Cardiovascular Technology, B.S.
Learning Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate a solid base of knowledge in biology.
- Students will demonstrate a solid base of knowledge in chemistry.
- Students will demonstrate a full range of technical, procedural, and behavioral competencies needed for national certification as a cardiovascular technologist.
The Bachelor of Science degree with a major in cardiovascular technology is awarded upon the following:
- satisfactory completion of at least 100 semester hours of academic work, including all courses prescribed in the curriculum below;
- satisfactory completion of an intensive CVT training program, accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Cardiovascular Technology.
Admissions
Admission to CVT training programs is very competitive, and only a limited number of candidates can be admitted in each class. For this reason the following retention standards are applied during the academic portion of this program at USC:
- Retention. Students are required to maintain a GPA of at least a 3.0 throughout the program. Upon completion of the specified academic requirements, only students who have gained admission into an approved CVT training facility will be retained in the program.
- Transfer students admitted to this degree program must complete the last 30 credit hours of academic work in residence at the University of South Carolina prior to entering the intensive CVT training program.
- Students who have already completed a CVT training program or CVT internship will not be eligible for acceptance into this major.
- If dismissed from CVT training program, the student will also be dismissed from the CVT major.
Degree Requirements (126 hours)
Program of Study
| Requirements | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| 1. Carolina Core | 32-44 |
| 2. College Requirements | 12-15 |
| 3. Program Requirements | 23 |
| 4. Major Requirements | 59 |
Founding Documents Requirement
All undergraduate students must take a 3-credit course or its equivalent with a passing grade in the subject areas of History, Political Science, or African American Studies that covers the founding documents including the United State Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the Emancipation Proclamation and one or more documents that are foundational to the African American Freedom struggle, and a minimum of five essays from the Federalist papers. This course may count as a requirement in any part of the program of study including the Carolina Core, the major, minor or cognate, or as a general elective. Courses that meet this requirement are listed here.
1. Carolina Core Requirements (32-44 hours)
CMW – Effective, Engaged, and Persuasive Communication: Written (6 hours)
must be passed with a grade of B or higher
any CC-CMW courses
ARP – Analytical Reasoning and Problem Solving (6-8 hours)
must be passed with a grade of B or higher
SCI – Scientific Literacy (8 hours)
must be passed with a grade of B or higher
GFL – Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Foreign Language (0-6 hours)
Demonstration of proficiency in one foreign language equivalent to the minimal passing grade on the exit examination in the 122 course is required. Students can demonstrate this proficiency by successfully completing Phase II of the Proficiency Test or by successfully completing the 122 course, including the exit exam administered as part of that course.
It is strongly recommended that students continuing the study of a foreign language begin college-level study of that language in their first semester and continue in that language until their particular foreign language requirement is completed.
GHS – Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Historical Thinking (3 hours)
any CC-GHS course
GSS – Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Social Sciences (3 hours)
any CC-GSS course
AIU – Aesthetic and Interpretive Understanding (3 hours)
any CC-AIU course
CMS – Effective, Engaged, and Persuasive Communication: Spoken Component1 (0-3 hours)
any overlay or stand-alone CC-CMS course
INF – Information Literacy1 (0-3 hours)
any overlay or stand-alone CC-INF course
VSR – Values, Ethics, and Social Responsibility1 (0-3 hours)
any overlay or stand-alone CC-VSR course
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Carolina Core Stand Alone or Overlay Eligible Requirements — Overlay-approved courses offer students the option of meeting two Carolina Core components in a single course. A maximum of two overlays is allowed. The total Carolina Core credit hours must add up to a minimum of 31 hours. Some programs may have a higher number of minimum Carolina Core hours due to specified requirements.
2. College Requirements (12-15 hours)
Foreign Language (0-3 hours)
only if needed to meet 122-level proficiency
Analytical Reasoning (3 hours)
- CSCE 102 or higher*
History (3 hours)
The College of Arts and Sciences requires one additional GHS course beyond the Carolina Core GHS requirement.
- If the Carolina Core GHS requirement is fulfilled by a U.S. history course, the College of Arts and Sciences history requirement must be fulfilled by a non-U.S. history course.
- If the Carolina Core GHS requirement is fulfilled by a non-U.S. history course, the College of Arts and Sciences history requirement must be fulfilled by a U.S. history course.
Please select the College of Arts and Sciences history requirement from the approved list of U.S. and non-U.S. history courses.
Social Science and Fine Arts or Humanities (6 hours)
Must be passed with a grade of B or higher.
