How to Apply

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Mayo Clinic echocardiography faculty member observing student during an echocardiogram

Enrollment options

When it comes to applicants, we look at more than test scores and grades. While those numbers are important, we also care about things like why you want to enter the field and the impact you hope to make. We’ve designed this program to have two pathways to admission. Discover what comes next on your path to becoming a cardiac sonographer.

Affiliated bachelor's degree option

If your goal is to complete the Echocardiography Program with a bachelor’s degree, you’ll first need to apply to, attend, and complete your coursework through one of the affiliated academic institutions listed below. We’ve worked together with these institutions to ensure you'll get the exact education you need to be a strong candidate for our program.

Once you complete the require coursework, you’ll apply for the Echocardiography Program through Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences*.

Students enrolled in an affiliate program should contact their affiliate institution for any additional requirements during their enrollment in the Echocardiography Program.

*Students pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Health Professions (BSHP) degree option at UMR are jointly admitted to UMR and Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences and do not need to apply separately for admission to Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences.

Certificate option

If you already have completed college coursework and meet the prerequisites, you may be eligible to apply for the certificate option. The certificate option will allow you to sit for the credentialing exam.

Students may be eligible for the certificate option if they have met all of the following:

Earned an associate degree (or higher) before the program start date
Completed all of the required program prerequisite coursework

Non-U.S. citizen applicants

Admission to Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences is open to U.S. workers in the four categories below. Therefore, visa sponsorship is not available.

U.S. citizens
U.S. nationals
Lawful permanent residents
Asylees and refugees

Applicants whose primary language is not English must submit results from the Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-based test (TOEFL iBT). Scores from the speaking portion of the exam are given particular consideration in admission decisions. Learn more about the exam and register online at the Educational Testing Service.

The Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences code for the TOEFL iBT is 5784.

Educational transcripts from schools outside the U.S. must be translated (if they are not already in English) and evaluated for U.S. equivalence by an accredited credential evaluation service company prior to submission. Please refer to the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services for a list of qualified companies. The applicant pays for the examination and credential-evaluation services.

Before you apply

Before you apply, learn what prerequisites and technical standards we require of each of our applicants.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite coursework

To be eligible for the Echocardiography Program, you must:

Hold a high school diploma or GED (or equivalent)
Have earned an associate degree (or higher) or be currently enrolled at one of the program’s academic affiliates and be on track for degree completion
Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale
Have a minimum STEM GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
Complete the following prerequisite college coursework with a C or higher prior to the program start date (Pass/Fail grades will not be accepted)
Applicants may not be considered for admissions if more than two required STEM courses (college algebra, physics, anatomy, and physiology I and II) are in progress at the time of interview

Area	Requirements
College algebra	A minimum of one semester of college algebra is required; a higher-level math course also satisfies this requirement. (Statistics course does not satisfy this requirement)
Anatomy and physiology	A minimum of two semesters of college-level anatomy and physiology are required
Speech, communications, or public speaking	A minimum of one semester of college-level speech, communications, or public speaking is required.
English	A minimum of one semester of college-level English is required; two semesters is preferred.
Medical terminology	One college-level medical terminology course is required; it must be an official academic course resulting in a grade on a school transcript.
Medical ethics or ethics	A minimum of one semester of college-level medical ethics (preferred) or ethics is required.
Physics	A minimum of one semester of college-level introductory physics is required (kinesiology courses do not satisfy this requirement)
Patient care	A course involving direct patient care is required. Coursework that meets this prerequisite includes, but is not limited to: Certified nursing assistant (C.N.A.) Registered medical assistant (R.M.A.) Registered nurse (R.N.) Licensed practical nurse (L.P.N.) Certified EMT Respiratory therapist Radiologic technologist R.T.(R) or senior radiography student Note: An active certification or registry is not required.

Competitive applicants

Applicants are more competitive if they have:

Observed echocardiographic procedures (job shadow or program visitation event)
Prerequisite coursework that is less than 10 years old
A GPA greater than 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
Prior work or volunteer experience within health care or customer service experience
A bachelor's degree or are enrolled in an affiliated bachelor's degree program
No more than two courses in progress at the time of interviews (mid-February)

Technical standards

Applicants must meet the technical standards (with or without reasonable accommodation) necessary to acquire or demonstrate competence in health professions as outlined in the Echocardiography Program technical standards.

Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences values diversity and strives to make learning experiences as accessible as possible. If you anticipate experiencing disability-related barriers to fully accessing the Echocardiography Program, contact Disability Access Services at mccms.ds@mayo.edu for a confidential consultation. Learners are encouraged to request accommodations at least six weeks before the program starts.

Application process

Application process for BSHP degree option at UMR

Minnesota students pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Health Professions (BSHP) degree option should complete the UMR application for admission. BSHP students are jointly admitted to UMR and Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences in Rochester, Minnesota, and do not need a separate application for admission to Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences.

Please note, students already enrolled at UMR can only apply to the Minnesota campus.

Application process for ASU, SMUMN, UWRF, UWL, WSU, and certificate option

Application window	Program start	Apply
Nov. 1-Jan. 15	August	Online application

Students pursuing the certificate option or a bachelor's degree through St. Mary's University of Minnesota, the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (UWL), Winona State University (WSU), or Arizona State University should refer to these Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences application instructions:

Application instructions

Complete the following steps to apply:

Create an account to begin the online Application for Admission
- Select - Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences
- Select - Echocardiography Program
Complete each section of the application and submit
After submission, view the required Supplemental Items and Documents

Upload each required item in the Supplemental Items section
Complete the Recommendation Request section

Additional required items

Essay is to include the following and then uploaded in the Supplemental Items section:

In 300 to 500 words, double-spaced, describe why you are choosing the Echocardiography Program at Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences and a career in echocardiography.

Specify whether you are applying for the Minnesota campus, the Arizona campus, or both.

Two letters of recommendation are required and must be completed in the Recommendation Request section. Each recommender will receive an email with a link to complete a rating form and upload a letter.
- Academic: Choose a person familiar with your educational qualifications and your potential for success in the field of echocardiography. References may include current or former teachers or professors.
- Professional: Choose a person familiar with your professional qualifications and your potential for success in the field of echocardiography. References may include employers or supervisors.
Unofficial high school, college, and university transcripts may be uploaded in the Supplemental Items section for application purposes. If accepted to the program, official transcripts must be emailed from the institution to Jess Baldwin at baldwin.jessica@mayo.edu or mailed directly to:

Echocardiography Program
Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences
Gonda 6-103
200 First St. SW
Rochester, MN 55905

Interview process

Applicants considered for an acceptance are invited for a personal interview with the admissions committee. Only the top-ranked applicants are invited for an interview.

Acceptance

Admission letters are emailed in March. Your reply is requested within one week.

Enrolled students are required to be covered in a medical insurance plan throughout their educational program at Mayo Clinic. Students who do not have healthcare coverage should purchase a policy from an agency or company of their choice. Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences does not endorse any particular plan or provider.

Background checks

All students must complete a state and national background check when accepted. All acceptances are contingent upon satisfactory clearance of the background checks. Mayo Clinic will investigate any discrepancy between the background check and the learner’s application and reserves the right to withdraw the learner’s acceptance based on negative findings. Students are not responsible for the cost of these background checks.

Equal opportunity

Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences upholds all federal and state laws that preclude discrimination on the basis of race, sex, age, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, disabilities, or veteran status. For more information, visit the Office for Education Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.