Medical University Hospital Authority
D.B.A.
The Claude W Smith, MD
School of Cardiovascular Technology
Application Information For the
2023-25 Program
Thank you for your interest in the Claude W. Smith M.D. School of Cardiovascular Technology here at MUSC
Health of Columbia, S.C. Our program awards a certificate in Echocardiography and Vascular Sonography
and/or Invasive Cardiovascular Technology. Graduates are eligible to sit for the ARDMS exam(s) in these
specialties or the CCI exam(s) in their respected specialty. *Please note that we are NOT affiliated with the
Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, S.C.*
If you have any additional questions, please feel contact our admission coordinator, Mary Dougherty directly at
803-256-5636. Please complete and submit the fillable application and/or print and complete it, and return it to:
MUSC Laurel Street Pavilion
The Claude W. Smith MD
2001 Laurel St.
Columbia, SC 29204
*If submitting digitally please save and title your application as Last name, First name Application. Ex.)
Dougherty, Mary Application
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 MD, School of Cardiovascular
Technology.
Please note: All applications must be followed by a forty-dollar, non-refundable application fee by the application
deadline or it will not be processed. Make check payable to MUSC-Columbia Medical Center. Incomplete
applications will not be processed. The application deadline for each fall class acceptance is March 1st of that
calendar year. NO EXCEPTIONS. Applications received after this date will not be processed.
All prerequisite courses must be completed or in progress at the close of the application period. All prerequisites
must have been completed within the past ten years prior 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
• College Algebra or higher
• English Composition
• A minimum overall GPA of 2.5 is required for the candidate to be considered for admission.
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 field of noninvasive and invasive CVT. This is an opportunity to meet
the instructors and staff, visit the classroom, learn about the career field of cardiovascular ultrasound, and ask questions
concerning the program. Invasive CVT 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. Please speak with a member of the staff for more
information on this process.
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 $15,000. This charge
covers tuition only and is subject to change without notice. A deposit of $1,000 is required by August 1
st
. This
deposit will be applied towards the total cost of tuition. The balance of the tuition can be paid in monthly
payments, first payment due on September 1, with no interest charged. All checks and money orders should be
made out to MUSC-Columbia Medical Center. For more payment information, contact Mary Dougherty.
Tuition payments are mailed to:
Columbia Medical Center Northeast
Attention Donna Marie Morrison
110 Gateway Corporate Blvd, Suite 250
Columbia, SC 29203
Additional Program Costs
Additional supplies needed for participation in class include textbooks, laptop, student liability insurance, and
scrub uniforms. 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:
ALL ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE:
Textbooks – approximately $300-$450 (used books are acceptable)
Online Clinical Documentation Account - $70
Scrubs - variable
Liability insurance – appx. $40
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
GI Bill ™
A Covered Individual is any individual who is entitled to educational assistance under Chapter 31, Vocational
Rehabilitation and Employment, or Chapter 33, Post-9/11 GI Bill™ benefits. We do NOT accept Chapter 35.
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 SCCHE 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.
Application for Admission
Name: _______________________________________ Date of Application: _______________
Address: __________________________________________________ Apt. No. ____________
City: _________________________________ State: __________ Zip Code: ______________
Daytime Number: (____) - ________________ Evening Number: (____) - _________________
E-mail address: _________________________________________________________________
Colleges/Universities Attended Dates Degree Earned
____________________________________ ________________ ______________
____________________________________ ________________ ______________
Work Experience (please include dates) Contact Person Contact Number
____________________________________ ___________________ ________________
____________________________________ ___________________ ________________
____________________________________ ___________________ ________________
How did you hear about our program?
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
We consider all applicants for admission without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, age, disability,
marital or veteran status, sexual orientation or any other legally protected status.
Application for:
Invasive Program
Non-Invasive Program
Forward the completed application and an official, sealed copy of your college transcripts t
o:
MUSC Laurel Street Pavilion
The Claude W Smith, MD
School of Cardiovascular Technology
Attn: Mary Dougherty
2001 Laurel St.
Columbia, SC 29204
READ CAREFULLY BEFORE SIGNING
I certify that the information contained in this application is
true. I further understand that falsification of
information or incomplete statements herein will result in cancellation of this application. I agree that
examination and verification of my employment or previous education, except as it pertains to age, race,
gender, sex,
color, creed, national origin, marital status or disability, may be made and used relative to my
application status. I, therefore, authorize my former employers and other persons or organizations listed to
provide this information and I release all concerned from any liability in connection therewith. I
further certify
that as of the date of the application deadline, I will have graduated from an accredited high school or the
equivalent and completed, in good standing, additional course work as listed on this application and/or
attachments.
Applicant Signature: ________________________________ Date: _____________________
Please review your application carefully. Incomplete applications may be returned and this could delay the application process.
FAQ’s
1. How much does the program cost and what financing is available?
Answer: The current cost of the program is $15,000. This is for the entire 17- month program. It does not include the
costs of the required textbooks, which can be purchased used, or hospital scrubs. Other clinical fees may apply. The CVT
school is not eligible for federal grant or loans. A student in the University of South Carolina CVT program remains
enrolled in the university and continues to maintain eligibility for previously approved loans. After the initial $ 1,000
down payment, the hospital will allow you to make monthly payments without incurring finance charges.
2. Does the program accept VA benefits?
Answer: Yes (for our accredited programs), if you qualify for the GI Bill™, we are VA approved. Covered Individual will
need to submit a certificate of eligibility for entitlement to admissions coordinator at least two weeks before the first day
of program start date. Provide payment for the amount that is the difference between the amount of the student’s
financial obligation and the amount of the VA education benefit disbursement. We do NOT accept Chapter 35.
3. Do I have to have a college degree or attend the University of South Carolina to enter this program?
Answer: Having a degree is not required, but some college level courses are. A student at the University of
South Carolina is encouraged to speak with their counselor about the bachelors in CVT. We are open to all that have
academically qualified to apply to the program.
4. Are we a part of the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, S.C.?
Answer: No.
5. When do you hold classes? Do you offer classes at night or on weekends?
Answer: The starting dates for each program will be in mid-August of every year and the ending dates will be December
after one physical year. Example, a cohort starting in August of 2023 will Graduate December of 2024. Class times and
location vary with each program. In class portion of program is not offered nights or weekends.
6. I think your program may be right for me. Am I automatically accepted if I apply?
Answer: We usually receive 30-45 qualified applicants per year which is more than we have room for in our program. We
have found the interview process to be the best method to determine how we fill our classes. We understand that many
well qualified applicants will not be accepted into the program and currently we have no way to automatically accept all
who apply.
7. Are credits transferable?
Answer: Prerequisites may be taken at any accredited college or tech school. The Claude W Smith MD School of
Cardiovascular Technology has no educational affiliation with any other accredited or non-accredited program. As such,
we do not accept or recognize credits or course work from any other cardiovascular program towards the requirements
of certification.
