Print this page. About the Program
The College of Arts and Sciences at the University of South Carolina offers an interdisciplinary program of study leading to the Bachelor of Science degree in cardiovascular technology. Our program focuses on the natural sciences, combined with outstanding academic and health care resources and research facilities. We will help prepare you to work directly with heart patients. As a student in our program, you will utilize your studies in anatomy, human physiology, organic chemistry, and physics to assist physicians in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of heart patients. We offer an innovative program of three years of study at the University, followed by a clinical internship at an accredited hospital.
Career Opportunities
Your role as a cardiovascular technologist may range from recording and/or reviewing a patient’s history to performing cardiovascular diagnostic and therapeutic procedures to preparing a case study for consultation with a physician. The University Career Center is available to assist you in choosing a career direction and increasing your marketability upon graduation. For additional information, call the center at 803-777-7280.
Admission/Progression Requirements
To be admitted into the College of Arts and Sciences, you must meet all University admissions requirements, including (for freshmen) a completed application, nonrefundable application fee, high-school record complete up to the time of application (including record of at least 20 academic units of study earned as required by the University), and entrance examination scores (either SAT or ACT). Details for all applicant categories can be found in the Undergraduate Bulletin.
Program of Study (100 hours prior to internship)
The Bachelor of Science degree in cardiovascular technology offers an innovative program of study that enables students who are interested in a health care career to combine the benefits of a college education with the training necessary to begin a career as a licensed cardiovascular technologist immediately after graduation. Cardiovascular technology majors must satisfactorily complete 100 credit hours before applying for a clinical internship (ranging from 12 to 18 months) at an accredited hospital. Your internship will combine clinical and instructive course work to prepare you for national registration. After your internship is completed, you can take the national registry examination in cardiovascular technology. A passing score on the examination, combined with a satisfactory academic transcript, are the requirements to become a licensed cardiovascular technologist. You will receive specific training in one or more areas of emphasis within cardiovascular diagnostics: invasive, noninvasive, and vascular specialties. The first year will focus on the general education requirements of the college (40 to 50 hours), which includes courses in English, mathematics, foreign language, behavioral sciences, history, and freshman-level chemistry and biology. The major courses (26 hours) are completed over the next two years and will include courses in cell biology, genetics, physiology, biochemistry, and organic chemistry. You will be expected to complete eight hours of entry-level physics plus four hours in a major-level biology or chemistry course and one or two electives to bring your total credits to 100 hours. The clinical internship program replaces the cognate requirement of the College of Arts and Sciences. Progressive grade point average (GPA) standards are enforced for continuation in our program. Upon completion of 30 credit hours, a minimum GPA of 2.50 is required; at 60 credit hours a minimum GPA of 2.75 is required. Upon completion of the specified academic requirements, only students who have gained admission into an accredited cardiovascular technology school will be retained in the program. Students who transfer into our program must complete their last credit hours of academic work in residence at the University of South Carolina prior to entering the intensive cardiovascular technology clinical internship.
Of Special Interest
The University of South Carolina is one of only a few institutions of higher learning in the United States that offers a baccalaureate degree in cardiovascular technology. Cardiovascular technology majors can specialize in one of three areas: cardiac catheterization, noninvasive cardiology, and vascular technology. The employment outlook for cardiovascular technologists is excellent; the demand for trained cardiovascular technologists currently exceeds the supply. Entry-level salaries for cardiovascular technologists are in the mid-$40,000 range. The University’s proximity to five major hospitals and numerous health care agencies offers students excellent opportunities for practical work experience and possible future employment.
Cardiovascular Technology Department's Web site