Sonography Selective Admissions

Cardiovascular and Medical Sonography Program Information and Information Session

Application Period Has Closed

Important Note: The criteria below are for the Fall 2024 application period and is subject to change before the next application period.

Sonography Options Fall 2024 Application Criteria

Application Period: February 5, 2024 to March 15, 2024

Thank you for your interest in the Sonography programs at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. A-B Tech offers degrees in both Medical Sonography and Cardiovascular Sonography.

Please note: Cardiovascular Sonography also has a diploma option for those who currently work as a practicing sonographer registered in Vascular.

Please read this information thoroughly. We want to make sure you have the best possible chance of being selected by completing all processes and submitting all necessary application documents completely, and correctly. Please email admissions@abtech.edu if you have questions regarding enrolling at A-B Tech or email advising@abtech.edu if you have questions about applying for any of the Sonography programs.

You must be a high school graduate or have an Adult High School or High School Equivalency (HSE) diploma to be eligible to enter any allied health program and have self-certified this requirement on your A-B Tech College application.

The Application Period

A-B Tech will begin accepting applications on February 5, 2024, for the Sonography programs that begin Fall 2024. All program requirements in this document must be met to be eligible to apply.

Please note: Alternates may be accepted after the application deadline of March 15, 2024, if deemed necessary to fill the class. Notification of this will be posted on the Selective and Limited Programs Application Period Information page after the application deadline.

Program Information Session Requirement

The information session for the Sonography programs will be posted at the top of this webpage approaching the application period. Applicants should email the Sonography Chair with any questions after viewing the information session. Details are in the information session, review them carefully.

Medical Sonography Associate Degree

Successful completion of the following four (4) courses with a grade of “C” or higher from a regionally accredited institution is required prior to the Fall 2024 semester. Course completion will be verified by the Sonography department prior to acceptance into the program.

Basic Anatomy and Physiology (BIO-163 or acceptable substitute)
Intro to Interpersonal Communication (COM-120 or acceptable substitute)
Mathematical Measurement (MAT-110 or acceptable substitute). To apply only, an applicant may use MAT-110 or higher, no points are given for MAT-110.
Health Science Physics (PHY-125, no substitute)

The Cardiovascular Sonography Program Offers an Associate Degree and Diploma

Associate Degree Program

For the Associate Degree Cardiovascular Sonography (CVS) program, successful completion of the following four (4) courses with a grade of “C” or higher from a regionally accredited institution is required prior to Fall 2024 term start.

Basic Anatomy and Physiology (BIO-163 or acceptable substitute)
Intro to Interpersonal Communication (COM-120 or acceptable substitute)
Mathematical Measurement (MAT-110 or acceptable substitute). To apply only, an applicant may use MAT-110 or higher, no points are given for MAT-110.
Health Sciences Physics (PHY-125, no substitute)

Diploma Options (For Registered Sonographers Only)

The Cardiovascular Sonography (CVS) diploma is designed for practicing sonographers registered by a recognized accrediting agency and registered in VASCULAR. American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) registered sonographers can earn a Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS) credential with an Adult Echocardiography (AE) specialty.

The Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) exam is required for AE registry eligibility through the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).

Prior to application, all students who wish to apply for the CVS Diploma program must have successfully completed the following three (3) courses with a “C” or higher from a regionally accredited institution:

A college-level Anatomy and Physiology course BIO-163 (or BIO-168 & 169) 5 credits
A college-level Math course. Interested applicants who need to meet the Math requirement may take MAT-110 3 credits
COM-120 3 credits

The ATI TEAS exam is not required for CVS diploma applicants.
If you meet the requirements for the diploma program, you must contact the Sonography Chair by emailing chastitylcase@abtech.edu to discuss further.

Introduction to Sonography Course

Thirty (30) applicants with the highest point totals will be invited and required to enroll in the Introduction to Sonography course that will be taught in the summer of 2024. After successful completion of this course, the applicants with the highest grades will be selected to enroll in a Sonography program and will work with the department on placement into either the Medical Sonography program or the Cardiovascular Sonography program. The Introduction to Sonography course covers both general and cardiac sonography and will be paid for by the applicant (estimated cost $75 to $85). More details to follow.

How to Apply

Review the Information Session provided by the Sonography Department. Information Session can be found at the top of this webpage approaching the application period.
Complete and submit the standard A-B Tech Application. (This is not an application to a Selective Program. The application to the Sonography programs will be done separately after you meet with a Student Advisor and are approved as eligible to apply.)
Applicants must certify on their college application that they are a high school graduate from a valid institution, an adult high school graduate from a valid institution, or have a valid HSE diploma. High school graduation or the equivalent from a regionally accredited, valid institution is required for Financial Aid purposes. You must have this high school equivalency by the first day of classes for the Fall 2024 term to enter the selective allied health programs.
Applicants must complete New Student Orientation prior to meeting with a Student Advisor to complete the Verification/Selection Form. Waivers may apply.
Eligible applicants must document college readiness in English and Math. Visit Placement Overview for detailed information or contact the Student Advisor to learn about the acceptable options. Documentation of college placement must be completed or on file by March 15, 2024.
Once you meet the minimum requirements to apply to the program, you will be given permission and instructions to schedule the ATI TEAS Exam by the Student Advisor. You must complete this step and the Verification /Selection form by March 15, 2024. You must schedule and take the ATI TEAS Exam by March 26, 2024, to be considered an applicant.

