Cardiovascular Technology (CVT) is an allied health profession specifically dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of patients who have or may have cardiac and/or peripheral vascular disease. Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialists (RCIS) are proficient in the use and application of analytical equipment, preparing patients for diagnostic and intervention procedures. Through sampling and recording, technologists provide a foundation of data from which precise anatomic and physiologic diagnosis may be established.
F1 international students are not eligible for this program.
Learn more about the CVT Program
Attend an information session.
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Prerequisites and Time Limits
All prerequisites must be completed with a grade of C or higher and be within the allowable time limit.
- BIOL-101, BIOL-107, or BIOL-200, 4 credits, completed within 10 years of start of clinicals
- BIOL-203, 4 credits, completed within 5 years of start of clinicals
- BIOL-204, 4 credits, completed within 5 years of start of clinicals
- MATH-132, 138, or 141, 3 or 4 credits, no time limit
Prerequisites taken at other institutions must officially be on file and evaluated by the application deadline. See the Transfer Credit tab.
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Corequisites
The following courses may be taken with the clinical courses, but it is strongly recommended that all courses be completed PRIOR TO starting clinicals due to the demands and time commitment needed for success in clinical coursework.
For the Cardiac Monitoring and Analysis Certificate:
For the Cardiovascular Technology AAS Degree:
- ENGL-121
- COMM-101, 105, or 110
- SOCI-101
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Transfer Credit
Official transcripts AND the request to have credit evaluated must be on file by the supplemental application deadline.
- Students must contact their prior institutions to request that OFFICIAL transcripts be sent directly to HCC. Transcripts that are opened or emailed to students are not considered official.
- Use the Transcript Evaluation Request Form to request that HCC evaluate your prior credit for your current degree program.
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Grade Requirements
- All prerequisite and corequisite courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher. Please check back for updated grade requirements on July 1, 2026.
- A cumulative HCC GPA of 2.0 or higher is required.
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Supplemental Admissions Process
All items need to be completed by the application deadline of November 15th:
- Only students accepted to HCC and with active myHCC accounts are eligible to submit the supplemental application. If you are not already an HCC student, please Apply for Credit Programs.
- Submit official transcripts and Transcript Evaluation Form if you transferring credit from another institution.
- Prerequisites must be completed with the required grades and within the specified time limits.
- Submit the Supplemental Allied Health Application (only available during the application cycle of June 15 to November 15). Sign in to the application account using your personal email (not your HCC email) and find the Supplemental Allied Health Application under the section for Current Students.
- $25 online supplemental application fee
- Two residency documents, for Howard County residents only
IMPORTANT: Applicants dismissed from a nursing or allied health program for academic or behavioral reasons are not eligible for admission.
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Dates and Deadlines
Supplemental application for Spring Admission may be found in your application account, under "Current HCC Student" between June 15 to November 15.
For consideration, all prerequisites must be completed and transferred (if applicable) by November 15.
Priority is given to applicants with prerequisites and corequisites completed by the application deadline.
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Admissions Selection Process
- A randomized lottery is used when qualified applicants exceed available seats.
- Qualified applicants are randomly selected and offered a seat or placed on a waitlist.
- Priority is given to students that have ALL prerequisites and corequisites completed by the application deadline.
- Lottery selection order:
- Howard County residents
- Maryland residents (out-of-county)
- Out-of-state residents
- Waitlisted applicants are admitted as seats open.
- The waitlist does not roll over to the next year; students must reapply each year.
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Clinical Coursework
Only students admitted through the supplemental application cycle may enroll in clinical coursework.
For both the Certificate and the Degree Program:
- CARD-120, Rhythm Analysis and 12 Lead ECG, 2 credits, Spring 1st 7 weeks
- CARD-121 Cardiovascular Assessment Skills Lab, 3 credits, Spring 1st 7 weeks
- CARD-122 Cardiac Anatomy and Pathophysiology, 3 credits, Spring 2nd 7 weeks
For the Degree Program:
- CARD-123, Hemodynamics, 3 credits, Spring 2nd 7 weeks
- CARD-124, X-Ray Theory for Cardiovascular Technology, 3 credits, Summer
- CARD-201, Cardiovascular Pharmacology, 2 credits, Summer
- CARD-220, Cardiovascular Procedures, 2 credits, Fall 1st 7 weeks
- CARD-221, Diagnostic and Interventional Procedures in CVT, 5 credits, Fall 15 weeks
- CARD-231, Applied Clinical Practicum, 3 credits, Fall 2nd 7 weeks
- CARD-222, Advanced Intravascular Interventional Procedures, 2 credits, Spring 15 weeks
- CARD-223, Registry Exam Prep, 2 credits, Spring 15 weeks
- CARD-261, Clinical Internship, 7 credits, Spring 15 weeks
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Questions
- Admissions questions can be directed to admissions@howardcc.edu or you can make an appointment with an admissions coach.
- Questions about clinical courses can be directed to the Health Sciences clinical liaison office at hsdcc@howardcc.edu
- Program outcomes, clinical sites, student handbook, and clinical grading: Kelly Scible - CVT Program Director: kscible@howardcc.edu
Clinical Requirements for Admitted Students
- If admitted, a drug screening and criminal background check will be required prior to enrollment in any nursing and allied health clinical course in order to ensure the safety of patients in the clinical setting. Students who do not comply with the drug screening and criminal background check are ineligible for placement in clinical agencies and are not able to progress in the clinical program. It is the student’s responsibility to know whether they are eligible for licensure. If a student has a criminal background, it is the students’ responsibility to explore whether the background will prohibit them from being licensed and employed in the health care industry. HCC faculty and staff are not able to provide legal advice. If you have any questions about your background, you may wish to discuss this matter with legal counsel.
- Students are not required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination to accept a clinical seat. However, students who decline the COVID-19 vaccine should be aware that clinical site availability may be limited due to partner facility requirements. Clinical placements are not guaranteed for students who choose not to be vaccinated, which may impact progression and completion of their program.
- As of Fall 2022, ALL students are required to show proof of health insurance. HCC does not provide or sponsor health insurance for students.