Perfusion Studies FAQs

Is the GRE Exam Required?

• No 

What are the prerequisites to apply?

• Anatomy 3 credits

• Physiology 3 credits

• Biochemistry 3 credits

• Physics 3 credits

• Biology with lab 8 credits

• General Chemistry (inorganic with lab) 4 credits

• College Algebra or higher 6 credits hours

• English 6 credit hours

• Social and Behavioral Sciences (sociology, psychology, anthropology, etc.) 6 credit hours

Are official transcripts required for the application process?

• No, official transcripts are only required if you are accepted into the program.

Is shadowing a perfusionist required to apply?

• No, BUT it is HIGHLY recommended that three or more shadowing experiences be reported when you apply to our program

How many students are you accepting each year?

• 7, this number will increase though as the program gets older

Is it necessary to have worked in a healthcare profession before applying?

• No. Although, having worked in a healthcare profession can help you be a more competitive applicant.

Do you require undergraduate/graduate research in order to apply?

• No, but having done research will help you be a more competitive applicant.

Do you require a certain number of service hours to apply?

• No, but service hours will be considered as part of your overall application competitiveness.

How many letters of recommendations do I need to have to apply?

• Three; These can be from anyone who can attest to the applicant’s capacity and potential for graduate studies. A letter of recommendation from a perfusionist is recommended but not required.

What overall/science GPA must I have to apply?

• Admission any graduate program at the University of Utah requires a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale for admission. This is the minimum threshold for admissions and the MSCP Admissions Committee will take both cumulative and science GPA into consideration when reviewing applications.

What is the total tuition for your program?

• Tuition and fees can be found here. 

How long is the program?

• The CVP is a 2 year, 6 semester program. The first year will be comprised of didactic teaching/learning at the University of Utah School of Medicine and the second year will be clinical rotations at the University of Utah, Intermountain Medical Center, and Primary Children’s hospital, as well as other potential clinical sites.

What kind of bachelor’s degree is the best?

• The type of the undergraduate degree doesn’t matter, as long as you have completed our program’s pre-requisite courses. Our program is more interested in an applicant’s abilities and overall academic performance.

Can I apply before I have my bachelor’s degree?

• You can apply prior to completing your bachelors degree, but your graduation date must prior to the first day of classes. You cannot begin our masters degree program without first completing a bachelors degree, and there are no exceptions.

Do you accept online degrees?

• Yes, but only degrees from regionally accredited colleges and universities will be considered.

When do I have to complete my prerequisites?

• Pre-requisites DO NOT need to be completed to apply to our program. If accepted into the program, all pre-requisite courses would need to be completed before matriculation.

Do you accept online classes for the prerequisites?

• Yes, as long as they are taken from a regionally accredited university or college for credit and a letter grade. In-person coursework and labs are highly preferred though.

I did not have a strong GPA when I was an undergraduate student. Can I still be a competitive candidate?

• The University of Utah requires that a student have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher to apply. A low GPA will not necessarily make you a non-competitive candidate. More competitive candidates will have an undergraduate and prerequisite GPA of 3.2 or higher. Upward trajectory of academic performance is taken into consideration with special attention show to performance in science courses. Students with lower GPA’s may be able to offset with strengths in other areas to become competitive. Applicants may also take supplemental coursework (post-baccalaureate) and have them calculated into your cumulative GPA.

Can I re-take some courses to bring my GPA up?

• Though it can be difficult to raise an overall GPA, it is possible. Classes that have been retaken will be considered and the higher of the two grades will be used to calculate the students overall prerequisite classes GPA.

Do you give preference to in-state students?

• All students that apply will be given equal opportunity to be accepted based on the competitiveness of their application. However, as a state institution, we do consider Utah residency and regional factors, and aspire to accept a cohort of students that represents the region, and the diversity of the region.

Are you accredited?

• Yes, please see our Accreditation information. 

Is it possible for students to work part time?

• Due to the rigorous full-time demands of the program, we strongly discourage students from holding jobs while enrolled in classes.

Do you offer any online classes?

• All students must attend classes in person. There are no online or distance learning options for this program.

How can I apply for financial aid?

• The most common source of financial aid is through federal loans, available online through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Because maximum federal aid awards may fall short of covering all expenses, students may also supplement their expenses with bank loans and may rely on help from working spouses, family support, or personal savings.

Are there any expiration dates on any of the prerequisite courses?

• There are NO expiration dates on any of the prerequisite courses, but it is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that anatomy and physiology be taken within the last 7 years. This is to help the accepted student be ready for the rigorous anatomy and physiology requirements while in the MSCP program. If accepted, the MSCP program MAY require that the student take a refresher anatomy and physiology course before entering their first year of didactic learning.

If I was not accepted to the program, can I reapply and what can I do to improve my chance of being accepted next year?