AAS in Echocardiography
Spokane, USA
DURATION
2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
27 Aug 2025
EARLIEST START DATE
17 Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
USD 3,700 / per quarter *
STUDY FORMAT
Blended, Distance Learning, On-Campus
* for international students | 8906 USD additional fees
Introduction
Are you interested in using technology to help patients? Echocardiography might be the program for you.
This program is commonly referred to as "Echo". Echocardiography technologists use sophisticated computers and cutting-edge technology to create and read sound waves in order to capture videos and images of the heart. These ultrasounds allow us to see into the body without pain or radiation so cardiologists can evaluate the function of the heart and plan possible treatment.
SCC's two-year program focuses on the adult heart and diseases that affect it. However, you also work with pediatric patients and even discuss the heart in the fetus. You become internationally registered by one of two international credentialing agencies that allow you to literally work anywhere in the world.
You will be among the highest-paid and most sought-after allied health workers, including nursing. You can work in a large variety of healthcare facilities ranging from hospitals to clinics and even administration or sales.
The Cardiovascular Technology Programs (Invasive and Noninvasive) are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee for Cardiovascular Technology.
Program delivery
The first year of the program consists of learning in the classroom with laboratory experience with real equipment and real people. Later, you begin clinical rotations in hospitals and clinics and work on real cardiac patients. During the final six months of the program, students are placed full-time in a clinical setting, refining their skills and preparing to work. During this time, many students are placed in clinical sites throughout the U.S. A few students are able to stay in Spokane.
Admissions
Gallery
Ideal Students
- Computer skills are recommended
- Some students find completion of CHEM 120 Organic and Biochemistry for Health Sciences and CHEM 121 helpful to learning in the program
- Additional healthcare-related courses such as HED 109, 129, or nursing assistant coursework
Technical Standards
Echo/NCT Technologists must be able to:
- Lift more than 50 pounds routinely
- Push and pull routinely
- Bend and stoop routinely
- Have full use of both hands, wrists, and shoulders
- Distinguish audible sounds
- Adequately view sonograms, including color distinctions
- Work standing on their feet 80% of the time
- Interact compassionately and effectively with the sick or injured
- Assist patient on and off examining tables
- Communicate effectively with patients and other healthcare professionals
- Organize and accurately perform the individual steps in a sonographic procedure in the proper sequence
Program Outcome
- Perform high-quality noninvasive cardiovascular tests on patients, while tailoring the examinations to bring out abnormalities present. Develop skills in performing m-mode, two-dimensional, and Doppler echocardiograms, electrocardiograms, exercise tolerance testing, ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring, and pacemaker reprogramming and monitoring.
- Quantitate, subjectively evaluate, and interpret data collected to assist the physician in arriving at a diagnosis.
- Develop a clinical understanding of the anatomy, physiology, pathology, diagnosis, and treatment of major adult and pediatric cardiac diseases and deformities.
- Communicate effectively in a professional manner with physicians, patients, and members of health teams.
Scholarships and Funding
College doesn't have to break the bank. Quality education at a fraction of the cost.
Spokane College Foundation
Last year, Spokane Colleges Foundation awarded scholarships to 203 students to cover the costs of tuition and books, as well as 452 emergency aid awards to help with testing costs, program fees, and emergency needs.
The Foundation has over 100 scholarships that open each January, as well as others that open for applications in the summer.
The first step to applying for scholarships is to complete our general scholarship application.
Once completed, you’ll be entered into our general scholarship pool to be considered for those scholarships open to all SCC and SFCC students. You’ll also be alerted to additional scholarship opportunities which you may qualify for based on the responses you provided. Many of these opportunities require additional information but have fewer applicants because they have very specific criteria. We encourage you to take the time to apply for all scholarships for which you qualify to increase your chances of receiving an award.
Grants & Sponsored Research
Some of the most innovative programs at Spokane Colleges are made possible through grant and sponsored research funding. We’ve cultivated opportunities in aerospace and advanced manufacturing, provided middle school girls with STEM summer camps, served our community through sustainable environmental science projects, and collaborated with rural K-12 partners on college and career readiness initiatives. Take a look at the stories and learn about opportunities for students and faculty to create new and innovative programs with help from Grants & Sponsored Research at Spokane Colleges.
Student Employment Program
The Student Employment Program provides experiential learning opportunities for students as they work. A variety of student employment positions are available each year. Jobs exist through various funding sources.
Some of the benefits of student employment include:
- Flexible Scheduling – Work hours are designed to fit around your class schedule.
- Time Management – Develop skills in balancing work, academics, and personal responsibilities
- Professional Connections – Build relationships with supervisors and mentors that can support your career growth.
- Real-World Experience – Gain valuable work experience to enhance your resume and develop new skills.
- Financial Support – Earn money to help cover college expenses and reduce reliance on loans.
- Career Exploration – Discover your strengths, interests, and potential career paths through hands-on experience.
Military/Veteran Benefits
Military Tuition Assistance (TA) provides tuition for college courses taken by active-duty personnel. TA requirements, rules, and restrictions can vary by branch of service. SCC encourages all students interested in using TA to contact their respective military branch’s education center, or education and training office before contacting SCC.
Curriculum
Prerequisites
First Quarter
- General Biology w/ Lab
- English Composition I
- Introduction to Statistics
Second Quarter
- Human A & P 1
- Interpersonal Communication
- Medical Terminology
Third Quarter
- Human A & P 2
- Human Physiology and Disease
- Introductory Physics
Program Courses
First Quarter
- Introduction to Echo and Vascular
- Introductory Echocardiographic Technical Skills
- Vascular Fundamentals
- Vascular Fundamental Technical Skills
- Cardiovascular Physiology I
- Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation I
- Electrocardiography
- Electrocardiography Lab
Second Quarter
- Technical Skills/Vascular Procedures I
- Vascular Procedures I
- Echo Fundamentals Lab
- Echo Fundamentals
- Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation II
- Cardiovascular Physiology
Third Quarter
- Core Concepts in Echo Vasc
- Comparative Imaging Analysis
- Echocardiography I
- Technical Skills Echocardiography I
Fourth Quarter
- Surgical Asepsis
- Technical Skills/Surgical Asepsis
- Echo Clinical Preparation
- Echo Clinical I
- Research Methods and Biostatistics
Fifth Quarter
- Echocardiography Clinical II
- Cardiovascular Pathophysiology
- Echocardiography II
- Technical Skills Echo II
Sixth Quarter
- Echocardiography Clinical III
- Echocardiography Seminar I
Seventh Quarter
- Echocardiography Clinical IV
- Echocardiography Seminar II