Certificate in Diagnostic Medical Sonography
- Echocardiography and Vascular Technology
Program Overview
- Certificate
- Online and In-person Classes
- 72 Instructional Weeks
- 50 Semester Credits
Description
This program is only for students who already have a Bachelor’s Degree, an Associate’s Degree in an Allied Health field, or ARDMS or CCI Registry.
This program is designed to produce cardiac and vascular sonographers who demonstrate competency in the use of ultrasound to create images of inside the human body that are utilized by physicians to make a medical diagnosis. It yields dedicated sonographers who value learning and adhere to the Code of Ethics set forth by the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
Objective
The goal of this program is to prepare competent entry-level sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains. For students who are already registered sonographers, this program will add value to the student’s career by augmenting the skills already learned and encompassing new skills, to enable the graduate to excel in their chosen career. Graduates will be able to achieve, at a minimum, the following objectives:
- Graduates of this program will be technically proficient, being able to consistently produce images of high diagnostic quality.
- Graduates of this program will demonstrate problem solving, critical thinking skills and communication skills.
- Graduates of this program will provide consistent, high quality patient care.
- Graduates of this program will consistently manifest a professional attitude and adhere to the SDMS Code of Ethics.
- Graduates of this program will be successfully employed in an entry-level position.
Program Details
GCHI students are eligible to take the Cardiovascular Credentialing International exams immediately upon graduation.
After successful completion of Ultrasound Physics or attendance at one of the many physics workshops available throughout the year, all students can take the ARDMS Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) exam.
Graduates who hold a Bachelor’s degree or sonography registry are immediately eligible to take specialty registry exams with ARDMS.
A clinical (externship) course is included in this program to provide students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills to real-life situations in a healthcare setting. Students are required to complete the required 800 clinical hours and other related learning activities prior to graduation. Students are not paid for work performed at the clinical site.
At GCHI, our program resources are designed to give you a hands-on learning experience that mirrors real-world clinical settings. Our facilities offer three distinct lab areas, each fully equipped to support specific programs and provide the skills you need for your career. Our resources also include:
- A comprehensive library stocked with textbooks, reference materials, and medical journals
- Conference room with white board to promote group collaborations
- Computer lab with internet access
- Scientific microscopes with access to a wide collection of samples
- Ultrasound machines
- Hospital beds
- The Unetixs Peripheral Vascular System
- Stress test machines
- EKG machines
- Medical Supplies
- Hospital training manikins
- CPR Manikins
- And much more
Course Number | Course Title | Semester Credits |
SON 101 | Intro to Sonography | 2 |
SON 102 | Sonographic Cross-Sectional Anatomy | 2 |
SON 103 | Ultrasound Physics I | 3 |
SON 104 | Ultrasound Physics II | 3 |
SON 231 | Echocardiography I | 3 |
SON 231L | Echocardiography Lab I | 2 |
SON 232 | Echocardiography II | 3 |
SON 232L | Echocardiography Lab II | 2 |
SON 221 | Vascular Sonography I | 3 |
SON 221L | Vascular Sonography Lab I | 2 |
SON 222 | Vascular Sonography II | 3 |
SON 222L | Vascular Sonography Lab II | 2 |
SON 245 | Registry Review | 3 |
SON 250 | Clinical Rotation | 17 |
| Total | 50 |
Job Outlook
2023 Median Pay
Much faster than average growth rate
Job openings projected each year
Jobs held in 2023
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Diagnostic Medical Sonographers and Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians,
at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/diagnostic-medical-sonographers.htm (visited October 22, 2024).
Now Enrolling for Spring Semester
Registration Deadline
April 25, 2025
Summer Semester begins May 12, 2025