About Us
Overview
The Cardiac Ultrasound Program is an accelerated, full-time (Mon. – Fri., 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.), 12-month certificate program. Students successfully completing the program are eligible to sit for the national registry exam through either Cardiovascular Credentialing International (RCS) or American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (RDCS).
Classes start each year on the first Tuesday after Labor Day. All program classes are face-to-face. These along with the clinical externship training are held at Cleveland Clinic’s main campus.
The core curriculum includes:
- Adult Echocardiography I - III
- Adult Echocardiography Lab I & II
- Ultrasound Physics I
- Clinical Externship I – III
Accreditation
The Cardiac Ultrasound Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs 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 33775-7709
727.210.2350
State approval
The Cardiac Ultrasound Program is approved and registered by the Ohio State Board of Career Colleges and Schools in accordance with Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3332 (School Registration No. 2165). For questions related to the State Board approval, please contact:
Cleveland Clinic School of Health Professions
9500 Euclid Ave./JJ21
Cleveland OH 44195
216.444.5678
Mission
The mission of the Cardiac Ultrasound Program is to prepare competent entry-level cardiac sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills) and affective (behavior) learning domains. We will train cardiac sonographers of the highest caliber, consistent with the standards and expectations of the Cleveland Clinic.
Objectives
Upon graduation the student shall be able to:
- Obtain, review, and integrate pertinent patient history and supporting clinical data to facilitate optimum diagnostic results
- Perform appropriate procedures, record and analyze anatomic, pathologic, and/or physiologic data for interpretation by a physician
- Exercise discretion and judgment in the performance of sonographic and/or other diagnostic services
- Demonstrate appropriate communication skills with patients and colleagues
- Act in a professional and ethical manner
Contact information
Amy Dillenbeck, MS, ACS, RDCS, FASE
Program Director
Cleveland Clinic
9500 Euclid Avenue/ J1-5
Cleveland, OH 44195
Phone 216.444.1055 or 216.389.8721
Email: [email protected]
Fax: 216.442.4975
Admissions
Admissions requirements & disclosures
In addition to program-specific admissions requirements and procedures, applicants are encouraged to review requirements and disclosures outlined on the School of Health Professions’ Admissions page.
School of Health Professions catalog
Additional information can be found in the School Catalog, including school-wide policies and procedures, program-specific information, and course descriptions.
Technical standards
The following standards, demands and skills are the cornerstone of the healthcare environment. Standards are not conditions for admissions to the program, but they do indicate abilities and characteristics that are necessary to successfully complete the requirements of the Cardiac Ultrasound Program.
Behavioral Standards
With or without reasonable accommodations, the student must be able to accomplish the following safely, efficiently and competently:
- Demonstrate appropriate responses to situations involving the critically ill, medical emergencies and death.
- Prioritize and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
- Understand and apply clinical instruction from department personnel.
- Interact effectively with patients, families, supervisors and co-workers of the same and diverse cultures by demonstrating such qualities as respect, politeness, collaboration, teamwork and discretion.
Physical, interpersonal, communication, mobility, tactical, hearing, and visual demands
- Positioning and/or roll patients from side to side when necessary
- Move or transfer patients out of a wheelchair, stretcher and other devices
- Moving heavy equipment including ultrasound machines, patient gurneys and other cardiovascular equipment
- Monitoring of patient in dim light
- Accurately analyze imaging and instrumentation monitors to acquire images of patient’s anatomy at appropriate level within level of training
- Differentiate among subtle shades of color and greyscale used in imaging and other cardiovascular procedures
- Explaining a cardiovascular imaging examination or cardiovascular procedure to groups of medical professionals for critique, education and conferences
- Interpretation and analysis of data from patient charts and confirm procedural requests
- Correlate data for the purpose of performing an examination or cardiovascular procedure according to protocol, professional guidelines and hospital policies and procedures
- Accurately perform cardiovascular procedures appropriate within level of training
- Manipulate mechanical and patient care equipment. i.e., keyboards, dials, switches, push buttons, plug in devices and blood pressure equipment
- Utilize devices such as laser printers and have a working knowledge of digital devices such as personal computers, tablets and intelligent phones
- Respond appropriately to equipment signals such as sound and lights
- Use hospital lab equipment which requires fine motor skills, coordination and dexterity
- Performing examinations on patients of varying body sizes
- Work in a stationary position for an extended period of time
Requirements
Admission to the Cardiac Ultrasound Program is a selective process and a limited number of applicants are accepted each year. The applicant should demonstrate a dependable, mature demeanor and interact well with other people. The student should have a genuine desire to care for the sick, and have the ability to work well under pressure.
