Launch Your Career in Cardiac Sonography

Master echocardiography with world-class online instruction from Milwaukee's renowned Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center and unparalleled hands-on training at Charlotte's renowned Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute.
Go from a dedicated student to an in-demand sonographer.

The Best of Both Worlds:
Online Learning, In-Person Excellence

Welcome to the future of sonography education. Our new Charlotte satellite program offers a unique hybrid model designed for your success. You will join the St. Luke's School of Echocardiography class virtually for comprehensive didactic instruction and then apply your knowledge through extensive, in-person clinical rotations across Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute’s 22 state-of-the-art locations in the greater Charlotte region.

Nationally Accredited

Benefit from the full 21-month curriculum of St. Luke’s CAAHEP-accredited program, delivered through online classes that you can take from the Charlotte region.

World-Class Clinical Training

Gain extensive hands-on experience at Atrium Health Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute, a nationally recognized leader in advanced cardiac care and imaging technology.

Extensive Clinical Network

Train across Sanger's 22 unique clinical locations. This diverse network exposes you to a wide range of pathologies, patient populations, and cutting-edge equipment.

A Direct Path to Your Career

Prepare for your registry exams while building professional connections within a premier healthcare system, positioning you for immediate success in a high-demand field.

Is This Program the Right Fit for You?

We've designed our program to accommodate students from diverse academic and professional backgrounds. Find your path below.
For the Bachelor's Degree Holder
Use your bachelor's degree to make a rewarding career change. Our program provides the focused clinical education you need to enter the in-demand field of cardiac sonography.
For the University Student
Complete your final two years of clinical study in Charlotte. Gain invaluable experience at while earning your bachelor's degree and sonography certificate through a university affiliation program.
For the Allied Health Professional
Advance your career by specializing in echocardiography. This program builds upon your existing patient care experience from a 24-month allied health degree, providing a direct path to a new specialty.

A High-Growth Field with Competitive Pay

Invest in a secure and financially rewarding profession. The field for cardiac sonographers is projected to grow 10% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than average.

Graduates command highly competitive salaries up to $90k per year on average and enjoy flexible career paths in leading hospitals, outpatient clinics, and private practices, making this specialty a direct path to advancing your career and increasing your earning potential.

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The Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute Clinical Experience

As a student in the Charlotte program, your practical training will be hosted by Atrium Health Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute, the region's top-rated heart and cardiovascular program.

Broad Clinical Exposure

Rotate through a network of 22 clinical labs across the Greater Charlotte region.

Advanced Imaging & Technology

Learn from experts in advanced imaging programs like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), intraprocedural support (TAVR, TEER), and strain imaging.

Mentorship & a Supportive Environment

Benefit from mentorship opportunities and a strong commitment to reducing work-related injury in an ergonomically conscious environment.

Built for Career Growth

Prepare for a career with opportunities for advancement, continuing medical education (CME), and clinical leadership.

Admissions Overview

Acceptance into the program is competitive. Applicants are selected based on GPA, references, prior clinical experience, and a behavioral-based interview.

  • Prerequisite Pathways: You must meet the criteria for one of the three prerequisite pathways outlined by the main campus.
  • Minimum GPA: A cumulative 3.0 GPA is required from all post-secondary institutions attended.
  • Job Shadow (Observation): A job shadow is required. Per the main campus, this includes a minimum of 4 hours in cardiac sonography AND 4 hours in vascular sonography. Reach out to the clinical coordinator to arrange shadowing opportunities.
  • Autobiography Statement: A 1-2 page typed autobiography is required instead of a reflection paper.
  • Patient Care Experience: Applicants must provide verification of basic patient care experience.
Please Note: This is a summary of requirements. For a complete list of all requirements, policies, and necessary forms, please visit the main Aurora St. Luke's School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography application page.

How to Apply

Ready to take the next step? The application process is managed through our main campus.

Application Deadline: December 31st (postmarked), Annually 
Program Start Date: Late August, Annually

  1. Gather Your Materials: Prepare your official transcripts, reference forms, job shadow documentation, and the $50 application fee.
  2. Submit Your Application: Follow the link below to the main campus admissions page to download the necessary forms and mail your required documents to:

    Aurora Health Care School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography
    3031 W. Montana St.
    Suite F North
    Milwaukee, WI 53215

    Be sure to indicate your interest in the Charlotte, NC satellite program    .

Frequently asked questions

Where are the classes held?

All didactic (classroom) instruction is conducted virtually, in sync with the Aurora St. Luke's main campus in Milwaukee, WI.

Where will my clinical training take place?

Your hands-on clinical rotations will be in-person at Atrium Health Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute and its affiliated sites throughout the Charlotte, NC, region.

What is the cost of the program? 

Tuition is approximately $12,500 for the 21-month program. Please note that financial aid is not offered through the program. Additional costs include books (~$1,000) and registry fees.

How do I submit my application?

Your application must be submitted by mail. Follow the link to the main campus admissions page to download the necessary forms and mail your required documents to:

Aurora Health Care School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography
3031 W. Montana St.
Suite F North
Milwaukee, WI 53215

Be sure to indicate your interest in the Charlotte, NC satellite program.

Who do I contact with questions?

For all application and program-specific questions, please contact the Charlotte Clinical Coordinator:
  • Cody Frye, MSED, RDCS, ACS, FASE Clinical Coordinator
  • Email: Cody.Frye@advocatehealth.org
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