3. Program Requirements (23 hours)
Supporting Courses (23 hours)
Must be passed with a grade of C or higher. May not be attempted more than twice.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 101 | Biological Principles I (*) | 3 |
| BIOL 101L | Biological Principles I Laboratory (*) | 1 |
| BIOL 102 | Biological Principles II (*) | 3 |
| BIOL 102L | Biological Principles II Laboratory (*) | 1 |
| CHEM 111 | General Chemistry I (*) | 3 |
| CHEM 111L | General Chemistry I Lab (*) | 1 |
| CHEM 112 | General Chemistry II (*) | 3 |
| CHEM 112L | General Chemistry II Lab (*) | 1 |
| PHYS 201 | General Physics I | 3 |
| PHYS 201L | General Physics Laboratory I | 1 |
| WGST 113 | Women's Health | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 23 | |
Cognate or Minor (0-18 hours)
Intensive Clinical Training Program: The 18-month intensive clinical training program replaces the cognate.
An optional minor may be added to a student’s program of study. A minor is intended to develop a coherent basic preparation in a second area of study. Courses applied toward general education requirements cannot be counted toward the minor. No course may satisfy both major and minor requirements. All minor courses must be passed with a grade of C or higher. At least half of the courses in the minor must be completed in residence at the University. A list of minor programs of study can be found at Programs A-Z. An optional additional major may also be added to a student’s program of study. Additional majors must include all major courses as well as any prescribed courses noted (*) in the bulletin. Prescribed courses noted in the bulletin may be shared with Carolina Core, College requirements, and Program requirements in the primary program.
A list of minor programs of study can be found at Programs A-Z.
4. Major Requirements (59 hours)
A minimum grade of C is required in all major courses. Courses may not be attempted more than twice.
Major Courses (17 hours)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 302 | Cell and Molecular Biology | 3 |
| BIOL 303 | Fundamental Genetics | 3 |
| CHEM 333 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 331L | Essentials of Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | 1 |
| HSPM 412 | Health Economics | 3 |
| HSPM 500 | Introduction to Health Care Management and Organization | 3 |
| SOWK 678 | Transforming Health Care for the Future | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours | 17 | |
Major Electives (6 hours)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select six hours from the following: | 6 | |
BIOL/CHEM 300-699 | ||
| Cardiovascular System: From Development to Disease | ||
| Medical Ethics | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 6 | |
CVT Training Concentrations (36 hours)
Following the academic portion of the Cardiovascular Technology Program, an 18 months clinical training program in an approved facility1 will be the final stage of the degree program. Students will declare one of the following concentrations that aligns with their intended training pathway. Students will enroll in one 12-credit course for the 3 terms they are enrolled in the training program, and will be awarded 36 credit hours upon completion of the clinical portion of the training. Students who have already completed a CVT training program or CVT internship will not be eligible for acceptance into this major.
Concentration in Combined Echo/Vascular (36 hours)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Combined Echo/Vascular Clinical | ||
| To be taken 3 times for a total of 36 hours | 36 | |
Concentration in Adult Echocardiography (36 hours)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Adult Echocardiography Clinical | ||
| To be repeated 3 times for a total of 36 hours | 36 | |
Concentration in Vascular Sonography (36 hours)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Vascular Sonography Clinical | ||
| To be repeated 3 times for a total of 36 hours | 36 | |
Concentration in Invasive Cardiovascular Technology (36)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Invasive Cardiovascular Technology Clinical | ||
| To be repeated 3 times for a total of 36 hours | 36 | |
Concentration in Electrophysiology (36 hours)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Electrophysiology Clinical | ||
| To be repeated 3 times for a total of 36 hours | 36 | |
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Approved Facilities include: Harry T. Harper, Jr. School of Cardiac and Vascular Technology, Piedmont Augusta (Augusta, GA), Claude W. Smith, MD School of Cardiovascular Technology at the Medical University Hospital Authority of MUSC Health (Columbia, SC), CVT Leadership Program, Prisma Health (Greenville and Columbia, SC), Hoffman Heart and Vascular Institute, St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center (Hartford, CT), Piedmont Technical College (Greenwood, SC), Cardiac and Vascular Institute of Ultrasound (Mobile, AL), Resonance Ultrasound Academy (hybrid format in SC and other sites).
Major Map
A major map is a layout of required courses in a given program of study, including critical courses and suggested course sequences to ensure a clear path to graduation.
Major maps are only a suggested or recommended sequence of courses required in a program of study. Please contact your academic advisor for assistance in the application of specific coursework to a program of study and course selection and planning for upcoming semesters.
