The Best Cardiac Sonographer Schools: A Complete Guide To Choosing An Echocardiography School
Congratulations on showing interest in becoming a cardiac sonographer. When I first became interested in echocardiography I did the same thing you’re doing right now. I went online to look for the best accredited cardiac sonographer school.
And that’s exactly what this article is for! To help you find accredited sonography schools that specialize in echocardiograpy.
If you’re interested in more information on how to become a cardiac sonographer, or an echo tech as our occupation is also known as, check out my post, How To Become A Cardiac Sonographer: The Ultimate Guide. The hope is that you will have all your questions answered regarding what’s required to become a echo tech.
Why A Career in Echocardiography Is A Great Choice
I believe that a career in healthcare is still a great path to choose, especially a career in cardiac sonography.
I’ve been a cardiac sonographer for 12 years and have not regretted the decision even once. It’s been a wonderful career. I’ve been part of a team that has helped a countless number of patients.
The good news about echocardiography is that there is still a great need for high quality sonographers, and the trend continues to move in that direction. There has never been a better time to choose a career in ultrasound.
The work is rewarding and the pay is good. You are making a great decision.
Now the next thing to do is find an accredited echocardiography program that is a good fit for you!
Echocardiography Schools
There are a lot of echocardiography training programs to choose from when it comes to finding a good school. But there are a few very important things to look for in a cardiac sonographer school.
What To Look For In A Top Cardiac Sonographer School
- Is the Echocardiography program accredited?
- What kind of degrees does the echocardiography training program offer?
- How long is the echocardiography program?
- Is it an online echocardiography course?
- Is the program accredited? (Yes, I’m saying it again!)
Is The Echocardiography Program Accredited?
The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) is an organization that specifically accredits health science programs including echocardiograpy.
The CAAHEP performs a very detailed and in depth review of the cardiac sonography program in order to make sure that the it meets the minimum standards of the industry. Accreditation helps to ensure that students who graduate the echo program are well equipped to enter the field of echocardiography.
In my experience, accreditation is also very helpful when it comes to the hiring process. More and more hospitals and clinics either highly prefer or even require that their prospective employees graduate from and accredited cardiac ultrasound program.
What Degrees Or Certificates Does The Echocardiography Training Program Offer?
Not all cardiac sonography training programs offer the same level of education. That’s why it’s important to know exactly what kind of degree or certificate you’ll walk away with.
Some cardiac sonography certificate programs offer just that…a certificate. While others will offer you an associates degree, a bachelor’s degree or even a masters degree.
The nice thing to know, however, is that regardless of what level of education you receive from your echocardiography school, there are many schools out there that will allow you to receive an even higher level of education while you work as an echocardiographer.
How Long Is The Echocardiography Program?
This kind of goes hand in hand with what level of education you receive, except there may be one major thing you want to consider.
Many cardiac ultrasound schools will hold classes year round. That means you would have classes or clinicals to attend throughout the summer in addition to the fall, spring and winter.
This can play a major factor in the decision making process in deciding which is the top cardiac ultrasound program for you.
Is It An Online Echocardiography Course?
When I was looking at echocardiography programs, I didn’t have to worry so much about this, as there weren’t any online echocardiography courses available at that time.
But times have changed, and now online echocardiography courses are an option for many people.
So be sure to keep this in mind when planning out your educational path.
The Best Cardiac Sonographer Schools
As I mentioned, there are many cardiac sonographer schools to choose from. All you need to decide is which one fits best for you and your needs.
With that said, here is a list of some of the top cardiac sonographer schools that I think you should at least take a closer look at.
We’ll start with the best online programs.
For a complete list of accredited cardiac sonographer schools, you can go to the CAAHEP website and find a list there.
(The below information was obtained from the CAAHEP website)
Accredited Cardiac Sonography Programs ONLINE
Washburn University
Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Cardiac
Diagnostic Medical Sonography – Cardiac Program
1700 SW College Ave.
Topeka, KS 66621
United States of America
Status: Continuing
Initial Accreditation Date: 9/15/2006
Degrees: Certificate
Program Outcomes
Program Director: Keith Farwell MHSc, RDCS, CPTA
Phone: (785) 670-2293
Jackson College
Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Cardiac
Diagnostic Medical Sonography – Cardiac Program
2111 Emmons Road
Jackson, MI 49201
United States of America
Status: Continuing
Initial Accreditation Date: 11/19/2004
Degrees: Associate
Program Outcomes
Program Director: Lindsay Mercer BS, RDCS
Phone: (517) 796-8529
State Fair Community College
Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Cardiac
Diagnostic Medical Sonography – Cardiac Program
3201 W 16th Street
Sedalia, MO 65301
United States of America
Status: Initial
Initial Accreditation Date: 3/16/2018
Degrees: Associate
Program Outcomes Unavailable
Program Director: Alice Townsend MBA, RDMS, RVT
Phone: (660) 596-7420
atownsend2@sfccmo.edu
Cardiac Sonographer Schools That Are NOT Online
The following cardiac sonographer schools offer certificates and/or associates degrees.
