Overview
Diagnostic medical sonography is also known as ultrasound. Echocardiography is a branch of sonography that uses high-frequency sound waves to examine the structure and function of the heart. Each patient comes with unique needs and you will learn diagnostic problem-solving and team collaboration skills to give each patient the highest quality care.
About the program
The Cardiac Advanced Diploma (CAD) program is an intensive, compressed time frame program in the cardiac ultrasound stream. The program is designed for health care employees looking to grow their careers and learn cardiac ultrasound. The prerequisites for this program are unique from the other BCIT sonography programs. Please ensure you review the Entrance Requirements page carefully.
The BCIT Diagnostic Medical Sonography programs draw students from across the province. Our programs provides access to state-of-the-art equipment and the latest in ultrasound technology so that you are ready to start your career the moment you graduate.
Entrance Requirements
Application processing
Applications are accepted from May 1st* to August 31st.*
*or next business day
Note: Applicants to this program must be residents of British Columbia or be sponsored under an interprovincial agreement. This program does not accept applications from international students. View programs that do
Indigenous applicants: This program is committed to the recruitment and retention of Indigenous applicants. To support applicants, a dedicated Indigenous admissions process was established, and dedicated seat(s) per intake are reserved for Indigenous students.
To be considered under this admission category, applicants must:
- Self-identify as an Indigenous person of Canada on the admission application
- Have successfully completed the program’s entrance requirements.
Our program also works closely with Indigenous services at BCIT to ensure students receive the best possible support and encouragement while in the program. Please visit Indigenous Initiatives for more information on available resources.
Entrance requirements
Admission to this program is competitive. In 2022, BCIT admitted 1 in 2 applicants. Successful applicants met entrance requirements. They also had paid or volunteer experience working with the public.
Competitive entry: Three-step process
Obtaining a seat in this program is competitive. The program mandate is to select those applicants deemed to have the best opportunity for success. BCIT does not guarantee admission to applicants who meet the minimum program entry requirements.
Step 1: Meet the following entrance requirements
- English language proficiency: Category 1 – English Studies 12 (73%) or equivalent
- Post-secondary education: diploma, bachelor’s or master’s degree in a science or health-related field from a recognized institution
- Complete the following assessment:
- Casper (Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics): Casper will send the results directly to the BCIT Sonography department once you request that your score be distributed to the program.
- Complete the following forms for submission with your online application:
- Mandatory Applicant Questionnaire [PDF]: This form will be used with other entrance requirements in the competitive selection for the program.
- Applicants to the January 2023 intake and later will also be required to submit the Casper Confirmation Form [PDF].
Certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) - Level C
Immunization Review [PDF]
Submit to Student Health Services. Immunization is a mandatory requirement for this program. For instructions and more information, visit Student Health Services’ Health Science Student Information.MRAD 0150 – Medical Terminology for Imaging (80%)
Access to this free online course is provided once you are conditionally accepted or waitlisted.
Applicants who have completed post-secondary studies outside of Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia or New Zealand will require a comprehensive evaluation of their credentials by the International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES). Credential evaluation reports from other Canadian services may be considered. These reports must include course-by-course evaluations and GPA calculations.
Read more about how to meet BCIT’s entrance requirements.
Step 2: Shortlisted applicants
The program area will review all complete applications after the application deadline. If you are shortlisted, the program area will contact you to book a virtual meeting and visual-spatial test.
Step 3: Conditionally accepted applicants
If you have been conditionally accepted to BCIT, you will be notified through myCommunication. The following will be required for full acceptance:
Once these and any other outstanding conditions have been met, you will receive notification of your full acceptance.
Clinical requirements
Face Respirator Fit Testing
Respirator fit testing with a N95 respirator (1860, 1860s or 1870) is required and must be performed in accordance with CSA Standard CAN/CSA-Z94.4-02. Fit testing must also include inspection, cleaning, maintenance, and storage of protective equipment. Students will be given specific instructions on how to access fit testing by the program prior to the first clinical. Students are responsible for paying for the annual fit test while in the program and carrying their certificate with them at all times during their practicum.
Recommended for success
Physical and mental stamina. Applicants with a history of arm, shoulder, neck, and/or back injury should carefully consider their suitability for this career choice. Examples include but are not limited to carpel tunnel syndrome, nerve entrapment, rotator cuff tears, thoracic outlet syndrome, and spinal injury.
