The Echocardiography Certificate program is a medical imaging specialization program offered as an extension of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) program. The program is an intensive, three-semester program, not including prerequisite courses, and is designed for students who wish to specialize into this area of medical imaging.
The echocardiographer (cardiac sonographer) must have an in-depth knowledge of physics, pathophysiology, human anatomy and physiology, and sonographic technique to create diagnostic ultrasound and echocardiographic images. Physicians depend on the echocardiographer’s experience to evaluate normal and abnormal anatomy of the cardiac system. Students of this program are eligible to sit for the national certifying exams of the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers. Upon passing the Sonography Principles and Instrumentation and the Adult Echocardiography (AE) exams, a student is certified as a registered diagnostic cardiac sonographer (RDCS). Students are also eligible to be certified as a Registered Cardiac Sonography (RCS) by the Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI).
As part of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program, the echocardiography program is pursuing accreditation by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRCDMS) for this medical imaging specialty. The JRCDMS has established specific criteria for clinical settings for students, thus limiting the number of accepted students pending clinical site availability. Most students are employed immediately following graduation. The program begins each summer. Please plan your coursework with an advisor.
The program offers a variety of clinical experiences throughout the region. Students interested in the program may contact the DMS Program Director, the Echocardiography faculty, or the Admissions & Academic Advising Office for details about the program admission process and timeline. The Echocardiography program is a closed program and student selection will occur each Spring semester and will be based on the application, current medical imaging certification, prerequisites completed or in-progress, and other criteria as indicated in the program application material.
Laramie County Community College does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, political affiliation, or disability in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its education program or activities.
The following prerequisites must be in progress or complete with a grade of “C” or better by the application deadline for the echocardiography program. Current medical imaging certification will also be considered. Students are encouraged to contact the echocardiography faculty for program-specific questions.
Contact Information
Contact information is available on the Echocardiography and Diagnostic Medical Sonography websites.
Map your individual academic plan of courses with your College Advisor.
If students choose to transition to another program within the Health Sciences & Wellness pathway, they should be particularly aware of the choice points that indicate when a decision to branch off into another program must be made to ensure credits and time are not lost.
Coursework common to all degrees within this pathway is indicated by CAC, Common Academic Coursework, in the program map.
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