Grossmont College
Cardiovascular Technology
Adult Echocardiography
Cardiovascular Technology – Adult Echocardiography Program
8800 Grossmont College Drive
El Cajon, CA 92020
United States of America
Status: Continuing
Initial Accreditation Date: 1/19/1989
Degrees: Associate
Program Outcomes
Program Director: Liz Barrow BA, RCIS, CEPS
Phone: (619) 644-7302
Orange Coast College
Cardiovascular Technology
Adult Echocardiography
Cardiovascular Technology – Adult Echocardiography Program
2701 Fairview Road
Costa Mesa, CA 92628
United States of America
Status: Continuing
Initial Accreditation Date: 4/19/2002
Degrees: Associate
Program Outcomes
Program Director: Darryl Isaac MEd, BA, RDCS, RCCS, FASE
Phone: (714) 432-5549
disaac@occ.cccd.edu
Arkansas Tech University
Cardiovascular Technology
Adult Echocardiography
Cardiovascular Technology – Adult Echocardiography Program
1700 Helberg Lane
Ozark, AR 72949
United States of America
Status: Initial
Initial Accreditation Date: 3/20/2015
Degrees: Associate
Program Outcomes
Program Director: Kristen Wendling BS, RDCS, RDMS
Phone: (479) 209-6130
Florida State College at Jacksonville-Yulee
Cardiovascular Technology
Adult Echocardiography
Cardiovascular Technology – Adult Echocardiography Program
76346 William Burgess Blvd
Yulee, FL 32097
United States of America
Status: Initial
Initial Accreditation Date: 7/31/2014
Degrees: Associate
Program Outcomes
Program Director: Christie Jordan BS, RDCS, RCS, RCIS, FASE
Phone: (904) 548-1709
chjordan@fscj.edu
International College of Health Sciences
Cardiovascular Technology
Adult Echocardiography
Cardiovascular Technology – Adult Echocardiography Program
2300 South Congress Avenue
Ste 105
Boynton Beach, FL 33426
United States of America
Status: Initial
Initial Accreditation Date: 9/16/2016
Degrees: Associate
Program Outcomes Unavailable
Program Director: Brian Dillmon BS, RDMS, RVT
Phone: (561) 202-6333
bdillmon@ichs.edu
Santa Fe College
Cardiovascular Technology
Adult Echocardiography
Cardiovascular Technology – Adult Echocardiography Program
3000 NW 83rd Street
Building W, Room 201
Gainesville, FL 32606
United States of America
Status: Continuing
Initial Accreditation Date: 10/18/2002
Degrees: Associate
Program Outcomes
Program Director: Sharon Whitcraft MA, RVT, RVS, RCS
Phone: (352) 395-5702
sharon.whitcraft@sfcollege.edu
Augusta Technical College
Cardiovascular Technology
Adult Echocardiography
Cardiovascular Technology – Adult Echocardiography Program
University Hospital/Harry T Harper
1350 Walton Way
Augusta, GA 30915
United States of America
Status: Continuing
Initial Accreditation Date: 10/23/1994
Degrees: Associate
Program Outcomes
Program Director: Patricia Thomas RCIS, BS, MBA
Phone: (706) 774-5044
Central Georgia Technical College
Cardiovascular Technology
Adult Echocardiography
Cardiovascular Technology – Adult Echocardiography Program
3300 Macon Tech Drive
Macon, GA 31206
United States of America
Status: Initial
Initial Accreditation Date: 3/20/2015
Degrees: Associate
Program Outcomes
Program Director: Deana Harkins RCIS
Phone: (478) 757-3667
Gwinnett Technical College
Cardiovascular Technology
Adult Echocardiography
Cardiovascular Technology – Adult Echocardiography Program
5150 Sugarloaf Parkway
Lawrenceville, GA 30043
United States of America
Status: Continuing
Initial Accreditation Date: 9/20/2013
Degrees: Associate
Program Outcomes
Program Director: Kristen Buoy RCIS, RRT
Phone: (678) 226-6334
Piedmont College
Cardiovascular Technology
Adult Echocardiography
Cardiovascular Technology – Adult Echocardiography Program
743 Spring Street NE
Gainesville, GA 30501
United States of America
Status: Initial
Initial Accreditation Date: 5/19/2017
Degrees: Certificate
Program Outcomes Unavailable
Program Director: Paul Braum BS, RDCS, RCS, RVT, RVS, ACS, FASE
Phone: (770) 534-2020 Ext -1604
South Suburban College
Cardiovascular Technology
Adult Echocardiography
Cardiovascular Technology – Adult Echocardiography Program