The application process is open to applicants who meet all the following minimum criteria at the start of the program.
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Completion of either:
- Associate’s degree (healthcare field preferred)
- Accredited allied health program
- Bachelor’s degree (any field)
- Completion of the following prerequisite post-secondary coursework with a grade of C or better:
- Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab
- College Algebra or higher
- Communications (English, speech, composition course)
- Physics (preferred but not required)
- Provide a signed shadowing form (available on school website) demonstrating you have observed (shadowed) for 4 hours in echocardiography.*
- Proof of current certification for American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS)
* Shadowing must be completed at any Cleveland Clinic facility and can be coordinated with the assistance of the Program Director if needed. Once completed, a signed shadowing form is required with the candidate’s completed application and supporting documentation.
Admissions Process
The program begins accepting applications through the Campus Café system March 1st each year. Complete applications with all supporting documentation submitted by the application deadline of June 1st. You may download all forms from the school website.
Applicants must submit the following:
- Completed application through the Campus Café system
- Completed, signed Shadowing Form
- $20 application fee (non-refundable)
- Resume
- Two letters of reference (one work/professional, one personal)
- Post-secondary educational transcripts (must be official)
- Application Essay (see guidelines below)
- Proof of American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
Application essay guidelines (500 -750 words)
Your completed application includes an essay stating:
- Why you want to pursue a career in cardiac sonography
- How your prior experiences have prepared you
- What specific qualities you possess that set you apart from other applicants
- What personal characteristics you feel would be the most helpful to a person who chooses a medical career
Selective admissions criteria
In the event the number of applicants exceeds the number of available seats, a rubric will be used to objectively assess applicants to the program. The rubric is based on four areas:
- Academic degrees and accomplishments,
- Personal accomplishments and volunteerism,
- Previous experience in the healthcare setting,
- And overall impression of applicant from personal interview
Once ranked, students will be notified of their acceptance status. An additional 10 -15% of the applicant pool will be notified that they are alternates for admission. They will be notified if they have an offer of acceptance once accepted students place deposits.
Tuition & Fees
Tuition is $15,000 and may be paid in installments. Upon acceptance to the program, a $300 non-refundable deposit must be submitted to secure a position. This will be applied toward the initial installment due by the 1st day of school.
Tuition and Fees: $15,000
Tuition includes required textbooks and laptop (both borrowed for the year) and the reimbursement of the registry examination fee to the student upon passing the exam. If paying in installments, the payments are due by the first day of each term.
|
1st day of fall term (September) |
$5,000 |
|
1st day of winter term (January) |
$5,000 |
|
1st day of summer term (May) |
$5,000 |
Tuition refund policy
The Cardiac Ultrasound Program issues refunds for tuition and other fees for eligible applicants and students as outlined in the School of Health Professions’ Tuition Refund Policy.
Cost of attendance
The cost of attendance for the Cardiac Ultrasound Program is a budget comprised of direct and indirect costs. Tuition is a direct cost charged by the program. All others are indirect costs that a student may incur during the course of the program and is not paid to the program. These costs are subject to change.
|
Tuition |
$15,000 |
|
Books & supplies |
$500 |
|
App fee |
$20 |
|
Food & housing |
$15,870 |
|
Transportation |
$2,340 |
|
Personal |
$2,304 |
|
Total |
$36,034 |
Scholarships
The Cardiac Ultrasound Program is pleased to offer limited scholarship opportunities for applicants and current students.
