Best Ultrasound Technician Schools

Overview

Thomas Jefferson University has a formidable ultrasound school of programs, which is housed under its Department of Radiologic Sciences. Its programs, which are accredited by the CAAHEP by the recommendation of the JRC-DMS, grant students the ability to sit for the general and specialized credentialing exams administered by ARDMS.

Program Features

The Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences offers three sonography concentrations for students, providing them with options to further specialize in their field of choice. These concentrations can be applied to BS-RS alone or combined with one other concentration. This provides students the ability to study one concentration for one year of their last two years at Thomas Jefferson University. Students often choose the dual-concentration track to help diversify their career prospects upon graduating. Your concentration choices include:

• General Sonography
• Cardiac Sonography
• Vascular Sonography

Notables

Like with most universities in this ranking, students must first satisfy the general education requirements before applying to the Radiologic Sciences department for their sonography major. Once a student has entered the program, they will spend the last two years of their degree focusing only the concentrations. Credit hour and clinical experience requirements are tailored to a student’s study plan, and so it is encouraged that a plan is made with an advisor prior to signing up for courses.

Overview

Boise State University has a strong diagnostic medical sonography program that is suitable for healthcare professionals who are interested in becoming an ultrasound specialist. The program is accredited by CAAHEP under the recommendation of the JRC-DMS and students are eligible to sit for the ARRT and ARDMS credentialing exams.

Program Features

The Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Radiology with a Diagnostic Medical Sonography Emphasis is an intensive program that is designed to prepare students for an exciting new profession. Once students are accepted into the program, they will be required to fulfill the 126 credit hours for completion, including clinical experiences and the COBE Computer Placement Exam. Sample courses include:

• Critical Review of Health Care Research
• Special Sonographic Procedures
• Comparative Sectional Imaging

Notables

This program is a full-time, one calendar year-long program that focuses on integrated classroom and clinical experiences. The selection process is competitive, so the program is open only to those students who are credentialed or licensed health care professionals with a minimum of an associate’s degree in a healthcare field. Students are also required to show proof of work and education experience, as well as meeting the pre-requisite general course work requirements.

Overview

Seattle University has a strong, comprehensive ultrasound tech school that is nationally recognized as one of the country’s best degrees in this area. Students can earn a Bachelor of Diagnostic Ultrasound Degree in four years and are eligible to sit for the ARDMS certification exams. This program is accredited by the CAAHEP upon the recommendation of the JRC-DMS.

Program Features

This program requires a student finish general education and sonography pre-requisite courses prior to applying for the program. This BS-DMS program has a General Vascular Track and requires a minimum of 180 credits for graduation, with 130 credits come from the major alone. All courses not included in the major are eligible to be transferred in from another regionally accredited institution. Sample major courses include:

• Echocardiography
• Evolution of Ecology
• Ultrasound Instrumentation

Notables

This program is taught in the cohort model and requires that students participate in the summer term to complete the necessary courses within two years. Only students with approval from the department can have an extension on the degree deadline. This degree is intensive and includes courses and seminars on the state of public and global health challenges as well as philosophy and theology courses on the human body. An internship and a thesis are also required for degree completion.

Overview

Rush University offers any prospective ultrasound technician the opportunity to gain an undergraduate degree in sonography that comes with a specialized major. The Bachelor of Science in Vascular Ultrasound is a popular program at this university and its graduates are eligible to sit for the ARDMS Registered Vascular Technologist certification exam. This program is accredited by the CAAHEP.

Program Features

This highly specialized degree grants students the ability to become trained and certified vascular ultrasound technicians. These technicians work exclusively in the realm of blood vessel disorders and often work as part of a team. Therefore, expert training by experienced practitioners is necessary. Rush University is proud to have a faculty that meets this requirement. This degree requires 156 total credit hours for graduation, 96 of which come straight from the Vascular Ultrasound and Technology Curriculum. Sample courses include:

• Cumulative Clinical Skills in Vascular Ultrasound
• Venous Ultrasound Procedures
• Arterial Physiologic Procedures

Notables

Students will be required to finish the General Core prior to applying for this program, and these requirements must be met at Rush or another regionally accredited institution. Once students have entered the program, the VUT curriculum takes two years to complete with full-time, year-round study. Labs and clinical experiences, along with case study and research presentations are also a requirement.

Overview

Bryan College of Health Sciences is a specialized ultrasound technician school, where the undergraduate DMS programs come with different tracks. It is a great school for students who are already aware of which sonography specialty they wish to have a career in. All graduates from the DMS programs at Bryan will qualify to sit for the ARDMS general and specialization certification exams.

Program Features

There are two tracks sonography students can take at Bryan College. They include Adult Cardiac and Vascular Sonography, which is a dual major, or Vascular Sonography, which is considered a minor. Both tracks are in specializations that are currently highly in demand in the workforce and will give students a competitive advantage when looking for employment. Between the two tracks, you’ll take classes like:

• Sonography of Superficial Structures
• ACS Skills Enhancement
• CV Physiology

Notables

The Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography with a Vascular Minor requires a total of 120 credit hours and is completed over four years. The Bachelor of Science in Adult Cardiac Sonography/Vascular Sonography is 140 credit hour, four-year program that is taught in the cohort model.

