Cardiac Function and Interventional Technology for Professionals (CFTO), MS

Program Description

Harding is proud to establish the first Professional Cardiac Function & Interventional Technology (CFIT-PRO) master’s online program. In this program, students will be trained by credentialed faculty, industry personnel, and clinical partners for leadership and technical training in the dynamic and technical cardiac device field.

The CFIT program is part of the College of Allied Health and offers a Master of Science degree. The curriculum is an intensive 38 credit hours program of coursework with a focus on cardiac rhythm management (CRM), electrophysiology (EP), leadership and management courses. The average student taking 6 credit hours per semester can expect to graduate in 7 semesters or 28 months. For more information view our website www.harding.edu/CFIT, email cfit@harding.edu, or call (501)279-4908.

The CFIT Student General Handbook contains a comprehensive description of all policies and procedures that apply to our students.

Mission

The mission of the program is to instill essential knowledge, skills, and dispositions for successful careers, and servant leadership in positions in cardiac device interventional technologies with an emphasis on cardiac rhythm management and electrophysiology.

Goals

The CFIT program is an integral part of Harding University and embraces the goals outlined in the University’s statement of mission and goals. The goals of the CFIT program are for graduates to:

• demonstrate the skills necessary to practice and support contemporary mid-level cardiac rhythm management and electrophysiology therapies in a safe, ethical, and responsible manner.
• demonstrate cultural sensitivity in interactions with patients, employers, and others with whom they interact.
• demonstrate the skills required for professionalism, leadership, and life-long learning.

Accreditation

As this is the first degree-based online program in cardiac interventional technology there is no established accreditation.

Admission Requirements

All applicants must:

1. Possess a bachelor’s degree which has been completed at an institution within the United States accredited by an agency nationally recognized by the US Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Official transcripts showing conferment of degree must be provided prior to matriculation into the Program. International candidates whose bachelor’s degree is not from within the United States may still be considered at the discretion of the Program (see International Students requirement section.)
2. Meet all general requirements for admission to, and agree to abide by all policies and procedures for, graduate programs at Harding University. Graduate students at Harding are expected to maintain the highest standards of morality, integrity, orderliness, and personal honor. Harding University reserves the right to refuse admittance or dismiss any student whose lifestyle is not consistent with the Christian principles that this University represents.
3. Be currently employed in the fields of cardiac patient care or the cardiac device industry with documented two or more years of experience in their respective fields.

Submission of a completed application does not guarantee a selection, or admission into the CFIT program. The program is seeking applicants who are well-prepared for the rigors of the academic curriculum.

International Students

Students who (1) speak English as a second language, and have (2) not previously completed an undergraduate degree from an institution within the United States accredited by an agency nationally recognized by the US Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation must meet a minimum score on a nationally recognized test of English language proficiency such as the TOEFL or IELTS. However, in lieu of these exams, professional programs in the health sciences may assess such students with an interview and/or a writing exam. The minimum acceptable score is 79 on the TOEFL iBT with a Speaking Sub-scale score of 27 (or an equivalent IELTS score). Scores must not be older than two years prior to the date of application to the university.

An applicant who is not a citizen of the United States must follow the normal admission procedure. Further, if the applicant does not have a degree from an accredited United States institution several steps are required in order for the applicant to be considered for admission:

1. International transcripts must be evaluated through the International Education Evaluations service (www.myiee.org) and sent to Harding University for consideration.
2. The applicant must meet minimal TOEFL or IELTS scores.
3. All other admission requirements must be met.

Until these steps have been completed, an application for admission cannot be accepted.

Program Requirements

1. Technical Standards: All applicants must meet the minimum technical standards for admission to the Harding University CFIT Program. These technical standards require demonstrated aptitude in diverse skills and abilities related to observation, intellect, physical manipulation, communication, and interpersonal skills.
2. Ethical Standards: A candidate must demonstrate the highest level of professional demeanor and behavior, and must perform in an ethical manner in all dealings with peers, faculty, staff, and patients.
3. Computer Requirements: Proficiency in basic computer skills (word-processing, databases, internet searches, and email) is expected of all entering students, as the curriculum will incorporate the use of computer technology. Additionally, all students in the program will be expected to have access to the internet. Students are required to have their own laptop computer and smartphone upon entry into the program.
4. Travel Requirements: Selected courses will require students to attend on-campus training. The training/travel requirements are described in individual course syllabi which will be available at least 2-weeks prior to class registration. CFIT-PRO students are responsible for all costs (travel, lodging, food) associated with travel to Harding University.
5. Other: The CFIT program has a cohort tuition for each entering class. The tuition costs will remain the same throughout the duration of the program. As a private institution, there is no difference in tuition costs for in-state/out-of-state students. The program will cover lab supplies. The student will be responsible for the University technology fee each term, books, laptop computer and required software, and medical equipment, graduation, and post-graduation expenses.

Further Program Requirements

In order to complete the CFIT master’s degree, a student must register for and pass each course outlined in the program’s curriculum.

In addition to the University requirements regarding good academic standing at the graduate level, to remain in good academic standing in the CFIT-PRO program, a student must maintain the following:

1. A cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.
2. A grade of C or higher in all courses*.
3. A total cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required for graduation.
4. Satisfactory evidence of good interpersonal relations and professional conduct.
5. Adherence to Harding University’s Code of Conduct.

