According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the majority of cardiac technicians attend a community or technical college for a two-year associate degree. While the associate degree includes the general study classes as a requirement, the bulk of the courses are focused on various aspects of sonography, physics, anatomy and physiology as well as patient care and pharmacology.
In addition to the sonography and science courses required for an associate's degree, a bachelor’s degree program usually includes more detailed work in specific areas, such as genetics and obstetrics, vascular and cardiac physiology and the aspects of Doppler physics.
Earning a master’s degree in sonography is probably best for people planning to teach sonography at a community or four-year college or plan to become a researcher and work for a sonography technology manufacturer.
Usually lasting two semesters, students receive both classroom and hands-on experience and gain a clear understanding of pathology, cross-sectional anatomy and how anatomy appears on the scanner. Clinical experiences is gained and after completing the program, students are qualified for the national ARDMS credentialing examination.
There are nearly 170 accredited echocardiography/sonography programs in the United States with programs running from one to four years. While it does not rank programs, the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs lists accredited sonography programs in an easily search database.