Prospective Student Guide
Dear CVT Applicant:
Thank you for your interest in our noninvasive cardiovascular sonography program.
This program has a proven track record of training knowledgeable and technically competent cardiovascular sonographers. The program has secured continuing programmatic accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAEHP) upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Cardiovascular Technology (JRC-CVT) in adult echocardiography and noninvasive vascular testing through January 2029. It is an 18-month, competitive entry program with a maximum of 8-10 seats awarded per year. The next cohort of students begins in June 2024.
The Health Sciences Center at Prisma Health is committed to providing you with an immersive training regimen focused on supplying you with the skills and confidence to provide high quality patient care. Classes are taught by faculty with proven success rates on the ARDMS adult echocardiography and noninvasive vascular technology exams. Clinical rotations are supervised by a wide variety of registered cardiovascular sonographers in both the inpatient and outpatient settings throughout the Prisma Health network.
Please read the following information carefully as it explains the application process including admissions requirements, tuition/fees, etc. Online applications will be accepted November 1, 2023–January 31, 2024 for the next cohort. Links to the online application and application payment will be visible in this section as this date approaches.
Should you have any additional questions, contact me at 864-454-2886 or at Mary.Wingold@PrismaHealth.org.
Sincerely,
Mary Wingold, MSEd, RDCS, RVT, RDMS
Director, Cardiovascular Imaging Leadership Program
Admissions policy
The following criteria helps faculty and the program director screen applicants for the cardiovascular ultrasound program offered by the Health Sciences Center at Prisma Health. This policy is instituted to offer an objective and equitable selection process for all applicants. There are four steps involved in applying for this program:
1. Step one: Complete the application.
- Pay a $35 application fee – click here.
- Submit a completed application which includes the following:
- Two letters of recommendation.
- Essay.
- Submit digital transcripts showing successful completion of all prerequisites.
2. Step two: Attend an open house event in Greenville, South Carolina
3. Step three: Complete the personal interview
4. Step four: Complete the student clearance process at Prisma Health
Application
Fee: Non-refundable, thirty-five-dollar application fee must be submitted. Click here to pay your application fee.
Recommendations: Two letters of recommendation must be submitted within the open dates of application (November 1–January 31). At least 1 academic reference required (e.g., academic advisor, professor, program director, etc.).
Essay: An original essay (no greater than 500 words) about your decision to work with patients affected by cardiovascular disease, must be included. Why do you want to pursue this career path and be accepted into this program?
Transcripts: Official digital transcripts from all attended collegiate institutions must be submitted electronically to cvt.leadership@prismahealth.org
Deadline: The application deadline for each summer class is January 31 of that calendar year. Online applications will close and are no longer available nor processed following this date.
If any of the above items are not received by January 31, application will be deemed incomplete and will not be processed.
Educational requirements and prerequisites
All prerequisite courses must be completed or in process at the time of application. If a course is in process at the time of application, a final grade for the course must be submitted prior to being formally admitted.
Accepted educational backgrounds are one of the following:
- Associate in Applied Science degree in diagnostic medical imaging (e.g., radiologic technology, diagnostic sonography, etc.).
- Bachelor of Science degree in a medical or science related field.
- Student in process in a cardiovascular imaging undergraduate program.
All applicants must have successfully completed the following prerequisite courses with a grade of B or higher.
- Anatomy and Physiology I.
- Anatomy and Physiology II.
- Medical Terminology.
- College Algebra.
- English Composition
A MINIMUM overall GPA of 3.0 and a MINIMUM science GPA of 3.0 is required for the candidate to be considered for admission.
Transfer of Credits: The only credits for course work accepted from other sonography programs is the successful completion of ultrasound physics with a passing score on the ARDMS SPI exam (if within 5 years date of completion of this CVT program)
Open house
Candidates who meet the above-mentioned minimum criteria are invited to an open house (date and time TBD, location is in Greenville, SC). The open house is required as part of the application process. It allows the applicant to meet the faculty and view the scan lab and classroom facilities.
Personal interview
Following open house and application review, the selection committee will notify eligible candidates of personal interview dates. Interviews may be in person or virtual at the discretion of selection committee. The final selection of candidates will be announced no later than March 31.
Student clearance process
The Health Sciences Center at Prisma Health requires all students to complete a background check through SR&I, annual immunizations (including Hepatitis B, influenza, MMR and varicella), annual two-step TB test and computer-based training for fire safety, blood borne pathogens, patient falls, etc. Some of these requirements have a modest fee paid by each applicant. All information is maintained within an online portal called myClinicalExchange. Final acceptance into the program is contingent on completion of all student-processing requirements as confirmed by the Student Services department at Prisma Health. Failure to complete this step forfeits the application.
Learn more about these requirements here
Tuition policy
Note: Tuition costs and fees are subject to change each year for new students. Tuition rates will not change for students in process.
As of the June 2024 start date, tuition for this eighteen month, CAAHEP accredited cardiovascular technology program is $18,000. This charge covers tuition, scan lab facility usage, clinical rotations and 3 ARDMS national board exams (Sonography Principles and Instrumentation [SPI], Adult Echocardiography, and Noninvasive Vascular Technology).
A deposit of $500 is required by May 1 and will be applied towards the total cost of tuition. The balance of the tuition may be paid in monthly, quarterly, semiannual or annual payments with no interest charged.
All tuition fees must be paid one month prior to graduation. Failure to make regular payments or pay the tuition in full one month prior to graduation will result in default of the account. In this case, a completion certificate will not be issued until payment is fulfilled.
For more financing information, contact Mary Wingold at Mary.Wingold@PrismaHealth.org.
Additional program costs
Additional supplies needed for participation in class are listed below. The student is responsible for the costs of these items, as they are not included in the price of tuition. NOTE: Textbooks and scrubs are required prior to the first class session. Estimated costs for these items are as follows:
Scrubs—variable, but approximately $160 for 4 sets.
Books—variable, but approximately $750.
Liability insurance—$84/year due by first of January classes (3rd semester).
Digital clinical records—$100 due by first of January classes (3rd semester).
Background check—$45.
Refund policy
Tuition refunds are determined on an individual case basis. Any refund will be prorated according to time of withdrawal or termination up to one year from the time of enrollment. Refund will not be provided for courses in which the student completes but does not meet progression guidelines to remain in the program. After twelve months, no refund is provided.