DCVS FAQs

Applications are submitted online and are accepted during the application window. Sign up for an information session to learn more about the application process.

Applicants are ranked primarily on pre-requisite final grades and USA exam scores.

Official transcripts for prerequisite courses must be submitted by the June 1st deadline.

DCVS classes run Monday through Friday. We currently don't offer weekend or evening classes, with the exception of Pediatric Echocardiography labs, which will be held in the evenings. Classes are delivered in a hybrid format, combining online learning with on-campus labs.

Clinical rotations take place at various sites in Houston and the surrounding area. Clinical coordinators assign students to locations, ensuring equitable clinical experience for all. Students are unable to request specific clinical placements.

Please note that all schedules are subject to change at the discretion of the DCVS program.

The DCVS program is highly demanding, requiring a significant commitment of time and effort. While some students manage to work during their enrollment, maintaining a full-time 40-hour per week work schedule is often challenging. The program must come first; requests for schedule changes due to work will not be accommodated. You'll need to plan your work schedule carefully around your classroom and clinical requirements. Be aware that flexibility is key, as lecture and clinical hours can change from semester to semester.

Yes, credentialing is available through both the ARDMS and CCI. Eligibility for these examinations is determined by an individual's level of education and relevant experience.

Earning potential for sonographers varies based on training, education, experience, and professional registry.

New graduates can expect an average starting salary of at least $65,000 annually.

Experienced, registered sonographers typically earn between $85,000 and $117,394 annually, according to data from the Department of Labor.

Cardiovascular sonographers typically find employment in hospitals, diagnostic clinics, cardiovascular specialist offices, contract businesses, and agencies.

Career opportunities for sonographers remain strong both nationally and within the region. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the overall employment of diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians will grow 11 percent from 2023 to 2033, a rate much faster than the average for all occupations. On average, approximately 9,400 openings for diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians are projected each year over the decade.

Email sonography@alvincollege.edu or call 281-756-5625.