Cardiovascular Technology Schools

Cardiovascular Technology Degree & Certification Programs

To start work as a cardiovascular technologist, some background education is necessary. The most prevalent degree program for this field culminates in an associate of science (AS) or an associate of applied science (AAS) degree and takes two years to complete. However, there is an increasing number of cardiovascular technology schools that offer bachelor of science degrees (BS) in cardiovascular technology.

Schools may also offer specialized training, either at an associate or bachelor’s level, in any of the following subspecialties:

• Adult Echocardiography

• Cardiac Electrophysiology

• Invasive Cardiovascular Technology

• Noninvasive Vascular Study

• Pediatric Echocardiography

Admission to any cardiovascular technologist program requires a minimum of a high school diploma or GED, with some programs having course prerequisites or minimum standards of prior academic performance.

Here is a sampling of accredited cardiovascular technologist schools in the United States.

University of South Carolina: For those students with strong academic backgrounds who are ready for the challenge of a four-year university, the program at the University of South Carolina in Columbia is an excellent choice.

The school offers a bachelor of science (BS) degree in cardiovascular technology. Courses in the concentration include cellular and molecular biology, fundamental genetics, human anatomy and physiology, and organic chemistry. All students in this program must complete a clinical internship in an accredited hospital.

• Location: Columbia, SC
• Duration: Four years
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Tuition: $512 per credit (residents); $1,397 per credit (non-residents)

Florida State College at Jacksonville: Located in Jacksonville, Florida State College at Jacksonville offers a 77-credit associate of science (AS) degree in cardiovascular technology. Students in this program learn how to become registered cardiac sonographers and assist physicians during diagnostic and interventional procedures. Examples of these services include surgery and stress echocardiograms.

Courses include non-invasive cardiology and cardiovascular practicum. In addition, this CAAHEP-accredited program can prepare students for invasive and noninvasive cardiovascular technology registry exams.

• Location: Jacksonville, FL
• Duration: Two years
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
• Tuition: $8,076 total

Louisiana State University (LSU) Health New Orleans: At their New Orleans healthcare campus, the LSU New Orleans School of Allied Health Professions offers several training programs, including a cardiac and vascular sonography bachelor’s degree as part of the school’s department of cardiopulmonary science.

Applicants to this program must complete at least 60 hours of prerequisite courses with an average GPA of 2.5 or higher. In addition, graduates from this program are eligible to take certification exams offered by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) or the Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI). From 2018 to 2020, graduates boast a 100 percent first-time pass rate and a 91 percent job placement rate.

• Location: New Orleans, LA
• Duration: Two years
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
• Tuition: $375 per credit (residents); $775 per credit (non-residents)

Mayo Clinic: One of the leading non-profit academic medical systems in the U.S., the Mayo Clinic offers a cardiovascular technology internship program with FSC-Jacksonville. Students who have completed the FSC-Jacksonville prerequisites can apply for the six-week internship at the Florida branch of the Mayo Clinic.

No official degree or certification is awarded apart from what the student has already earned as part of their community college experience, but students gain supervised clinical experience. Upon completion of this experience, students are eligible to sit for the Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS) exam offered by CCI.

• Location: Jacksonville, FL
• Duration: Six weeks
• Accreditation: N/A
• Tuition: N/A; students pay for living accommodations and transportation

Trinity Health of New England: Located in Hartford, Connecticut, Trinity Health of New England’s School of Invasive Cardiovascular Technology offers a one-year certificate program. Students in this program learn the fundamentals of heart and vascular function followed by didactic, lab, and clinical courses at hospitals around Connecticut. Diagnostic and interventional procedures are emphasized, including percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Applicants must have a two-year degree in an allied health degree, a bachelor’s degree in health science or non-health science with science course work, be a graduate of a paramedic program, enrolled in an accredited cardiovascular technology program with 100 course credits, or hold a foreign or domestic MD or DO degree.

• Location: Hartford, CT
• Duration: One year
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
• Tuition: N/A

Spokane Community College: Located in Spokane in eastern Washington, SPCC offers two accredited tracks for prospective cardiovascular technologists: invasive cardiovascular technology and noninvasive cardiovascular technology/echocardiography. Both programs culminate in an associate of applied science (AAS) degree.

In addition, candidates must have completed mathematics and science prerequisite courses within five years of applying to SPCC. Both tracks take an expected seven quarters to complete, with the final two quarters consisting of clinical practicums.

• Location: Spokane and Tacoma, WA
• Duration: Two years
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
• Tuition: $119.13 per credit (residents); $170.92 per credit (non-residents)