SEMO Respiratory Therapy Program earns reaccreditation from CoARC

KBSI FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., (KBSI) — Southeast Missouri State University’s Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy has earned continued accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC), reaffirming the program’s commitment to educational excellence and student success.

The reaccreditation confirms that SEMO’s program complies with national standards for entry into professional practice. CoARC also commended the program for its dedication to continuous improvement.

“The reaccreditation process is pretty demanding. It takes six to nine months and starts with a massive self-study that documents how we meet CoARC’s standards,” said Pete Darnell, program director of respiratory therapy. “When the site team came to campus, they talked with students, alumni, clinical partners and administrators. The evaluation team commented on the outstanding level of support for our program. Parents of students described the environment here as a ‘family atmosphere,’ which is exactly what we hope to create.”

The next comprehensive evaluation of the program, which will include an on-site review, is scheduled no later than 2035. In the meantime, CoARC will continue to monitor compliance through annual reporting on student outcomes.

SEMO’s respiratory therapy program combines classroom instruction with clinical experience in hospitals and healthcare facilities across the region. Graduates are prepared to meet growing demands in respiratory care, especially as the field continues to evolve in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’ve got a dedicated team of educators who care deeply about our students and their success,” said Dr. Jason Wagganer, chair of the Department of Allied Health, Kinesiology, and Sport Sciences. “This reaccreditation reflects their commitment to quality, and it means our students are graduating from a program that meets the highest national standards.”

Accreditation not only ensures that programs meet rigorous national benchmarks, but also reinforces graduates’ eligibility for licensure and clinical employment.

For more information about SEMO’s respiratory therapy program, visit semo.edu/respiratorytherapy.