Applicant Checklist
Advising Checklist
Apply to the Cardiovascular Sonography Program
Cardiovascular Sonography Faculty
Cardiovascular Sonography Program Accreditation
Cardiovascular Sonography Program Costs
Essential Functions of an Cardiovascular Sonography Student
Mission, Goals, and Student Learning Outcomes
Program Effectiveness Data
Must be completed or in progress by the spring semester before program entry.
The grades in these courses earn quality points toward admission to the program.
Must be formally admitted to the Cardiovascular Sonography Program to take CVS courses.
Admission to the Cardiovascular Sonography Program is competitive. Applicants compete for admission based on the sum of quality points and points earned for TEAS. Applicants earn quality points by completing the general education and recommended courses required for the Cardiovascular Sonography Program with a C or better.
| Criteria | Points Calculation |
|---|---|
| Quality Points for General Education Courses | Multiply credit hours by quality point value (A=4, B=3, C=2) for each course completed with a grade of C or better. |
| Total Quality Points | Sum of quality points from all general education and recommended courses based on the best grade earned. |
| GPA Calculation | Divide total quality points by total credit hours attempted in general education and recommended courses. |
| TEAS Calculation | Awarded based on total score: 90% or greater earns 20 points, between 76% and 89% earns 12 points, between 64% and 75% earns 6 points, between 40% and 63% earns 2 points, and less than 40% earns 0 points. |
Pitt County Schools Health Sciences Academy (PCSHSA) graduates who participated in the Health Sciences Academy in their junior and senior years of high school, earned college credit for general education courses required for their program of interest with an “A” or “B,” and fulfilled all responsibilities of the Health Sciences Academy program will receive a 10% increase to their quality point calculation. These points are awarded to PCSHSA graduates who have graduated within five years prior to enrollment in a health sciences program at PCC. PCSHSA graduates are not guaranteed acceptance into any health sciences program.
Students admitted to health sciences programs are required to complete a clinical practicum. Clinical facilities may require criminal background checks, drug screenings, credit checks, professional license checks, and/or proof of US citizenship prior to or during participation in the clinical portion of a program. Any expenses associated with these requirements are the responsibility of the student. Pending the outcome, clinical facilities may deny a student the opportunity to complete the clinical portion of a program. A student who is unable to complete the clinical portion of a program will not be able to graduate. Criminal background checks, drug screenings, credit checks, professional license checks, and/or proof of US citizenship may also be required after graduation by examination boards, state licensing boards, and employment agencies. Pending the outcome, a graduate may be disqualified from examination eligibility, state licensure, and/or employment.
Students admitted to health sciences programs are required to have a physical examination to determine if they are physically and emotionally capable of performing the essential functions of the program and must submit a completed medical form. A record of immunizations, including, but not limited to, an annual Influenza vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine must be included with the medical form. A medical or religious exemption for vaccines must be approved by the clinical site(s). PCC does not grant vaccine exemptions in lieu of the clinical site(s) and does not guarantee vaccine exemptions will be approved by the clinical site(s).
Programs at PCC that prepare students for professional licensure are designed to prepare a student to apply for applicable licensure in North Carolina. In order to ensure whether the program meets requirements for professional licensure outside North Carolina, PCC recommends the student contact the program director prior to enrolling in the program.
It is the policy of PCC not to discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, handicap, religion, age, or national origin in the recruitment and admission of students; the recruitment, employment, training, and promotion of faculty and staff; and the operation of any of its programs and activities, as specified by federal laws and regulations. PCC is an equal opportunity institution.
Health Sciences admissions policies are not to be regarded as an irrevocable contract between PCC and students. PCC reserves the right to change any provisions or requirements at any time. Every effort will be made to minimize the inconvenience such changes create for students.
The Cardiovascular Sonography curriculum provides the individual with the knowledge and skills necessary to acquire, process, and evaluate the human heart and vascular structures. A cardiovascular sonographer uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the heart and vascular structures.
Coursework includes effective communication and patient care skills combined with a knowledge of physics, human anatomy, physiology, and pathology, all of which are essential to obtaining high quality sonographic images.
Graduates may be eligible to apply to the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers for examinations in physics, cardiovascular physics, vascular physics, and adult echocardiography. Graduates may find employment in hospitals, physicians’ offices, mobile services, and educational institutions.
Clinics
Physicians’ Offices
Mobile Services
Hospitals
Educational Institutions
CVS Clinical Education I, II, III, IV, and V
Echo I and II
Cardiovascular Topics
Sonographic Physics
Vascular Sonography
Case Studies
Students will demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills.
Students will provide basic patient care and comfort following legal, ethical, and professional guidelines.
Students will perform sonographic examinations recognizing and identifying the sonographic appearance of normal anatomic structures.
Students will perform sonographic examinations recognizing, evaluating, and appropriately documenting sonographic appearance of disease processes, pathology, and pathophysiology.
Students will demonstrate proper application of sonographic instrumentation relative to imaging and image quality.
Students will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the interaction between ultrasound and tissue and the probability of biological effects in clinical examinations.
Students will identify the fundamental elements for implementing a quality assurance and improvement program, and the policies, protocols, and procedures for the general function of the ultrasound laboratory.
Students will practice safe patient care and ergonomically correct scanning techniques.
Students will understand the role of the sonographer in performing interventional/invasive procedures.
Students will prepare for the SPI and AE credentialing exams.
Associate of Applied Science in Cardiovascular Sonography