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:
- Completion of Associate of Science degree required Mathematics and General Education requirements.
- Course Prerequisites:
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 A010 | Health Occupations | 0.5 |
| ALH A111 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| BIOL A221 | Anatomy-Physiology | 4 |
Required Courses
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ALH A115 | Patient Care | 2 |
| ALH A120 | Human Diseases | 2 |
| CVT A100 | Introduction to Electrocardiography | 2 |
| CVT A130 | Introduction to Invasive Cardiology | 3 |
| CVT A150 | Advanced Electrocardiography | 2 |
| CVT A160 | Cardiac Anatomy/Pathophysiology | 3 |
| CVT A170 | ECG Clinical Experience | 5 |
| CVT A190 | Introduction to Sonography and Imaging Physics | 3 |
| 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 |
| CVT A224 | Echocardiography Clinical Lab 2 | 1 |
| 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 |
| Total Units | 50.5 | |
| 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.
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Units | |
| 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 | |
| Units | 13.5 | |
| 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 |
||
| Units | 9-14 | |
| 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 |
| Units | 9 | |
| 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 |
| Units | 13 | |
| 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 |
| Units | 13 | |
| 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 |
| Units | 14.5 | |
| Intersession | ||
| CVT A224 | Echocardiography Clinical Lab 2 | 1 |
| Units | 1 | |
| Total Units | 73-78 | |
- 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.