Echocardiography - Associate Degree
The Echocardiography program will provide instruction in sonographic practices and principles as well as sonographic imaging skills needed to prepare students for employment as entry-level adult cardiac sonographers. Students will use standard two-dimensional, three-dimensional, and Doppler ultrasound to produce still and dynamic images of the heart used by physicians to assist in the process of a medical diagnosis. Successful graduates will be prepared to sit for professional certification exams from a variety of national agencies, including the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
Delivery
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Program Costs & Financial Aid
Tuition: $10,446, Books: $1,107, Supplies: $525
This program is fully eligible for financial aid.
Estimates based on in-state residency. Please visit the following URL to learn more about tuition and fees for this program. https://www.nwtc.edu/admissions-and-aid/paying-for-college/tuition-and-fees?ProgramCode=105266
Requirements for Program Entry
- For instructions on how to get started, download the application checklist for this program.
Program Outcomes
- Use standard two-dimensional, three-dimensional, and Doppler ultrasound to produce still and dynamic images of the heart used by physicians to assist in the process of a medical diagnosis.
Accreditation
The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program – Adult Cardiac is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) 9355 - 113th St. N, #7709, Seminole, FL 33775 (727) 210-2350, upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS) 6021 University Boulevard, Suite 500 Ellicott City, MD 21043.
Curriculum
Students following the study plan below will complete the Echocardiography associate degree in the number of semesters shown.
Pre-First Semester
Summer Before First Semester
First Semester
8 Week 1
8 Week 2
Full Semester
Second Semester
8 Week 1
Full Semester
Summer Before Third Semester
Full Semester
Third Semester
8 Week 1
8 Week 2
Full Semester
Fourth Semester
8 Week 1
8 Week 2
- Curriculum Note: Students must earn a "C" or higher in all 10-526-XXX courses and 10-501-101. A student who withdraws or receives a grade lower than a "C" in a program course may apply for re-entry into the program. Consideration for re-entry will be at the discretion of the re-entry team and will be dependent on clinical availability.
- Students must earn a "B" or higher in General Anatomy & Physiology and Advanced Anatomy & Physiology. A student who withdraws or receives a grade lower than a "B" is these courses may apply for re-entry into the program. Consideration for re-entry will be at the discretion of the re-entry team and will be dependent on clinical availability.
- The credit for 10-890-101, College 101 is an institutional requirement for graduation. Consequently, it is not part of the program credit requirements, but must be passed with a "C" or better.
- Although not required, it is recommended all echocardiography students take Medical Terminology, 10501101 between their first and second year in the program.
Course Descriptions
Overview of the human anatomy/physiology using a body-systems approach, emphasizing the interrelationships between form/function at the gross and microscopic levels. (Prerequisite: C or better in Lab-based Chemistry OR 2 semesters lab-based high school chemistry w/C or better; AND Next Gen Rdg score greater/= to 263; OR ACT Rdg score greater/= to 17; OR prep courses-contact academic advisor at 920-498-5444)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringApplications/theory of basic physics principles: problem-solving, laboratory investigation, and applications including unit conversion and analysis, mechanical waves, harmonic motion, wave and ray optics, electricity, and magnetism. (Prereq: 2.6 GPA & Alg 2 or equiv w/C or better; OR Next Gen Rdg score greater/equal to 263, Arith greater/equal to 250, & QRAS greater/equal to 250; OR ACT Reading greater/equal to 17 & Math greater/equal to 24; OR Coll Tech Math 1A OR Int Alg w/C or better)