Overview

Grand Valley State University offers ultrasound techs the opportunity to gain a Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. This degree was designed for students who are interested in becoming specialized sonographers.

Program Features

This degree is a 21-month program that begins once students have fulfilled the General Education Curriculum for the degree. The selection process is competitive, and students are encouraged to contact an advisor prior to applying to ensure they meet the pre-requisites needed for the program. Courses cover topics like:

• Medical Ethics and Patient Care
• Sonographic Specialities
• Ultrasound Physics

Notables

Once students are accepted, they are entered into the cohort program. This is an interactive degree, meaning students spend as much time in lab and clinical experiences as they do in the classroom. This program is accredited by JRC-DMS and graduates are qualified to sit for the ARDMS registry exams prior to graduation.

Overview

Allen College provides a strong program for students interested in becoming ultrasound technicians. The Diagnostic Medical Sonography programs at this school can result in either a certificate or a Bachelor of Health Sciences Degree in Sonography. This program is accredited by CAAHEP and students are eligible to sit for the ARRT or ARDMS certification exams.

Program Features

This is a 21 month, full-time sonography program with a comprehensive curriculum. Clinical experiences are required and so students are expected not to work full-time while earning their degrees. Courses and lab experiences are often taken at different sites, so it is a recommended program for those that already live in the area. The sonography courses are taken in sequential order. They include:

• Human Sectional Anatomy
• Ultrasound Imaging
• Advanced Physics

Notables

The goal of this program is to prepare students to become independent ultrasound specialists who can also work as part of a team. For the bachelor degree, students are required to complete 124 credit hours, 63 credit hours of which make up the DMS curriculum, as well as three clinical practicums. The certification option requires 80 credits and the same DMS curriculum as the undergraduate degree.

Overview

The Mayo Clinic College of Medicine has partnered with the University of Minnesota to provide an exceptional ultrasound technician school experience. The program, which is taught at the Mayo Clinic College and the university, gives students the opportunity to work with real patients while still earning their degree. This program is accredited by CAAHEP and its graduates are eligible to sit for the ARDMS certification exams in a variety of specialties.

Program Features

Mayo Clinic College is also unique in that it offers its 21-month program as a stand-alone certificate for students who already have a bachelor’s degree. This opportunity is perfect for students who have a healthcare-related educational background and would like to specialize in sonography. Certificates are available in the following sonography areas:

• Abdomen
• Pbstetrics and Gynecology
• Vascular Technology

Notables

The Bachelor of Science in Health Professions — Sonography track is also a great fit for students interested in sonography. The four-year program gives students the chance to learn how to perform patient assessments, provide written and oral summary of findings to physicians in a team environment, and learn how to analyze ultrasound results in an independent and responsible manner.

Overview

Georgia Southern University offers a track to interested ultra sound tech students within its Department of Radiologic Sciences. This track is nestled within the Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences and allows students to learn about the general radiology field while specializing in sonography.

Program Features

This degree is an interdisciplinary program, combining the high-tech aspects of the radiology professions with the skills needed to become a vital part of a healthcare team. For sonography students, this dual focus is highly sought and has resulted in this specialization becoming highly competitive, with only 20 students admitted every year. Courses cover a variety of subjects, including:

• Abdominal Sonography
• Sonography Technology and Innovation
• Introduction to DMS

Notables

At Georgia Southern, students are expected to complete at least 120 credit hours plus a practicum experience in order to graduate. These courses are taught in a variety of methods but focus primarily on lab simulations and lectures, which allows students to practice their skills soon after learning them in order to commit them to memory.

Overview

Baptist Memorial College of Health Sciences is proud to be considered the home of one of the most popular sonography programs for students who wish to become an ultrasound tech. This program is accredited by the CAAHEP through the recommendation of the JRC-DMS. It is also one of the few programs on this list that ensures students will become candidates for the certification exams administered by the ARDMS, which can lead to further certification.

Program Features

This school has been a leader in diagnostic medical sonography programs since 1986. Through the integration of online courses, on-campus lectures, lab simulations and clinical practicum experiences, students gain a professional-level mastery of sonography that will carry them through their careers and even into graduate education. Baptist College requires 126 credit hours, including clinical practicums, for graduation. Students can expect to take a variety of sonography courses during their last two years of the degree. Example topics include:

• CV Hemodynamics and Physiology
• Foundations of DMS
• Pathophysiology

Notables

The sonography courses and experiences take up to six consecutive academic terms to complete and are as time-consuming as they are comprehensive, with the clinical experiences requiring at least 16 hours of week at an approved clinical environment. For this reason, students are encouraged not to seek full-time work while getting their degree.