Program goal
The primary goal of the Master of Science in Cardiovascular Perfusion program is to prepare graduates for a demanding clinical career by ensuring they are clinically competent, patient-centered and professionally prepared. The program educates students in the advanced operation of extracorporeal life support technologies, ensuring they can operate devices like the cardiopulmonary bypass machine and ECMO systems with proficiency and critical judgment. Graduates are trained to prioritize patient safety, integrate as collaborative members of an interprofessional medical team and successfully meet the ethical and practice standards required to become a Certified Clinical Perfusionist.
Student learning outcomes
The overall objective of the Master of Science in Cardiovascular Perfusion program is to prepare graduates who have acquired knowledge, skills and competencies in patient safety, procedural management, critical thinking and communication to fulfill their professional responsibility as cardiovascular perfusionists.
Upon completion of the program, the graduate will:
- Apply perfusion techniques in clinical settings, including cardiopulmonary bypass, extracorporeal life support, hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, cell salvage and other advanced perfusion services.
- Leverage cardiovascular physiology and pathophysiology expertise to assess, monitor, and adjust perfusion techniques for optimal patient outcomes.
- Utilize critical thinking and problem-solving skills to make informed decisions in complex and emergent perfusion scenarios.
- Exhibit professional behavior and adhere to ethical principles in all clinical and academic activities.
- Communicate effectively with the healthcare team, patients and families, ensuring a clear and accurate exchange of information through oral formats.
- Demonstrate proficiency in written communication by accurately documenting patient information, clinical decisions and procedural outcomes according to professional and legal standards and by producing a written thesis and other academic assignments that reflect clarity, coherence and depth of knowledge.
- Integrate research and evidence-based practice to make informed decisions within clinical contexts.
- Advance the field of cardiovascular perfusion by conducting original research, sharing findings in professional forums and contributing to evidence-based practices that enhance patient care and clinical outcomes.
- Implement safety protocols and quality assurance measures to minimize risks and ensure the highest standards of patient care in perfusion scenarios.
VCU Graduate Bulletin, VCU Graduate School and general academic policies and regulations for all graduate students in all graduate programs
The VCU Graduate Bulletin website documents the official admission and academic rules and regulations that govern graduate education for all graduate programs at the university. These policies are established by the graduate faculty of the university through their elected representatives to the University Graduate Council.
It is the responsibility of all graduate students, both on- and off-campus, to be familiar with the VCU Graduate Bulletin as well as the Graduate School website and academic regulations in individual school and department publications and on program websites. However, in all cases, the official policies and procedures of the University Graduate Council, as published on the VCU Graduate Bulletin and Graduate School websites, take precedence over individual program policies and guidelines.
Visit the academic regulations section for additional information on academic regulations for graduate students.
Degree candidacy requirements
A graduate student admitted to a program or concentration requiring a final research project, work of art, thesis or dissertation, must qualify for continuing master’s or doctoral status according to the degree candidacy requirements of the student’s graduate program. Admission to degree candidacy, if applicable, is a formal statement by the graduate student’s faculty regarding the student’s academic achievements and the student’s readiness to proceed to the final research phase of the degree program.
Graduate students and program directors should refer to the following degree candidacy policy as published in the VCU Graduate Bulletin for complete information and instructions.
Visit the academic regulations section for additional information on degree candidacy requirements.
Graduation requirements
As graduate students approach the end of their academic programs and the final semester of matriculation, they must make formal application to graduate. No degrees will be conferred until the application to graduate has been finalized.
Graduate students and program directors should refer to the following graduation requirements as published in the Graduate Bulletin for a complete list of instructions and a graduation checklist.
Visit the academic regulations section for additional information on graduation requirements.
Accreditation
The VCU Department of Nurse Anesthesia has submitted an application for candidacy status for the new Master of Science in Cardiovascular Perfusion program to the Accreditation Committee - Perfusion Education (AC-PE), a Committee on Accreditation of the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.
*The application for CAAHEP accreditation does not guarantee that candidacy status will be granted or that the program will be accredited. However, it is a vital step in our commitment to developing and launching a high-quality, accredited program.
Accreditation Committee – Perfusion Education (AC-PE)
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
1415 Walnut Street
Western Springs, Illinois 60558
708-822-0013
office@ac-pe.org
Admission requirements
| Degree: | Semester(s) of entry: | Deadline dates: | Test requirements: |
|---|---|---|---|
| M.S. | Spring | Sep 1 |
In addition to the general admissions requirements of the VCU Graduate School, applicants must meet the following criteria:
-
A Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree from a regionally accredited college or university1
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Minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
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Three professional recommendations, at least one of which is from a perfusionist
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Personal interview with members of the admissions committee (by invitation)
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Current Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers certification
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Completion of at least two shadow experiences with a perfusionist
The program of study necessary to be considered for admission to the Master of Science in Cardiovascular Perfusion program must include a minimum of the following subject areas and credits:
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Human anatomy (four credit hours, including laboratory experiences)
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Human physiology (four credit hours, including laboratory experiences)
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Eight credit hours of anatomy and physiology, including laboratory experiences, is acceptable
-
-
Chemistry (four credit hours, including laboratory experiences)
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Organic chemistry (four credit hours, including laboratory experiences)
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Physics (four credit hours, including laboratory experiences)
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Statistics (three credit hours)
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Medical terminology (three credit hours)
If the applicant has received college credit hours for AP courses or exams listed on the university transcript, those credit hours will be accepted. A grade of D in any required prerequisite course will not be accepted.
Degree requirements
In addition to general VCU Graduate School graduation requirements, candidates for the degree of Master of Science in Cardiovascular Perfusion must be recommended by the faculty and:
- Complete all requirements for the prescribed curriculum
- Earn a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all work presented for graduation
- Meet all clinical case requirements as specified by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs: Accreditation Committee – Perfusion Education; and the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion.
Curriculum requirements
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Major core requirements | ||
| IPEC 501 | Foundations of Interprofessional Practice | 1 |
| IPEC 502 | Interprofessional Quality Improvement and Patient Safety | 1 |
| MSCP 504 | Advanced Anatomy and Physiology for Perfusionists | 4 |
| MSCP 505 | Pathophysiology and Surgical Repair of Cardiovascular Disorders | 4 |
| MSCP 506 | Pharmacology for Perfusionists | 3 |
| MSCP 510 | Biomedical Devices and Patient Safety | 2 |
| MSCP 511 | Foundations of Perfusion Technology | 3 |
| MSCP 531 | Professional Aspects of Perfusion Practice | 2 |
| MSCP 534 | Introduction to Evidence-Based Decision-Making | 1 |
| MSCP 601 | Perfusion Theory | 5 |
| MSCP 615 | Special Populations and Crisis Management | 3 |
| Additional requirements | ||
| MSCP 611 | Techniques in Perfusion I | 4 |
| MSCP 612 | Techniques in Perfusion II | 4 |
| MSCP 621 | Clinical Practicum I | 4 |
| MSCP 622 | Clinical Practicum II | 6 |
| MSCP 623 | Clinical Practicum III | 6 |
| MSCP 699 | Cardiovascular Perfusion Graduate Thesis 1 | 1-5 |
| Total Hours | 58 | |
Five credits are required to satisfy the degree requirements.
The minimum number of graduate credit hours required for this degree is 58.
Contact
Keith Pelletier, Ph.D., MBA, MHS, CCP
Program director
pelletierk@vcu.edu
(804) 828-9808
Program website: https://nrsa.chp.vcu.edu/programs/perfusion/