Course Typically Offered: Fall SpringStudents gain skills that lead to success in college, employment, and life. Students should take this course in their first semester. (Pre-requisite: None.)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringStudents taking Introductory Statistics display data with graphs, describe distributions with numbers, perform correlation and regression analyses, and design experiments. They use probability and distributions to make predictions, estimate parameters, and test hypotheses. They draw inferences about relationships including ANOVA. (Prerequisite: Next Gen QRAS greater/equal to 250 AND Rdg greater/equal to 250; OR ACT Math greater/equal to 24 AND ACT Rdg greater/equal to 16; OR C or better in Inter Alg or higher-contact academic advisor 920-498-5444)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringNormal human anatomy and physiology are studied using a body systems approach with emphasis on the interrelationships between form and function at the gross and microscopic levels of organization. (Prerequisite: 10-806-177, Gen Anatomy & Physiology with a "C" or better. Health programs may require a higher grade; refer to your plan for details.)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringIntroduces learners to the field of diagnostic medical sonography. Explores the duties and functions of the diagnostic medical sonographer as well as the historical background. Learners examine the other imaging modalities as they relate to sonography. Includes principles of patient care and legal and ethical issues related to sonography. (Prerequisite: Accepted into the Diagnostic Medical Sonography OR Echocardiography Program)
Course Typically Offered: Fallcontinues the study of the human heart in cross-sectional planes and as a three-dimensional anatomical structure with mechanical and hemodynamic characteristics. Learners will explore cardiac development and put into practice basic and advanced cardiovascular physiology concepts. (Prerequisites: Acceptance in the Echocardiography program and/or permission of program faculty; 10-806-179, Advanced Anatomy and Physiology)
Course Typically Offered: FallIntroduces physics and instrumentation relevant to diagnostic medical sonography. Learners explore how principles of sound propagation in tissues create a sonographic image. (Prerequisites: Accepted into the Diagnostic Medical Sonography OR Echocardiography Program; 10-806-164, General Physics 2)
Course Typically Offered: Summerintroduces cross sectional anatomy as it relates to Diagnostic Medical Sonography and correlating images from other imaging modalities. Learners are also introduced to a normal echocardiogram with basic 2-dimensional and doppler protocol. Practice scan sessions are included. (Prerequisites: 10-526-272, Cardiovascular Anatomy and Physiology;10-526-200, Intro to DMS; Corequisite: 10-526-222, Sonography Physics 2)
Course Typically Offered: FallContinues the study of physics and instrumentation relevant to diagnostic medical sonography. The laboratory component of this course introduces the student to the concepts of ultrasound instrumentation, an introduction to ultrasonic scanning technique, and maintenance of ultrasound equipment. (Prerequisites: Accepted into the Diagnostic Medical Sonography OR Echocardiography Program; 10-526-221, Sonography Physics 1)
Course Typically Offered: FallThis course focuses on developing effective listening techniques and verbal and nonverbal communication skills through oral presentation, group activity, and other projects. The study of self, conflict, and cultural contexts will be explored, as well as their impact on communication. (Prerequisite: Next Gen Rdg score greater/equal to 250 AND Writing score greater/equal to 237; OR ACT Rdg score greater/equal to 16 AND English score greater/equal to 16; OR preparatory course-contact an academic advisor at 920-498-5444)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall Springexplores the electrical activity of the heart and the various techniques for recording them. The differences between 3 and 12 lead electrocardiograms (EKG's) will be covered. Students will identify waveforms and rhythms and correlate them to the cardiac events. (Prerequisites: Active enrollment in the Echocardiography program and/or permission of program faculty)
Course Typically Offered: Springexplores the structure and function of the cardiac system and various pathologies in adult cardiovascular diseases. Students will learn how to assess these clinical abnormalities of the human heart through the principles of echocardiographic imaging focusing on normal, abnormal, and post-operative valvular disease, coronary artery disease, systemic and pulmonary hypertension, adult cardiomyopathies and diseases of great vessels. Lectures are correlated with scan lab demonstration. (Prerequisites: 10-526-251, Echocardiography Foundations; 10-526-222, Sonography Physics 2; Corequisites: 10-526-253, Basic EKG Analysis)
Course Typically Offered: SpringIntroduces the principles of vascular sonographic imaging. Learners perform a variety of peripheral vascular arterial and venous duplex exams. (Prerequisites: Admitted into the Echocardiography OR DMS program AND 10-526-200, Intro to DMS; 10-526-222, Sonography Physics 2; 10-806-179, Adv Anatomy & Physiology)
