Sonography is not only confined to abdominal and OB-GYN procedures. There is a handful of specialties available throughout the United States, offered by different colleges and universities. However, some specialities are more popular than others depending on the state where you work. Generally, the most popular sonography specialty is cardiac sonography because it is also the highest paying specialty of the profession. As of 2014, there are 5 schools in Texas offering accredited associate degree programs in cardiac sonography.
The cardiac sonography program
The curriculum of cardiac sonography shares the same basics as general and other specialty sonography. Students are taught about the sonogram machine - how it operates and how to use it on different areas of the body. Cardiac sonography programs teach students how to operate the sonogram on a particular area – the heart and its surrounding vessels. Because training to become a cardiac sonographer in Texas is much more extensive than general sonography and reproductive (OB-GYN) sonography, cardiac sonographers have become the highest paying sonography specialty in Texas.
Association degree vs. Certificate programs
Cardiac sonography programs are offered by five educational institutions. The program can be completed in between 1 and 4 years, depending on the program enrolled in. Certificate programs run for 12 months, associate programs for 2 years, and bachelor programs for 4 years. Ultrasound CMEs are also offered by most schools, as well as sonography scholarships.
Cardiac sonography schools in Texas
Here are three of the best cardiac sonography schools in Texas to help you choose the program you will enrol in.
Lone Star College
The program offered by Lone Star College (LSC) is an associate in applied science degree in Echocardiography (AAS). This is an associate degree that is completed in two years.
Link: http://www.lonestar.edu/echocardiography-aas.htm
Contact information: Jeremi Martin / (832) 482-1016 / [email protected]
Requirements:
Clinical training: 9 credits
Alvin Community College
The accredited sonography program offered by Alvin Community College is an associate in applied science degree in diagnostic cardiovascular sonography (AAS DCVS). DCVS prepares its students for careers in echocardiography or vascular technology. The program is completed in two years. A certificate program completed in 12 months (Advanced Technical Certificate) is available to students who are graduates of an allied health program and want to take up DCVS training.
Link: http://www.alvincollege.edu/DCVS.aspx
Contact Information: J. Murphy / (281) 756 – 5650 / [email protected]
Requirements:
Clinical training: 15 credits
Austin Community College
The program offered by Austin Community College is an associate in applied science degree in diagnostic cardiac sonography, specializing in echocardiography. It is completed in two years time and prepares students for a career track in adult echocardiography.
Link: http://www3.austincc.edu/it/cms/www/awardplans/awardplan.php?year=2014&&group=PCDMS&nid=14126&apid=1875
Contact information: [email protected] / (512) 223-5944
Requirements:
Clinical training: 17 credits
Texas is the third state in the US with the best employment levels for sonographers. Over 4,370 sonographers were working in 2002, with an average annual income of $64,070. Because of these great numbers for sonographer job outlook, the number of accredited cardiac sonography programs is expected to go up in 2014.
Lone Star College
The program offered by Lone Star College (LSC) is an associate in applied science degree in Echocardiography (AAS). This is an associate degree that is completed in two years.
Link: http://www.lonestar.edu/echocardiography-aas.htm
Contact information: Jeremi Martin / (832) 482-1016 / [email protected]
Requirements:
- Completion of developmental coursework OR retake the ASSET/ACCUPLACER/COMPASS/THEA section and place into college-level courses
- Grade of C or higher in BIOL 2401 and 20402, ENGL1301, MATH 1314, and PHYS 140 or 1410
- Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better in college
- PSB Health Occupations Aptitude Test
Clinical training: 9 credits
Alvin Community College
The accredited sonography program offered by Alvin Community College is an associate in applied science degree in diagnostic cardiovascular sonography (AAS DCVS). DCVS prepares its students for careers in echocardiography or vascular technology. The program is completed in two years. A certificate program completed in 12 months (Advanced Technical Certificate) is available to students who are graduates of an allied health program and want to take up DCVS training.
Link: http://www.alvincollege.edu/DCVS.aspx
Contact Information: J. Murphy / (281) 756 – 5650 / [email protected]
Requirements:
- SAT score of 900 or higher
- ACT score of 19 or higher
- Reference letters
- High school transcripts
- Grade of C or better English I and Anatomy and Physiology I
Clinical training: 15 credits
Austin Community College
The program offered by Austin Community College is an associate in applied science degree in diagnostic cardiac sonography, specializing in echocardiography. It is completed in two years time and prepares students for a career track in adult echocardiography.
Link: http://www3.austincc.edu/it/cms/www/awardplans/awardplan.php?year=2014&&group=PCDMS&nid=14126&apid=1875
Contact information: [email protected] / (512) 223-5944
Requirements:
- Grade of C or better in Math 1314, BIOL 2304/2102, and PHYS 1401
- Completion of the Sonography Information Session, Lab Volunteer Sessions (1 session for each specialty), and Patient Care Education (Certified Nurse Aid certification unless you are an RN, LVN, RT-R, or EMT)
Clinical training: 17 credits
Texas is the third state in the US with the best employment levels for sonographers. Over 4,370 sonographers were working in 2002, with an average annual income of $64,070. Because of these great numbers for sonographer job outlook, the number of accredited cardiac sonography programs is expected to go up in 2014.