Important Application Information

To be eligible for admission to the Fall 2024 class, all qualified Sonography applicants will be required to take the ATI TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) exam. The only exception is the registered sonographers applying for the Cardiovascular Sonography diploma. Applicants for the CVS diploma are not required to take the TEAS exam.

The ATI TEAS exam may only be completed at a location within the United States of America per ATI guidelines.

The ATI TEAS exam will be paid for by the student at the time of online registration on the ATI website. Information on the ATI TEAS exam and associated costs can be found at ATI Testing. Applicants should NOT schedule the ATI TEAS until after meeting with a Student Advisor and approved as eligible to apply.

You may use your TEAS composite score from a previous test session if the score is 5 years old or newer. Students may use scores already on file with the college if they are 5 years old or newer. Individuals may submit a TEAS score in lieu of testing during the application period. It is the applicant’s responsibility to follow up to ensure scores are received.

Applicants may select only one of the following at the time of completion of the Verification/Selection Form:

Testing during the application period at the Testing Center at the A-B Tech Asheville Campus on Victoria Road in Asheville, NC.
Testing at an approved testing facility in another location.
Use an existing score already on file at the College provided the score is 5 years old or newer.
Submit only one score report from a testing session that occurred prior to the application period at another testing facility. If multiple test scores are received on a single report (regardless of the reason for or source of the error), the earliest composite score will be used.

Please Note: Test scores will not be accepted, and applicants may not schedule the ATI TEAS exam until after the applicant has completed the Verification/Selection Form with a Student Advisor.

If an applicant does not follow through and take the ATI TEAS exam, they are disqualified from moving forward in the admission process.
Applicants in need of testing accommodations should contact Support Services at supportservices@abtech.edu at least three weeks prior to testing.

Important: Students who submit TEAS exam scores must ensure scores are received by 5:00 p.m. on March 26, 2024. It is the applicant’s responsibility to email the Testing Center at testingcenter@abtech.edu to confirm scores were received prior to the testing deadline of March 26, 2024.

Admission to the Program Once Minimum Requirements Have Been Met

Applicants will be ranked based on the total points awarded. See the point system in the section below.
Successful completion of BIO-163, COM-120, MAT-110 or acceptable substitutes and PHY-125 (no substitute for PHY-125) with a grade of “C” or higher is required prior to Fall 2024 term start (associate degree) or prior to application (diploma). Course completion will be verified prior to full acceptance.
Applicants with the highest point count totals must attend the program Welcome Session which will be scheduled in the summer. The program Welcome Session details will be provided by the department after the application period ends. Information on required criminal background checks will be given out at this time as well as information on the required drug screenings, immunization requirements, CPR certification, TB testing, physical exam, etc. which will have to be completed before fall clinical rotations. Details about the required Introduction to Sonography course will be provided during the program Welcome Session. Please Note: Failure to attend the program Welcome Session will result in the loss of a seat in the class.
Thirty (30) applicants with the highest point count totals will be invited and required to enroll in the Introduction to Sonography course that will be taught in the summer of 2024. After successful completion of this course, applicants with the highest grades will be selected to enroll in one of the Sonography programs in Fall 2024. Selected applicants will work with the department on placement into either Medical Sonography or Cardiovascular Sonography after successful completion of the introduction course.

How the Point System Works

You will receive the points for your ATI TEAS exam cumulative score.
You will receive 30 points for the successful completion of an accredited, college credit, allied health program degree (AAS, BA, BS, or Masters) and 20 points for the completion of any accredited, college credit, diploma-level allied health program. Points will be awarded for allied health disciplines on the pre-approved list from the Dean of Allied Health. Accreditation must be granted by an accrediting board recognized by A-B Tech. College transcripts must be on file in the registrar’s office by March 15, 2024.
You will receive 30 points for Nurse Aid I (NAI) certification. NAI certification must be documented.
You will receive points for the successful completion of the following college courses (or acceptable substitutes): BIO-163, COM-120, MAT-152, and PHY-125 (no substitute). A grade of “A” = 30 points, a grade of “B” =15 points, and a grade of “C” = 5 points. For degree-seeking applicants, courses must be completed by March 15, 2024, to receive points. ALL courses must be completed prior to the Fall 2024 term start.
Currently enrolled high school seniors who have successfully completed Health Science I. Grade of “A” = 30 points, grade of “B” =15 points, and grade of “C” = 5 points. An official high school transcript detailing this must be submitted to the Admissions Office by March 15, 2024.

