Perfusion Sciences (MS)

School/Division: Keck School of Medicine

Degree/Certificate: Master of Science in Perfusion Sciences

The Master of Science in Perfusion Sciences is a degree program attesting to relevant didactic and clinical knowledge, and skills required for perfusion practice. A perfusionist is commonly involved in a variety of complex clinical procedures, including cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), ventricular assist device (VAD) placement, transplantation of heart and lungs, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), patient monitoring, blood conservation, and related modalities.

Essential characteristics and abilities of a cardiovascular perfusionist within the USC Perfusion Sciences program include, but are not limited to, communication skills, motor skills, cognitive skills, and behavioral skills.

The USC Cardiovascular Perfusion Sciences Program is dedicated to providing students with “an outstanding, well-rounded education in the domains of clinical, scientific, and research […] dedicated to improving the overall health of society”. The program utilizes evidence-based medicine to build all skill levels and competency, along with leadership, ethics, and diversity to cultivate insightful perfusionists, capable of performing at the highest level of patient care.

The Master of Science in Perfusion Sciences Program at USC expects students to become fully competent cardiovascular perfusionists capable of performing as a cardiovascular perfusionist and passing the national certification exam after graduation. With expected accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Committee of Perfusion Education (AC-PE), graduates will be eligible to sit for the certification examination administered by the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion (ABCP). The Master of Science in Perfusion Sciences Program at USC meets the educational requirements for all states requiring licensure.