Master in Cardiovascular Perfusion Science

More than 340,000 coronary artery bypass surgeries are performed annually with the majority performed via the cardiopulmonary bypass method. Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) uses special devices to mimic normal heart and lung functions, maintaining blood supply and gas exchange for the body.

This program is designed for bachelor’s prepared individuals seeking to develop knowledge and skill in this biological and technological discipline, with the goal of applying this knowledge to provide exceptional perfusion care to patients, families, and organizations.

On completion of the Cardiovascular Perfusion Science Program, graduates are prepared to enter the field as competent perfusionist able to:

• Implement established and emerging principles and techniques of perfusion practice to provide safe competent care to patients.
• Demonstrate accountability for ethical and team-based approaches to care delivery with an understanding of the influences of the social determinants of health for high quality care for all.
• Become life-long learners, preceptors, educators, and leaders in the field of perfusion science.
• Link their skills with their knowledge of evidence-based research and practice to become highly effective practitioners.

Applicants are required to meet the following admission and prerequisite requirements:

Admission Requirements

• BA or BS degree in a science or health-related discipline from an accredited university/college.
• Cumulative GPA 3.0 on a scale of 4.0
• Science GPA 3.0
• Shadowing experiences are recommended

Prerequisite Requirements

The prerequisites for the Cardiovascular Perfusion Science Program include seven (7) physical science and math courses completed within 7 years of the application. An additional course in medical terminology is required if the applicant does not have a healthcare background. These courses may be at an undergraduate or graduate level. Some community colleges/universities offer a level of course that will not be appropriate for this program. Approval may be requested for a course an applicant is considering taking or for a course the applicant has completed. Refer to the process for Requesting a Prerequisite Course Evaluation in the Nursing Catalog.

Students may submit an application for admission with the courses in progress, but all prerequisite courses must be complete with a grade of B- or higher by orientation into the program. A mark of pass-fail is not an option for Prerequisite courses. All official transcripts must be submitted before classes begin. Students who do not have verification of course completion and an official transcript on file by orientation will be unenrolled from the program. The student may be required to reapply at a future date.

Physical Sciences

• General Biology with lab
• Anatomy & Physiology I & II with labs (8 semester hours minimum)
• Chemistry 2 courses – Organic and Inorganic with lab (8 semester hours minimum)
• Microbiology with lab (4 semester hours)
• Physics with lab

Math

• Introductory Statistics (3 semester hours)
• College mathematics course – College Algebra, Calculus

Medical terminology*

*Students may request an exemption for this course if they have a degree in a healthcare field or have clinical practice experience. This course may be taken at a community college.

Preferred Candidates

Preferred candidates have at least one (1) year of full-time experience as a: nurse/critical care nurse ICU, CCU, ED, OR; physician assistants; respiratory therapist; ECMO technologist; cardiac rehabilitation physiologist; cardiac diagnostic laboratory technologist; or perfusion assistant.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis once a completed application packet is submitted. Applicants who meet the minimum admissions criteria may be invited for an interview. The interview team may include the program director, clinical coordinator, medical advisor and/or faculty from the School of Medicine, perfusionists, and others. The admission decision will be based on the interview and the student completing all prerequisite courses and program requirements.

Admission into the Cardiovascular Perfusion Science Program is granted on a competitive basis and students meeting minimum requirements may be denied admission based on such factors as program capacity or academic discretion. Students may be considered for admission as an exception if stated admissions criteria are not met.

Admissions Checklist

• Application for Admission (The application period for Fall 2023 is closed.)
• $50 Application Fee
• Official transcripts from each school attended
• Resume
• Three (3) professional recommendations, one of which is your supervisor/employer responsible for your annual performance review and two others from science professors, lab mentors, employers and supervisors in academically relevant jobs, etc.
• Students with international nursing degrees must provide an evaluation from Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (www.cgfns.org) for previous nursing coursework.
• Students with international transcripts for non-nursing degrees must provide an evaluation from World Education Services (www.wes.org) for previous non-nursing coursework.
• TOEFL, IELTS, or Duo-lingo scores are required if English is a second language. Read Emory University's accepted tests policy.

Transcript Submission

• Choose Emory University - School of Nursing in the electronic transcript systems or have your school email your official transcripts to nursingquestions@emory.edu.
• If your school does not participate in the electronic transcript system or cannot email your transcript(s) please have a printed copy mailed to:
  
  Office of Enrollment and Student Affairs
  Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
  Emory University
  1520 Clifton Road
  Atlanta, GA 30322

• Please note all items in application checklist must be verified by the Office of Enrollment and Student Affairs before they are marked as received in the application portal.

Questions?

Please contact nursingquestions@emory.edu.