Cardiac Sonography

Program Level: Certificates
Department: Healthcare Sciences and Early Childhood and Family Studies
Institute: Health & Biosciences
College: SPC

What is the Cardiac Sonography program?

Cardiac Sonography (Echocardiography) is a diagnostic medical imaging specialty that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce dynamic visual images of the heart and great vessels.

The Cardiac Sonography program prepares individuals to operate as a Cardiac Sonographer (i.e. Echocardiographer), to aid in diagnosing congenital heart disease, valvular disease, pericardial diseases, and other cardiovascular issues.

Program Goal: 

To prepare Cardiac Sonography students with the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities to operate as entry-level, cardiac sonographers safely. 

Information Sessions

Virtual Sessions:

Type Date Location Time
Virtual 9/9/2024 Zoom ID: 210 486 2049 4:00-5:00 pm
Virtual 9/16/2024 Zoom ID: 210 486 2049 4:00-5:00 pm
Virtual 9/23/2024 Zoom ID: 210 486 2049 4:00-5:00 pm
Virtual 10/14/2024 Zoom ID: 210 486 2049 4:00-5:00 pm
Virtual 10/21/2024 Zoom ID: 210 486 2049 4:00-5:00 pm
Virtual 11/11/2024 Zoom ID: 210 486 2049 4:00-5:00 pm
Admissions and Prerequisite Requirements

Admissions Requirements:
By submitting an application packet, an individual verifies that he/she has

  • Read the web page
  • Obtained all necessary, current/valid documents
  • Understood the procedures to be followed for admission into the Cardiac Sonography Program.

Prerequisite Requirements:

  • Academic- See below
  • Application to the program is required.

All applicants must complete all requirements PRIOR to submitting applications.

Academic prerequisites:

  • Graduate of an accredited program Invasive Cardiovascular Technology or Diagnostic Medical Sonography program –OR –
  • Graduate of an accredited program in Radiography Technology, Respiratory Care Technology, or Registered Nursing within 5 years.
  • Potential Students will be considered on an individual basis to determine if the have an adequate background in anatomy and physiology, college algebra, pathophysiology, pharmacology and physics.

All academic courses in the Health Science discipline(s) must be completed with a grade of "C" (2.0) or greater.

Effective Fall 2013, and based on new federal regulations, students are not allowed to repeat previously passed courses more than once." It is the student's responsibility to check with the Office of Student Financial Services to inquire how a repeat course may impact their financial aid or veteran's assistance.

GENERAL ADMISSION PROCESS
It is required that all Cardiac Sonography Program applicants follow the steps outlined below. Unsuccessful completion of all items within the mandated time frame will preclude the application and therefore the application will not be considered for admission review.

  • Meeting criteria for selection does not guarantee admission to the program. Final selection will be based on the applicant pool and space available.
  • All applicants must meet and/or complete all the course prerequisites prior to submitting applications.
  • Completed application packets for the program must be submitted and postmarked by United States Postal Service no later than June 1st.

THECB Statutory Requirement

Application and Selection Process

Program Accepts Applications: March 1 - June 1
Program Application Deadline: Postmarked June 1
Notifications Sent to Applicants: June 15th (by ACES email)

Applicants that have NOT completed the requirements have until the admissions deadline outlined in the SPC Admissions Requirements and SPC Student Handbook. The Cardiac Sonography Program begins a new cohort EVERY Fall Semester. Student selection is at the discretion of program leadership, and ONLY the most qualified candidates are selected into the program. EVERY student will be given a fair opportunity to apply and undergo selection. However, NOT all candidates applying will be selected, and students must understand this program is a very demanding, highly critical career field.

Application Process:

REQUIRED STEPS

 

Apply Now

Selection Process:

All accepted applicants will be ranked in acordance to a program point system. The top 15-25 applicants will be interviewed. Notifications of selection will be sent out by June 15th. Students accepted into the Cardiac Sonography Program will be provided directions on when to attend the mandatory orientation.

The competitive application and acceptance process is based on a weighted point system.

Additional Requirements & Information:

Students are required to attend clinical rotations as an integral part of the training program. Clinical sites are located around the San Antonio area and students are expected to travel up to 100 miles to clinical sites.

 

No person shall, on the basis of race, color, sex, pregnancy, religion, creed, national origin (including ancestry), citizenship status, physical or mental disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, transgender status, gender identity, gender expression, veteran or military status (including special disabled veteran, Vietnam-era veteran, or recently separated veteran), predisposing genetic characteristics, domestic violence victim status, any other protected category under applicable local, state or federal law, or persons who have opposed discrimination or participated in any complaint process on campus or before a government agency, be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination in employment or under any program or activity sponsored or conducted by the College District. H.1.1

Contact Information

Interim Program Director:

Benjamin Ochoa, BS, RCIS, RCS
bochoa31@alamo.edu
210-486-2049
MLK Center for Health Professions (CHP), 330H

 

   

RTW-Partner-Badge-Training-Provider-color.png RTW-Partner-Badge-Official-Partner-color.png

One or more of these programs are approved Ready to Work programs. Find out if you’re eligible to receive free tuition and job placement services that will enable you to secure an in-demand career. 

Don’t wait; apply today!More Information