Trinity Health Michigan Heart School of Adult Echocardiography

The School of Adult Cardiac Ultrasound is a highly specialized and accelerated certificate program that trains students to become knowledgeable healthcare professionals who assist in diagnostic procedures performed in an Adult Cardiac Ultrasound Laboratory setting. Students begin the program by learning the basic fundamentals of heart function and physiology, then concentrate on core, didactic, lab, and clinical cardiovascular courses related to Adult Echocardiography. Specialty areas of the program include transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), and stress echocardiography (SE).

About Our Adult ECHO Program

The program comprises an initial five weeks of dedicated classroom instruction, concentration on anatomy, basic equipment operation and fundamental skill development in cardiac ultrasound. The remaining 47 weeks comprises four days of clinical, hands-on instruction at our hospital training sites and one day of classroom instruction. Students rotate their clinical training in several local hospitals. These rotations provide students with a broad range of clinical experiences.

This 52-week program combines dedicated classroom and clinical instruction with the concentration in Adult Cardiac ultrasound. Classroom instruction will take place one day a week with the remaining 4 days consisting of clinical, hands-on instruction. (This program is for applicants without an ultrasound credential.)

Classes being in September after Labor Day, with a clinical practicum at Trinity Ann Arbor-Michigan Heart and various sites around SE Michigan.

Learn more about the Trinity Health Mission, Vision, and Core Values.

Materials for Applications

• Application
• Application Fee: $25 non-refundable
• Resume/CV
• 2 letters of recommendation
• Educational Transcripts
• 750-1000 word essay as to why you want to pursue a career in cardiac sonography, qualities you possess for this program, and past experiences that will help you in this career.
• Proof of BLS

Program Prerequisite

For either prerequisite listed above you must have obtained a C grade or higher.

Program Outcomes

The School of Cardiac Ultrasound is a new program offered Trinity Health Ann Arbor. There are currently no outcomes to report. The first class will graduate in August 2024. Program outcomes will be posted when available.

Tuition and Fees

• Tuition is $17,500
• Once accepted there is a $500 nonrefundable deposit upon agreement between parties.
• Books will be provided by Trinity Ann Arbor School of Echocardiography.
• The tuition may be paid in a lump sum or 3 installments of $5833.00. If paying with installments the balance must be paid the first day of each term.

Refund Policy

The total cost of the Adult Cardiac Ultrasound program is $17,500.00, which includes the application fee, administrative duties, and books. A non-refundable application fee ($50.00) is to be paid separately. Note the registry exam fee ($350.00) will be reimbursed to the student after graduation from the program.

Once the candidate is notified of acceptance to the program, a deposit of $500.00 is to be paid within 14 days of the dated acceptance letter; the remaining balance of $17,000 is to be paid in full 14 days thereafter. Note that tuition is non-refundable once submitted. This is accordance with the State of Michigan refund policy stated in Title IV.

Partial refund policy:

• A student that starts class and withdraws during the first full calendar week of the term shall receive 75% refund.
• A student who withdraws during the second full calendar week of the term shall receive 50% refund of the semester tuition.
• A student who withdraws during the third calendar week of the term shall receive 25% of the semester tuition.
• A student who withdraws during the fourth calendar week of the term shall not receive a refund.
• Any student dismissed shall not be issued a refund or financial obligation.

Health Insurance

Trinity Health School of Cardiac Ultrasound does NOT provide health coverage for students. All students must provide health insurance prior to beginning the program.

Trinity Health School of Cardiac Ultrasound is not responsible for medical expenses related to diseases, injury or illness while enrolled in the program. The students assume risk while being exposed to patients with contagious diseases, infections, and blood from a patient who is a carrier of contagious diseases. The student, may under the advice of a Trinity physician be directed to the Emergency Department to administer treatment if deemed necessary by the consulting physician.

Computer Technology

A personal computer/tablet and personal cell phone are necessary tools for the program. We often communicate with text or email for urgent and non-urgent changes.

Mandatory Drug Screening & Criminal Background Check

There is a mandatory drugs screening prior to entry into the program, as well as a criminal background check are required for the program.

Admissions Process

Admissions Criteria:

• Academic degree
• Prior Healthcare work
• Interview impression
• Accomplishments / volunteer work / strength of letters of recommendation

Timeline for Applicants:

• Feb 15 – Begin accepting applications
• May 15 – Application Deadline
• June 1 – Selection of candidates
• June 15 – Last Day to accept
• July 1 – Acceptance of offer and deposit sent in
  Tuesday after Labor Day Classes begin

For questions about the program, please contact Regina Soberano-Danek at 734-712-8023 or rsoberanodanek@michiganheart.com