New Academic Programs Respond to Job Market and Region’s Needs

The UNC Charlotte Department of Kinesiology is responding to the greater Charlotte region’s employment needs with two new graduate certificate programs in respiratory therapy that are relevant to the current and future job market.

“UNC Charlotte has a long history of being nimble in adapting to the evolving needs of our students and our community with relevant and future-oriented academic programs,” said Joan Lorden, provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs. “These new programs are designed to respond to industry needs, provide excellent opportunities for current and prospective students, and help strengthen our region’s workforce.”

The new programs will be open for new and current students by fall 2021.

Respiratory Care Leadership Graduate Certificate

There is an industry need for more respiratory care department directors, supervisors and college faculty over the next 10 years as individuals transition into retirement.

• The Respiratory Care Leadership Graduate Certificate is a fully online program designed for those who want to advance in leadership and management roles in clinical and educational settings.
• The certificate’s 12 credit hours provide a career jump start and are transferable to the fully online M.S. in Respiratory Care program offered at UNC Charlotte.
• The program prepares professionals to apply leadership and evidence-based practice principles to plan and make collaborative and effective decisions relevant to respiratory care services or education.
• The Respiratory Care Leadership Graduate Certificate will be available starting in the fall 2021 semester.

Respiratory Care Clinical Concepts Graduate Certificate

The Respiratory Care Clinical Concepts Graduate Certificate will provide current respiratory therapists with additional knowledge and skills for advanced clinical practice to further their careers as clinical specialists, pulmonary disease educators and navigators, research coordinators and industry sales representatives.

• The online program prepares professionals to apply clinical reasoning skills and evidence-based practice concepts to examine, evaluate and manage patients with cardiopulmonary diseases.
• Fewer than 45% of current respiratory therapists hold a baccalaureate degree or higher (AARC, 2017), however the need is growing for those with advanced skills.
• The 12 credit hours will transfer to the fully online M.S. in Respiratory Care program.
• The Respiratory Care Clinical Concepts Graduate Certificate will be available starting in the fall 2021 semester.