15800 S State St
South Holland, IL 60473
United States of America
Status: Initial
Initial Accreditation Date: 11/17/2017
Degrees: Associate
Program Outcomes
Program Director: Zubeir Haroun MD, RDCS, MPH
Phone: (708) 596-2000 Ext -2038
Kirtland Community College
Cardiovascular Technology
Adult Echocardiography
Cardiovascular Technology – Adult Echocardiography Program
4800 W Four Mile Rd
Grayling, MI 49738
United States of America
Status: Continuing
Initial Accreditation Date: 9/20/2013
Degrees: Associate
Program Outcomes
Program Director: James Eastman BS, ARDMS(AE), ARRT(RT)
Phone: (989) 705-3604
American Institute of Medical Science and Education
Cardiovascular Technology
Adult Echocardiography
Cardiovascular Technology – Adult Echocardiography Program
4500 New Brunswick Ave
Piscataway, NJ 08845
United States of America
Status: Initial
Initial Accreditation Date: 7/21/2016
Degrees: Certificate
Program Outcomes
Program Director: Kalpana Mahatpure BS, RDCS, RVT, RDMS (Ab, OB/GYN)
Phone: (908) 222-0002
Eastern International College
Cardiovascular Technology
Adult Echocardiography
Cardiovascular Technology – Adult Echocardiography Program
684 Newark Ave
Jersey City, NJ 07306
United States of America
Satellite Locations/Multiple Campuses
Belleville, NJ
Status: Initial
Initial Accreditation Date: 9/18/2015
Degrees: Associate
Program Outcomes Unavailable
Program Director: Shahida Qureshi MD, RDCS, RVT, ARDMS
Phone: (201) 216-9901
Eastwick College
Cardiovascular Technology
Adult Echocardiography
Cardiovascular Technology – Adult Echocardiography Program
10 South Franklin Turnpike
Ramsey, NJ 07446
United States of America
Satellite Locations/Multiple Campuses
Nutley, New Jersey
Status: Continuing
Initial Accreditation Date: 11/15/2013
Degrees: Associate
Program Outcomes Unavailable
Program Director: Lisa DiLauri BS, RDCS, RCS. RVS, CCT, FASE
Phone: (201) 357-8199
Molloy College
Cardiovascular Technology
Adult Echocardiography
Cardiovascular Technology – Adult Echocardiography Program
1000 Hempstead Ave
Rockville Centre, NY 11571
United States of America
Status: Continuing
Initial Accreditation Date: 10/19/2001
Degrees: Associate
Program Outcomes
Program Director: Michael J Hartman MS, RDMS, RVT, RT(R)
Phone: (516) 323-3388
mhartman@molloy.edu
Central Piedmont Community College
Cardiovascular Technology
Adult Echocardiography
Cardiovascular Technology – Adult Echocardiography Program
PO Box 35009
Charlotte, NC 28235
United States of America
Status: Continuing
Initial Accreditation Date: 5/15/2009
Degrees: Associate
Program Outcomes
Program Director: Sabrina Black BS, RDCS, FASE
Phone: (704) 330-6285
Harrisburg Area Community College-Lancaster Campus
Cardiovascular Technology
Adult Echocardiography
Cardiovascular Technology – Adult Echocardiography Program
1641 Old Philadelphia Pike
Office 207-D East Building
Lancaster, PA 17602
United States of America
Status: Continuing
Initial Accreditation Date: 8/16/2006
Degrees: Associate
Program Outcomes
Program Director: Kristy Werkheiser MEd, RT(R)(M), RCIS, CCT
Phone: (717) 358-2872
Piedmont Technical College
Cardiovascular Technology
Adult Echocardiography
Cardiovascular Technology – Adult Echocardiography Program
620 North Emerald Road
Office 103GC
Greenwood, SC 29646
United States of America
Status: Continuing
Initial Accreditation Date: 7/18/2013
Degrees: Associate
Program Outcomes Unavailable
Program Director: Laura Boone RDCS, RVT, RDMS, RT(R)
Phone: (864) 941-8717
Sisters of Charity Providence Hospitals
Cardiovascular Technology
Adult Echocardiography
Cardiovascular Technology – Adult Echocardiography Program
2435 Forest Dr
Columbia, SC 29204
United States of America
Status: Probation
Effective Date: 7/13/2017
Initial Accreditation Date: 10/17/2003
Degrees: Certificate
Program Outcomes Unavailable
Program Director: Daniel Chambers RDCS, RCT
Phone: (803) 256-5743
daniel.chambers@providencehospitals.com
Southeast Technical Institute
Cardiovascular Technology
