One of the most common asked questions about online ultrasound tech programs is about clinical training. Because the training program is completed online, how are the students able to practical clinical sonography? Do online schools have affiliate diagnostic or medical facilities all over the country? By the end of 2014, there were three schools in the United States with available online sonography programs. 2015 is seen to bring even more online programs in various schools all over the country.
If you want to see a full list, visit the website with a list of online ultrasound tech programs through the link. There are 212 schools in the US offering accredited sonography training. Online Sonography Training in the US Out of the hundreds of ultrasound technician colleges in the US, just over two hundred have been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health (CAAHEP). These accredited schools offer the best training to prospective students, because their curriculum has met the standards for sonography education set all over the country. Training in sonography is typically composed of three parts: (1) general education, (2) major courses, and (3) clinical training. |
A student cannot graduate from an ultrasound program without completing these three components. But how does this work if a student studies sonography online? All schools that offer online sonography programs have affiliate diagnostic medical centers and hospitals located all over the country. This means that a student who is studying to become a sonographer via online ultrasound tech programs will have different options for clinical exposure.
Sonography Certification Online
Certificate programs for sonography are quite popular in the United States, with over 83 schools offering certificate education. It is targeted towards students who have previously taken allied health medical training, such as nursing. These programs last for 12 to 18 months, generally shorter than an associate degree or bachelor degree program. They can be found in most community colleges and universities in the US, with different specialties (e.g. general, pediatric). The best list of accredited sonography programs by location and degree can be found through the link.
Overview on Clinical Training
Clinical training is an important part of training to be sonographer; preparing the student for actual clinical sonography on the job. There are many aspects to clinical sonography. Headway is being made on advanced diagnostic sonography, particularly in differentiating benign from malignant breast tumors. A recent study by Stavros, et. al showed that sonography was able to diagnose if solid breast nodules were benign or malignant, implying that sonography could be used to make a final diagnosis instead of an invasive biopsy. Studies on therapeutic sonography are being made as well, showing how clinical sonography could have therapeutic value.
Online ultrasound tech programs are not your only option for training. There are other available programs in the United States that are readily available, such as (1) certificate, (2) associate degree, and (3) bachelor degree programs. Depending on your needs, any of these programs would work best as long as they are accredited by the CAAHEP.
Sonography Certification Online
Certificate programs for sonography are quite popular in the United States, with over 83 schools offering certificate education. It is targeted towards students who have previously taken allied health medical training, such as nursing. These programs last for 12 to 18 months, generally shorter than an associate degree or bachelor degree program. They can be found in most community colleges and universities in the US, with different specialties (e.g. general, pediatric). The best list of accredited sonography programs by location and degree can be found through the link.
Overview on Clinical Training
Clinical training is an important part of training to be sonographer; preparing the student for actual clinical sonography on the job. There are many aspects to clinical sonography. Headway is being made on advanced diagnostic sonography, particularly in differentiating benign from malignant breast tumors. A recent study by Stavros, et. al showed that sonography was able to diagnose if solid breast nodules were benign or malignant, implying that sonography could be used to make a final diagnosis instead of an invasive biopsy. Studies on therapeutic sonography are being made as well, showing how clinical sonography could have therapeutic value.
Online ultrasound tech programs are not your only option for training. There are other available programs in the United States that are readily available, such as (1) certificate, (2) associate degree, and (3) bachelor degree programs. Depending on your needs, any of these programs would work best as long as they are accredited by the CAAHEP.