Cardiovascular Sonography
Associate Degree Program
Sonography is the art and science of employing high frequency sound waves to image organs, vessels, masses, and fluid accumulations within the body. The Cardiovascular Sonography program provides comprehensive educational experiences that enable qualified students to acquire the knowledge, skills, and behaviors necessary to be eligible for licensure and employment as entry level diagnostic cardiac sonographers and vascular technologists. The cardiovascular program focuses on procedures that help to diagnose abnormalities related to heart and vascular diseases.
The Cardiovascular program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), 9355 - 113th St. N, #7709 Seminole, FL 33775, , upon recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRCDMS). 6021 University Blvd., Suite 500, Ellicott City, MD 21043, (443) 973-3251. Graduates may take the national certification in cardiac and vascular sonography. Courses are offered on campus and a variety of clinical affiliates.
Academically ready students can apply to the program following the guidelines of the Allied Health competitive admission process. Interested applicants should review the information provided here and contact their program advisor for application requirements.
Offered at the following location(s): Wilmington
What You Can Do
In this program, you will gain the knowledge and skills to prepare you for positions such as:
- Sonographer/echocardiographer/vascular technologist
- Lead technologist/supervisor/manager
- Educator/researcher
- Equipment application specialist
All in working environments which include hospitals, private imaging centers, physician offices, health care facilities, colleges or universities, and equipment manufacturers.
What You Will Learn
Program Graduate Competencies
The Program Graduate Competencies listed below identify the major learning goals related to your specific program of study and identify the knowledge and skills you will have when you graduate to be successful in your chosen field.
- Perform competently a full range of echocardiography procedures.
- Perform competently a full range of vascular sonographic procedures.
- Utilize professional verbal, nonverbal, and written communication skills in patient care, procedure intervention, and professional relationships.
- Act in a professional and ethical manner and comply with professional scope of practice.
- Integrate critical thinking and problem solving skills as expected of a healthcare professional.
Core Curriculum Competencies
The Core Curriculum Competencies listed below identify what you will be able to do as a graduate, regardless of your program of study. You will acquire these core competencies through general education courses and program-specific coursework. You will be expected to use relevant technology to achieve these outcomes:
- Apply clear and effective communication skills.
- Use critical thinking to solve problems.
- Collaborate to achieve a common goal.
- Demonstrate professional and ethical conduct.
- Use information literacy for effective vocational and/or academic research.
- Apply quantitative reasoning and/or scientific inquiry to solve practical problems.
Pathway to Graduation
First Semester (Fall) Courses for Application
| Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| First Year Seminar | 1 | |
| Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 | |
| Statistical Reasoning | 4 | |
| Composition I | 3 | |
| Conceptual Physics | 4 |
Second Semester (Spring)
| Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Composition II | 3 | |
| General Psychology | 3 | |
| Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 | |
| Medical Terminology | 3 |
Third Semester (Summer)
| Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Essentials in Patient Care/Sonography | 3 |
Fourth Semester (Fall)
| Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Echocardiography Techniques I | 3 | |
| Intro to Clinical Internship | 1 | |
| Vascular Techniques I | 3 |
Fifth Semester (Spring)
| Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Cardiovascular Monitoring | 2 | |
| Acoustical Physics | 3 | |
| Echocardiography Techniques II | 3 | |
| Intro to Clinical Internship II | 1 | |
| Vascular Techniques II | 3 |
Sixth Semester (Summer)
| Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Internship I | 5 | |
| Echocardiography Techniques III | 3 |
Seventh Semester (Fall)
| Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Internship II | 5 | |
| Vascular Techniques III | 3 |
Eighth Semester (Spring)
| Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Internship III | 5 | |
| Selected Topics in U/S | 2 |
To complete program requirements, you must pass the above courses and earn at least 72 credits. The number of courses and credits required for graduation may be more depending on college readiness and the elective courses offered in your program major (if electives are a part of the program).
AHTAASCVS
Pursuing a Bachelor's Degree?
This is a program that enables you to complete your associate degree and then transfer to a four-year degree program as a junior. See a program advisor for details!
This program is offered at the Wilmington campus.
This program is offered at the Wilmington campus.
This program is offered at the Wilmington campus.
Shanna Kline
Department Chair
skline3@dtcc.edu
(302) 320-4564
The Cardiovascular Sonography program is accredited by The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), 9355 - 113th St. N, #7709 Seminole, FL 33775, (727) 210-2350, , upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS), 6021 University Boulevard, Suite 500, Ellicott City, MD 21043, (443) 973-3251 phone, (443) 738-3444 fax, .
Upon graduation, students are eligible to sit for the national credentialing exams through the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) .
A felony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to sit for the national credentialing exam.
- Allied Health Admissions Process (PDF)
- (submission dates in effect)
- Ranking Worksheet (PDF)
- Cost Analysis Sheet (PDF)
- Technical Standards (PDF)