Adult Echocardiography
Cardiovascular Technology – Adult Echocardiography Program
2320 North Career Avenue
Sioux Falls, SD 57101
United States of America
Status: Continuing
Initial Accreditation Date: 10/21/1995
Degrees: Associate
Program Outcomes
Program Director: Pamela Boyd BS, RVT, RDCS
Phone: (605) 367-4634
Northeast State Community College
Cardiovascular Technology
Adult Echocardiography
Cardiovascular Technology – Adult Echocardiography Program
Cardiovascular Technology Program
2425 Highway 75
Blountville, TN 37617
United States of America
Status: Continuing
Initial Accreditation Date: 5/18/2007
Degrees: Associate
Program Outcomes
Program Director: Angie Slone RCIS
Phone: (423) 354-5505
El Centro College
Cardiovascular Technology
Adult Echocardiography
Cardiovascular Technology – Adult Echocardiography Program
Main and Lamar
Dallas, TX 75202
United States of America
Status: Continuing
Initial Accreditation Date: 7/21/2000
Degrees: Associate
Program Outcomes
Program Director: Catherine Carolan RDCS, RDMS, RVT
Phone: (214) 860-2310
Hill College
Cardiovascular Technology
Adult Echocardiography
Cardiovascular Technology – Adult Echocardiography Program
2112 Mayfield Parkway
Cleburne, TX 76033
United States of America
Status: Initial
Initial Accreditation Date: 1/21/2016
Degrees: Associate
Program Outcomes
Program Director: Julie Britain BS, RDCS, RCS
Phone: (817) 760-5936
Sentara College of Health Sciences
Cardiovascular Technology
Adult Echocardiography
Cardiovascular Technology – Adult Echocardiography Program
1441 Crossways Blvd
Suite 105
Chesapeake, VA 23320
United States of America
Status: Continuing
Initial Accreditation Date: 10/17/1997
Degrees: Associate
Program Outcomes
Program Director: Megan Hunsinger EdD, MS, RCIS, RCES, FSICP
Phone: (757) 388-7467
Spokane Community College
Cardiovascular Technology
Adult Echocardiography
Cardiovascular Technology – Adult Echocardiography Program
1810 North Greene Street
MS 2090
Spokane, WA 99217
United States of America
Status: Continuing
Initial Accreditation Date: 7/20/1989
Degrees: Associate
Program Outcomes
Program Director: Scott Cutler BS, RDCS, RVT, RDMS
Phone: (509) 533-7309
Milwaukee Area Technical College
Cardiovascular Technology
Adult Echocardiography
Cardiovascular Technology – Adult Echocardiography Program
700 West State St
Milwaukee, WI 53233
United States of America
Status: Continuing
Initial Accreditation Date: 1/23/2004
Degrees: Associate
Program Outcomes
Program Director: Erwin Wuehr BS, CP
Phone: (414) 297-8517
wuehre@matc.edu
What Is Echocardiography?
Echocardiography has become a very important exam that’s widely used in hospitals and clinics all around the world. Echocardiography is used to help diagnose, manage and follow a variety of patients who are suspected to have or are known to have heart disease.
Echocardiograms are, without a doubt, one of the most widely used diagnostic tests in all of cardiology. Echo results can provide a wealth of useful information, including the size and shape of the heart (internal chamber size quantification), pumping capacity, and the location and extent of any tissue damage.
Echocardiograms give physicians the information they need to estimate heart function, such as a calculation of the cardiac output, ejection fraction, and diastolic function (how well the heart relaxes).
Conclusion
Again, congradulations on making what I believe to be one of the best decisions…to become a cardiac sonographer! If you have any questions at all about what its like to be a cardiac sonographer, please don’t hesitate to contact me and ask.
Best of luck to you!
Related Posts:
1. How To Become A Cardiac Sonographer
2. The 2D Echo Exam: What To Expect During Your Heart Ultrasound
3. 3 Best Free Echocardiography CME Websites
4. How Much Does An Echocardiogram Cost: Updated 2018 ECHO TEST COST
5. Electrocardiogram vs Echocardiogram: What Is The Difference
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