Neurodiagnostic Technologist Schools
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A picture is worth a million thoughts. At least that’s what a neurodiagnostic technician or technologist (NDT) might tell you. While other photographers are stuck with surface images, NDTs can capture the thought and brain patterns of their subjects using sophisticated machinery. Neurodiagnostic technologists learn how to apply different neurological scans, capture brain information, and analyze it to help those with neurological disorders. This field is also referred to as electroneurodiagnostic (END) technology.
Although four-year bachelor of science (BS) degree programs are available, most NDT positions only require a two-year associate of applied science (AAS) degree. For aspiring NDTs, there are several programs to choose from—some with 100 percent of their graduates landing full-time employment upon graduation, such as the program at the Mayo Clinic. Students who choose to further their career as neurodiagnostic technologists can complete additional schooling and specialize by earning a certificate in sleep disorders, electroencephalogram (EEG) testing, or epilepsy.
Neurodiagnostic technology appears to be a lucrative career on the rise. According to Payscale, salaries for NDTs can range from around $39,000 to over $82,500 annually, depending on training and experience. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2022) projects that this field, which the organization classifies under the medical technologists and technicians, will grow 7 percent between 2021 and 2031, nearly as fast as the average growth expected for all occupations during the same decade (5 percent).
NDT schooling might be a perfect choice for those interested in a growing healthcare career that probes deeper than a surface level.
Neurodiagnostic Technologist Degree & Certification Programs
While new students to the field of neurodiagnostic technology may benefit from an associate of science (AS) or associate of applied science (AAS) degree in the area, more seasoned healthcare professionals or those already with degrees may consider a certification program to increase their employment marketability. An AAS provides students with necessary healthcare experiences allowing them to determine whether an electrodiagnostic (END) career is a good fit for their personality and skill set.
For an AAS degree, students can apply directly out of high school, or with minimal background in the medical field. Still, some programs require specific clinical or educational standards to be met before beginning the program. AS and certificate programs are likely to have similar admissions standards. For a bachelor of science (BS) program, students should be prepared to submit to a more rigorous admissions process.
Following is a sampling of programs in neurodiagnostic technology that represent the types of programs available to interested students:
At their Washington Campus in Phoenix, Arizona, Gateway Community College offers an associate of applied science program in electroneurodiagnostic technology.
Before beginning the program, students must complete two semesters of prerequisites, including courses in human anatomy, composition, and algebra. After fulfilling those course requirements, students begin the program, which will take an additional five semesters.
- Location: Phoenix, AZ
- Duration: Two years
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- Tuition: $6,839-$10,750 total
The Mayo Clinic, located in Rochester, Minnesota, is one of the top healthcare schools as listed by the U.S. News and World Report (2021). The clinical neurophysiology program at the Mayo Clinic admits only up to eight students per year.
In addition, students who complete this program receive an AS degree from the Rochester Community and Technical College and a certificate. The 24-month program requires students to have a high school diploma and coursework in biology and algebra.
Applicants must complete a job shadow before enrollment. Ninety percent of students graduating from this program pass their national board exam on the first try, and 100 percent are placed in jobs after graduation.
- Location: Rochester, MN
- Duration: Two years
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Tuition: None; all students automatically receive a full scholarship
One of the few four-year neurodiagnostic programs, this is an excellent program for students who are looking for a well-rounded education. The UNC neurodiagnostic and sleep science (NDSS) bachelor’s degree program is located at the school’s Charlotte, North Carolina campus.
This program builds on previous knowledge, so applicants should already be working as sleep technologists or electroneurodiagnostic technologists and should hold an associate’s degree. An RPSGT or REEGT credential is required for application. Upon graduation, 100 percent of participants in this program are gainfully employed.
- Location: Charlotte, NC
- Duration: Four years
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Tuition: $3,509.50 per semester
Located in Costa Mesa, California, Orange Coast College, offers a 22-month program that is compliant with the standards set by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and prepares students to take the ABRET EEG Technician Certification exam. The program offers admission to students in the fall of even years only. Students already working in the field may choose to complete an abbreviated certificate program rather than the full AAS curriculum.
