Cardiac Sonography

DEGREE:

Certificate-level program

FORMAT:

In Person on Campus

DURATION: 

12 months starting in September

APPLICATIONS:

Apply online - April 1st to April 30st

Download Student Handbook 

Cardiac Sonography (Echocardiography)

A cardiac sonographer, also known as an echocardiographer, plays a vital role in the field of cardiovascular medicine. Their primary responsibility is to acquire and analyze ultrasound images of the heart, known as echocardiograms. These images are essential for diagnosis and follow up of various cardiac conditions.

Overview of a cardiac sonographer’s job:

  • Performing echoes:

The main duty of a cardiac sonographer is to acquire images and to document their findings by preparing reports for imaging physicians. This involves using specialized ultrasound equipment to capture images of the heart from different angles and views.

  • Patient Interaction:

Cardiac sonographers interact closely with patients and their families before, during and after procedures on inpatient and outpatient settings.

  • Collaboration with Healthcare teams:

Cardiac sonographers work closely with cardiologists, nurses, nurse practitioners and other members of the healthcare system.

  • Continuing education:

As technology advances and new techniques emerge in cardiac imaging, cardiac sonographers engage in continuing education to stay updated with the latest developments in their field.

Program Description

The UCSF Cardiac Sonography program is a non-degree granting, certificate-level program. The program begins in the fall and is three semesters long - the curriculum consists of a sequence of didactic, hands-on laboratory, and clinical practicum.

Mission Statement

The UCSF Cardiac Sonography Program is a provider of quality, competency-based instruction. We are committed to the education of the total professional, using hands-on curriculum in a student-centered environment to prepare learners to become successful in a competitive world. The program upholds and maintains the vision to provide the best health care services and adheres to the PRIDE values of professionalism, respect, integrity, diversity and excellence in alignment with UCSF Health.

Program Goals & Objectives

The goals and objectives of the Cardiac Sonography program are “To prepare competent entrylevel cardiac sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains for the Adult Echocardiography profession.” The student should have developed the minimum knowledge and competencies to sit for registry exams. In addition, the student will have the opportunity to learn to work effectively with other allied healthcare professionals, patients, and families to promote patient safety, diagnosis, and recovery

 

 

 

 

Class Information

SEMESTER I - 4 days a week 9:30am-3:30pm (Monday off)

Course

AE-100

UP-100

AE-101L

Title

Adult Echocardiography

Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation I

Adult Echocardiography Lab I

Didactic

64

48

-

Lab -

-

-

160

Clinical

-

-

-

Hours = 272


SEMESTER II - 4 days a week 8am-3:30pm (Monday off)​

Course

AE-200

UP-200

AE-201L

EC-100C

Title

Adult Echocardiography II

Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation II

Adult Echocardiography Lab II

Adult Echocardiography Clinical Practicum I

Didactic

32

24

-

-

Lab -

-

-

80

-

Clinical

-

-

-

224

Hours = 360


SEMESTER III - 5 days a week 8am-3:30pm

Course

AE-200

UP-200

EC-100C

Title

Adult Echocardiography III

Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation III

Adult Echocardiography Clinical Practicum III

Didactic

32

24

-

Lab -

-

-

-

Clinical

-

-

448

Hours = 504

 

Total Contact Hours = 1136

 

Tuition

The total cost of the program is $15,095.00, which includes a $50.00 application fee, $45.00 State of California student tuition recovery fund (STRF), and $15,000.00 tuition. Additional fees paid by the applicant include the cost of a criminal background check and urine drug screening, estimated at $500.00. (see handbook on documents for more information)

 

Selective Admissions Criteria

Applicants are evaluated using a multi-factor scoring rubric with a maximum possible score of 24 points. Only the top-scoring applicants will be invited for an interview. All components are reviewed by the Program Director and/or admissions committee.

Category/points:

  • UCSF staff/affiliation: 2 points

  • GPA raking: 0-4 points (GPA scores will be ranked annually based on the distribution of GPAs among all applicants. Points awarded based on percentile ranking within the pool)

  • Highest Degree Earned: 0-4 points

  • Anatomy & Physiology Grades: 0-4 points

  • Essay: 1-3 points

  • Letter of reference: 1-3points

  • Resume evaluation: 0-3 points

Admissions Requirements

The following items must be completed and submitted as part of the application:

  • A minimum of an Associate’s degree is required.

  • Electronic application at cardiacsonography.ucsf.edu that will direct to $50 application fee (non-refundable) payable online

  • Educational transcripts (must be official and sealed – recommend use of Parchment; digital copies to be sent to [email protected]). 

  • Pre-requisites:

    • Must have successfully completed with a grade of C or better:

      • Medical Terminology ( at least 2 College credits)

      • Anatomy & Physiology I and II (total 8 College Credits) or Anatomy (5 credits) and Physiology (5 credits)

  • Resume and Personal essay (see essay guidelines below) 

  • Two letters of reference (No family allowed)

  • Two letters of reference (No family allowed)
    •  1 professional
    •  1 personal
  • Personal essay (see essay guidelines below)

(see handbook on documents for more information)

Program Outcomes

Cohort 1:

Institution: 

UCSF Health

 

# Graduates / # Total of students enrolled

3-Year Retention Rate*

Concentration CAAHEP AccreditedAdult Echocardiography
Class:

2023/2024
Cohort #1

2024/2025
Cohort #2

 
Student Retention

2/2

6/6

100%

Job Placement in 6 Months

2/2

6/6

100%

Test Takers Rate

2/2

6/6

100%

Credential Success Rate

2/2

6/6

100%

*Only have had 2 graduating cohorts.

 

 

Accreditation

 

The Cardiac Sonographer Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Cardiovascular Technology (JRC-CVT).

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
9355 113th St. N., #7709 Seminole, FL 33775
(T) 727-210-2350
(F) 727-210-2354
http://www.caahep.org