provides clinical training in the basics of polysomnographic technology. The student will have the opportunity to observe, assist, and perform (under supervision) diagnostic and therapeutic sleep testing. This clinical practicum is designed to be an extension of the senior year course in HAT 470 as well as to familiarize the student with instrumentation calibration, patient set-up, recording and monitoring techniques, documentation, professional issues, therapeutic intervention, and patient-technologist interactions related to polysomnographic technology. At the completion of this practicum, the student will be able to perform all aspects of various polysomnographic procedures in the sleep laboratory setting.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of HAT 470.
