Cardiac Ultrasound Technology

To prepare competent entry-level sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor(skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains for the adult cardiac sonography concentration.

Program goals and objectives.

• Train students to be professional and competent Cardiac sonographers in the medical imaging community by developing their visual, oral, and written communication skills, as well as their critical thinking abilities.
• Develop interpersonal skills in communicating and interacting with patients of all generations, cultures, and medical conditions.
• Develop interpersonal skills in communicating and interacting with medical and administrative personnel in the medical imaging setting to be effective team players.
• Teach students knowledge and understanding of human physiology, pathology, and pathophysiology.
• Teach students knowledge and understanding of ultrasound physical principles and instrumentation.
• Teach students the knowledge of sonographic biological effects and the proper application of sonographic instrumentation relative to imaging and image quality.
• Teach students knowledge and understanding of human gross and sectional anatomy relative to normal and abnormal sonographic imaging.
• Teach students how to produce high-quality diagnostic images of the heart, utilizing the required information that contributes to the diagnostic process.
• Teach students the necessary skills for providing proper patient care while adhering to ethical, professional, and HIPAA guidelines.
• Provide students with the knowledge, clinical skills, problem-solving abilities, and interpersonal skills to practice in the profession of sonography.
• Emphasize the importance and need of becoming credentialed in the profession of Cardiac Sonographer.
• Prepare students to pass the ARDMS certification exam.
• Teach and emphasize the appropriate ergonomic scanning applications for the Cardiac Sonographer’s well-being.

• Hands-On Scan Lab Training
• Clinical Rotations Provided
• Job Placement Assistance

All applicants to Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts must meet the General Admission Requirements for all Programs, including the entrance exam where required, and the additional admission requirements for this program.

• Attend or view a live or recorded Information Session.
• Submit original transcripts from the Registrar of an educational Institution for applicants requesting credit granting for some/all General Education courses. Copies are not accepted. All coursework must be completed and given a grade of at least a “C.” Anatomy and Physiology I with Laboratory must be completed within the last five (5) years. All credit granting is subject to the approval of the Program Director or Program Coordinator. Please allow seven (7) days for review.
• Complete an admission interview with the Program Director and designees.

The program information, length, and schedule are subject to change. Please read the accompanying Addendum for changes and updates, and consult with the Admission Advisor for further details. Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts Associate of Occupational Science in Cardiac Ultrasound Technology (A.O.S. in CUT) program has a library and classrooms with audiovisual teaching aids, textbooks, journals, anatomical charts, models, and e-library resources. The scan laboratory is equipped with ultrasound machines and other cardiology equipment. The student will receive didactic, laboratory, and clinical education focused on Cardiac ultrasound, which will cover cardiac anatomy and physiology, 2D and M-Mode imaging, Pulsed Wave (PW), Continuous Wave (CW), and color flow Doppler, cardiac pathology, and methods of interpretation, which will be combined with General Education courses. The instructor-to-student ratio is 1:25 during lectures, 1:10 in the laboratory, and 1:1 during externship.

The program comprises six (6) quarters of twelve (12) weeks each. During the program’s first quarter (12 weeks), students will take General Education courses up to 24 hours per week via online delivery. Students will continue taking General Education, on-campus didactic, and lab sessions, up to 24 hours per week, during the second quarter.

The following two (2) quarters (Quarter 3 and 4) consist of on-campus didactic/lab sessions only, which include three (3) to five (5) days per week of up to eight (8) hours per day didactic and lab instruction. After completing four (4) quarters, students are generally expected to start attending externships four (4) days a week. Registry Preparation Courses (RPCs) are scheduled monthly on days to be announced in a separate schedule, with no particular order.

The student receives nine hundred ninety-two (992) didactic and laboratory instruction and eight hundred (800) hours of clinical education, allowing them to apply the lecture topics to practical use. The curriculum equips students with the technical, clinical, and interpersonal skills required to excel in this field. In addition, the program prepares students to take their RCDS examinations.

An Associate of Occupational Science in Cardiac Ultrasound Technology is awarded upon program completion. The normal completion time for this program is seventy-two (72) weeks, excluding any holidays and vacation times. Class times can and may be rescheduled on an alternate day of the week (i.e., Sunday through Saturday) to ensure program completion is on time and the required program hours are fulfilled.

Upcoming start date for this program: July 6, 2027 (application deadline March 19, 2027).

Tuition and fees. Registration Fee (non-refundable) $100.00; Student Tuition Recovery Fund $0.00; Textbooks $375.00; Tuition $57,780.00. Total program cost $58,255.00. Total program cost excludes transportation, room and board, and personal expenses.

Total fees per period of enrollment. Period 1: $8,520.00; Period 2: $10,655.00; Period 3: $11,440.00; Period 4: $11,980.00; Period 5: $7,830.00; Period 6: $7,830.00.

Cost of Attendance, 2026–2027 (one academic year). Tuition & Fees $28,940.00; Books $275.00; Transportation $7,560.00; Food & Housing $21,451.50; Personal Expenses $765.00; Loan Fees $99.00; Laptop Fees $450.00; Total Cost of Attendance (One Academic Year) $59,540.50. Individual student costs will vary.

Financial aid. Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts participates in various federal and state student financial assistance programs, including the Federal Pell Grant, FSEOG, Direct and Direct PLUS Loans, Cal Grant, Sallie Mae® and Campus Door loans, and veteran benefits, for those who qualify. Each campus has a Financial Aid Advisor. Gurnick's FAFSA school code is 041698.

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Other fees, as applicable. ATI TEAS $120; background check $33–$75; drug testing $74–$148; CPR $55–$80; fingerprinting $81 and up; licensing board fees $200–$500 depending on the exam and license; campus parking permit $25; graduation ceremony fee $20–$50. Some of these fees may be paid by Gurnick Academy for some programs.

Career paths. Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (Cardiac Sonographer).

Certification and licensure. ARDMS (RDCS) examination; CCI (RCS) examination.

School Performance Fact Sheet. Associate of Occupational Science in Cardiac Ultrasound Technology – 107 Quarter Credit Hours at the Fresno campus is reported as a new program, so completion, placement and salary data are not yet available (published March 17, 2026).