Fine motor control / manual dexterity
Excellent communication skills
- Ability to:
- visualize objects in three dimensions
- accurately differentiate shades of grey, colors, and sounds
- work independently and in team situations
- manage stressful and busy work environments
- move and transfer patients from wheelchairs to stretchers and to the washroom
- assist patients with toilet needs
- multitask accurately and efficiently
- problem solve in a variety of situations
International applicants
This program is not available to international students. View available programs.
Apply to program
To submit your application:
- Include proof of meeting all entrance requirements.
- Convert all transcripts and supporting documents to PDF files.
- Have a credit card ready to pay the application fee.
Apply Now
Scheduled Intakes
January each year.myCommunication
Within two business days of submitting your completed application, BCIT will send a message to your personal and myBCIT email addresses. All correspondence regarding your application will be posted to your online myCommunication account at my.bcit.ca. We will send you an email when a new message is posted. It is important to watch for these emails or regularly check your account online.
You can expect to receive communication concerning the status of your application within four weeks.
Costs & Supplies
Tuition fees
Use our tuition estimator to find tuition and fees for this program.
For more information on full-time tuition fees, visit Full-Time Studies Tuition & Fees.
Books & supplies
The approximate cost of required textbooks and materials across three terms is $400. This is an estimated cost and subject to change.Financial assistance
Financial assistance may be available for this program. For more information, please contact Student Financial Aid and Awards.
Courses
Class hours
0900–1600, Monday through FridayProgram matrix
| Term 1 (13 weeks) | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| DSON 5011 | Cardiac Sonography 1 | 6.0 | |
| DSON 5012 | Cardiac Sonography 2 | 7.0 | |
| DSON 5018 | Sonography Principles and Instrumentation | 3.0 | |
| Term 2 (25 weeks) | Credits | ||
| DSON 5014 | Congenital Heart Disease | 1.0 | |
| DSON 5015 | Advanced Echocardiography | 1.5 | |
| DSON 5016 | Clinical Orientation | 1.5 | |
| DSON 5017 | Cardiac Sonography Lab | 6.5 | |
| DSON 5020 | Sonography Clinical 1 | 18.0 | |
| Term 3 (15 weeks) | Credits | ||
| DSON 5030 | Sonography Clinical 2 | 27.5 | |
| Total Credits: | 72.0 | ||
Transfer credit
Do you have credits from another BC/Yukon post-secondary school? Do you want to know if they transfer to courses here at BCIT? Check out BCIT's Transfer Equivalency Database to find out.
Program Details
The Cardiac Advanced Diploma is 12 months in length. The first term of the program includes didactic theory courses and labs.
Students will have the opportunity to attain all of the required skills in the Sonography Canada National Competency Profile (NCP) for the Cardiac Sonographer. Students will complete the Sonography Canada Canadian Clinical Skills Assessment (CCSA) for the Cardiac Sonographer during the program.
Students are advised that travel to clinical placements at their own expense is required. Students are asked to identify site preferences, but it may not be possible to accommodate all requests. Students may be required to complete a clinical rotation outside the Lower Mainland (Vancouver Island, northern or interior BC). Some lower mainland students may be required to attend placements that are lengthy commutes from their homes or difficult to access by bus, yet still considered a local placement. It may be possible for applicants with permanent residences outside of the lower mainland to access some clinical placements in their home area.
Students are expected to have access to a computer with a high-speed internet connection and a printer, and to be proficient in the use of the Windows operating system and Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).
Program length
12 months, full-timeGrading
All didactic courses require a mark of 65 percent to pass. Clinical courses require satisfactory completion of all competencies.Accreditation
This program is accredited by the Health Standards Organization (HSO) and its affiliate Accreditation Canada (EQual).
Program delivery
This program is delivered on campus which includes labs and clinical experiences in clinics and hospitals.Program location
Burnaby Campus
3700 Willingdon Avenue
Burnaby, BC
Graduating & Jobs
Cardiac sonography grads primarily work in hospitals. Careers can be found in casual, part-time, and full-time positions, and many move into full-time employment within a few months of graduating. Salaries start at approximately $30 per hour in careers like:
- Echocardiographer or cardiac sonographer
- Commercial sales
- Research and development
Professional associations
Graduates of the program are eligible to take the Sonography Canada Cardiac examinations (SC Examinations) and are also eligible to take the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography specialty examinations (ARDMS Examinations) in adult echocardiography just prior to graduation.
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Programs and courses are subject to change without notice.