Echocardiography

The Adult Echocardiography program at WVU Hospitals (WVUH) is a 12-month certificate program providing comprehensive clinical and didactic education in echocardiography imaging. Upon successful completion of the program, students are eligible to apply for the Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) examination administered by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). Successful completion of the SPI examination qualifies graduates as eligible to apply for the ARDMS specialty certification examination in Adult Echocardiography (AE). Graduates may also apply for the Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) exam to obtain a Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS) credential.

The 12-month Adult Echocardiography program enrolls up to five new students each July. The deadline for completed applications is February 1, and the program will begin during the first week of July each year. Student selection for enrollment is competitive and is based upon academic qualifications, personal interview, previous healthcare and/or work experience, and the individual’s projected ability to make a significant contribution to the healthcare profession.

Tuition is $1,500 per semester ($3,000 for the 12-month program.) Additional costs include books, uniforms, graduation fees, certification exam fees, and electronic clinical handbook fees. Students are informed of required textbook and uniform purchases upon admission to the program. Upon acceptance into the program, students are assessed a nonrefundable $50 admission fee. All tuition and fees are subject to change without notice. The program is not eligible for federal financial aid, but private student loan options may be available.

The Trajecsys Report System™ has been implemented into our Echocardiography program for the purpose of clinical tracking. This electronic record has taken the place of the traditional paper clinical handbook and includes all evaluations and competency exam forms in an electronic format. Each enrolled student will be required to pay a one-time fee of $100 for use of this system during the 12-month program. Fees are subject to change without notice.

WVU Hospitals utilizes state-of-the-art cardiac ultrasound equipment. Our machines have the most recent technological software packages available, including 3D/4D imaging. A caseload of approximately 20,000 cardiac examinations per year provides students with an excellent comprehensive clinical education in echocardiography imaging.