About the MS-ECS program

The Master of Science in Extracorporeal Science (MS-ECS) provides students with the cognitive knowledge and application of extracorporeal technology. The MS-ECS program is an online, distance-based curriculum aimed to meet the growing needs of the international perfusion and critical care communities. The curriculum is designed to serve global communities in the treatment of patients with advanced cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases using extracorporeal technology.

The MS-ECS program prepares its graduates with the required theoretical knowledge necessary to work as a clinical perfusionist in a variety of health care settings where cardiopulmonary life support services are required. Perfusionists are typically employed in cardiac surgical centers and operate the heart-lung machine during open heart surgery. They serve as experts in associated technologies such as ventricular assist devices (VADs), extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and are involved in all aspects of perioperative blood conservation and management. Clinical perfusionists are highly trained members of an open-heart surgery team. Extensive knowledge of anatomy, pharmacology, pathology, and surgical techniques are keys to success. Perfusionists often specialize in areas of pediatric perfusion or mechanical circulatory support devices.

The MS-ECS program is a 22 month, 5 semester program exposing students to 46 Credit Hours of curriculum. The program delivers online asynchronous courses covering the theoretical foundations of perfusion science. The design of the program offers flexibility for working professionals by including 3 - 4 courses per semester.

Successful candidates for the MS-ECS program would include:

• Entry-level perfusion students residing outside of the United States who can complement the cognitive knowledge from the program with clinical experience acquired from on-the-job employment.
• Practicing perfusionists working outside of the United States that seek a graduate degree in perfusion theory and didactic knowledge.
• Allied health and research professionals seeking didactic education in ECMO and ventricular assist technologies, such as biomedical engineers, nurses, and respiratory therapists not requiring direct hands-on clinical experience.