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.PEDS
The Pediatric Cardiac Sonography program is a two-year program that prepares students to function as a Pediatric Cardiac Sonographer. The first year of the curriculum is designated as the Health Occupations Core Curriculum which consists of general education and health occupations 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 Pediatric Cardiac Sonography.
The Pediatric Cardiac Sonographer performs cardiovascular examinations on pediatric patients to produce a picture of a heart and great vessels using high-frequency sound waves. These examinations are used to diagnose congenital heart disease, and other cardiovascular disorders. Types of examinations include 2D and 3D Echo, M-mode and color flow Doppler, as well as transesophageal studies. The Pediatric Cardiac Sonographer may work in hospitals, clinics and physicians offices.
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.
| Course | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 1301 | Composition 1 | 3 |
| MATH 1314 | College Algebra | 3 |
| BIOL 2401 | Anatomy and Physiology 1 | 4 |
| +Elective | Humanities/Fine Arts | 3 |
| Semester Total | 13 | |
| Course | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 2402 | Anatomy and Physiology 2 | 4 |
| PSYC 2301 | General Psychology | 3 |
| SPCH 1311 | Introduction to Speech Communication OR | 3 |
| SPCH 1315 | Public Speaking OR | (3) |
| SPCH 1321 | Business and Professional Communication | (3) |
| DSAE 2303 | Cardiovascular Concepts | 3 |
| Semester Total | 13 | |
| Course | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| DMSO 2343 | Advanced Ultrasound Physics | 3 |
| DSAE 1270 | Introduction to Echocardiographic Evaluation | 2 |
| DSAE 1203 | Introduction to Echocardiography Techniques | 2 |
| DSAE 1165 | Practicum (or Field Experience)-Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician | 1 |
| Semester Total | 8 | |
| Course | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| DSPE 2405 | Pediatric Echocardiographic Evaluation | 4 |
| DSPE 2660 | Clinical-Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician | 6 |
| DSPE 2353 | Pediatric Echocardiography Procedures | 3 |
| Semester Total | 13 | |
| Course | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| DSPE 2447 | Pediatric Echocardiographic Evaluation 2 | 4 |
| DSPE 2661 | Clinical-Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician | 6 |
| DSAE 2355 | Echocardiography Professionalism and Registry Review | 3 |
| Semester Total | 13 | |
| Minimum Hours Required | 60 | |
|---|---|---|
+Humanities/Fine Arts Elective - must be selected from the AAS Core Options for Humanities/Fine Arts.
