Cardiac Sonography
Start a high-demand career as a cardiac sonographer.
Rapidly growing healthcare field
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 14% annual growth for cardiac sonographers through the year 2030.
Classroom and hands-on training
Learn from experts and train in Geisinger’s state-of-the-art echocardiography labs
Competitive starting salary
Cardiac sonographers earn a median salary of $75,000+ annually.
A message from the program medical director
A cardiac sonographer — also known as an echocardiographer — is a vital member of the cardiovascular health team, helping patients with diseases of the heart. Geisinger’s Cardiac Sonography program prepares students to master the art and science of cardiac sonography. Students will learn from experienced faculty on state-of-the-art equipment in advanced echocardiography labs across the Geisinger system.
This is an exciting time! The field of cardiac imaging — including echocardiography — is advancing rapidly. Skilled cardiac sonographers are in increasing demand. Our student-centered environment will prepare learners to become successful in this competitive world.
A bright future awaits you in adult cardiac sonography! Enroll today.
Sindu Chandran, MD, FASE, FACC, FACP
About us
The Geisinger Adult Cardiac Sonography program is a 12-month certificate course focused on:
- Classroom didactics
- Hands-on laboratory training
- Clinical externship experience
Our mission
To prepare competent entry-level cardiac sonographers with exceptional knowledge and skills through comprehensive didactic instruction and extensive hands-on clinical experience. We’re committed to developing cardiac sonographers who demonstrate:
- Strong technical proficiency
- Effective communication
- Critical thinking
- Ethical practice
- Clinical externship experience
Graduates are prepared for entry-level positions as adult cardiac sonographers to deliver accurate, patient-centered diagnostic care and to meet the demand of today’s evolving cardiovascular healthcare landscape.
Our goals
The program is designed to prepare competent entry-level adult cardiac sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills) and affective (behavior) learning domains. The program seeks to train our students to succeed in the field and to gain the competency needed to pass national registry exams.
Students will gain comprehensive knowledge in:
- Cardiac anatomy and physiology
- Hemodynamics
- Ultrasound physics
Students will develop:
- Technical expertise
- Professional competency
Students will learn what’s required to perform high-quality echocardiographic examinations.
- Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE)
- Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE)
- Stress Echocardiography (SE)
- Demonstrate proficiency, performing diagnostic cardiac ultrasound imaging safely and effectively by applying adequate echocardiographic scanning techniques, including appropriate ultrasound physics and instrumentation principles.
- Analyze anatomic, pathologic and/or physiologic data as well as integrate pertinent patient history and supporting clinical data for optimal diagnostic imaging results.
- Exercise judgment while performing echocardiography to further develop as an echo clinician.
- Engage in continuous self-assessment and professional development.
- Have competencies to pass national registry exams.
Display professional behavior including:
- Communicating clearly, compassionately and professionally with patients and families.
- Collaborating effectively with cardiologists, physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals.
- Demonstrating ethical practice, accountability and respect for patient confidentiality.
- Displaying professionalism, reliability and cultural sensitivity in clinical and academic settings.
Admissions requirements
To apply, you must:
- Be 18 or older
- Have proof of United States citizenship or permanent residency status (no visa sponsorships)
- Have completed 1 of the following:
- 2-year associate’s degree in any field (healthcare preferred)
- Accredited allied health program
- Bachelor’s degree (any field)
- Complete the prerequisite coursework
Academic prerequisites
Candidates must possess a post-secondary course grade of a “C” or higher from an accredited college or university in:
- Anatomy and physiology I (4 credits)
- Anatomy and physiology II (4 credits)
- College algebra or higher
- Communications (English, speech, composition course)
- Medical terminology
- Physics (preferred but not required)
All applicants must submit a transcript showing completion of courses by application deadline.
Competitive applicants
Competitive candidates will have:
- A GPA of at least 3.0
- Previous experience in patient care
- Previous experience in cardiology
Fall semester 2026
- Start of semester: Tuesday, Sept. 1
- Labor Day/No classes: Monday, Sept. 7
- Clinical internship begins: Wednesday, Oct. 14
- Thanksgiving break/No class or clinical: Thursday, Nov. 26 – Friday, Nov. 27
- Final exam: Monday, Dec. 14 – Thursday, Dec. 17
- Winter break/No class or clinical: Monday, Dec. 21 – Jan. 1, 2027
Spring semester 2027
- Start of semester: Monday, Jan. 4
- Spring break/No class or clinical: Monday, March 29 – Friday, April 2
- Final exam: Monday, April 26 – Thursday, April 29
Summer semester 2027
- Start of semester: Monday, May 3
- Memorial Day/ No class or clinical: Monday, May 31
- Independence Day (observed)/ No class or clinical: Monday, July 5
- Final exam/CCI exam: Monday, Aug. 16 – Friday Aug. 27
- Graduation: Tuesday, Aug. 31
Classroom and scan lab
Geisinger Northeast Training Center at Glenmaura
5 Lakeview Commons, Moosic, PA 18507
Clinical sites
- Geisinger Community Medical Center
- Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Wilkes-Barre
- Geisinger Medical Center, Danville
Fall semester – 18 weeks
- Adult Echocardiography I – 135 hours
- Adult Echocardiography Lab I – 168 hours
- Clinical Internship – 224 hours
- Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation I – 13 hours
- Total contact hours – 540
Spring semester – 17 weeks
- Adult Echocardiography II – 45 hours
- Adult Echocardiography Lab II – 105 hours
- Clinical Internship – 444 hours
- Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation II – 30 hours
- Total contact hours – 624
Summer semester – 17 weeks
- Adult Echocardiography III – 40 hours
- Clinical Internship – 532 hours
- CCI Board Prep – 12 hours
- Total contact hours – 584
Adult Echocardiography I (AE-101)
This course introduces students to the cardiovascular system and teaches them details of cardiac anatomy and physiology. Students will learn cardiac cycle, hemodynamics, basics of electrocardiography and medical terminology. It will include introduction to the basics of echocardiographic imaging of the heart, including chamber structures, valves, great vessels and hemodynamics.