- Location: Costa Mesa, CA
- Duration: 22 months
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Tuition: $9,870 per year
Located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Kirkwood Community College offers a CAAHEP-accredited degree program in electroneurodiagnostic (END) technology, affiliated with the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics, is best known for its small class sizes and intense one-on-one training. Iowa residents who enroll in the program may be eligible to have half of their tuition paid by the state’s Kibbie Grant program, which is another incentive to apply.
- Location: Cedar Rapids, IA
- Duration: Two years
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Tuition: $200-400 per credit hour
For those looking to explore even more on-campus options, the American Society of Electroneurodiagnostic Technologists (ASET) provides a comprehensive list of every college that provides an accredited degree program, including AS, AAS, BS, and certification program options.
List of Neurodiagnostic Technologist Schools
| School | City | State | Website | grads (2018) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concorde Career College-San Bernardino | San Bernardino | California | www.concorde.edu/campus/san-bernardino-california | 38 |
| Alvin Community College | Alvin | Texas | www.alvincollege.edu | 25 |
| American Institute of Medical Sciences & Education | Piscataway | New Jersey | www.aimseducation.edu | 21 |
| Orange Coast College | Costa Mesa | California | www.orangecoastcollege.edu | 20 |
| Collin County Community College District | McKinney | Texas | www.collin.edu | 13 |
| Concorde Career College-Grand Prairie | Grand Prairie | Texas | www.concorde.edu/campus/grand-prairie-texas | 12 |
| Delaware County Community College | Media | Pennsylvania | www.dccc.edu | 12 |
| Lincoln Land Community College | Springfield | Illinois | www.llcc.edu | 12 |
| GateWay Community College | Phoenix | Arizona | www.gatewaycc.edu | 10 |
| Carnegie Institute | Troy | Michigan | www.carnegie-institute.edu | 9 |
| Johnson County Community College | Overland Park | Kansas | www.jccc.edu | 9 |
| Kirkwood Community College | Cedar Rapids | Iowa | www.kirkwood.edu | 8 |
| Bellevue College | Bellevue | Washington | bellevuecollege.edu | 7 |
| Cuyahoga Community College District | Cleveland | Ohio | www.tri-c.edu | 7 |
| Rochester Community and Technical College | Rochester | Minnesota | www.rctc.edu | 6 |
| University of Holy Cross | New Orleans | Louisiana | uhcno.edu | 6 |
| Catawba Valley Community College | Hickory | North Carolina | www.cvcc.edu | 5 |
| Harford Community College | Bel Air | Maryland | www.harford.edu | 4 |
| Midwestern Career College | Chicago | Illinois | www.mccollege.edu | 4 |
| Sinclair Community College | Dayton | Ohio | www.sinclair.edu | 4 |
| Southeast Technical Institute | Sioux Falls | South Dakota | www.southeasttech.edu | 2 |
Hybrid & Online Neurodiagnostic Technologist Programs
While several traditional colleges offer on-campus neurodiagnostic technology (NDT) degrees, there are few accredited online and hybrid options due to the vital clinical portion that students must complete at an approved medical site. However, some programs offer the convenience and flexibility of hybrid (online + in-person) coursework for students that require more flexibility.
Two programs offer online courses expected to be completed in conjunction with supervised practicums (i.e., the hands-on portion of NDT training):
Labouré College offers one of the few online NDT programs and is at the cutting edge of professional distance education. This 12-month program prepares students to perform a variety of procedures, including electroencephalograms (EEG), evoked potentials (EP), polysomnograms (PSG), nerve conduction monitoring (NCM), and more.
Additionally, this CAAHEP-accredited program gives students the independence to find their own clinical facilities, where they are expected to complete at least 16 hours per week of supervised work for the duration of the program. These placements can be secured with the assistance of a program coordinator.
