Bachelor of Science in Pediatric and Adult Echocardiography

In the Bachelor of Science in Pediatric and Adult Echocardiography program, you will gain comprehensive knowledge and skills necessary to perform advanced echocardiographic examinations. The program spans 36 months, including 1410 hours of externships, where you will receive hands-on education at medical institutions such as UCLA, USC, and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

• Echocardiographic Examination Proficiency: You will learn to conduct thorough echocardiographic examinations using both pediatric and adult protocols, adhering to the latest clinical standards, guidelines, and quantification techniques.
• Cardiac Anatomy and Physiology: The curriculum covers normal and abnormal cardiac anatomy and physiology, including congenital and acquired heart diseases, to help you accurately diagnose and understand various cardiac conditions.
• Communication of Findings: You will develop the ability to communicate critical echocardiographic findings through both verbal and written preliminary reports, utilizing precise medical terminology.
• Professionalism and Ethical Conduct: Emphasis is placed on exercising discretion, professional judgment, and ethical behavior in clinical settings, ensuring you can effectively interact with patients and healthcare professionals.
• Registry Exam Preparation: Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the ARDMS examinations in pediatric and adult echocardiography and CCI certification exam. In addition, registry preparation including support registering for the exam and reviews are available for Smith Chason students

At Smith Chason College, our commitment to comprehensive education extends beyond the classroom. Through our externship programs, we integrate theoretical knowledge with practical experience, empowering our students to thrive in their respective fields. Collaborating with hospitals and clinics nationwide, we offer hands-on learning opportunities under a mentor’s guidance. Whether aspiring to become proficient sonographers, MRI technologists, or healthcare professionals, our students gain invaluable real-life experience, supporting their goals to become exceptional practitioners prepared to meet the demands of their chosen profession. 

In the Adult and Pediatric Echocardiography program, students will have the ability to complete externship rotations in an adult echocardiography setting and a pediatric echocardiography setting to get experience with both patient types.

These experiences are typically conducted toward the end of the program, allowing students to apply their accumulated knowledge in real-world settings. Moreover, these opportunities often serve as a gateway to potential job opportunities, enabling students to forge connections and establish themselves within their chosen field even before graduation. At Smith Chason College, we believe in equipping our students with not only the requisite skills but also the practical experience and industry connections necessary to support them on their journey towards a successful career in healthcare. 

Program Objectives:

Graduates of the BS Pediatric and Adult Echocardiography program will:

1. Perform a comprehensive echocardiographic examination utilizing appropriate pediatric and adult protocols, clinical standards and guidelines, and quantification techniques.
2. Apply knowledge of normal and abnormal cardiac anatomy/physiology, including congenital and acquired cardiac disease, while performing an echocardiogram.
3. Communicate critical echocardiographic findings via verbal and written preliminary reports, utilizing appropriate medical terminology.
4. Exercise discretion, professional judgment, and ethical behavior when performing clinical assessments and communicating with patients and healthcare professionals.
5. Apply the knowledge, skills, and abilities to register and complete the ARDMS and/or CCI certification examinations in pediatric and adult echocardiography.

Class schedules are subject to change. Students will be notified of any change prior to the start of the quarter. Not all schedules are available at all campuses. Speak to an admissions representative to learn more about which schedules are available for your requested start date.

Weekday/Weeknight:  

• Evenings: Monday through Friday, 5:30 PM – 10:30 PM

Weekend: 

• Saturday – Sunday, 8:30 AM – 6:30 PM *Pediatric Portion Only*
• Friday – May be required

All applicants must meet the Smith Chason College General Admissions Requirements and pass the entrance exam to be eligible for enrollment.

Entrance Exam  

All applicants for the Bachelor Pediatric and Adult Echocardiography program must pass the Wonderlic entrance exam with a minimum passing score of:

• 325 (Verbal)
• 315(Quantitative)

Knowing what to expect is important when planning for your college education. We understand that this can be a big commitment for you in your life and for your finances. Combining quality with value is important and we aspire to give you both.

