Saint Joseph’s University’s Associate Degree in Cardiac Sonography offers the opportunity to expand your knowledge in the fast-growing field of cardiac sonography. As a graduate of this associate program, you will receive the preparation necessary to become a cardiac sonographer or echo technologist in a hospital or outpatient center.
Cardiac Sonography Certificate
Saint Joseph’s University’s Cardiac Sonography Certificate offers the opportunity to expand your knowledge in the fast-growing field of cardiovascular sonography. You will receive the preparation necessary to become a cardiac sonographer or echo technologist in a hospital or outpatient center.
Offered in person and online, this 40-credit certificate program can be completed in less than one year. The Cardiac Sonography Certificate is one of three ultrasound certificates we offer, along with the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Certificate and Vascular Sonography Certificate.
If you do not have an associate degree or higher and haven’t completed a two-year, post-secondary allied health program, we invite you to explore our Associate Degree in Cardiac Sonography.
What is Cardiac Sonography?
Cardiac sonography is an in-demand diagnostic imaging specialty. Using ultrasound equipment, cardiac sonographers conduct echocardiograms to obtain images of the heart’s structure and function. While many echocardiograms are performed on adult patients at rest or after exercise, cardiac sonographers also conduct cardiac sonograms on pediatric patients.
What Sets Our Cardiac Sonography Certificate Program Apart
Preparation to Sit for the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) and Cardiovascular Credentialing Institute (CCI) Sonographer Exams
After completing the certificate program and one year of cardiac sonography employment, you will be eligible to sit for the ARDMS Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) and Cardiac Sonographer exams. Upon passing both exams, you will earn the Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography (RDCS) certification. After completing the certificate program and 800 clinical hours, you are also eligible to sit for the CCI certification examination for cardiac sonography and earn a Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS) certification.
Cardiac Sonography Certificate Degree Offered In Person and Online
While the certificate program is primarily offered in person to provide hands-on learning, some courses are also offered online. The online courses are designed to meet the knowledge base in the career of sonography. Learn more about online learning at Saint Joseph's.
Opportunity to Practice Your Scanning Skills in Our Ultrasound Suite
You will feel like you’re on the job from day one at our Center for Excellence in Practice, Lancaster’s newest and most advanced clinical simulation lab. You'll have the opportunity to work with advanced ultrasound equipment and specialized manikins to simulate a variety of cardiac sonography exams.
The first and only learning space of its kind in the Lancaster area, the Center for Excellence in Practice is a 20,000-square-foot simulation space that provides the opportunity to work with students from other programs in realistic simulations that mirror real-life healthcare settings.
Guaranteed Clinical Placements
You are guaranteed clinical placements at locations in Pennsylvania. You will have the opportunity to experience working in clinical settings with expert faculty, helping transfer knowledge and skills from the classroom to in-person patient experiences. You will learn critical thinking, collaboration and problem-solving by engaging in realistic scenarios staged in real-world medical environments.
Taught by Experienced Cardiac Sonography Faculty
You will learn from and work alongside faculty who have a breadth of experience working in cardiac sonography. Many faculty members are current cardiac sonographers or hold former positions in the field.
Why Study this Program in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania is home to top-tier hospitals, clinics and diagnostic imaging centers in search of cardiac sonographers, including:
- Penn Medicine Lancaster General Hospital
- Lehigh Valley Hospital
- Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania – Penn Medicine
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC)
Program Details
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The Joint Review Commission of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS) and the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAHHEP) do not grant accreditation at the onset of a program. The program will be applying for accreditation through the JRC-DMS and the CAHHEP sometime within its first two years. After completing the program, graduates are eligible to take the national registry through the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS).
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Saint Joseph's University – Lancaster’s tuition structure includes both per-credit tuition and program-specific fees.
PER-CREDIT TUITION:
The cost of the Cardiac Sonography Certificate is $670 per credit for the 2023-2024 academic year.
