Cardiac Sonography
Associate Degree | Ozark Campus | Blended
This program is blended. The first two semesters (fall & spring) in the program are in-person, in-class, and in-person clinical rotations. The third semester (summer) has online classes with in-person clinical rotations. These clinical rotations can be completed anywhere a student prefers as long as a contract with a cardiac sonography clinic/hospital can be obtained.
Students who complete the non-invasive Cardiac Sonography (CVT) program of study will be prepared to enter the healthcare field in cardiac sonography labs as adult cardiac sonographers. Cardiac sonography, also known as echocardiography, is a rapidly advancing specialty area of cardiac imaging that uses ultrasound technology to evaluate the heart. With this technology, a cardiac sonographer uses sound waves created by the machine to acquire images of the cardiac chambers, walls, valves and blood flow.
Cardiac sonographers generally work closely with cardiologists, who use the images to diagnose cardiac diseases.
Students completing the Associate of Applied Science in Cardiac Sonography will prepare to sit for the Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS) exam through Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) and the Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS) exam through American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).
Hands-on Learning Opportunities
- Students spend over 100 hours in the cardiac sonography lab at ATU completing exams on both each other and volunteers.
- Students spend over 950 hours in clinical settings in hospitals and clinics throughout the region.
- Students use online software to practice hands-on cardiac sonography skills in simulated studies.
Skills You Will Learn
- A detailed working knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the heart.
- A thorough understanding of cardiac pathology and its effects on the heart.
- Students are prepared to sit for the cardiac sonography registry board exams.
- Students learn all aspects of being an adult cardiac sonographer.
- Students learn skills in resume and cover letter building, interviewing, and electrocardiography.
- The ability to comprehend the sonography appearance of normal and abnormal cardiac conditions.
- The ability to optimize images.
About This Degree
TUITION
Students living in states bordering Arkansas receive in-state tuition.
Financial Aid is available for those who qualify. The Arkansas Tech University school
code to use on the FAFSA is 001089.
The AR Futures grant could cover your expenses for this credential. Check credential eligibility.
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CAREER OPTIONS
You could work as a(n):
- Sonography applications specialist
- Sonography machine sales
- Staff or lead cardiac sonographer
- Travel cardiac sonographer
Alumni of our program work at:
- Arkansas Children’s Hospital
- Baptist Hospital (FS & LR)
- Mercy Hospital (FS, St. Louis, Rogers, & Joplin)
- St. Vincent CHI Infirmary
ACADEMIC INFORMATION
View the links below to better understand the courses, the course timeline, and who your faculty will be when you enroll as an ATU student.
Credentials that stack with this degree:
- Bachelor of Applied Science
- Bachelor of Professional Studies
Point of Pride
Our students have had a 100% pass rate on the CCI cardiac sonography exam for the past 3 years.
IT'S TIME TO STEP UP
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ADDITIONAL PROGRAM INFORMATION
March 1: CVT, PTA, LPN, MA, RN, OTA application deadline
Applications for the Cardiac Sonography program are accepted each March with the technical phase of the program beginning in August each year. Please call or email with any questions.
Students who complete the non-invasive Cardiac Sonography (CVT) program of study will be prepared to enter the healthcare field in cardiac sonography labs as adult cardiac sonographers. Cardiac sonography, also known as echocardiography, is a rapidly advancing specialty area of cardiac imaging that uses ultrasound technology to evaluate the heart. With this technology, a cardiac sonographer uses sound waves created by the machine to acquire images of the cardiac chambers, walls, valves and blood flow.
Accreditation
The Cardiac Sonography program at Arkansas Tech University-Ozark Campus is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), 25400 US Highway 19 North, Suite 158, Clearwater, FL 33763; telephone: (727) 210-2350. http://caahep.org.
Contact Information
(479) 508-8500 ext. 6503
alliedhealth@atu.edu
program faculty
