Program Overview
MSOE's Master of Science in Perfusion (MSP) program is designed for full-time graduate students. A clinical perfusionist, as defined by the American Society of Extra-Corporeal Technology, "is a skilled person, qualified by academic and clinical education, who operates extra-corporeal circulation (meaning blood outside of the body) equipment during any medical situation where it is necessary to support or replace the patient's cardiopulmonary / circulatory functions and ensures the proper management of physiologic functions by monitoring the necessary variables."
As with most allied health professionals, advances in biomedical technology have broadened the scope of responsibilities of perfusionists. The rapid and proper application of these technologies demands that the clinical perfusionist of today and tomorrow possess strong academic and clinical skills involving many areas of biomedical technology.
The clinical perfusionist is involved in cardiopulmonary bypass, patient monitoring, blood conservation (cell salvage, modified ultrafiltration and plasmapharesis), intra-aortic balloon pumping (IABP), ventricular assist devices (VAD), total artificial heart placement (TAH), selection of equipment and biomaterials, extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), etc. In addition to a variety of administrative duties, the perfusionist may be responsible for a number of educational and research functions.
Program Benefits
The MSP program offers many exciting benefits for the students.
- Our job placement rate is 100%.
- Starting salaries for entry level perfusionists are often between $75,000 and $100,000.
- You will be enrolling in a university that is a leader in the field of perfusion. MSOE has been educating perfusionists since 1983 and started the first master's degree program in this area in 1993.
- You will be educated in research and statistical techniques, which are important for completing research projects and understanding scientific literature.
- Faculty that teach in this program have expertise in several areas of biomedical technology, including: physiology, biomaterials, biomedical equipment, pathophysiology, etc. The clinical instructors take teaching very seriously and many of them also hold degrees at the master's level. We have over 20 clinical instructors.
- A student's case load is typically at least 100 procedures, including a strong pediatric experience. This count only includes those cases in which you are acting as the primary perfusionist.
- You will see a wide variety of cases, including implantation of Ventricular Assist Devices, transplant procedures and procedures using ECMO (extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation).
- All cases are in the Milwaukee area. This is important for a couple of reasons:
- You will be doing cases during the day and take classes at night. This methodology provides you with the opportunity to make the connection between perfusion theory and clinical application.
- You do not have to move to distant clinical sites for rotations.
Curriculum Information
- Curriculum Overview
- Program information and curriculum track from Graduate Academic Catalog
- Admission requirements
- Apply online now
- MSOE program accreditations
Program Director: Dr. Ron Gerrits
Clinical Program Director: Professor Shannon Voborsky , CCP, LP
If you would like to learn more about this program, please contact the Continuing Studies and Outreach Dept.
