Ultrasound Degree

Cardiovascular Sonography — Central Piedmont

Central Piedmont offers a cardiovascular sonography program in Charlotte, North Carolina. This page outlines the program’s credential pathway, accreditation, and how it connects to work in diagnostic imaging.

Program at a glance

Program details

It runs two years (five consecutive semesters), full time. Students complete classroom instruction and laboratory work on campus combined with online coursework, plus clinical rotations at affiliated hospitals and clinics; first-year observation in echocardiography and cardiac catheterization departments, followed by assigned clinical-site rotations in the second year, including second-year clinical rotations of two full days per week in the fall term and four full days per week in the spring term, in the chosen track. Graduates receive an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Cardiovascular Technology, with cardiac sonographer/echocardiography (non-invasive) and cardiac catheterization (invasive) tracks. Clinical training covers echocardiography, adult cardiac sonography, invasive cardiovascular technology, cardiac catheterization, electrocardiography, and exercise stress testing sonography. Completers are eligible to sit for the Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS) credential through the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) and the Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS) or Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS) credentials through Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI). The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) on the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Cardiovascular Technology (JRC-CVT), at the associate-degree level in the non-invasive cardiology (adult echocardiography) and invasive cardiology concentrations. These details are drawn from the program’s website.

Credential pathway

Graduates can pursue professional certification such as the Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS) and Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT). These credentials are offered by national registries, including the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). Certification is separate from completing the program; each credential sets its own education, clinical-experience, and examination requirements. See Licensing and Certification for how the process works.

About this occupation

Diagnostic medical sonographers operate ultrasound equipment to create images that physicians use to assess and diagnose medical conditions. National wage and employment-outlook figures are summarized on the Diagnostic Medical Sonographer page, with more context in Career Opportunities and Salary and Compensation.

Program details, requirements, and availability change. Verify current information directly with the program and with the relevant certification body or licensing board. Inclusion in this directory does not constitute endorsement.

Related pages

Last verified: June 2026.