Cardiovascular Sonography, AS

This course provides a foundational overview of cardiac ultrasound, with an emphasis on clinical relevance and diagnostic precision. Students will gain a thorough understanding of normal cardiac anatomy and physiology, the cardiac conduction system, and the principles of cardiac embryology. Designed to prepare students for more advanced echocardiographic techniques, this course supports the development of critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning in a cardiovascular imaging context.

Prerequisites: Program prerequisites completed

Taught alongside CVS 220 Echocardiography I, this course provides students with foundational imaging skills through hands-on training in system knobology and ultrasound techniques. Students learn to perform various cardiac imaging views while integrating didactic knowledge with practical laboratory experience. Emphasis is placed on developing technical proficiency and a deeper understanding of vascular ultrasound applications in clinical practice.

Prerequisites: Program prerequisites completed

This course provides a comprehensive foundation in vascular ultrasound, with a focus on clinical application and diagnostic accuracy. Students will examine carotid anatomy, explore common pathologies, and review surgical interventions related to the carotid system. The course also covers lower extremity venous anatomy and associated vascular conditions. Through the use of case studies and preliminary report analysis, students will learn to correlate patient signs and symptoms with ultrasound findings, developing critical thinking and interpretive skills essential to vascular imaging.

Prerequisites: Program prerequisites completed 

Taught alongside CVS 221 Vascular Ultrasound I, this course provides students with foundational imaging skills through hands-on training in system knobology and ultrasound techniques. Students learn to perform carotid and lower extremity venous exams while integrating didactic knowledge with practical laboratory experience. Emphasis is placed on developing technical proficiency and a deeper understanding of vascular ultrasound applications in clinical practice.

Prerequisites: Program prerequisites completed

This course facilitates the student’s entry into diagnostic medical sonography. Students explore personal and professional values in relation to the healthcare setting. Students acquire skills to assist them with time management, building critical thinking skills, and the ability to professionally communicate in the field of sonography.

Prerequisites: SCI 200 or BIO 226

In this advanced course, students deepen their understanding of vascular anatomy, hemodynamics, physiology, and pathophysiology. Building on foundational knowledge, the course emphasizes detailed exploration of venous anatomy and pathology, with a focus on the upper extremity venous system. Students will also examine a variety of diagnostic techniques used to evaluate upper and lower extremity arterial systems, gaining insight into arterial anatomy and associated pathologies. Through integrated didactic and clinical components, students enhance their ability to analyze vascular conditions and apply appropriate testing protocols in a diagnostic setting.

Prerequisites: CVS 221, CVS 221L

This laboratory course serves as a practical supplement to CVS 322 Vascular Ultrasound II. It enables students to deepen their understanding of vascular ultrasound techniques introduced in the didactic course. Through hands-on practice, students will refine their imaging skills, focusing on advanced venous scanning, arterial imaging, and various non-imaging vascular testing procedures. The course is designed to build proficiency in these specialized areas, preparing students for more complex diagnostic scenarios.

Prerequisites: HPS 100, DMS 140, DMS 206, DMS 209, SCI 206, CVS 111

This course provides an in-depth study of valvular heart disease and the corresponding sonographic assessment techniques. Students will examine various types of valve pathology, including stenosis, regurgitation, and structural abnormalities. The course also covers ischemic heart disease, stress echocardiography protocols, and the fundamentals of diastolic function assessment. In addition, students will be introduced to transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), including its clinical applications and associated imaging views.

Prerequisites: CVS 220, CVS 220L

In conjunction with CVS 325 Echocardiography II, students will further their imaging skills by learning how to perform the apical, subcostal and suprasternal notch windows.  Students will learn how to assess cardiac function, valve area, stenosis and regurgitation in both qualitative and quantitative methods.

Prerequisites: CVS 220, CVS 220L

This lab reinforces essential concepts and skills from previous echocardiography and vascular labs, allowing students to actively practice scanning techniques across each ultrasound modality.

Prerequisites: CVS 220L, CVS 322L

This course continues where DMS 206 leaves off. The following sonographic principles are covered: real-time imaging, pulse echo instrumentation, displays and image processing, dynamic range, harmonics and contrast agents, hemodynamics, Doppler principles, Doppler optimization, artifacts, quality assurance and bioeffects. 

Prerequisites: DMS 206

Beginning Healthcare Spanish

This course will provide basic knowledge of the Spanish language and Latino culture, and emphasize the importance of this knowledge as it relates to healthcare in the United States. The student will demonstrate an ability to express ideas and thoughts in Spanish using both verbal and nonverbal communication skills in a culturally competent manner. In addition, the student will develop strategies to continue acquiring proficiency with the Spanish language beyond this course.

