Vascular Sonography

The field of vascular sonography utilizes high frequency sound waves to image and evaluate arteries and veins of the body. The vascular sonographer is a skilled person qualified by academic and clinical education to perform vascular sonographic examinations under the supervision of a qualified physician. The sonographer working in this field performs a variety of diagnostic vascular examinations, including cerebrovascular, peripheral arterial and venous evaluations. The sonographer has a unique and vital role in the diagnostic process, and the profession continues to offer many excellent opportunities for employment.

Program Description

SJU offers a two-year curriculum of full-time study in vascular sonography leading to an Associate in Applied Science degree. The program also offers an academic certificate program in vascular sonography for students who already have an academic degree. Students receive theoretical and clinical instruction in all aspects of vascular sonography in preparation for entry-level positions as vascular sonographers. Upon satisfactory completion of program requirements, graduates are eligible to take the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) examinations in physics and vascular technology. Students are also eligible to sit for the Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) in vascular. 

The faculty of the Vascular Sonography program believes in the potential for the individual to grow in knowledge and professional importance. It is the program's objective, to provide the opportunity, instruction, and education to assist in this personal endeavor. The vascular ultrasound profession is recognized as an integral part of the diagnostic medical team. Through the practiced skills of the vascular sonographer, both the patient and the physician are assisted in the detection of disease if present.

Education is a process of learning through a balance of didactic and clinical instruction that adequately prepares the individual equally for registry examinations and employment. Through the flexible design of our program, we strive to achieve this goal and take advantage of the full learning potential of each individual.

Program Mission

The mission of the Vascular Sonography program is to meet the needs of the healthcare community by providing qualified individuals to become competent Vascular Sonographers.

Goal 1: To provide all students with didactic and clinical education, including hands-on, practical scanning experience. At the completion of the program, the graduate will:

Goal 2: To prepare competent entry-level sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills) and affective (behavior) learning domains for the following concentration(s) it offers: Vascular Sonography.

Goal 3: Obtain, review, and integrate pertinent patient history and supporting clinical information to facilitate optimum diagnostic results.

Goal 4: Function as an integral part of the diagnostic medical imaging team, providing patient services efficiently and in a professional and ethical manner.

Goal 5: Incorporate concepts learned through classroom instruction and clinical practice, ensuring accurate, meaningful sonographic evaluation

Goal 6: Demonstrate appropriate communication skills with patients and colleagues.

Goal 7: Provide patient education related to medical ultrasound and/or other diagnostic vascular techniques.

1. All students in the Vascular Sonography program must complete the following courses and all VAS courses with a grade of “C” (74%) or higher:

CAS 206Ultrasound Cardiac Anat & Phys3
DMS 111Intro to Sonography1
DMS 221Ultrasound Physics3
DMS 227Common Vascular Procedures1

2. Students must complete the following courses with a grade of “C” (74%) or higher and achieve a minimum overall GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale to be eligible for progression into the second-year clinical coursework:

BIO 175
175L
A&P for Nursing &Allied Health
and A&P Nursing& Allied Health Lab
4
BIO 176
176L
A&P Nursing & Allied Health II
and A&P Nursing&Allied Hlth II Lab
4
ENG 101Craft of Language3
HSC 390Medical Terminology1-2
INT 103Methods of Patient Care1
MAT 112College Algebra3
General Education
ENG 101Craft of Language3
BIO 175A&P for Nursing &Allied Health4
BIO 175LA&P Nursing& Allied Health Lab0
PSY 100Introductory Psychology3
MAT 112College Algebra3
HSC 390Medical Terminology1
CSS 101College Studies Seminar3
BIO 176A&P Nursing & Allied Health II4
BIO 176LA&P Nursing&Allied Hlth II Lab0
PHY 200Survey of Physics3
PHY 200LSurvey of Physics Laboratory1
SOC 101Intro to Sociology3
or SOC 270 Special Topics
INT 103Methods of Patient Care1
PHL 490Ethical & Legal Dimen Hlth Sci1
Vascular Sonography
DMS 111Intro to Sonography1
VAS 112Vasc Sonography Procedures I3
VAS 113LVascular Sonography Lab I1
DMS 221Ultrasound Physics3
VAS 224Vascular Sonography Clinical I4
VAS 235LVascular Sonography Lab II1
VAS 227Vascular Sonography Proc II3
CAS 206Ultrasound Cardiac Anat & Phys3
DMS 227Common Vascular Procedures1
VAS 233Vascular SonographyClinical II6
VAS 236LVascular Sonography Lab III1
VAS 230Vascular Sonography Adv Topics3
VAS 231Vascular Sonography Review3
VAS 234Vascular Sonog Clinical III4
Total Hours67

Students already holding an associate or baccalaureate degree, or who will have met the baccalaureate requirements from their primary educational program upon completion of the certificate program, may apply for the 13-month academic certificate program on a space available basis.

DMS 111Intro to Sonography1
VAS 112Vasc Sonography Procedures I3
VAS 113LVascular Sonography Lab I1
DMS 221Ultrasound Physics3
VAS 224Vascular Sonography Clinical I4
VAS 235LVascular Sonography Lab II1
CAS 206Ultrasound Cardiac Anat & Phys3
DMS 227Common Vascular Procedures1
VAS 227Vascular Sonography Proc II3
VAS 234Vascular Sonog Clinical III4
VAS 236LVascular Sonography Lab III1
VAS 230Vascular Sonography Adv Topics3
VAS 231Vascular Sonography Review3
VAS 233Vascular SonographyClinical II6
HSC 390Medical Terminology1
INT 103Methods of Patient Care1
PHL 490Ethical & Legal Dimen Hlth Sci1
Total Hours40
Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallHours
Associate Degree Only  
BIO 175
175L
A&P for Nursing &Allied Health
and A&P Nursing& Allied Health Lab
4
CSS 101 College Studies Seminar 3
ENG 101 Craft of Language 3
PSY 100 Introductory Psychology 3
MAT 112 College Algebra 3
 Hours16
Spring
Associate Degree Only  
BIO 176
176L
A&P Nursing & Allied Health II
and A&P Nursing&Allied Hlth II Lab
4
HSC 390 Medical Terminology 1-2
INT 103 Methods of Patient Care 1
PHY 200
200L
Survey of Physics
and Survey of Physics Laboratory
4
SOC 101
Intro to Sociology
or Special Topics
3
PHL 490 Ethical & Legal Dimen Hlth Sci 1
 Hours14-15
Summer
Associate Degree and Certificate Program  
DMS 111 Intro to Sonography 1
VAS 112 Vasc Sonography Procedures I 3
VAS 113L Vascular Sonography Lab I 1
 Hours5
Second Year
Fall
Associate Degree and Certificate Program  
CAS 206 Ultrasound Cardiac Anat & Phys 3
DMS 221 Ultrasound Physics 3
DMS 227 Common Vascular Procedures 1
VAS 224 Vascular Sonography Clinical I 4
VAS 235L Vascular Sonography Lab II 1
VAS 227 Vascular Sonography Proc II 3
 Hours15
Spring
Associate Degree and Certificate Program  
VAS 233 Vascular SonographyClinical II 6
VAS 236L Vascular Sonography Lab III 1
VAS 230 Vascular Sonography Adv Topics 3
VAS 231 Vascular Sonography Review 3
 Hours13
Summer
Associate Degree and Certificate Program  
VAS 234 Vascular Sonog Clinical III 4
 Hours4
 Total Hours67-68