Cardiac Sonography

Unveiling the Heart: The Cardiac Sonography Program

Our comprehensive Cardiac Sonography program at the Sacramento Ultrasound Institute offers hands-on training and expert guidance from experienced faculty. Delve into echocardiography principles, interpret sonographic images with precision, and develop the skills to excel in cardiovascular diagnostics. Join us for a rewarding career in cardiac imaging and make a difference in patients’ lives. Enroll now to unveil the secrets of the heart with unwavering precision and compassion.

START DATE

3/31/25

APPLICATION WINDOW

10/28/24-1/28/25

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Program Hours: 1720 Hours
Program Length: 72 Weeks
Credits: 120 Credits
Instruction: Blended
Credential Awarded: Associates in Applied Sciences Degree

TUTION & FEES

Scrubs $200.00
Books $1,585.00
Tuition $54,625.00
Total Program Cost $56,410.00

PROGRAM PERFORMANCE

This program is new and has not had enough time to publish performance rates at this time.

WELCOME MESSAGE FROM THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR

It brings me immense joy to welcome you to a program that is at the intersection of advanced technology and compassionate patient care.

Cardiac sonography is more than just imaging, it is understanding the heart’s language and providing insights for medical professionals to save patients’ lives. At SUI, we have crafted a program to equips students with the technical knowledge and a deep sense of responsibility towards every patient.

Our experienced faculty, cutting-edge labs, and immersive clinical experiences are meticulously designed to mold students into top-tier cardiac sonographers. Whether transitioning from another medical career or starting fresh, our program promises a comprehensive and enriching opportunity.

Dive into the world of cardiac imaging with SUI and let us work together to make a tangible difference in cardiac care.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Cardiac Sonography program is 72 weeks long (excluding any holidays and scheduled breaks). It is divided between the didactic and clinical portions. The curriculum prepares students with theoretical knowledge, clinical skills, and responsibilities needed to work in the health allied medical field as an entry-level Cardiac Sonographer.

Students receive eight hundred (800) hours of didactic and lab instruction, and nine hundred and twenty (920) hours of clinical rotation allowing them to apply the lecture topics to practical use. The curriculum provides students with the technical, clinical, and interpersonal skills necessary to succeed in this field. In addition, the program prepares students to take the Specialty Exam for Cardio through ARDMS.

PROGRAM MISSION

The mission of Cardiac Sonography Program at Sacramento Ultrasound Institute is to take a holistic approach to providing a quality educational experience. The program prepares students to take the national board exam, become entry-level echocardiographers, and be equipped with the knowledge, skills, values, attitudes, and behaviors appropriate for providing excellent patient care and working on a health care team.

TOPICS COVERED

  • The program prepares students to utilize diagnostic techniques and sound judgment to provide patient services.

  • The program excels in the preparation and skills of echocardiography.

  • The program prepares students to think critically, communicate effectively, and exemplify professional ethics.

  • The program conveys the importance of becoming lifelong learners and responsible citizens.

  • Prepare students for ARDMS Registry Exam.

  • Emphasizes passion and empathy in healthcare professions and to provide correct diagnostic examinations for improved patient outcomes.

Clinical Training

Clinical training is an integral part of the DMS Technologist program. Students will gain firsthand experience in real-world clinical settings under the guidance of experienced professionals. This training will enable students to apply their theoretical knowledge in a medical setting. They will develop proficiency in operating ultrasound equipment and their skills in professional patient care. The clinical training component plays a crucial role in preparing students for a successful career in Cardiac Sonography.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

General Admissions Requirements

  • Must currently reside in California. and posses a Government-issued I.D.
  • Be at least 18 years of age (Age will be verified with Individual’s I.D.)
  • Provide documentation of  eligibility to work in the United States.
  • Provide proof of appropriate educational requirements such as:
    • Copy of high school diploma or GED or
    • Copy of high school transcript showing graduation date.

Please Note:

  • Documentation of proof of completion of high school diploma or secondary education from a foreign country must be officially translated into English and show the equivalency of education in the United States; high school diploma, associates or bachelor’s degree. Evaluation of foreign transcripts must be completed by a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation. Information regarding this organization and its members can be found here.
  • Students must notify the institution if they plan to relocate out of state. SUI is approved to operate in the state of California only. Relocating out of state may adversely impact a student’s ability to complete their program. Students must submit the Change of Address Form via the student portal prior to relocation.
  • Some programs may have additional requirements. The additional requirements will be specified on the respective program’s page on our website.

 

Cardiac Sonography Admissions Requirements

    • An Associate’s Degree (any field) or higher in any discipline.
    • Successful completion (defined as receiving a grade of “B” or better) of college-level coursework in the subjects below. SUI does not accept Pass/Fail or Credit/No Credit grades for the admissions prerequisites. Courses must be a minimum of three semesters or four-quarter credits.
      • General Physics (topics must include sound waves, heat, light, and motion)
      • Communication Skills (Written or Oral Communication, 
        i.e., Speech, English Composition)
      • Mathematics ( Intermediate Algebra or higher-level course, i.e., Calculus, Statistics)
      • Human Anatomy & Physiology I and II

PREREQUISITE AND TRANSFER COURSE SELF EVALUATION

To find out if your course meets the program prerequisite or transfer requirements, Click here to access our Transfer Credit Articulation Database. Visit our Admissions page for program start dates, the application window, and to register for a webinar info-session to start your enrollment process.

FINANCIAL AID

Financial aid is available for those who qualify. Click here for more information about Financial Assistance. For details please call: 916-877-7977

ACCREDITATION AND APPROVAL

Sacramento Ultrasound Institute's Cardiac Sonography program is accredited by CAAHEP and is approved by BPPE. This accreditation guarantees that our program adheres to rigorous educational benchmarks, offering students a top-tier education and bolstering their reputation in the job market.

Licensure and Certification

The Cardiac Sonography program is in adherence to ARDMS under Pre-requisite #2.

  1. After completing the general, medical, or sonography physics course, students are required to take and pass the Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI) Exam. This is exam is scheduled in the student’s third quarter.
  2. Graduates must complete an accredited program recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or United States Department of Education (USDOE) for diagnostic medical sonography.
  3. Students must pass the specialty examination(s).

Certification through CCI 

Earning a Registered Cardiac Sonography (RCS) credential through the Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) can be accomplished through multiple pathways. The SUI DMSA and concentrated Cardiac Sonography program meet the qualification requirements for RCS5. See Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) for more details.

JOB OUTLOOK

Overall employment of diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians is projected to grow 10 percent from 2021 to 2031, faster than the average for all occupations.

About 10,100 openings for diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

The median annual wage for cardiovascular technologists and technicians was $60,570 in May 2021. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $29,910, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $98,070.

The median annual wage for diagnostic medical sonographers was $77,740 in May 2021. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $59,640, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $101,650.

For more information, visit the BLS website here.

CAREER SERVICES

Your journey with us doesn’t end with graduation. Our career services team is committed to supporting your transition from student to medical professional. SUI will host resume-building opportunities and assist with interview preparation. We will provide guidance and resources to help you embark on a successful career path.

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