Course Typically Offered: SpringLearners develop knowledge/skills in planning, organizing, writing, editing. Students will also analyze audience/purpose, use elements of research, format documents using standard guidelines, and develop critical reading skills. (Prerequisite: High school GPA greater/equal to 2.6; OR ACT Reading score greater/equal to 16 AND English greater/equal to 18; OR Next Gen Reading score greater/equal to 250 AND Writing score greater/equal to 260; OR "preparatory course(s)", contact academic advisor at 920-498-5444)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall Springthis assessment is designed to observe the sonographer in the active echocardiography lab, assess competencies learned throughout the echocardiography program journey, and coach the sonographer on opportunities for success. Students are routinely evaluated on professional growth, personal interactions, and technical ability. (Prerequisites: 10-526-252, Adult Echocardiography)
Course Typically Offered: SummerThis science of psychology course is a survey of multiple aspects of behavior and mental processes. It provides an overview of topics such as research methods, theoretical perspectives, learning, cognition, memory, motivation, emotions, personality, abnormal psychology, physiological factors, social influences, and development.. (Prerequisite: Cumulative GPA of 2.6 or greater OR satisfactory reading and writing assessment scores OR 10-831-107, College Reading and Writing 1 with "B" or better OR Corequisite: 10-831-102, English Comp Prep).
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringThis course introduces the study of diversity from a local to a global perspective using a holistic, interdisciplinary approach that encourages exploration and prepares students to work in a diverse environment. The course introduces basic diversity concepts, examines the impact of bias and power differentials among groups, explores the use of culturally responsive communication strategies, and compares forces that shape diversity in an international context. (Prerequisite: Next Gen Rdg score greater/equal to 250 AND Writing score greater/equal to 237; OR ACT Rdg score greater/equal to 16 AND English greater/equal to 15; OR 10-831-107, College Reading and Writing with a B or better.)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringIntroduces applications/limitations, technical procedures and fundamental role of cardiac sonographers in advanced echocardiography modalities. Lectures are correlated with scan lab demonstration. (Prerequisites: 10-526-252, Adult Echocardiography; Corequisites: 10-526-256, Advanced Cardiac Pathology & Case Review)
Course Typically Offered: Fallintroduces learner to various types of pediatric and adult complex congenital heart disease and discuss the role of echocardiography in the evaluation and diagnosis of these diseases. (Prerequisites:10-526-252, Adult Echocardiography; Corequisites: 10-526-256 Advanced Cardiac Pathology & Case Review)
Course Typically Offered: Fallprovides basic knowledge and echocardiographic assessment of major cardiac pathophysiology including infiltrative heart disease, cardiac tumors and masses, pericardial disease, cardiac diseases related to systemic illness, sonographers role in invasive and non-invasive procedures and begin to explore new and emerging technologies and opportunities in the field of echocardiography. Lab demonstration and case review included. (Prerequisites: 10-526-252, Adult Echocardiography)
Course Typically Offered: Fallthis assessment is designed to observe the sonographer in the active echocardiography lab, assess competencies learned throughout the echocardiography program journey, and coach the sonographer on opportunities for success. Students are routinely evaluated on professional growth, personal interactions, and technical ability. (Prerequisites: 10-526-254, Echocardiography Clinical 1; Corequisites: 10-526-256, Advanced Cardiac Pathology & Case Review)
Course Typically Offered: Fallthis assessment is designed to observe the sonographer in the active echocardiography lab, assess competencies learned throughout the echocardiography program journey, and coach the sonographer on opportunities for success. Students are routinely evaluated on professional growth, personal interactions, and technical ability. (Prerequisites: 10-526-273, Echocardiography Clinical 2)
Course Typically Offered: Springthis assessment is designed to observe the sonographer in the active echocardiography lab, assess competencies learned throughout the echocardiography program journey, and coach the sonographer on opportunities for success. Students are routinely evaluated on professional growth, personal interactions, and technical ability. (Prerequisites: 10-526-274, Echocardiography Clinical 3)
Course Typically Offered: Spring