2026 - 2027 CVT Program Application

Please note that we are not affiliated with the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, S.C.

Admissions Policy

The following criteria have been established to screen applicants for the cardiovascular ultrasound program offered by MUSC Health. This policy is instituted in an attempt to offer a fair and equitable selection process that will support the mission statement of MUSC Health and ensure success of the selected students. This policy is intended to be fair,
forthright, and meet the growing demands of acceptance into the Claude W Smith M.D., School of Cardiovascular Technology.

Applications are accepted from November 1 through January 8 of each calendar year. All application requirements must be received by the application deadline to include:

• Application submitted by mail or email. If submitting digitally please save application as Last name, First name Application. Ex) Doe, John Application
• Official sealed transcripts from all institutions that showcase required prerequisites. Program must receive transcripts directly from colleges or companies such as Parchment by mail or email. Forwarded transcripts and courses shown as transfers will not be accepted.
• Application fee per program is a fifty-dollar, non-refundable check or money order that must be made out to MUSC - Columbia Medical Center with memo line containing applicant name -app fee and mailed or brought in person, or by credit card that can be processed over the phone or in person.

Please note: Incomplete or late applications will not be processed.

Mailing address:

MUSC Laurel Street Pavilion
The Claude W. Smith MD
School of CVT
2001 Laurel St.
Columbia, SC 29204

Or by email to: doughema@musc.edu

If you have any additional questions, contact the admission coordinator, Mary Dougherty directly at 803-256-5627. All prerequisite courses must be completed before the August start date. All prerequisites must have been completed within ten years to the program start date. For example, prerequisites for the August 2023 start date must have a completion dated after August 2013 to be considered.

Course Prerequisites

30 credit hours of post-high school education (post high school educational classes must include the following five
classes):

• (Human) Anatomy and Physiology I and lab (4 credits)
• (Human) Anatomy and Physiology II and lab (4 credits)
• Medical Terminology (3 credits)
• College Algebra or higher (3 credits)
• English Composition (3 credits)
• A minimum overall GPA of 2.75 is required for the candidate to be considered for admission to either the Echocardiography and Vascular Sonography or Invasive Cardiovascular Technology programs.
• A minimum overall GPA of 3.0 is required for the candidate to be considered for admission to the Electrophysiology program.

Qualified applicants will be scheduled for a clinical ‘shadowing’ experience for their selected program(s) of interest. This opportunity will provide first-hand insight into the fields of Cardiovascular Sonography and Invasive Cardiovascular Technology. This is an opportunity to meet the instructors and staff and ask questions concerning the program. Shadows days require completing a Career Exploration Application which requires up to date immunization records. The Admission’s Coordinator will reach out to each qualified applicant after completed application and transcripts are received.

Once all pertinent documents are received, an application committee will review and evaluate the applications. Due to the high volume of applications, and the limited number of students that will be accepted, the committee will put forward only the candidates that will be offered an invitation to be interviewed for acceptance. These interviews will take place in April and/or May of each year, date(s) to be determined.

There is no ‘automatic’ acceptance into the program. All applications put forward by the applications committee will be considered. Final selections will be based on the application documents and candidate interview.

Tuition Policy

Please note: Tuition costs and fees are subject to change without notice.

Current tuition for these seventeen-month cardiovascular technology programs is set at $24,000. This charge covers tuition only and is subject to change without notice. A non-refundable deposit of $500 is required upon acceptance and another $500 deposit before August 1 and will be applied towards the total cost of tuition. The balance of the tuition can be paid in monthly payments, first payment due on August 15, with no interest charged.

For more payment information, contact Mary Dougherty.

Additional Program Costs

The student is responsible for the costs of these items, as they are not included in the price of tuition. Estimated
costs for these items are as follows:

• Laptop with camera - variable
• Textbooks – approximately $300-$450 (used books are acceptable)
• Online Clinical Documentation Account - $150
• Scrubs - variable
• Liability insurance – approximately $50
• Clinical site fees $200 site dependent
• Radiation Badges (Invasive Program only) - $135
• Lead Glasses (Invasive Program only) - $80-$200
• Registry Exam fee(s) – currently $225-$550
• Clinical travel and/or lodging - variable

Refund Policy

A tuition refund will be prorated according to time of withdrawal or termination up to one year from the time of enrollment in accordance to the refund policy. After twelve months, no refund will be provided.

Transfer of Credits

We do not accept or recognize credits or course work from any other cardiovascular program toward the requirements of certification

School of Cardiovascular Training Program Application

Please complete the form below to apply.