Cardiovascular Technology, B.S.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| ENGL 101 | Critical Reading and Composition | 3 |
| MATH 122 or MATH 141 |
Calculus for Business Administration and Social Sciences 3 or Calculus I |
3-4 |
| BIOL 101 | Biological Principles I | 3 |
| BIOL 101L | Biological Principles I Laboratory | 1 |
| CHEM 111 | General Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 111L | General Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| UNIV 101 or PSYC 101 |
The Student in the University or Introduction to Psychology |
3 |
| Credit Hours | 17-18 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENGL 102 | Rhetoric and Composition | 3 |
| STAT 201 | Elementary Statistics (or higher) | 3 |
| BIOL 102 | Biological Principles II | 3 |
| BIOL 102L | Biological Principles II Laboratory | 1 |
| CHEM 112 | General Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 112L | General Chemistry II Lab | 1 |
| Foreign language or other Carolina Core Requirement 4,5 | 3-4 | |
| Credit Hours | 17-18 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| BIOL 243 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 3 |
| BIOL 243L | Human Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory | 1 |
| BIOL 303 | Fundamental Genetics | 3 |
| CHEM 333 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 331L | Essentials of Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | 1 |
| CLAS 230 | Medical and Scientific Terminology | 3 |
| Foreign language or other Carolina Core Requirement 4,5 | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIOL 244 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 3 |
| BIOL 244L | Human Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory | 1 |
| BIOL 302 | Cell and Molecular Biology | 3 |
| PHYS 201 | General Physics I | 3 |
| PHYS 201L | General Physics Laboratory I | 1 |
| PSYC 101 | Introduction to Psychology ((or foreign language or Carolina Core Requirement)) 4,5 | 3 |
| Carolina Core Requirement 5 | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| HSPM 412 or HSPM 500 |
Health Economics or Introduction to Health Care Management and Organization |
3 |
| Major Elective 6 | 3 | |
| History 7 | 3 | |
| PSYC 101 | Introduction to Psychology ((or Carolina Core Requirement)) 5 | 3 |
| WGST 113 | Women's Health | 3 |
| Carolina Core Requirement 5 | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 18 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Major Elective 6 | 3 | |
| HSPM 412 or HSPM 500 |
Health Economics or Introduction to Health Care Management and Organization |
3 |
| SOWK 678 | Transforming Health Care for the Future | 1 |
| CSCE 102 | Web Design and Development using AI Tools (or higher) | 3 |
| Carolina Core Requirement or Elective 5,8 | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 13 | |
| Spring | ||
| CVT Training: 12-18 month intensive CVT training program at one of seven approved facilities (Harry T. Harper, Jr. School of Cardiac and Vascular Technology, Piedmont Augusta (Augusta, GA), Claude W. Smith, M.D. School of Cardiovascular Technology at the Medical University Hospital Authority of MUSC Health (Columbia, SC), CVT Leadership Program, Prisma Health (Greenville and Columbia, SC), Hoffman Heart and Vascular Institute, St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center (Hartford, CT), Piedmont Technical College (Greenwood, SC), Cardiac and Vascular Institute of Ultrasound (Mobile, AL), Resonance Ultrasound Academy (hybrid format in SC and other Sites)) 9 | 36 | |
| Credit Hours | 36 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 135-137 | |
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Regardless of individual course grades, students are required to maintain a GPA of at least a 3.0 throughout the program.
- 2
Some colleges require a minimum GPA for major courses.
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Students who do not place into MATH 122 or 141 will be required to successfully complete the required prerequisite before taking either MATH 122 or 141.
- 4
Students in the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences are required to demonstrate proficiency in one foreign language equivalent to the 122 course through course credit or the corresponding foreign language placement score.
- 5
The Carolina Core provides the common core of knowledge, skill and academic experience for all Carolina undergraduate students.
- 6
Major Elective (6 hours): Select from following: BIOL/CHEM 300-699; BMEN 548; PHIL 321.
- 7
The McCausland College of Arts and Sciences requires one U.S. History and one non-U.S. History course, both of which must be chosen from the approved Carolina Core GHS courses. Whichever is not fulfilled through the Carolina Core GHS requirement must be fulfilled through this college requirement.
- 8
No courses of a remedial, developmental, skill acquiring, or vocational nature may apply as credit towards degrees in the McCausland College of Arts & Sciences. The McCausland College of Arts & Sciences allows the use of the Pass-Fail option on elective courses. Further clarification on inapplicable courses can be obtained from the McCausland College of Arts & Sciences.
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Upon completion of the specified academic requirements, only students who have gained admission into an approved CVT training facility will be retained in the major. Following the academic portion of the Cardiovascular Technology major, a 12-18 months clinical training externship in an approved facility will be the final stage of the degree program. Students will declare one of the following concentrations that aligns with their intended training pathway. Students will enroll in one 12-credit course for the 3 terms they are enrolled in the training program, and will be awarded 36 credit hours upon completion of the clinical portion of the training.
- Concentration in Combined Echo/Vascular: CVTC 494
- Concentration in Adult Echocardiography: CVTC 495
- Concentration in Vascular Sonography: CVTC 496
- Concentration in Invasive Cardiovascular Technology: CVTC 497
- Concentration in Electrophysiology: CVTC 498
Program Notes:
- ENGL 101 and ENGL 102 must be completed in the student’s first 60 semester hours of work in order for these courses to be credited toward graduation.
- All undergraduate students must take a 3-credit course or its equivalent with a passing grade that covers the founding documents. This course may fulfill any requirement in the program of study. Courses that meet this requirement are listed in the academic bulletin.
- Students who have already completed a CVT training program or CVT internship will not be eligible for acceptance into this major.
- If dismissed from CVT training program, the student will also be dismissed from the CVT major.