Herbert Kohler Opportunity Scholarship
The Cardiac Ultrasound Program strives to advocate for an inclusive and accepting community. The Herbert Kohler Opportunity Scholarship is funded by the generosity of the Kohler Foundation. This scholarship is intended to provide financial assistance to students from a range of backgrounds and life experiences. Preference will be given to students who have experienced significant challenges or hardships that have influenced their life journey. These challenges and experiences may revolve around any number of factors, such as family background, community setting, educational experience, health-related challenges, and general life experiences.
One $10,000 non-renewable scholarship is awarded before the start of the program. The annual award is split evenly over fall, spring, and summer terms.
The scholarship is paid directly to the program and will result in a tuition credit towards the program tuition.
Eligibility:
To be eligible for scholarship consideration, students:
- Must be accepted into the Cardiac Ultrasound Program.
- Must have a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA at prior academic institution(s).
- Must submit the Opportunity Scholarship Application by June 1 deadline.
- Cannot be awarded in collaboration with another Cardiac Ultrasound Program scholarship.
Award requirements:
- Scholarship is non-renewable.
- Student must maintain good academic standing as defined by the School of Health Professions Catalog.
- To maintain the scholarship, a student must be enrolled full-time and keep a minimum 2.5 GPA.
The application will include:
- A copy of academic transcript(s).
- Letters of recommendation.
- A personal statement.
- In what ways have your unique background, experiences, and perspectives shaped who you are today? Share a specific example of how your unique or impactful experiences have contributed to your personal growth and the enrichment of your community.
- Many individuals face challenges based on their background, ethnicity, gender, health or other personal characteristics. Share a significant obstacle you have encountered and overcome from your unique or impactful experiences. How did this experience shape your character and ambitions?
- Prompts:
Timeline:
Open application period: March 1 – June 1, 2025
Review and selection process: June 15 – July 1, 2025
Recipients notified by July 1, 2025
Herbert Kohler Merit Scholarship
The Herbert Kohler Merit Scholarship is funded by the generosity of the Kohler Foundation. The purpose of the merit scholarship is to reward, recognize, and incentivize current Cardiac Ultrasound Program students who have shown academic and clinical excellence.
There will be three $5,000 non-renewable scholarships awarded in each of the second and third semesters. The scholarship is paid directly to the school and will result in a tuition credit towards the school tuition.
Eligibility:
To be eligible for scholarship consideration, students:
- Must be enrolled full-time at the Cardiac Ultrasound Program.
- Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 at the time of application (including current term grades in progress).
- Cannot be awarded in collaboration with another Cardiac Ultrasound Program scholarship.
Award requirements:
- Scholarships are for one term.
- Student must maintain good academic standing as defined by the Cardiac Ultrasound Program Handbook.
- The scholarship is awarded for the Spring and Summer semesters only.
Timeline:
- Spring Term
- Applications open November 15
- Application deadline is December 15
- Summer Term
- Applications open March 15
- Application deadline is April 15
Graduation Requirements
To successfully remain in any program and be eligible for graduation the student must:
- Complete all clinical rotations with 900 hours
- Complete all course requirements
- Successful completion of the CCI or ARDMS (SPI & Adult Echo) registry exam
- Maintain passing grade of 75% including clinical competency evaluations
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
The student’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) toward graduation will be evaluated after the completion of each term of the program. Failure to maintain SAP may result in the student being dismissed from the program. Further details and the School of Health Professions SAP Policy can be found in the School’s catalog.
Program Outcomes
Additional Information
Profession overview
Cardiac Sonography (Echocardiography)
Cardiac sonographers use sophisticated diagnostic ultrasound equipment to produce dynamic real-time imaging of the heart's chambers, walls, valves, and great vessels to assist the physician in diagnosing cardiovascular disease. Cardiac sonographers complete important tasks, such as:
- Acquiring information related to the heart's anatomy and physiology
- Evaluating acquired and congenital cardiac abnormalities and associated complications
- Evaluating narrowed or leaking heart valves
- Looking for causes of murmurs, chest pain, shortness of breath
- Tracking and evaluating chronic heart conditions
- Acquiring images during a stress echocardiogram
- Assist with image acquisition in the operating room for valve or device implantation
Career outlook for a cardiac sonographer
Cardiac sonographers can expect a median salary of $81,350, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. The job outlook for cardiac sonographers in the U.S. is expected to grow faster than average.
