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Cardiovascular Perfusion

Master of Science

Home » All Programs » Cardiovascular Perfusion
Perfusionists are trained to operate extracorporeal circulation equipment such as heart-lung machines during open-heart surgery.

» Program Overview

Powering Hearts, Saving Lives

Michigan’s only accredited Master of Science degree in Cardiovascular Perfusion is a 21-month program that prepares you to operate extracorporeal circulation equipment, such as heart-lung machines, during open-heart surgery and other procedures that temporarily support a patient’s circulatory or respiratory functions.

Through specialized training and practical experience, you’ll be ready to make a direct impact on patient outcomes in critical cardiovascular care.

Why Cardiovascular Perfusion?
  • A Growing Field: The demand for skilled perfusionists continues to rise, creating strong job security and career opportunities.
  • Financial Reward: With high earning potential, perfusionists often rank among the best-paid professionals in health care.
  • Life-Saving Work: By operating equipment that sustains life, perfusionists play an indispensable role in high-stakes medical environments.
Why LTU?

LTU’s MSCVP program was developed in partnership with Comprehensive Care Services Inc. (CCS), a leader in perfusion and autotransfusion services across North America and is the only program of its in the state. This collaboration ensures a comprehensive education that combines academic excellence with hands-on experience.

  • State-of-the-Art Simulation Lab: Train with advanced equipment, including robotic surgery and ultrasound simulators and VR, in CCS-operated labs designed to refine your skills in a professional, controlled environment.
  • Unmatched Clinical Rotations: Gain hands-on experience at premier healthcare facilities across the country, fully arranged through LTU and CCS.
  • Expert Mentorship: Learn from CCS staff who serve as adjunct professors, blending academic knowledge with real-world expertise to prepare you for the demands of the field.

Program Director

Kristen Fanelli, MS, BScN, CCP, RN

perfusion@ltu.edu

248.204.2592

The MSCVP program learning outcomes are:

  • Develop cardiovascular perfusion competence (skills, knowledge, behaviors) that are portable across national and international healthcare and professional and professional environments.
  • Facilitate a positive outcome for patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass.
  • Gain expertise in medical, biological, and physical sciences in relation to cardiovascular perfusion.
  • Facilitate adequate circulatory support with the use of ancillary devices.
  • Develop circuit designs and adaptations.
  • Cultivate a commitment to the enhancement of the cardiovascular perfusion profession.

» Curriculum

The MSCVP program has a total of 90 credits over five consecutive semesters. The curriculum aligns with the Master’s degree level standard of Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and the ABCP Qualifications   Framework. It also provides the appropriate depth and breadth of knowledge, applied, specialized preparation in critical thinking and scholarly research, problem-solving and analysis, communications, leadership, professional capacity, and autonomy in the field of cardiovascular perfusion.

Semester 1
COURSE NAME COURSE # CREDITS
Cardiac Anatomy & Physiology
CVP5134
4
Patient Care & Professionalism
CVP5002
2
Cardiovascular Monitoring
CVP5113
3
Perfusion Theory & Practice I
CVP6404
4
Perfusion Theory Lab I
CVP6304
4
Research Methods
CVP6702
2

Total Credit Hours

19
Semester 2
COURSE NAME COURSE # CREDITS
Professional Practice
CVP5012
2
Applied Pharmacology
CVP5212
2
Cardiac Pathophysiology
CVP5123
3
Perfusion Theory & Practice II
CVP6414
4
Perfusion Theory Lab II
CVP6314
4
Capstone Research Project I
CVP6711
1

Total Credit Hours

16
Semester 3
COURSE NAME COURSE # CREDITS
Clinical Prac CVP Phase I
CVP6809
9
Clinical Prac CVP Phase II
CVP6819
9
Capstone Research Project II
CVP6721
1

Total Credit Hours

19

Semester 4
COURSE NAME COURSE # CREDITS
Clinical Practice CVP Phase III
CVP6829
9
Clinical Practice CVP Phase IV
CVP6839
9

Total Credit Hours

18

Semester 5
COURSE NAME COURSE # CREDITS
Clinical Practice CVP Phase V
CVP6849
9
Clinical Practice CVP Phase VI
CVP6859
9

Total Credit Hours

18

Students are evaluated for both the didactic courses and clinical assignments. The following policies are applied to the MSCVP program:

  • A student must maintain an overall GPA of B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) in order to graduate.
  • A student can repeat a course if the grade in a course is below C+. The maximum credits a student in the MSCVP program can retake is 9.
  • In clinical rotation assignments, a student is evaluated by the clinical instructor as outlined in the syllabus of each clinical course. A final grade of B or higher is needed in order to receive a passing mark.
  • If a MSCVP student does not successfully complete Clinical Rotation I, II, III, IV, V, or VI, the student will be dismissed from the program, with appropriate warning and opportunity for remediation. The Program Director and Clinical Coordinator will establish policies regarding Satisfactory Academic Performance Warning, Probation and Dismissal. A student dismissed for unsatisfactory academic progress may reapply to the program in the future.