The current schedule of tuition and fees is included in the latest School Catalog under “Tuition and Fee Schedules”. The cost is dependent on the term and location; for exact financial information please contact your local representative.

See details about Tuition here

Financial Aid is available.

Smith Chason College is eligible to participate in federal financial assistance programs, California state aid programs, approved for the training of veterans and eligible persons, private student loans, and scholarships. Learn more about financial options available to those who qualify at Smith Chason College on our Financial Aid page.

A Pediatric and Adult Echocardiographer, or cardiovascular sonographer, is a specialized healthcare professional trained to perform detailed echocardiographic examinations on both pediatric and adult patients using advanced ultrasound technology. They possess comprehensive knowledge of cardiac anatomy and physiology, including congenital and acquired heart diseases, enabling them to diagnose a wide range of conditions. They communicate critical findings through clear verbal and written reports, adhere to clinical standards, and exercise professional judgment and ethical conduct in their interactions with patients and healthcare providers.

A Pediatric and Adult cardiac sonographer performs detailed echocardiographic examinations on both pediatric and adult patients using advanced ultrasound technology to create heart images. They diagnose a range of cardiac conditions by applying their knowledge of cardiac anatomy and physiology, including congenital and acquired heart diseases. They communicate critical findings through precise reports, adhere to clinical standards, and maintain professional and ethical interactions with patients and healthcare providers.

To become a Pediatric and Adult Echocardiographer, you need to complete a specialized program, such as the Bachelor of Science in Pediatric and Adult Echocardiography. This 36-month program includes coursework in cardiac anatomy, physiology, and echocardiographic techniques, as well as extensive hands-on training through 1410 hours of externships at medical institutions in both adult echocardiography and pediatric echocardiography rotations. After completing the program, you must pass certification exams from the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) and/or Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) to become a registered sonographer specializing in adult and/or pediatric echocardiography.

Cardiovascular sonographers should also: 

• Be detail-oriented — Ultrasounds must be precise and the differences between healthy and unhealthy may be subtle, so having a strong eye for details will be a big advantage. 
• Be calm and professional — Sonographers work closely with patients, and many times these are people dealing with a lot of worry and stress, which means a calm bedside manner is vital. 
• Have good hand-eye coordination — Taking ultrasounds involves moving pieces of equipment right where they need to go, all while keeping an eye on what’s happening on a screen. 
• Possess strong technical skills — Digital medical imaging equipment can be complex, so sonographers must feel comfortable with computers. 

Graduates can be well-equipped for careers as sonographers or echocardiologists in hospitals and clinical offices, with the flexibility to work with both pediatric and adult populations. This program is ideal for entry-level students and current medical professionals seeking specialized skills in echocardiography, offering a unique blend of theoretical knowledge and practical knowledge to ensure you are prepared for the demands of the healthcare field.

Cardiovascular sonographers can become registered sonographers by taking and passing the following registry certification exams. Smith Chason graduates who have successfully completed all parts of their program are eligible to sit for their registry exams. This includes the SPI and CCT which can be taken after completing PHY202 and CAR220 respectively, ARRT(S), ARRT(MR), ARMRIT, and ARDMS after graduation. Smith Chason strongly recommends obtaining certifications to provide you with the best knowledge and opportunities when entering the medical imaging field. Smith Chason provides registry reviews and assistance with the registry exam process. See our Pathways to Registry for information on which exam fees are included in the Smith Chason College program cost.

• SPI: Physics through the ARDMS (American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers). Students can sit for this after completing PHY202
• CCT: through National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT). Students can sit for this after completing CAR220
• ARRT (S): through American Registry of Radiologic Technologists
• ARDMS (AE) Adult Echo: through the ARDMS (American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers)
• ARDMS (PE) Pediatric Echo: through the ARDMS (American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers)

Other Registries to consider After Graduation and In Your Career:

• RDCS: Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer through the ARDMS (American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers)
• RVT: Registered Vascular Technologist through the ARDMS (American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers)
• RCS: through CCI (Cardiovascular Credentialing International)
• ACS: Advanced Cardiac Sonographer through CCI (Cardiovascular Credentialing International)