Important: It is the applicant’s responsibility to submit all documentation and follow up as necessary to ensure it has been received. All documentation for points outside of the ATI TEAS Exam must be submitted by March 15, 2024. Applicants must take the TEAS exam and/or submit scores by 5:00 p.m. on March 26, 2024.

Note: The Introduction to Sonography course is taught through A-B Tech’s Continuing Education Department; therefore, it is not covered by financial aid. Any fees associated with this course will be the student’s responsibility.

Sonography applicants who are selected based on their point count and final grade taken from the introduction course are conditionally accepted into the program pending the submissions and review of a medical history form provided by Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. Acceptance is also conditional on the results of a required urine drug screen and criminal background check.

Notice to Non-U.S. Citizens

A-B Tech welcomes non-citizens with work authorization through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to our Selective Allied Health programs. Clinical site eligibility is determined by the sites and can be impacted by immigration status. Non-citizens should discuss their non-citizenship status with their Selective program advisor as soon as they are accepted so that accommodations can be made if possible.

As stated above, non-citizens who are eligible for the Selective programs may not be eligible for certain clinical sites. Successful completion of clinical rotations is required for program completion. If a student drops the program after being denied clinical site privileges, the college refund policy will apply. Non-citizens are encouraged to contact the appropriate licensing/certifying agency to determine if they are eligible for licensure /certification upon graduation – decisions regarding licensure/certification are solely the responsibility of the licensing/certifying agency.

Questions regarding program admission for non-citizens may be made to advising@abtech.edu.

Other Important Information

Any Allied Health student deemed to have violated the College Student Code of Conduct may not be eligible for application or re-admission to Allied Health programs. Criminal background checks and drug screenings will be required by clinical sites for students entering the selective allied health programs. These screenings will be conducted at the student’s expense by a professional and independent vendor. Failure to achieve acceptable standards for these screenings may result in denial of clinical privileges. Successful completion of clinical is required for program completion. The college refund policy applies if a student drops the program after being denied clinical site privileges.

Applicants should be aware that North Carolina State or National Boards may deny licensure or certification to individuals “convicted of a felony or any other crime involving moral turpitude.” Questions regarding this issue should be directed to the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers at (800) 541-9754.

Applicants for the Selective Allied Health Programs must demonstrate the ability, with or without reasonable accommodations, to meet certain technical standards critical to the successful completion of the program. These standards include skills and abilities essential for such things as operation of equipment; evaluation and manipulation of patients; evaluation of microscopic components and color reactions; and communication with patients, families, and other medical personnel. For an explanation of specific physical and cognitive requirements for the Sonography programs, refer to the Program Technical Standards.

For further clarification, contact the Sonography Department Chair at (828) 398-7470.

If you are not selected for a Sonography program beginning Fall 2024 and wish to apply for the Fall 2025 class, you must re-apply during the next application period.

All documents that you submit with your application for the Sonography program must be true, correct, and complete. Falsification of documentation may result in denial of admission or dismissal after admission.

Admission criteria are reviewed each year and are subject to change from year to year.

Allied Health students will be required to complete clinical rotations which may require them to travel more than one hour from campus. Clinical rotations may be conducted during weekend and/or evening hours. Students are responsible for arranging their own transportation.

Selective Allied Health Readmission Policy

The following readmission policy applies to students who receive an unsuccessful grade in a selective allied health program, or who voluntarily withdraw from such a program. Unsuccessful grades are defined as “D” or “F”.

If you receive an unsuccessful grade in a selective allied health program, you may not proceed to any subsequent course, which has the course in question as a prerequisite. You must repeat the course in question before proceeding to the next higher course in the program.
Most allied health courses are offered only once annually.
Since a new class of students is admitted to each program annually, it will be necessary for the students who have received an unsuccessful grade in a major course during their first semester to reapply for readmission to the program for the following fall.
Students who do not successfully complete a subsequent semester may seek approval from the department chairperson to ask special permission from the division dean to be re-admitted to the program for the next academic year if the application deadline has passed. Requests will be taken and considered on an individual basis.

We appreciate your interest in A-B Tech and the Sonography programs.

Student Preparation and Testing Resources Available

College Placement

Test resources are available from:

Placement Overview (See Prepare for Placement Testing Section)

SAT or ACT study guides, which are available at various libraries and bookstores, are also good resources for testing preparation.

ATI TEAS

Test resources and online registration and payment are available at the following website:

ATI Testing

Study guides are available for review in the Locke Library, the A-B Tech Madison, and the Goodwill Workforce Training Center. Study guides may also be purchased online from the test vendor ATI at the online store link or the A-B Tech Bookstore. Online practice assessments are also available on the vendor's website.

TEAS prep courses can be taken at A-B Tech through Continuing Education. For available courses, visit Continuing Education Online Registration.

Additional Preparation Resources

March2Success provides free personal assessments and preparation tools for the college placement test and the ATI TEAS exam.

For career assessments and exploration, visit Focus 2. Email careerservices@abtech.edu or call (828) 398-7581 for an individual appointment.

Updated February 9, 2024