Cardiac sonography programs are among the most popular sonography courses taken today. Cardiac sonographers are the highest paid sonographers in American, earning as much as $100,000 annually. Because of the great job outlook, there are already over 70 schools in the US that offer a program in cardiac sonography. Out of those 70 schools, 6 schools can be found in the state of Ohio whose programs are accredited by the CAAHEP – The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.
What to Learn in a Cardiac Sonography Program?
When students choose to become a sonographer in Ohio, finding the right program and specialization is the first step. Other schools will require schools to study general sonography before studying a specialized program. General sonography teaches the basic of being a sonographer, how to use a sonogram and the most commonly sonogramed areas of the body. Cardiac sonography delves deeper into performing sonography on the heart and its surrounding vessels and structures.
Cardiac sonographers can perform sonography not only on the hearts of adults but also neonatal and pediatric patients. Vascular sonography is also often included in the cardiac sonography program. All sonography programs have two parts: didactic and clinical training. The didactic training includes classrooms lessons as well as laboratory exercises. Clinical training allows the sonography students to get hands-on experience in performing sonography on actual patients and with actual cases.
Cardiac sonographers can perform sonography not only on the hearts of adults but also neonatal and pediatric patients. Vascular sonography is also often included in the cardiac sonography program. All sonography programs have two parts: didactic and clinical training. The didactic training includes classrooms lessons as well as laboratory exercises. Clinical training allows the sonography students to get hands-on experience in performing sonography on actual patients and with actual cases.
Associate Degree Programs vs. Certificate Programs in Sonography
There are three kinds of sonography programs that are varied because of length: certificate, associate degree, and bachelor degree programs. The bachelor degree program is a typical 4-year course. However, certificate and associate degree programs are more commonly found throughout the country in educational institutions. Certificate programs are typically completed in 12 months while associate degree programs are completed in 2 years.
The requirements for a certificate program are the same as a bachelor degree program. Students just need to have a high school diploma or a GED. However, for the associate degree program, students need to have completed the schools’ required general education classes before applying for the sonography program.
The requirements for a certificate program are the same as a bachelor degree program. Students just need to have a high school diploma or a GED. However, for the associate degree program, students need to have completed the schools’ required general education classes before applying for the sonography program.
Schools in Ohio with the DMS program
The sonography program is called the Diagnostic Medical Sonography. By the end of 2013 and the beginning of 2014, cardiac sonography is being offered in 6 sonography schools in Ohio. These schools are all accredited by the CAAHEP – meaning their curricula meet the standards set by the organization throughout the country. To get you started on choosing the program for you, here are two schools in Ohio offering cardiac sonography programs (cardiac sonographer schools by state and by city through the link):
Cincinnati State Technical Community College
Cincinnati, Ohio
Program: Applied Associate Degree in Cardiac Sonography
Link: Click here
Tuition fee: Approximately $10,000
Coursework: 66 total credits
Clinical training: Various healthcare facilities in Greater Cincinnati (40 hours a week)
Financial aide: Click here (loans, grants, scholarships)
Prerequisite courses for the core program: Anatomy & Physiology 1 and 2, Intermediate Algebra, Health Physics, Survey of Sonography, Medical Terminology 1, Patient Care Skills
University of Rio Grande / Rio Grande Community College
Rio Grande, Ohio
Program: Associate Degree in Cardiac Sonography
Link: Click here
Tuition fee: Approximately $20,000
Coursework: 1 year general coursework, 73 total credits
Clinical training: Clinical education sites with 75 miles of the university (10 hours)
Financial aide: Click here (loans, grants, scholarships)
Prerequisites: For recent high school graduates – ACT test score of 20 or higher, minimum grade of C for high school biology, algebra, and chemistry (or college equivalents)
These cardiac sonography programs are all accredited by CAAHEP and/or recognized by the ARRT. They are among the best schools in the country offering cardiac sonography programs so students are assured of the best possible training.
Cincinnati State Technical Community College
Cincinnati, Ohio
Program: Applied Associate Degree in Cardiac Sonography
Link: Click here
Tuition fee: Approximately $10,000
Coursework: 66 total credits
Clinical training: Various healthcare facilities in Greater Cincinnati (40 hours a week)
Financial aide: Click here (loans, grants, scholarships)
Prerequisite courses for the core program: Anatomy & Physiology 1 and 2, Intermediate Algebra, Health Physics, Survey of Sonography, Medical Terminology 1, Patient Care Skills
University of Rio Grande / Rio Grande Community College
Rio Grande, Ohio
Program: Associate Degree in Cardiac Sonography
Link: Click here
Tuition fee: Approximately $20,000
Coursework: 1 year general coursework, 73 total credits
Clinical training: Clinical education sites with 75 miles of the university (10 hours)
Financial aide: Click here (loans, grants, scholarships)
Prerequisites: For recent high school graduates – ACT test score of 20 or higher, minimum grade of C for high school biology, algebra, and chemistry (or college equivalents)
These cardiac sonography programs are all accredited by CAAHEP and/or recognized by the ARRT. They are among the best schools in the country offering cardiac sonography programs so students are assured of the best possible training.