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Cardiovascular Sonography

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Why Pursue a Cardiovascular Sonography Major at North Central College?

Cardiovascular Sonography combines a robust understanding of anatomy with technical knowledge of special imaging equipment. Cardiovascular sonographers rely on transducers, which use the echoes of high-energy sound waves to create detailed images of the heart, blood vessels, and surrounding tissue. These images aid physicians in conducting tests and making diagnoses.

General tasks for a sonographer include briefing patients on the procedure, preparing exam rooms, operating and maintaining equipment, reviewing images, and analyzing results in order to summarize findings for physicians. This fast-growing field offers a range of work environments in hospitals, physicians’ offices, and outpatient care centers, where sonographers regularly collaborate with physicians and surgeons to deliver positive health outcomes for patients.

The North Central Cardiovascular Sonography major is a 3+1.5 program in partnership with the NM School of Cardiovascular Sonography at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. For the first three years of the program, students will complete requirements for a Bachelor of Science in Health Science (84 credits including general education requirements). Then, students will undergo 18 months (45 credit hours) of clinical training at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Upon completion, students will graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree from North Central College and a certificate from Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

Admission to the final year of the degree program is based upon successful application to the NM School of Cardiovascular Sonography at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in January of their junior year. Student applicants are considered and evaluated solely by the faculty/staff at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Student admission to the degree program is not guaranteed.

Students intending to major in Cardiovascular Sonography must meet with Arwen Lynch, Health Programs Advisor (aelynch2195@noctrl.edu) or Kristin Ann Patel, Program Director of Health Science (kapatel@noctrl.edu) for the most recent information. Prerequisite courses and other requirements are subject to change. 

Cardiovascular Sonography, B.A.

The Cardiovascular Sonography (B.S. or B.A. degree) will prepare students for a career as a Cardiovascular Sonographer. Cardiovascular Sonographers use high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to produce visual images of organs, tissues, and blood flow inside the body. This program will prepare graduates to enter the echocardiography and vascular ultrasound professions with national credentials in Adult Echocardiography and Vascular Technology.

In this 3 + 1.5 program, students complete three years at North Central College where they will complete their general education curriculum along with pre-requisite math, health science and science courses. The preferred method for obtaining these requirements is to complete the B.A. or B.S. in Health Science program in the 3-year accelerated pathway plan. This will be followed by an 16-month, 44-credit hour program at Northwestern Memorial Hospital for didactic instruction with clinical instruction completed at partnered Bluhm Heart Hospital in Chicago. Upon successful completion, the student will earn a certificate of completion in Cardiovascular Sonography from Northwestern Memorial Hospital and will be eligible to be certified through examination in Adult Echocardiography and Vascular Technology.

Also, after successful completion, the student will transfer the 44-credit hour coursework back to North Central College which will fulfill the major coursework requirements for the student to graduate with a degree in Cardiovascular Sonography. If they previously had successfully completed the preferred pathway with the health science program coursework, they would graduate with a double major in health science and cardiovascular sonography.

Admission to the final 16-months of the program is based upon successful application to the program at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in the fall of their junior year. Student applicants are considered and evaluated solely by faculty/staff at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Student admission to the program at Northwestern is not guaranteed. Another option for students to complete a four-year BA or BS degree of choice at North Central College that also includes taking all pre-requisite coursework and then apply for admission to Northwestern Memorial Hospital for an 16-month certificate program in Cardiovascular Sonography.

Degrees offered: B.A. and B.S.

For additional programs and courses in this department, see Health Sciences.

Requirements for the Health Sciences Major

One of the following:

Note:

Another option for students is to complete a four-year BA or BS degree of choice at North Central College that also includes taking all pre-requisite coursework and then apply for admission to Northwestern Memorial Hospital for an 16-month certificate program in Cardiovascular Sonography.

Advanced Courses at Northwestern Memorial Hospital

Upper-level coursework is taken during an 16-month program at Northwestern Memorial Hospital including 44 credit hours of the following:

Students must demonstrate elementary competence in a foreign language. For more information, see the B.A. Degree Requirements within the Academic Regulations section of this catalog.

Cardiovascular Sonography, B.S.

The Cardiovascular Sonography (B.S. or B.A. degree) will prepare students for a career as a Cardiovascular Sonographer. Cardiovascular Sonographers use high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to produce visual images of organs, tissues, and blood flow inside the body. This program will prepare graduates to enter the echocardiography and vascular ultrasound professions with national credentials in Adult Echocardiography and Vascular Technology.

In this 3 + 1.5 program, students complete three years at North Central College where they will complete their general education curriculum along with pre-requisite math, health science and science courses. The preferred method for obtaining these requirements is to complete the B.A. or B.S. in Health Science program in the 3-year accelerated pathway plan. This will be followed by an 16-month, 44-credit hour program at Northwestern Memorial Hospital for didactic instruction with clinical instruction completed at partnered Bluhm Heart Hospital in Chicago. Upon successful completion, the student will earn a certificate of completion in Cardiovascular Sonography from Northwestern Memorial Hospital and will be eligible to be certified through examination in Adult Echocardiography and Vascular Technology.

Also, after successful completion, the student will transfer the 44-credit hour coursework back to North Central College which will fulfill the major coursework requirements for the student to graduate with a degree in Cardiovascular Sonography. If they previously had successfully completed the preferred pathway with the health science program coursework, they would graduate with a double major in health science and cardiovascular sonography.

Admission to the final 16-months of the program is based upon successful application to the program at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in the fall of their junior year. Student applicants are considered and evaluated solely by faculty/staff at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Student admission to the program at Northwestern is not guaranteed. Another option for students to complete a four-year BA or BS degree of choice at North Central College that also includes taking all pre-requisite coursework and then apply for admission to Northwestern Memorial Hospital for an 16-month certificate program in Cardiovascular Sonography.

Degrees offered: B.A. and B.S.

For additional programs and courses in this department, see Health Sciences.

Requirements for the Health Sciences Major

One of the following:

Note:

Another option for students is to complete a four-year BA or BS degree of choice at North Central College that also includes taking all pre-requisite coursework and then apply for admission to Northwestern Memorial Hospital for an 16-month certificate program in Cardiovascular Sonography.

Advanced Courses at Northwestern Memorial Hospital

Upper-level coursework is taken during an 16-month program at Northwestern Memorial Hospital including 44 credit hours of the following:

  • KINE 247 - Functional Anatomy 
  • KINE 280 - Human Pathophysiology 
  • A minimum of six credit hours of additional mathematics, life science or physical science course(s), beyond the courses used to fulfill general education requirements, and that count towards a major in a science discipline

Choosing the right sonography school in Illinois is a big decision. Don’t make it alone. North Central’s admission and financial aid team are here to help you design a financial aid solution that works best for you and your family so you can begin your path to becoming a cardiovascular sonographer.

Merit scholarships, grants, loans, and campus employment - these are just some of the resources available to you. Over 95 percent of students and 100 percent of all eligible students receive aid. Let our team partner with you in finding the best value for your education.