Academic Catalogs

Cardiovascular Technology, Associate in Science Degree

Banner Code: 1_AS_CVT

Control Number: 04043

Financial Aid Eligible


Cardiovascular Technology (CVT) is an adult cardiac sonography allied health profession concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of patients with cardiovascular disease. The cardiac sonographer performs exams at the request of a physician to obtain information about the patient's heart anatomy and function so the physician can make a diagnosis. The cardiovascular sonographer performs these studies and electrocardiographic (ECG) procedures. The information obtained from these clinical studies is used by the cardiologist to evaluate patients for cardiovascular disease and design a comprehensive treatment plan. Cardiovascular sonographers perform the studies, operate various electronic diagnostic instruments, prepare preliminary reports and calculate clinical information for interpretation by the cardiologist. The CVT program provides the necessary classroom and clinical courses to allow graduates to work as cardiovascular sonographers and/or ECG specialists.

Program Admission:

  1.  Completion of Associate of Science degree required Mathematics and General Education requirements.
  2. Course Prerequisites:
    1. ALH A010 Health Occupations (Program Application Submission)
    2. ALH A111 Medical Terminology
    3. BIOL A221 Anatomy-Physiology

Program Requirements:

  • Students must earn a minimum grade of 70%, C or better in all courses for acceptance and continuation in the program
  • Current BLS/CPR certification, current proof of immunizations (as listed in the School of Allied Health Programs Manual), drug screening, and background check.
  • Prior knowledge of the field is not a requirement to start the program

Program Outcome

To prepare students for entry-level employment by preparing students in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains as professional and competent Cardiovascular Technologists to meet the needs of the local health care community.
Graduates can work in hospitals, medical centers, physician offices and clinics, research centers, and privately- owned companies contracting with medical facilities.

Review Graduation Requirements and General Education

Required Prerequisites

Course Title Units
ALH A010Health Occupations0.5
ALH A111Medical Terminology3
BIOL A221Anatomy-Physiology4

Required Courses 

Course Title Units
ALH A115Patient Care2
ALH A120Human Diseases2
CVT A100Introduction to Electrocardiography2
CVT A130Introduction to Invasive Cardiology3
CVT A150Advanced Electrocardiography2
CVT A160Cardiac Anatomy/Pathophysiology3
CVT A170ECG Clinical Experience5
CVT A190Introduction to Sonography and Imaging Physics3
CVT A200Introduction to Echocardiography3
CVT A205Introduction to Echocardiography Lab1
CVT A210Echocardiography Clinical Lab 15.5
CVT A220Ultrasound Sonographic Physics and Instrumentation3.5
CVT A224Echocardiography Clinical Lab 21
CVT A250Advanced Echocardiography3
CVT A255Advanced Echocardiography Lab1
CVT A260Cerebrovascular and Peripheral Ultrasound2.5
CVT A265Echocardiography Clinical Lab 38
Total Units50.5
Requirement Units
Prerequisite Units 7.5
Program Major Units 50.5
AS General Education Option 1, 2, or 3 Varies
Total Minimum Degree Units 73

Program Sequence

These sequences at Orange Coast College are general course curriculum maps for students to finish all major and general education requirements for two-year completion of degrees, and/or fulfillment of transfer requirements. The course sequence may include course prerequisites and other placement requirements. Students are advised to meet with an Orange Coast College Counselor to review course selections and sequences to ensure that completion of this program will meet a student's transfer and career goals.

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Semester 1Units
ALH A010 Health Occupations 0.5
BIOL A221 Anatomy-Physiology 4
OCC AS GE AREA A1 - CHOOSE ONE 3
OCC AS GE AREA C1 - CHOOSE ONE 3
OCC AS GE AREA D - CHOOSE ONE 3
 Units13.5
Semester 2
ALH A111 Medical Terminology 3
OCC AS GE AREA A2 - CHOOSE ONE 1 3-4
OCC AS GE AREA C2 - CHOOSE ONE 3
Select one of the following or satisfy Math competency (completion of High School Algebra 2 with a "C" or better): 0-4
Intermediate Algebra (or higher) 2
or Combined Elementary and Intermediate Algebra
 
 Units9-14
Year 2
Semester 1
Acceptance into the OCC Echocardiography and Vascular Ultrasound Program Required (Cohort Restriction)  
ALH A115 Patient Care 2
ALH A120 Human Diseases 2
CVT A100 Introduction to Electrocardiography 2
CVT A160 Cardiac Anatomy/Pathophysiology 3
 Units9
Semester 2
CVT A130 Introduction to Invasive Cardiology 3
CVT A150 Advanced Electrocardiography 2
CVT A170 ECG Clinical Experience 5
CVT A190 Introduction to Sonography and Imaging Physics 3
 Units13
Year 3
Semester 1
CVT A200 Introduction to Echocardiography 3
CVT A205 Introduction to Echocardiography Lab 1
CVT A210 Echocardiography Clinical Lab 1 5.5
CVT A220 Ultrasound Sonographic Physics and Instrumentation 3.5
 Units13
Semester 2
CVT A250 Advanced Echocardiography 3
CVT A255 Advanced Echocardiography Lab 1
CVT A260 Cerebrovascular and Peripheral Ultrasound 2.5
CVT A265 Echocardiography Clinical Lab 3 8
 Units14.5
Intersession
CVT A224 Echocardiography Clinical Lab 2 1
 Units1
 Total Units73-78
1

OCC AS GE AREA A2 - Required if 100-level MATH was not taken prior to meet Math competency. 

2

Highly recommended for Allied Health programs, some state licenses will require Algebra 2 or higher-level math to be completed at the college level. If MATH 100+ level or above (any math, except MATH A220) is taken, then it also meets OCC AS GE AREA A2.