Illinois is relatively one of the mid-tier states in terms of employment and income of sonographers. It is ranked fifth out of fifty states as the most populous in the country. With a land area of almost 150,000 square miles, it was home to over 13 million residents in 2013; 2,000 of them were sonographers. With the large land area and population, as well as a generally good outlook for sonographers in 2014, there is quite a number of sonography schools in Illinois.
The outlook of sonography in the state
By May 2012, according to the data from the BLS, there were 2,160 sonographers working in the state at the time. Annual income in Illinois was good, a few hundred dollars below the average annual income of the nation for sonographers. Sonographers were earning $65,890 annually from an hourly rate of $31.68. The median hourly rate was higher at $32.20. These numbers are still very high when you compare them to the annual average income for the entire state - $47,180 per year from an hourly rate of $22.68.
Education for sonographers
Students can opt to enrol in three kinds of sonography programs based on length: certificate, associate degree, and bachelor degree programs in sonography. The certificate program is a 12-month course, while associate and bachelor degree programs are 2 and 4 years respectively. The most common types found in schools are certificate and associate degree programs, primarily in technical/vocational schools.
While requirements among schools vary, the very basics are a high school diploma or a GED and a set of prerequisite classes. Most associate programs require completion of prerequisite classes before application, typically with a C-grade average. Certificate and bachelor degree programs just require a diploma or a GED.
There are currently 8 CAAHEP accredited institutions in Illinois that offer sonography programs. CAAHEP accreditation means that a program’s curriculum has passed the nationwide standards set by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. The CAAHEP is responsible for accrediting educational programs of allied health professions throughout the entire country. CAAHEP accredited programs have higher quality and better training than non-accredited programs.
While requirements among schools vary, the very basics are a high school diploma or a GED and a set of prerequisite classes. Most associate programs require completion of prerequisite classes before application, typically with a C-grade average. Certificate and bachelor degree programs just require a diploma or a GED.
There are currently 8 CAAHEP accredited institutions in Illinois that offer sonography programs. CAAHEP accreditation means that a program’s curriculum has passed the nationwide standards set by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. The CAAHEP is responsible for accrediting educational programs of allied health professions throughout the entire country. CAAHEP accredited programs have higher quality and better training than non-accredited programs.
CAAHEP-accredited schools
Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Contact information: Casey Clarke/ [email protected] / (312) 926-1196
Northwestern Memorial Hospital (NMH) is a fine medical institution that is dedicated to providing health care in Chicago, Illinois. Beyond the medical services offered by the hospital, a certificate program in general sonography is also available. They offer great hands-on training because of the sonography services in NMH that make clinical training easily accessible to the students. The program is completed in 12 months.
Contact information: Casey Clarke/ [email protected] / (312) 926-1196
Northwestern Memorial Hospital (NMH) is a fine medical institution that is dedicated to providing health care in Chicago, Illinois. Beyond the medical services offered by the hospital, a certificate program in general sonography is also available. They offer great hands-on training because of the sonography services in NMH that make clinical training easily accessible to the students. The program is completed in 12 months.
Rush University
Contact information: Eileen French-Sherry / [email protected] / (312) 942-7286
Rush University offers a 4-year bachelor’s degree in Vascular Sonography. Vascular sonography is a specialization of the general diagnostic medical sonography (DMS) program. This procedure teaches students how to perform sonography on vessels – arteries and veins - in different parts of the body, primarily the extremities. This university is also located in Chicago.
With the prediction of the BLS of an increase in employment opportunities by 46 percent between 2012 and 2022, the number of sonography schools in Illinois will only go up. Choosing one is easy, just remember to choose schools that are accredited by the CAAHEP to make sure that the education and training you receive is the best the state can offer.
Contact information: Eileen French-Sherry / [email protected] / (312) 942-7286
Rush University offers a 4-year bachelor’s degree in Vascular Sonography. Vascular sonography is a specialization of the general diagnostic medical sonography (DMS) program. This procedure teaches students how to perform sonography on vessels – arteries and veins - in different parts of the body, primarily the extremities. This university is also located in Chicago.
With the prediction of the BLS of an increase in employment opportunities by 46 percent between 2012 and 2022, the number of sonography schools in Illinois will only go up. Choosing one is easy, just remember to choose schools that are accredited by the CAAHEP to make sure that the education and training you receive is the best the state can offer.