OR

American Sign Language Basic Skills

This course presents practical communication skills needed for health professionals working with deaf clients. Everyday communication is the centerpiece of every lesson. Topics revolve around sharing information which is vital in the healthcare industry. Grammar is introduced in context, with an emphasis on developing question and answering skills that would occur between healthcare professional and patient. Students will learn conversational strategies to help maintain a conversation with deaf patients. Students will appreciate the diversity of deaf people and their culture. Interaction activities will allow students to rehearse what they’ve learned.

This clinical course allows the student to experience the clinical setting firsthand. The student begins their first hands-on clinical experience by obtaining basic images of cardiac and vascular ultrasound images. The student is able to observe daily lab functions and a variety of patient care scenarios.

Prerequisites: DMS 306, CVS 220, CVS 220L, CVS 221, CVS 221L

This course explores a wide range of complex cardiac conditions, including various cardiomyopathies, prosthetic heart valves, pericardial effusion, intracardiac thrombus and tumors, infective endocarditis, congenital heart disease, and cardiac assist devices. Emphasis is placed on correlating clinical signs and symptoms with echocardiographic findings. Through case studies and the interpretation of preliminary reports, students will develop diagnostic reasoning skills essential for effective clinical practice.

Prerequisites: CVS 325, CVS 325L

This advanced lab is designed to prepare students for their clinical rotation by teaching them how to evaluate a variety of cardiac diseases. The student will use their critical thinking skills and knowledge gained in CVS 327 Echocardiography III to properly evaluate a variety of cardiac abnormalities by performing the correct and accurate measurements. The student will be performing complete exams in a timely manner while also creating accurate preliminary reports.

Prerequisites: CVS 325, CVS 325L

This course builds on foundational vascular concepts by exploring a range of advanced vascular pathologies and diagnostic applications. Topics include abdominal vascular evaluations, preoperative vein mapping, penile Doppler studies, and transcranial Doppler imaging. Additional specialized vascular conditions and assessment techniques are also discussed, equipping students with the skills necessary for comprehensive vascular imaging in diverse clinical settings.

Prerequisites: CVS 322, CVS 322L

Taught in conjunction with CVS 328 Vascular Ultrasound III, this course helps students advance their imaging skills by training them to perform abdominal exams, transcranial imaging, and other specialized assessments. Students integrate didactic knowledge with practical scanning experience in the laboratory, enhancing both their technical abilities and understanding of vascular ultrasound applications.

Prerequisites: CVS 322, CVS 322L

In this course, students identify key parts of an EKG rhythm and the steps to interpreting a variety of cardiac rhythm strips. This course focuses on EKG theory and interpretation. The student learns how to perform an EKG on a patient, as well as identify basic rhythms and the components of an EKG. Students review case studies throughout this course. 

Prerequisites: CVS 220, CVS 220L

Students are assigned to the clinical setting to begin advancing their hands-on experience performing sonographic procedures and practice patient care skills. The student begins to develop skills to carry out sonographic examinations and gains the ability to recognize normal and abnormal sonographic patterns. The student works closely with their clinical preceptor, as well as other staff technologists. Students begin to perform examinations including transthoracic echocardiograms, carotid duplex, lower extremity venous and arterial duplex, upper extremity venous and arterial duplex, ankle/brachial indices and segmental arterial pressures. Correlation of theory to practice is measured through attendance, clinical logs and evaluations.

Prerequisites: CVS 310

Clinical reasoning is designed to sharpen the student’s deductive reasoning and sonographic interpretation skills through the use of case studies and medical literature. The essential components of a case presentation are introduced. Students present cases in an open forum for discussion and evaluation. Students also expand on the principles of evidence based practice and research methods in vascular technology and adult echocardiography.

Prerequisites: CVS 310

Prerequisite: COR 101

As a continuation of Clinical Practicum I, students continue to develop their sonography skills under the supervision of their clinical preceptor. The student more actively participates in examinations, daily lab functions, and patient care. In addition, students continue to perform examinations in cardiac and vascular sonography.

Prerequisites: CVS 281 

Students will be required to take an ARDMS specialty examination (Cardiac or Vascular) as part of this course prior to graduation. This course will assist students in the transition from student sonographer to professional sonographer, including ARDMS registry exam preparation. Additional topics such as resume writing, interview and negotiation skills, understanding benefits and different avenues of the sonography career ladder are also discussed. 

Prerequisites: Successful completion of all program DMS and EC Core Coursework prior to the beginning of the course

This course is an introduction to the fundamentals of medical laws, ethical principles and bioethics for the healthcare practitioner. The application of these fundamental principles will be applied using current medical-legal issues and bioethical dilemmas of today. The course is designed to improve the student’s ability to critically think and make sound decisions that are in alignment with professional ethics and values, integrity and judgment. The course will include such areas as confidentiality, privacy, consents, responsible practice, professionalism, bioethical dilemmas and key legal aspects that influence the healthcare practitioner.

Prerequisite: COM 101