Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute

Sonography


CCC&TI offers educational opportunities in Sonography on the Caldwell Campus in Hudson, N.C.

Medical Sonography

CCC&TI offers educational opportunities in both Medical and Cardiovascular Sonography on the Caldwell Campus in Hudson, N.C. The Medical Sonography program is additionally offered at Cleveland Community College for Cleveland County residents.

A Medical Sonographer creates images of abdominal organs (liver, pancreas, kidneys, etc.), fetuses, and structures in the female pelvis. These images are made up of sound echoes or reflections. The sonographer directs the sound waves into the body and reflections (echoes) return from the structures. The returning reflections are used to create images of the different organs. Doctors review the images to determine if any diseases are present.

Cardiovascular Sonography

A Cardiovascular Sonographer is responsible for creating images of adult hearts and blood vessels. These images are made of sound reflections or echoes. The sonographer directs the sound waves into the body and reflections from the heart and blood vessels return. These reflections create images that physicians review to determine if any diseases are present.

Admission Process

The Cardiovascular and Medical Sonography programs are limited in size and accepts a small cohort to each program on a yearly basis first-come, first-served. Applicants are added to a waiting list for acceptance on a first-come, first-served basis after completing all admissions requirements.

Information Session

Schedule to attend the virtual Sonography Program Information Session. This admission requirement is designed to assist the interested student in making plans for application to the program.

Admission Requirements for the Sonography programs in PDF format:

Accreditation

The Medical Sonography and Cardiovascular Sonography programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography(www.jrcdms.org).
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) at 9355 - 113th St. N, #7709, Seminole, FL 33775
Telephone: 727.210.2350
www.caahep.org

Program Goals

  • To prepare competent entry-level general sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective(behavior) learning domains.
  • To prepare competent entry-level adult cardiac sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective(behavior) learning domains.

Program Outcomes

The Outcome Statistics for the Medical and Cardiovascular Sonography programs are available at: Program Effectiveness Data

Program Contacts

Program Information

Admission Information



Program Spotlight


Medical Sonography

Cardiovascular Sonography



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Interested?

If you are interested in the Sonography program, please let us know by clicking on the link below and completing the form:


Registry Requirements

  • Graduates of the Cardiovascular Sonography program are eligible to sit for the Sonographic Principles & Instrumentation and Adult Echo registry exams sponsored by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
  • Graduates of the Cardiovascular Sonography program are eligible for examination by the CCI (Cardiovascular Credentialing International). Credentials obtained by CCI are, RCS – registered cardiac sonographer.
  • Graduates of the Medical Sonography program are eligible to sit for the Sonographic Principles and Instrumentation, Abdomen, and Obstetrics/Gynecology registries.

Career Opportunities & Salary Information

  • Graduates of the Cardiovascular & Medical Sonography programs are employed in hospitals, imaging centers, physicians' offices, mobile imaging services, research, and education.
  • The average salary for graduates of the Cardiovascular & Medical Sonography programs is approximately $21.50 per hour.

To learn more about employment outlook and work environment in the Sonography field, visit CCC&TI's Career Coach site for the following program:

There are no additional costs for this program outside of tuition, fees, books, and supplies.

FAQ

What is Sonography?:
Using high frequency sound waves to image internal structures.

What does a Sonographer do?:
Uses sound waves to image internal structures (heart, vessels, liver, uterus, kidneys, etc.).

Where does a Sonographer work?:
Hospitals, Imaging Centers, Doctors' offices, Research, Education.

What is the typical salary for a sonography graduate?:
Approximately $21.50 per hour for both Medical and Cardiovascular Sonographers.

How does a Sonographer become registered?:
By passing examinations in sonographic principles and instrumentation, abdomen, obstetrics and gynecology, adult echocardiography (heart), and vascular principles.

How long is the program at Caldwell?:
The Associate in Applied Science degree programs are 21 months.

What sonography specialties are available at Caldwell?:
The Cardiovascular Sonography program specializes in imaging the adult heart and vascular system. The Medical Sonography program specializes in imaging Abdomen and OB-GYN. Sonographic Physics is part of both sonography programs.

What college courses could I take before acceptance into the program?:
Any course in either sonography program that does not have an SON or CVS prefix. The more related courses you take before entering the program, the easier it will be once you actually start your sonography program.

Where do sonography students complete their clinical education?:
Students in either sonography program attend clinical in hospitals, imaging centers, and physicians' offices in areas that are located within and outside Caldwell and Watauga counties.

What type of degree will I receive upon graduation?:
An Associate in Applied Science degree in Cardiovascular Sonography or an Associate in Applied Science degree in Medical Sonography depending on your program of study.

What is the job outlook for the next several years?:
The present shortage of sonographers is expected to continue for at least the next eight years.

What is the total cost of attending a Sonography program?:
In-state tuition for five semesters is approximately $3200.00; out-of-state tuition is approximately $17,500.00; Books for the major courses are approximately $1000.00; Uniforms and shoes total approximately $500.00.

How do I apply to one of the Sonography programs?:
Contact the Coordinator, Heath Science Admissions (see contact info on this page) to receive an application packet in the sonography program of your choice.

Sonography Program History

In July, 1982, a feasibility study concerning the need for a Medical Sonography program was conducted in western North Carolina. From this study, the need for a Medical Sonography program was established.

The Instructional Committee at Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute approved the curriculum in December, 1983. The Medical Sonography program was approved by the State Board of Community Colleges in May, 1984. Seven students comprised the first class which began in August, 1984.

The Cardiovascular Sonography program evolved out of the Medical Sonography program. The first Cardiovascular class began in the Fall of 1992.

The study of Sonography at Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute has evolved into a dynamic curriculum involving not only the college, but area hospitals and imaging centers.

Sonography Helpful Websites

Of interest to Medical Sonographers:

Of interest to Cardiovascular Sonographers: