Bachelor of Science in Health Professions: Cardiovascular Sonography (BS)

Degree Type
Bachelor of Science
Program

Requirements for Graduation

This program prepares the student for a career in cardiovascular sonography with specialization in both adult cardiac sonography and vascular sonography. The graduate will be prepared to perform echocardiograms on adults. Echocardiograms are noninvasive exams that create an image of the heart. These images aid physicians in detecting certain heart conditions. The graduate will also be prepared to perform cerebral and peripheral vascular diagnostic evaluation of the arteries and veins which create images to aid the physician in the diagnosis of a wide variety of disorders affecting the peripheral vascular system, including stroke, peripheral vascular disease and venous abnormalities. 

There is a strong emphasis on cardiovascular anatomy and physiology, cardiovascular hemodynamics and sound physics. Clinical experience is a major component of the program. Graduates of the program meet published requirements by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) to apply for the registry examination in Adult Echocardiography and Vascular Technology. 

Students are divided into two cohort groups—Vascular and Adult Cardiac. This will determine which specialty they take first in their curriculum plan. The purpose of dividing into cohort groups is to maximize the use of available clinical sites. Students will take Skills Enhancement I and II while they are taking core courses in the second specialty to maintain skills they learned in the first specialty. This program is designed to be completed in eight semesters and three summers. 

Program Goal

To prepare competent entry-level cardiovascular technologists in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains for adult echocardiography and to prepare competent entry-level cardiovascular technologists in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains for noninvasive vascular study.

Program Outcomes

Upon completion of the dual major the student will be able to:

  1. Competently perform as an entry level sonographer in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains for adult cardiac sonography and vascular sonography.
  2. Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior through sonographic practice congruent with standards of practice.
  3. Meet the eligibility requirements to apply for the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) exams.
  4. Interact effectively with individuals in a manner that reflects caring and acknowledges the holistic nature of individuals.
  5. Promote growth of the health professional and awareness of health professions through education of individual groups and communities of interest.
  6. Correlate current research to ensure best-practice delivery of specialty specific, quality patient care and services.

Program Requirements

Each student must complete a minimum of 44 credit hours in general education and 81 credit hours in the major.  Official transcript(s) must be on file for all transfer credits.

General Education Courses

Students who have transferred in 36 or more credit hours will take GSTU101X.

Item #
Title
Credits
Sub-Total Credits
2

Communications

Must complete 3 cr hrs from COMM courses.

Item #
Title
Credits
Sub-Total Credits
3

Cultural Studies

Must complete 3 cr hrs from elective pool.(GERO303INTL202-2, INTL202-3INTL205-2, INTL205-3, PBHL305RELI215RELI316SIGN111SOCI222SOCI320SOCI324SPAN101H)

Item #
Title
Credits
3
Sub-Total Credits
3

Business/Management

Must complete 3 cr hrs from ECON or MGMT courses.

Item #
Title
Credits
Sub-Total Credits
3

Humanities

 Must complete 3 cr hrs from elective pool (ENGL, HIST, HUMS, INTL, PHIL, RELI, SIGN, SPAN)

Item #
Title
Credits
Sub-Total Credits
9

Mathematics

Must complete all course listed.

Item #
Title
Credits
Sub-Total Credits
6

Natural Sciences

Must complete all course listed.

Item #
Title
Credits
Sub-Total Credits
12

Social Sciences

Must complete 6 cr hrs from electives (GERO, INTL, PBHL, PSYC, SOCI).

Item #
Title
Credits
Sub-Total Credits
6

Sample Curriculum Plan

Sample curriculum plan for traditional first year student with no transfer credit.

Course Sequencing

Year 1

 

 

CVTD230 = *Courses in the Major

Item #
Title
Credits
Sub-Total Credits
12

AHAL 223, CVTD 226 = *Courses in the Major

Item #
Title
Credits
Sub-Total Credits
8

Year 2

Years 2 and 3 of the CARD and VASC courses can be interchangeable based on faculty discretion. 

CARD 312, CARD 340 = *Courses in the Major

Item #
Title
Credits
Sub-Total Credits
13

CARD 314, CARD 345, CARD 347 = *Courses in the Major

Item #
Title
Credits
Sub-Total Credits
13.5

CVTD 341 = *Courses in the Major

Item #
Title
Credits
Sub-Total Credits
7

Year 3

Years 2 and 3 of the CARD and VASC courses can be interchangeable based on faculty discretion. 

AHAL 313, CVTD 303, VASC 315, VASC 341 = *Courses in the Major

Item #
Title
Credits
Sub-Total Credits
14

AHAL 314, CVTD 302, VASC 316, VASC 343, VASC 347 = *Courses in the Major

Cultural Studies elective needs to be in social sciences if the requirement is not met.

Item #
Title
Credits
Sub-Total Credits
12.5

CVTD 350 = *Courses in the Major

Item #
Title
Credits
Sub-Total Credits
7

Year 4

CARD 430, CVTD 416,  CVTD 430, VASC 430 = *Courses in the Major

Item #
Title
Credits
Sub-Total Credits
12

CVTD 425, CVTD435 = *Courses in the Major

Item #
Title
Credits
Sub-Total Credits
12
Total Credits
125