Diagnostic Cardiovascular Sonography (DCVS) - A.A.S. Degree/Certificate

Improve Patient Care by Becoming a Sonographer

Sonography is the use of high-frequency sound waves, also known as ultrasound, to observe the internal world of the human body. Sonographers are on the front line of early detection and evaluation of cancer, women’s health issues, heart defects, arterial blockages, and more.

If you are compassionate, flexible, detail-oriented, and like working in a fast-paced and caring environment, you might be a good fit as a Sonographer.

ACC offers two options to help you get started on your Sonography career. The two-year Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) program prepares you for a health career in either Adult Echocardiography or Vascular Sonography which are branches of Diagnostic Medical Sonography. Upon graduation, you will possess the skills necessary to perform ultrasound and related diagnostic exams of the heart or blood vessels. The Advanced Technical Certificate program is a condensed version of the A.A.S. option available to students who have an Associate degree or higher in sonography from an accredited institution and hold a current registry with ARDMS or CCI. 

Information Session

Attend an information session to learn more about the Diagnostic Cardiovascular Sonography program and meet our staff. Please check back for upcoming dates, times, and locations.

Career Opportunities

Sonographers typically work in hospitals, but they may also work in physician offices, diagnostic centers, ultrasound equipment vendors as sales or application specialists, mobile services, and contract agencies.

Career opportunities remain strong nationally and within the region. The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that sonography is a rapidly growing field expected to grow by 14% between 2020-2030. Its data also indicates that the Houston Metro region employs over 1300 sonographers with an annual wage mean of $60,960. Starting salary for a new graduate is generally around $50,000. Recruiters contact ACC regularly about qualified graduates to fill job openings.

For more information on career opportunities in Diagnostic Cardiovascular Sonography, please visit Career Coach where you can explore the local job market, take a career assessment, and build a resumé. 

JRC-DMS Compliance

Year 2020	Retention Rate	Credential Success Rate	Job Placement Rate
Adult Echo	100%	91%	100%
Vascular	100%	100%	92%
Pediatric Echo	100%	100%	88%

 

What Will I Study?

The DCVS program curriculum is composed of didactic instruction, hands-on laboratory, practice, individual outside scanning practice, and supervised external clinical experience. You will learn electrical diagnostics of the heart such as EKG (electrocardiogram), Holter Monitoring, and Stress Testing. During the freshmen year, you will be eligible to take the CCT (Certified Cardiographic Technician) and/or CRAT (Certified Rhythm Analysis Technician) exam available from CCI (Cardiovascular Credentialing International) enabling you to have a first credential. This will allow you to work your way through the remainder of the program in the healthcare setting as an EKG, Monitor/Telemetry, or Stress Testing technician. This early credential can alleviate some expenses and also help you gain valuable experience in a hospital setting making it easier to find employment since you will already have your foot in the door.

Curriculum

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