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Echocardiography AAS Degree and Echocardiography Certificate

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Echocardiography AAS Degree

The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Echocardiography prepares students for a career in ultrasound as a cardiac sonographer. The program is full-time, 21 months/5 semesters, and is held at the Arvada campus, with clinical internships at hospitals and clinics. The first two semesters of the program are spent in the classroom and lab, and the remaining three semesters are spent at assigned clinical sites. 

Graduates earn:

AAS degree in Echocardiography

Graduates are eligible to sit for the following ARDMS certification exams:

Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS)
Sonographic Principles & Instrument Implementation (SPI)
 
Due to the fast-paced and rigorous nature of the program, students are encouraged to have little to no outside employment responsibilities while enrolled. 
Individuals interested in any of the Medical Imaging programs should consider attending one of the Medical Imaging Information Sessions.
 
Curriculum
Fall Semester I
DMS 2501 3 credits Normal Adult Echocardiography 
DMS 2502 3 credits Adult Echo Pathology 
DMS 2510 4 credits Adult Echo Scan Lab 
DMS 2001 2 credits Ultrasound Physics I
Spring Semester II
DMS 2002 2 credits-Ultrasound Physics II
DMS 2512 6 credits-Scan Lab II
DMS 2503 2 credits-Echo Pathology II
DMS 2080 2 credits-Clinical Observation
Summer Semester III
Clinical I-6 credits
Fall Semester IV
Clinical II-12 credits
Spring Semester V
Clinical III-6 credits
Capstone-6 credits
 

Clinical Internship

When enrolled in the clinical internship courses, students typically spend 36-40hrs per week at a healthcare facility. Students can expect a variety of shifts; weekdays and weekends, days, nights, or overnights. Students provide their own transportation to clinical facilities which may be located within a 150 mile radius from the college. Since sites are limited it is possible you may need to be placed out of state.

Admissions Requirements:

Degree

Candidates must have only one of the following degree: 
 
2 year degree in an allied health accredited program which is defined as: 
  • 24 full-time consecutive calendar months or 60+ full semester credits or 84+ quarterly credits
  • clinical internship/externship as credit hours (not clock hours) on transcript
  • national certification/registry exam that the candidate has passed
Or a 4 year degree in any discipline, International degrees may qualify if they are recognized by the World Education Services (WES) or Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE) after a course by course evaluation. 
 

Prerequisite Courses

All prerequisites must be completed in the U.S., at 100 level course # or above, with a final grade of C or higher, and must be complete by the end of the semester in which the application is submitted. *Please note that an (S) Satisfactory grade may not be acceptable for this or other medical training programs, and should be avoided if possible. Prerequisite courses may be taken at other institutions and equivalent coursework may be acceptable. Students are encouraged to meet with an advisor to determine eligibility of these courses and applicants must have transferred all required courses into their RRCC transcripts when submitting an application.
 
DMS 1001 Introduction to Sonography (2 credits)
RTE 2055 Multiplanar Sectional Imaging (2 credits)
HPR 1040 Medical Terminology (3 credits)
MAT 1340 College Algebra, Trigonometry or Calculus (3 credits)
BIO 2101 Anatomy & Physiology I (4+ credits)
BIO 2102 Anatomy & Physiology II (4+ credits)
ENGLISH or COMMUNICATIONS (100 or higher, 3 credits)
PSYCHOLOGY or SOCIOLOGY (100 or higher, 3 credits)
 

Interview

Candidates with the highest application scores will be selected for an interview and notified via email. The interview is 4hours long and consists of various activities and interview sessions. Top performing interviewees will earn a spot in the program, based solely on their interview performance (not grades, essay, community service,etc.). Of candidates interviewed typically 40-50% get offered a spot in the program

Timeline for Admission Process

1. Applications received January to End of February.  View steps on how to apply for the application requirements and link to Echo program application.

2. Notification of interview: March

3. Interviews: April

4. Offer of acceptance: May

5. Completion of screening process: June

6. Official Acceptance into the program: July

7. Orientation: TBD

8. First day of semester: Mid August

Background/Drug Screen

Applicants are required to complete a background/drug screen after they are offered a spot in the program and may be subject to additional screenings while in the program.  Students with a failed background check/drug screen are ineligible for participation in the program. To see what criminal offenses disqualify applicants for admission, please see the list of Disqualifying Criminal Offenses. Entry into the program does not guarantee eligibility for licensing certifications or employment upon graduation. Students with criminal backgrounds should find out if they meet the specific eligibility requirements of licensing bodies and/or potential employers prior to pursuing a healthcare career. 

Technical Standards

In keeping with the accreditation standard of a curriculum that reflects assessment of affective, cognitive, and psychomotor domains, the Medical Imaging Program has adopted technical standards which outline the health and physical requirements for students enrolled in the program. These standards apply to all candidates for admission and to all students at all times during training. For detailed information, please see Technical Standards.

Accessibility

Accessibility Services exists to ensure Red Rocks Community College’s compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, wherein qualified students with disabilities are provided accommodations upon request, to assist in their academic success. If you have questions about accessibility or accommodations, please contact Accessibility Services.

Echocardiography Certificate (only offered to those who have completed an ultrasound program)

The Echocardiography Certificate Program provides current Sonographers an opportunity to expand their career into the field of Echocardiography. The courses are aligned to help students prepare for the Adult Echo Registry exam and provides the minimum skills needed to scan a 2-D Echocardiography complete with Doppler exam.

Upon completion of the Echocardiography Certificate; students must also obtain a signed CV form (Clinical Verification) https://www.ardms.org/wp-content/uploads/pdf/AE_Domestic_CV-1.pdf  from a registered Adult Echo Cardiac Sonographer who has observed your performance on an actual patient, in order to sit for the Adult Echo exam through ARDMS. Please review the CV form for details on the requirements and visit the ARDMS webpage for the most current up to date information on the requirements needed to apply for the RDCS credential https://www.ardms.org/get-certified/rdcs/adult-echocardiography/

Students are encouraged to obtain additional on the job paid training after completion of courses to help obtain their signed CV form. If on the job training is not an option we could setup a student clinical rotation. Clinical rotations but begin the following spring semester of the fall certification completion.

Curriculum Total: 10 credits

Fall 2023 Semester 

DMS 2501 Normal Adult Echocardiography 3 credits - Course is taught remotely;
Mid August to Mid October 
DMS 2502 Adult Echo Pathology 3 credits - Course is taught remotely;      
Mid Octpber to Mid December 
DMS 2510 Adult Echo Scan Lab 4 credits - Attend in person, hands on training sessions at our Arvada Campus-Mondays 9a-2p Mid August to Mid December
 

Spring 2024 Semester

DMS 2085-Internship for echocardiography clinical training; variable credits in the following spring semester of fall certification completion. Required for students needing cardiac clinical training in the event a student is unable to obtain on the job training. 
 

Admission Requirements:

  • Successful completion of a Diagnostic Medical Sonography program
  • Actively registered through ARDMS in one or more credentials ex; RDMS, RVT

Applying:

Step 1: Apply to Red Rocks Community College
Step 2: Fill out the online application 
 
For additional information contact:
Martha Rivero
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Director
303-914-6034