Cardiovascular Sonography

Allied Health

A.A.S. Degree (W)

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), 25400 US Highway 19 N., Suite 158, Clearwater, FL 33763, (727) 210-2350, http://www.caahep.org, 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.

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.

  1. Perform competently a full range of echocardiography procedures.
  2. Perform competently a full range of vascular sonographic procedures.
  3. Utilize professional verbal, nonverbal, and written communication skills in patient care, procedure intervention, and professional relationships.
  4. Act in a professional and ethical manner and comply with professional scope of practice.
  5. 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:

  1. Apply clear and effective communication skills.
  2. Use critical thinking to solve problems.
  3. Collaborate to achieve a common goal.
  4. Demonstrate professional and ethical conduct.
  5. Use information literacy for effective vocational and/or academic research.
  6. Apply quantitative reasoning and/or scientific inquiry to solve practical problems.

Graduation Requirements

General Education

ENG 101Composition I

3

ENG 102Composition II

3

MAT 162Statistical Reasoning

4

PSY 121General Psychology

3

SOC 213Ethical Issues in Healthcare

3

SSC 100First Year Seminar

1

Program/Major Concentration

BIO 100Medical Terminology

3

BIO 120Anatomy and Physiology I

5

BIO 121Anatomy and Physiology II

5

BIO 130Disease Process/Pathophysiology

3

CVS 109Intro to Clinical Internship II

3

CVS 201Clinical Internship I

6

CVS 202Clinical Internship II

5

CVS 203Clinical Internship III

5

DMS 104Intro to Clinical Internship

1

DMS 107Essentials in Patient Care/Sonography

3

DMS 110Acoustical Physics

3

DMS 250Selected Topics in U/S

2

ECH 111Echocardiography Techniques I

3

ECH 112Echocardiography Techniques II

3

ECH 213Echocardiography Techniques III

3

HLH 215Cardiovascular Monitoring

2

PHY 111Conceptual Physics

4

VAS 111Vascular Techniques I

3

VAS 112Vascular Techniques II

3

VAS 213Vascular Techniques III

3

Suggested Pathway to Graduation (Course Sequence Sheet)

Courses for Application

SSC 100First Year Seminar

1

BIO 120Anatomy and Physiology I

5

ENG 101Composition I

3

MAT 162Statistical Reasoning

4

PHY 111Conceptual Physics

4

Semester 1

BIO 100Medical Terminology

3

ENG 102Composition II

3

DMS 107Essentials in Patient Care/Sonography

3

VAS 111Vascular Techniques I

3

Semester 2

BIO 121Anatomy and Physiology II

5

ECH 111Echocardiography Techniques I

3

DMS 104Intro to Clinical Internship

1

VAS 112Vascular Techniques II

3

Semester 3

HLH 215Cardiovascular Monitoring

2

DMS 110Acoustical Physics

3

CVS 109Intro to Clinical Internship II

3

ECH 112Echocardiography Techniques II

3

VAS 213Vascular Techniques III

3

Semester 4

CVS 201Clinical Internship I

6

ECH 213Echocardiography Techniques III

3

Semester 5

PSY 121General Psychology

3

CVS 202Clinical Internship II

5

BIO 130Disease Process/Pathophysiology

3

Semester 6

SOC 213Ethical Issues in Healthcare

3

CVS 203Clinical Internship III

5

DMS 250Selected Topics in U/S

2

To complete program requirements, you must pass the above courses and earn at least 85 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).

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