The bachelor of science degree in cardiovascular technology will include a three-year, 100-credit-hour program of academic courses and an intensive 18-month clinical internship at Providence Hospital.

"Providence physicians saw the need for cardiovascular technologists with a more thorough educational background and came to us with the idea of designing a program," said Gerald Cowley, assistant dean of the college and director of the cardiovascular technology program.

Providence's cardiology department expects to receive accreditation later this year by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Cardiovascular Technology. The hospital will accept up to eight students per year for clinical internships, which will make progression in the degree program competitive, Cowley said.

Eventually, the college might seek partnerships with other accredited hospitals to provide additional internships.

"We're not expecting hordes of students to choose this major, but those who do will find themselves in a career field that offers an array of medical settings and very attractive compensation," said Kathy Maron, a student services specialist in the college and associate director of the cardiovascular technology program.

Under the supervision or a physician, cardiovascular technologists perform diagnostic and therapeutic examinations of the heart and blood vessels involving invasive and noninvasive cardiology and noninvasive peripheral vascular study.