Adult Echocardiography Lab I (AE-101 L)
This course provides detailed laboratory demonstration and instruction to students on the basic scanning principles and techniques. Students will have hands-on learning to familiarize themselves with the scanning equipment and controls. Students will learn image acquisition, patient positioning, protocols and standard echocardiographic views used in transthoracic echocardiograms. Emphasis is placed on recognizing normal cardiac structures and functions, as well as correlation between ECG and the cardiac cycle. Ergonomic techniques will also be covered.
Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation I (UP-102)
This course introduces the fundamental principles of ultrasound physics and instrumentation. Topics include sound wave properties, acoustic parameters, transducer technology, beam formation, image resolution, imaging modes 2D, M mode and basic Doppler concepts. Students gain foundational knowledge of image acquisition and optimization in diagnostic cardiac sonography.
Clinical Internship I (AE-103)
This practicum introduces students to the clinical environment of cardiac sonography. It provides orientation to the fundamentals of patient care, professionalism and safety standards. Students will assist with echocardiographic examinations and focus on the skills they learned in Adult Echocardiography Lab I (AE- 101L). Emphasis will be placed on foundational scanning techniques, identification of normal cardiac anatomy and adherence to clinical protocols.
Spring – Semester II
Adult Echocardiography II (AE-201)
This course will provide detailed review of the pathophysiology of heart disease diagnosis through cardiac ultrasound. Students will be also introduced to basic measurements like cardiac chamber size, hemodynamic assessment using Doppler analysis, diastology and evaluation of native valvular disease including stenosis and regurgitation. Topics also include pericardial diseases, cardiomyopathies, prosthetic valves and aortic diseases. Students will be introduced to basic concepts of strain imaging and 3D echo.
Adult Echocardiography Lab II (AE-201L)
Students will perform and refine advanced imaging techniques to assess cardiac pathologies and assess severity of cardiovascular diseases, as a complement to the didactic instruction of Adult Echocardiography II (AE-201). Emphasis will be placed on Doppler for hemodynamic evaluation, measurement accuracy, image acquisition and optimization, and preliminary reporting. Students will be introduced to advanced imaging techniques such three-dimensional imaging and global longitudinal strain acquisition.
Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation II (UP-202)
This course builds on the fundamentals of ultrasound physics with emphasis on advanced imaging principles and Doppler hemodynamics. Topics include spectral, color Doppler, image artifacts, quality assurance, bioeffects and safety. Students will learn to apply physics concepts and theories to optimize image acquisition and enhance image quality.
Clinical Internship II (AE-203)
This practicum will focus on increasing independence in performing comprehensive transthoracic echocardiograms in the clinical setting. Students will assist and perform routine echocardiograms, in which students will refine image acquisition, doppler evaluation, and preliminary interpretation of normal cardiac structure and hemodynamics as well as cardiac diseases. Students will be under direct supervision and will apply skills learned in scanning lab.
Summer – Semester III
Adult Echocardiography III (AE-301)
This course will be a comprehensive review of materials discussed in Adult Echocardiography I and II as well as introduction to contrast echocardiography principles and applications. Topics will also include embryology and adult congenital heart diseases, quantitative assessment of valvular pathologies and advanced structural heart diseases and interventions. Students will be introduced to transesophageal and stress echocardiography. This course will also prepare students for national registry examinations.
Clinical Internship III (AE-303)
This practicum will provide the final hands-on experience performing complete comprehensive echocardiographic examinations with supervision. Students will further refine scanning and interpretation skills to prepare themselves as an entry-level cardiac sonographer. This practicum also introduces students to observe and assist other echocardiographic examinations, such as transesophageal and stress echocardiography.
- Complete all coursework +required hours of the program.
- Maintain a passing grade ≥77% for all coursework.
- Pass registry exam in Cardiac Sonography offered by Cardiovascular Credentialing International.
Ready to apply?
Your new career in cardiac sonography begins today.