Because the outlook for sonographers this 2014 is among the best in the field of health care, there is an influx of secondary school graduates choosing sonography for postgraduate education. Studying to become an ultrasound technician is the first step in a career in sonography. Choosing the right program that offers the best schooling for ultrasound tech is the number one concern students have – the kind of program and how long it will take to accomplish.
Studying sonography
Commonly termed as the DMS – diagnostic medical sonography - program in most schools, sonography can be found in local community colleges and technical and vocational schools. There are three kinds of programs in terms of how long it takes to complete: certificate, associate degree, and bachelor degree programs. The first takes 12 months to complete, the second two years, and the last four years. All of these programs require students to complete a number of didactic (instructional) hours and clinical hours.
The option of distance education
Distance education is for students who have problems the schedule of classes and can find it expensive to dorm on campus or commute. With distance education, students can complete all classes online, sending in tests and other written works through the internet. This is very helpful, especially if a student is
financially constrained and cannot regularly attend classes. However, a certain number of hours in clinical training still need to be accomplished.
financially constrained and cannot regularly attend classes. However, a certain number of hours in clinical training still need to be accomplished.
CAAHEP-accredited programs
CAAHEP is an organization that accredits DMS programs offered by schools all over the country. They make sure that the program follows the standard curriculum set by the organization to ensure that students get the best training possible. In 2013, there were only 200 accredited schools in the country, and only three offering online DMS programs (further details here).
The three schools are:
Adventist University of Health Sciences
2145 MetroCenter Boulevard, Orlando Florida
Associate degree in General Sonography
Associate degree in Cardiac Sonography
Associate degree in Vascular Sonography
Contact person: Charlotte Henningsen
E-mail: [email protected]
Telephone number: (404) 303-5733
Jackson Community College
211 Emmons Road, Jackson, Mississippi
Associate degree in General Sonography
Associate degree in Cardiac Sonography
Associate degree in Vascular Sonography
Contact person: Stephen Geiersbach, Carol Hoch, Heather Ruttkofsky
E-mail: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
Telephone number: (517) 796-8494/ 8529/ 8531
Washburn University
1700 SW College Avenue, Topeka, Kansas
Certificate/Bachelor degree in General Sonography
Certificate/Bachelor degree in Cardiac Sonography
Certificate/Bachelor degree in Vascular Sonography
Contact person: Keith Farwell
E-mail: [email protected]
Telephone number: 785-670-2293
All of these schools are accredited by the CAAHEP and offer the best online sonography programs in the country. The number of accredited schools with schooling for ultrasound tech will only grow in number in 2014. Choosing a program is no longer difficult because there are 200 schools that offer quality sonography training in the US.
The three schools are:
Adventist University of Health Sciences
2145 MetroCenter Boulevard, Orlando Florida
Associate degree in General Sonography
Associate degree in Cardiac Sonography
Associate degree in Vascular Sonography
Contact person: Charlotte Henningsen
E-mail: [email protected]
Telephone number: (404) 303-5733
Jackson Community College
211 Emmons Road, Jackson, Mississippi
Associate degree in General Sonography
Associate degree in Cardiac Sonography
Associate degree in Vascular Sonography
Contact person: Stephen Geiersbach, Carol Hoch, Heather Ruttkofsky
E-mail: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
Telephone number: (517) 796-8494/ 8529/ 8531
Washburn University
1700 SW College Avenue, Topeka, Kansas
Certificate/Bachelor degree in General Sonography
Certificate/Bachelor degree in Cardiac Sonography
Certificate/Bachelor degree in Vascular Sonography
Contact person: Keith Farwell
E-mail: [email protected]
Telephone number: 785-670-2293
All of these schools are accredited by the CAAHEP and offer the best online sonography programs in the country. The number of accredited schools with schooling for ultrasound tech will only grow in number in 2014. Choosing a program is no longer difficult because there are 200 schools that offer quality sonography training in the US.