Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography

Program Director: Judy Tinsley
Office: Multipurpose Building, Room 208
Address: 802 E. Lavaca St., Beaumont, TX 77705
Phone: (409) 839-2923 / 839-2924
E-mail: medicalsonography@lit.edu

The 65 SCH Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography Program prepares individuals for a career as a Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (Echocardiographer) through classroom study and supervised clinical experience. The cardiac sonographer performs cardiovascular examinations to produce a picture of the heart and great vessels using high frequency sound waves. These examinations are used to diagnose congenital heart disease, valvular disease, pericardial disease, cardiomyopathy, and other cardiovascular diseases. Types of examinations include 2D and 3D Echo, M-Mode, color flow and spectral Doppler, as well as Transesophageal and Stress studies. The Cardiac Sonographer may work in hospitals, clinics, and physician's offices.

The Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC/DMS).

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs,
1361 Park Street, Clearwater, FL 33756, 727-210-2350.
www.caahep.org

Individuals interested in enrolling in the Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography Program must apply to the program. Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography application form, criteria and admission procedures are available from the Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography Program Director or by visiting the program webpage. Applications are due by April 1st of each year. Admission to the program is based upon academic success. The number of students accepted into the program is limited to the space available in the clinical agencies. Applicants to LIT must pass all sections of the TSI Assessment Test. Those students not selected for admission into the Cardiac Sonography Program may reapply the following year during normal admission times. Applicants selected to enroll in the program will begin classes in the Summer I Semester.

Students applying to the program must complete a background screening as part of the application process.

A minimum grade of 'C' must be earned in all courses in the recommended program of study. Students that successfully complete the recommended program of study will earn an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography. Applicants may obtain additional information by contacting the program director.

Also available is a Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Advanced Technical Certificate .The advanced technical certificate is limited to graduates of an accredited two year allied health patient care program.

Upon completion of the Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography, A.A.S  or the Advanced Technical Certificate in Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography, graduates are eligible to take the certification examinations (RDCS) in the specialty area of Adult Echocardiography (AE) administered by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) or through Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI).

*MATH 1314  is a pre-requisite for SCIT 1320  

Awards

• Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography, Advanced Technical Certificate

• Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography, A.A.S