» Admission Requirements

Applications received are reviewed and decisions made at regular intervals during the admissions cycle. Maturation into the MSCVP program occurs in the fall semester. Applications received are first reviewed by the Admissions Office for completeness and referred to the MSCVP Program Director to determine eligibility for applicant interviews. Final acceptance into the MSCVP Program is determined by the Program Director. Decisions on acceptance are made until the maximum enrollment for each class is reached. Candidates are encouraged to submit a completed application early in the admissions cycle.

Admission Requirements

Preferred Applicants to the MSCVP program may possess qualifications from either of these two options:

Option A

Bachelor degree from an accredited college or university and/or

  • Respiratory Therapist (RRT) or Registered Nurse (RN)
  • Critical care experience within the last three years
  • A minimum GPA of 3.0, calculated using their entire RT or RN diploma/degree programs of study
  • Documentation which is relevant to training and/or experience (CV or resume)
  • A document or a letter from a recent employer confirming a minimum of one year of critical care experience within the past three years

The applicant’s cumulative grade point average (GPA) will be calculated using grades from the entire undergraduate degree program of study. A minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is required for admission to the MSCVP program.

Option B

A Bachelor degree from an accredited college or university and successful completion of each of the following university courses with a minimum grade of B (GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale):

  • Anatomy
  • College Algebra or Calculus
  • Physiology
  • Physics with Laboratory (course must cover the following: Newtonian laws, fluid dynamics and fluid statics)
  • Organic or Inorganic Chemistry (course must cover the following: structure of matter, solutions, acid/base theory, and thermodynamics).
Additional requirements

In order to be considered for admission to the MSCVP program, applicants must submit documentation of the following:

  • Graduate Record Exam (verbal, quantitative and analytical writing) scores highly recommended but not required; preference to those who have completed GRE scores within the last three years.
  • An essay about why the applicant wishes to be a perfusionist and what makes the applicant a good candidate for acceptance into the program.
  • Two letters of recommendation.
  • Experience of interviewing with a practicing perfusionist, as demonstrated by a signed observation/interview form.
  • Completion of the program interview process (by invitation only).
Specific Health Requirements for Admission

Accepted candidates must show documentation of meeting the following specific health requirements prior to matriculation into the program:

  • Completion of BLS First Aid/CPR training and certification
  • Submission of Immunization Requirement Form (IRF)DOC, including laboratory reports
  • Confirmation of a TB Test
  • Completion of Mask Fitting Testing due to CoVID-19 pandemic

Any costs associated with meeting the unique health requirements for admission are the responsibility of the student.

Internationally Educated Applicants

Internationally educated applicants must satisfy the program-specific admission requirements and submit a credential assessment and proof of English language proficiency. Only certified copies or original of these documents will be accepted. All documents submitted for MSCVP application purposes (transcripts, credential assessments, English language assessments) become the property of LTU and cannot be returned after the application process is completed.

LTU requires a credential assessment to verify the credentials     of international and internationally educated applicants. The credential evaluation can be obtained from World Education Services (WES): 212-966-6311 or visit www.wes.org. Applicants are advised to   contact the LTU’s Admissions Office before using any other Credential Assessment Service.

For applicants whose first language is not English, language proficiency must be demonstrated by one of the following methods:

  • An average score of 7.0 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The band score in each component must be 6.0 or higher.
  • A total score of 90 or higher on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Each section score must be 21 or higher.
 

» Frequently Asked Questions

Please email our department at perfusion@ltu.edu with the email subject “GRE Test date, followed by your name.” We will then keep this information in your application file.

Please submit it to admissions@ltu.edu or upload it in the application on the Cardiovascular Perfusion Requirements page.

While we prefer our observation form to be completed, if all the same criteria and questions are answered on the form from another school, we will accept that as a substitute.

Interviews will be scheduled for the end of January and continue with rolling admissions until all spots are full.

The course is charged per credit hour for didactic courses and half the cost per credit hour for clinical hours. Please refer to www.ltu.edu/registrar/tuition for the most up-to-date fees under Engineering and Graduate Course fee per Credit Hour.

The program is 21 months long and takes place over 5 consecutive semesters. The first two semesters are didactic and the final three are primarily clinical with a Capstone Research Project.

LTU students will have access to numerous clinical rotation sites at affiliated hospitals nationwide. For more information on which hospitals are affiliated please email perfusion@ltu.edu.

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As a part of the NC-Sara Reciprocity agreement, Lawrence Technological University is required to disclose publicly, the educational requirements for professions that require a license or certification to practice in that field.

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Use Your Cell Phone as a Document Camera in Zoom

  • What you will need to have and do
  • Download the mobile Zoom app (either App Store or Google Play)
  • Have your phone plugged in
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From Computer

Log in and start your Zoom session with participants

From Phone

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To use your cell phone as a makeshift document camera

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