Admissions Policy and Selection Process

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The following criteria have been established to screen applicants for the cardiovascular ultrasound program offered by Providence Heart & Vascular Institute. This policy is instituted in an attempt to offer a fair and equitable selection process that will support the mission statement of Providence Heart & Vascular Institute and ensure success of the selected students. This policy is intended to be fair, forthright, and meet the growing demands of acceptance into the School of Cardiovascular Diagnostics.

The application deadline for each fall is March 1 of that calendar year. All applications received after this deadline will be wait-listed for the following school year. Applications will be retained for two years from the date of application. A $35 fee must accompany applications. Checks should be made payable to Providence Hospital - Department 750.

In addition to each application, an official transcript and two letters of recommendation must be submitted at the time of application. If transcripts and/or letters of recommendation are not provided, the application will be deemed incomplete and will not be valid until a transcript is supplied. All of the prerequisite courses should be completed at the time of application. If those courses are not complete at the time of the application deadline, documentation should be submitted showing current enrollment in those classes with the intent to complete them before beginning the CVT program.

Selection Process:

Step One

The minimum educational requirement is EITHER transcripts from the University of South Carolina showing progress towards a BSCVT degree OR 30 credit hours of post-high school education (post-high school educational classes must include the following five classes):

1. Anatomy and Physiology I or BIOLOGY 415 (Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy and lab)
2. Anatomy and Physiology II or BIOLOGY 460 (General Physiology and lab)
3. Medical Terminology
4. College Algebra
5. English Composition

A minimum overall GPA of 2.5 and a minimum science GPA of 2.75 is required for the candidate to be considered for admission.

Step Two

Candidates will be scheduled for a shadowing experience with a member of the Providence Hospital Imaging staff. This opportunity will provide first-hand insight into the field of noninvasive cardiovascular imaging.

Step Three

After the shadowing experience, the selection committee will meet again to select individuals for a one-on-one interview at the hospital. From this group, eight students will be selected.

Providence Heart & Vascular Institute
Dept. 7095
2435 Forest Drive
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 256-5636
www.providencehospitals.com 

USC College of Arts and Sciences Web site
www.cosm.sc.edu