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.
4/6/26
10/20/25-1/21/26
*Last day to receive an application: 1/7/26
Program Hours: 1720 Hours
Program Length: 72 Weeks
Credits: 120 Credits
Instruction: Blended
Credential Awarded: Associate in Applied Sciences Degree
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. 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.
The Cardiac Sonography program is 72 weeks long. 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.
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.
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.
General Admissions Requirements
Please Note:
Cardiac Sonography Admissions Requirements
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 is available for those who qualify. Click here for more information about Financial Assistance. For details please call: 916-877-7977.
Sacramento Ultrasound Institute's Cardiac Sonography program is programmatically accredited by The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of The Joint Review Committee on Education in Cardiovascular Technology Sonography (JRC-CVT). JRC-CVT contact information:
Email: [email protected],
Phone: 413-628-5228
Graduates of Sacramento Ultrasound Institute’s Cardiac Sonography program meet the requirements to apply for national certification through the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) and/or the Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI).
Eligibility for ARDMS Certification
The Cardiac Sonography program at SUI is programmatically accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Cardiovascular Technology (JRC-CVT).
This accreditation qualifies students to apply under ARDMS Prerequisite #2, which allows graduates (and eligible students within 60 days of graduation) to sit for the Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI) and Adult Echocardiography (AE) specialty examinations without the need for additional clinical experience. To earn the Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS) credential, candidates must:
Learn more at www.ardms.org.
Certification through CCI
Graduates may also choose to earn the Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS) credential through the Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI).
The RCS credential demonstrates professional competency in cardiac sonography and may be earned through multiple pathways based on education and clinical experience.
For details, visit www.cci-online.org.
Overall employment of diagnostic medical sonographers (including cardiac sonographers) is projected to grow 13 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 5,800 openings for diagnostic medical sonographers 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 diagnostic medical sonographers (including cardiac sonographers) was $89,340 in May 2024. 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 $64,760, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $123,170.
For more information, visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics website here.
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.