*Course Remediation:

Course remediation may be available to students who earn a grade of D. The course coordinator will create a remediation plan that will include the remediation activity, an assessment method, the benchmark for successful remediation, and a timeframe for completion. If the student successfully completes remediation, the course coordinator will change the student’s final grade to a C for the course. No grade higher than a C can be achieved with remediation. If upon re-assessment the student’s performance falls below a minimally acceptable level, a grade of D or F will be issued.

Application Procedure

1. Complete the online application.
2. Request official transcripts* be sent directly from previous institutions to admissions@harding.edu.
   *Note: Harding alumni and current students do not need to request Harding transcripts as they are on file.
3. Submit the following:
   1. Two letters of recommendation 
   2. A resume
   3. A personal statement (400-500 words)
   4. Supervisor letter documenting/confirming current employment and 2 or more years of cardiac device and/or cardiac patient care

Questions may be directed to CFIT@harding.edu or (501) 279-4908.

Submission of a completed application does not guarantee an interview, selection, or admission into the CFIT-PRO Program.

Application Review and Selection for Interview

Each new class matriculates in the fall term. The CFIT application cycle begins in the fall and ends on April 1 of the year preceding the August start date. Applicant interviews and candidate selection occur between the Fall semester into May of each year. 

Offers to the CFIT-Pro program will be issued on a rolling basis until the class if full, after which time potential students will be put on a waiting list. Early application is strongly encouraged. The admissions committee reviews all completed applications for admission. Applications will be reviewed for traits of a competitive applicant in order to be granted admission into the CFIT program. These traits include but are not limited to:

• Meets or exceeds the minimum academic requirements
• Has sought out opportunities to gain knowledge of and commitment to a cardiac device career path
• Has strong letters of reference
• Provides a letter of interest in pursuing an advanced degree in the cardiac device specific discipline

Applicants are expected to demonstrate maturity, personal initiative, a basic understanding of the cardiac device industry, and good communication skills. If the admissions committee has questions regarding an application, the applicant may be extended an opportunity to interview via zoom in order to further review the applicant’s credentials. Interviews will be offered to qualified applicants prior to the application deadline.

Selection and Notification for Admission

The number of applicants recommended for acceptance will be determined annually by the CFIT-PRO program admissions committee.

After applications are reviewed (and interviews completed when necessary), applicants will be informed about their status via email. Based upon a review of the applications and interviews, the admissions committee may recommend one of the following:

1. Acceptance: Accepted students will be notified by email. All acceptance will be conditional, contingent upon the completion of all required application components. Individuals who have not completed all prerequisites will have these additional contingencies added to their conditional acceptance, pending verification of completion of the required graduation.
   1. An advance tuition deposit of $500.00 is to be returned with an anticipated turnaround of approximately two weeks from the time of the student offer.
2. Hold: Some applicants who do not receive an offer of acceptance prior to the final selection of candidates will be placed on hold status. These applicants will continue to be eligible for positions in the program until final selections are made.
3. Admission Alternates: At the conclusion of the interview season, some applicants will be ranked as alternates and will be notified of their admission status on or before the program’s annual fall start date. Applicants not admitted from the alternate list must reapply if they wish to be considered in subsequent years.
4. Non-Acceptance: Some applicants may be notified of non-acceptance at any time in the process. Applicants wishing to be considered in a subsequent year must reapply, and must satisfy all admission requirements for that year.

All program decisions are final.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Financial aid information can be obtained at www.harding.edu/finaid or by calling (501)279-4257.

Accepted students who are non-US citizens will be required to submit documentation of financial ability to pay all expenses for the first year of study to the CFIT program and demonstrate adequate coverage for health insurance in the United States. A copy of the student’s status with the U. S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must accompany this. Status is demonstrated through the presentation of the I-20, I-94, and Visa.

Academic Requirements:

A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and successful completion of all coursework are required.

Students must earn a grade of a C or higher in all courses in the professional curriculum in order to progress to the final semester. Failure to earn a grade of C or higher in any course in the professional curriculum will result in dismissal from the CFIT-PRO program due to academic deficiency.

Academic Warning:

Status of warning students of declining academic performance. The student is given written notification but the status is not entered on the student transcript.

• Student receives below C on any major exam or project

Academic Probation and Dismissal:

The purpose of placing a student on Academic Probation is to encourage the student the opportunity to improve their academic status and encourage successful progression through the Graduate Program. A student is placed on academic probation with any of the following:

• His/her cumulative GPA is below 3.0 at the end of any given semester
• A grade of D is earned before remediation in any academic course in the first semester

A student is dismissed from the program with any of the following:

• if he/she receives F in any class
• if remediation does not result in raising the course grade to C

Remediation consists of the course coordinator creating a remediation plan that will include a remediation activity, assessment method, benchmark for successful remediation and a time frame for completion. If the student successfully completes remediation, the course coordinator changes the student’s final grade to C for the course. No grade higher than a C can be achieved with remediation. If upon reassessment, the student’s performance does not result in a C, then the student will not be allowed to continue into the second semester.

When the student raises the cumulative grade above 3.0, he/she will be removed from Academic Probation and will return to Good Standing. 

Non-academic Suspension:

Violation of academic integrity, ethics, or professional behavior.