2019 - 2020 Catalog
Program: Cardiac Sonography
Degree Plan: Adult Cardiac Sonography AAS

Note: This program may lead to an occupational license for which a prior criminal history may make a student ineligible. For more information, please visit: https://www.dcccd.edu/hb1508.

(Associate of Applied Science Degree)

• Students pursuing this award program are required to meet Texas Success Initiative (TSI) standards and course prerequisites.
• Students must earn at least 25% of the credit hours required for graduation through instruction by the college awarding the degree.

Degree Plan Code: AAS.CARDIAC.ADULT

The Adult Cardiac Sonography program is a two-year program that prepares students to function as an Adult Cardiac Sonographer. The first year of the curriculum is designated as the Health Occupations Core Curriculum which consists of general education and health occupations core courses all of which are completed before a student applies for entrance to the program. The second year of the curriculum provides intensive didactic and clinical training in the medical specialty of Adult Cardiac Sonography.

The Adult Cardiac Sonographer performs cardiovascular examinations to produce a picture of a heart and great vessels using high-frequency sound waves. These examinations are used to diagnose congenital heart disease, valvular disease, pericardial disease, cardiomyopathy, and other cardiovascular disorders. Types of examinations include 2D and 3D Echo, M-mode and color flow Doppler, as well as Transesophageal and Stress Studies. The Adult Cardiac Sonographer may work in hospitals, clinics and physicians offices.

This program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), 25400 US Highway 19 North; Suite 158; Clearwater, FL 33763; Phone: 727-210-2350; Fax: 727-210-2354 in cooperation with the Joint Review Committee on Education in Cardiovascular Technology (JRC-CVT); 1449 Hill Street, Whitinsville, MA 01588-1032, Phone: 978-456-5594; Fax: 727-210-2354.

Admission requirements include attendance at a Specializing Imaging program information session, satisfactory scores on designated sections of the HESI A² test, completion of Health Occupations Core Curriculum with a cumulative grade point of 3.00 or higher, completion of all requirements for admissions as a full-time student to the college. Applicants are rank-ordered for admission based on a weighted point system utilizing grade point average on the Health Occupations prerequisite courses and scores on the interview and HESI A² test. Contact the Counseling Center at El Centro College for general course placement advisement and Health Occupations Admissions to receive an information packet.

+Humanities/Fine Arts Elective - must be selected from the AAS Core Options for Humanities/Fine Arts.

NOTE: Students enrolling in this program who plan to transfer to a four year institution should consult an advisor or counselor regarding transfer requirements and the transferability of these courses to the four year institution of their choice.