PROGRAM-SPECIFIC FEES:
In addition to the per credit rate, there are also program-specific fees for the two following courses:
- When a student enrolls in CAS 224, they will be responsible for paying a fee totaling $5,575
- When a student enrolls in CAS 228, they will be responsible for paying a fee totaling $5,575
For a detailed breakdown and additional information, visit our Tuition & Fees page.
Curriculum
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Summer Session I
Course Credits DMS 111 - Intro to Sonography 1 HSC 160 - Rhythm and 12 Lead ECG analysis 3 CAS 113 - Echo Lab 1 1 PHI 210 - Ethical and Legal Dimensions in the Health Sciences 1 Total Credits 6 Fall
Course Credits DMS 221 - Ultrasound Physics 3 CAS 206 - Ultrasound Cardiac Anatomy & Physiology 3 CAS 222 - Echo Hemodymics 1 CAS 220 - Cardiac Pathophysiology I 3 CAS 225 - Echo Lab II 1 CAS 224 - Echo Clinical I 4 HSC 100 - Medical Terminology 1 Total Credits 16 Spring
Course Credits CAS 223 - Cardiac Pathophysiology II 3 CAS 229 - Echo Lab III 1 CAS 228 - Echo Clinical II 6 CAS 227 - Intro to Pediatric Echo 2 CAS 226 - Advanced Echo and Therapeutic Techniques 1 HSC 101 - Methods of Patient Care 1 Total Credits 14 Summer Session II
Course Credits CAS 232 - Echo Clinical III 4 Total Credits 4 Total Program Credits: 40
What is the Average Salary a Cardiac Sonographer Can Expect to Earn?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary of a cardiac sonographer in 2022 is $78,210.
Admission Information
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You can enroll in this certificate with any bachelor’s degree. No medical background or related experience is required.
The GMAT is not required for Saint Joseph’s University certificates. To learn more about the admission process and required materials or ask any questions, please email the admission office.
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- Apply online.
- Submit official college transcripts from all colleges attended.
- Submit a personal statement.
- Submit resume.
- Submit two letters of recommendation.
Visit our Admission Information page to learn more about admission requirements, key deadlines, additional requirements for international students and how to submit your application. -
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. New students may enroll in courses during the fall, spring or summer semesters.
Start Terms:
- Fall: August and October
- Spring: January and March
- Summer: May
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If you are not a United States citizen, you must show proof of permanent resident visa status. Students educated in another country may be admitted if they:
- Satisfy general admission requirements
- Earn a minimum of 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based) or 79 (internet-based) on the Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) administered by the Educational Testing Service of Princeton, New Jersey
Students from English-speaking countries may choose to take the SAT or ACT instead of the TOEFL exam. An evaluation of foreign transcripts by the World Education Service or other approved agency is required.
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Saint Joseph’s is a military-friendly institution and offers assistance and services to veterans and their dependents who are utilizing educational benefits. Benefits include:
- Chapter 30 Montgomery GI Bill®
- Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation
- Chapter 33 Post 911 GI Bill®
- Chapter 35 Survivors and Dependents Assistance
- Chapter 1606 National Guard or Reserves
- Chapter 1607 National Guard or Reserves (REAP) (*if eligible, must be utilized by November 25, 2019)
- Pennsylvania National Guard Educational Assistance Program (EAP)
- Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA)
Explore Other Degree Programs
Saint Joseph’s University’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography Certificate is designed for students who hold a college degree. Upon completion of the program requirements, students are eligible to take the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) examinations in sonographic physics, abdomen and obstetrics/gynecology. This 40-credit certificate program can be completed in as little as one year.
Saint Joseph’s University’s Vascular Sonography Certificate is designed for students who hold a degree and want to become an entry-level vascular sonographer or vascular ultrasound technologist. During this program, you will learn how to conduct ultrasounds and vascular exams on veins and arteries throughout the body.