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Echocardiography Program Admission Criteria

Application Deadline is March 15.

  1. Applicants to the Echocardiography program must meet all admission criteria for Danville Area Community College and must have an official high school transcript or GED on file at DACC.
  2. Before being considered for admission into the Echocardiography program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
    1. Placement tested into college algebra (MATH 111) or higher algebra-based math course or have successfully completed (Grade “C” or better) MATH 108 or higher math course within the last five years.
    2. Successfully completed (Grade “C” or better) BIOL136 and 137 (Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II) within the last five years.
    3. Successfully completed (Grade “C” or better) PHYS141 (Physical Science I) within the last five years.
    4. Submitted transcripts from all other colleges attended and a DACC application if transferring to DACC.
    5. Attend a mandatory Sonography Informative Session. This session will provide applicants with the necessary knowledge about the program so that applicants can make informed decisions about what Medical Imaging Program they want to apply for.
      1. Applicants or potential applicants may use the following link to schedule their informative session; Echo Informative Session Sign Up
      2. The following dates are for the 2025 application period 10/21/2024, 11/18/2024, 1/29/2025, 2/12/2025, and 2/26/2025. All informative sessions will be 12:00 p.m.- 1:00 p.m.
      3. For any questions you may reach out to MedicalImaging@dacc.edu or via phone; 217-443-8704
    6. Applications must be submitted by March 15th of the year the applicant wishes to enter the program.
  3. Students who have successfully completed (Grade “C” or better) the required prerequisites and/or students who have received an Associate Degree in Radiologic Technology and possess an up to date ARRT credential, and/or Bachelor’s degree within 5 years are eligible for consideration. Bachelor’s degrees in a science or health field will take priority over other miscellaneous Bachelor’s degrees.
  4. Required prerequisites must be successfully completed by the end of the spring semester before the Echocardiography program starts (summer start). Acceptance will be contingent upon the successful completion of these courses. (Grade “C” or better)
  5. Residency
    1. Applicants who are legal residents of Community College District 507 will be given priority for admission provided all admission criteria are met. This is contingent upon completion of the prerequisite courses as stated above.
    2. Official definition of residence and description of District 507 boundaries are available in the Registration and Student Services offices.
      1. https://dacc.edu/ar/residency
    3. Applicants who have completed the required prerequisite courses at DACC will be given priority for admission over transfer students.
  6. Applicants must be able to perform the essential functions of the Program, and must therefore, meet the Technical Requirements of the Echocardiography Program. Students will rotate through all of the program’s clinical sites. Depending on the student’s home location, for some sites, this may require a commute time of at least 1 hour each way.
  7. Typically, 10 students are accepted into the program. If qualified applicants exceed seat availability, the applicants will be rank-ordered according to their GPA. GPA will be ranked according to the following:
    1. First ranked: Program required prerequisites (4) listed above.
    2. Second ranked: General education courses
    3. Third ranked: Suggested prerequisites listed on the course catalog
  8. After acceptance, a physical exam, background check, drug screening and current immunization status must be completed prior to the first day of classes.  A medical history form and a physical exam must also be completed indicating the applicant meets the technical requirements of the Echocardiography program regarding physical, emotional, and mental skills and abilities or that reasonable accommodations will be requested.
  9. Students must adhere to DACC’s drug free policy and must meet the criteria of the clinical site assigned to them. Criminal background checks will be conducted on all students prior to entering clinical education.
  10. Students must have proof of active health insurance coverage and remain covered throughout the entirety of the program. Proof of coverage must be provided before the first day of classes.
  11. Applicants must possess the ability to use the English language to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing with individuals of all professional and social levels.
  12. Applicants accepted into the Program must respond with an acceptance or declination letter by the date specified on the acceptance letter. No response or a late response will be considered a declination, and the seat will be offered to the next qualified applicant.
  13. If all seats are filled for the current year, remaining qualified applicants must submit another application the following year.  Applications and waiting lists of qualified applicants will not be maintained from year to year.