Respiratory Care AAS

You can live without water for a few days and without food for a few weeks, but without oxygen, you will suffer brain damage within a few minutes and die after about nine minutes. Respiratory therapists, also known as respiratory care practitioners, evaluate, treat and care for patients with breathing disorders. Respiratory therapists treat all types of patients, ranging from premature infants whose lungs are not fully developed to elderly people whose lungs are diseased. They provide temporary relief to patients with chronic asthma or emphysema and emergency care for patients who have suffered heart failure or a stroke or who are victims of drowning or shock. Respiratory therapists are expanding into cardiopulmonary procedures such as electrocardiograms and stress testing but also perform other tasks such as drawing blood samples from patients. Ferris' off-campus program combines online lectures with weekend labs at partner institutions. Internships in hospitals throughout the state are also used to prepare program graduates to deliver the range of patient health services they will provide.

This program is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs in conjunction with the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care.

Locations: Grand Rapids, Harrison, Lansing, Petoskey

Program Plans: Grand Rapids , Harrison, Lansing , Petoskey (Rotation Schedule )

College Information: College of Allied Health Sciences , Support Information for Off-Campus and Online Allied Health Students

With twenty locations around the state (including online), more than 50 degree programs, and 2,500 students, there's always something happening. Our news and events page keeps you updated on the latest news, information and goings on—no matter when and where they happen to be going on.

Ferris participates with Michigan Works!

Michigan has been hit hard in this economic downturn but the good news is more people are being given the opportunity to return to school through the various programs offered by Michigan Works . Ferris State University has worked hard to partner with Michigan Works and to make the transition back to school an easy one for students. more

Ferris School of Education Ranks Among Top Schools in Michigan

BIG RAPIDS – Ferris State University’s School of Education ranks among the top schools in the state of Michigan for teacher preparation.

The designation comes from the Michigan Department of Education, which ranked Ferris’ School of Education as exemplary in its 2007-08 Report on Teacher Preparation Institution Performance Scores. Ferris was in line with peer institutions scoring 68 out of 70 possible points.

"This report shows we’re doing the right thing," said Michelle Johnston, dean of the College of Education and Human Services under which the School of Education is housed at Ferris. "Our students are excellent and this report shows they are performing better than ever; their test scores have improved and they are more hirable, competent young professionals." more

First Ever Off-Campus Scholarships Awarded

With great pride, CPTS has awarded its first ever Off-Campus Endowed Scholarships this fall. Two scholarships, totaling $1,000 each, were awarded based upon the demonstrated need of the student. One of the recipients is an education student who began the program in Brimley and has been working to complete her degree at the Traverse City location. The second student is also at the Traverse City location and is a student in the Maritime program offered there. For more information about the scholarships available for students at the off-campus locations, visit the scholarships portion of our website.

NCIS Visits FSU-GR

In May, Special Agent/Director of Naval Criminal Investigative Service Thomas Betro visited Grand Rapids to discuss cybercrime, crime investigation and careers in the field.

While here, he was interviewed on the WGVU Morning Show. Listen to is interview here .

He also paid a visit to the Kent Career Tech Center and spoke with students there. You can see a clip of his visit on the WOTV website .

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