How many students are accepted into the program each year?
Class size depends on a number of factors and varies slightly from year to year. Average class size is between 8 and 10.

Are in-state students given preference over out-of-state students?
No.

Must I have a background or experience in the medical field before applying?
No. While it is beneficial to be familiar with medical terminology and practices, it is not required. Strong candidates will have completed volunteer activities and/or worked within a medical setting to establish their familiarity with the field. Shadowing a practicing perfusionist prior to applying to the program is strongly encouraged.

Can any classes be taken at another location?
No. All didactic courses must be taken at the Charleston campus at this time. The program has a high faculty-to-student ratio to facilitate the clinical learning exerience. Students are constantly supervised in the classroom, laboratories, and clinical settings for the entire 21 months.