- Location: Milton, MA
- Duration: One year
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Tuition: $475 per credit
The two-year electroneurodiagnostic (END) program combines online coursework with supervised clinical practicums. While completing rigorous classes on the web, including electroneurodiagnostics, neurological disorders, and emergency preparedness, students are expected to complete at least 15 hours per week at a pre-approved clinical site. This school is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
Students graduating from these programs are generally eligible to take the national certification exam for EEG Technicians administered by the American Board of Registration of Electroencephalographic and Evoked Potential Technologists (ABRET).
As regional and clinic-specific certification guidelines may vary, it is important to verify with program administrators that schools can meet student-specific needs before enrollment.
- Location: Hunt Valley, MD
- Duration: 48 weeks
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Tuition: $14,400 for the entire year
| School | City | State | Website | grads (2018) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Institute of Health Sciences | Hunt Valley | Maryland | www.iohs.org | 79 |
| Laboure College | Milton | Massachusetts | www.laboure.edu | 41 |
| Pamlico Community College | Grantsboro | North Carolina | www.pamlicocc.edu | 13 |
Core & Elective Courses in Neurodiagnostic Technologist Programs
For neurodiagnostic technology programs, program duration may vary depending on the degree earned (e.g., associate, bachelor's, or certificate), but overall the curriculum is very much the same. Candidates are taught how to use various neurodiagnostic machines, such as an electroencephalogram (EEG) and how to interpret and analyze readings from these machines.
Some of the courses in the program curriculum may include:
- Basic core curriculum: For an associate (AS or AAS) degree program, students are required to take basic science, math, and English courses.
- Electroencephalography: This teaches neurological patterning and how the brain’s physical composition affects electrical reading of the EEG machine. This class also shows how to apply electrodes to patients' scalps to take EEG readings.
- Introduction to neuroscience: All NDT students must have a good basic understanding of the neurological functions of the brain and the parts of the nervous system. In this course, students are exposed to various imaging techniques and how to identify types of synaptic potentials.
- Clinical correlations: This coursework connects the readings from electrodiagnostic machines to specific neurological disorders and diseases. Specifically, students are taught how to recognize readings associated with epilepsy, sleep disorders, and pediatric conditions.
- Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IOM): This class—often offered as an introductory course—shows how to monitor patients' EEGs and evoked potentials (EPs), in addition to instructing on neuromuscular applications.
- Evoked potentials (EP): This class instructs students in stimulating ("evoking") and recognizing neural activity based on auditory, visual, and physical stimuli.
- Polysomnography (PSG or sleep studies): Although this class is usually offered as an introductory course, it can provide the basis for further NDT specialization. It teaches how to recognize stages of sleep, sleep disorders, and potential treatment options.
Accreditation of Neurodiagnostic Technologist Programs
Neurodiagnostic Technologist degrees must be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). However, different specialties may require certification through an independent specialty board.
In addition, many schools comply with standards set by the Committee on Accreditation for Education in Neurodiagnostic Technology (CoA-NDT). This body does a thorough investigation of the university or college in question, including a site visit, a review of the student outcomes at the school, and a curriculum audit to ensure that courses are compliant with CAAHEP's benchmarks.
All NDT programs, whether online or in a brick-and-mortar setting, should be compliant with the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and listed as an accredited university or trade school with the U.S. Department of Education.
Suppose a student is planning on attending an online or hybrid neurodiagnostic technology program. In that case, it may be advisable to ensure that a school complies with the Distance Education Accreditation Council (DEAC). In this accreditation process, the DEAC confirms that the online university is financially sound, helping real students, and providing education in compliance with state standards.
Career Outlook
Because Neurodiagnostic Technology is such a specialized industry, O*NET (2023) projects these career opportunities to grow between 4 to 7 percent or more between 2021 and 2031. The growth rate for this profession is on par with the national average of 5 percent. This growth is mostly due to the projected increase in aging baby boomers and their related neural dysfunctions.
In addition, as scientists look more at the connection between neurology and increased aberrant behaviors (such as autism or ADHD) more young people will need the services of neurodiagnostic technicians and specialists.
There are several specializations, which may be even in more demand. Intraoperative neuromonitoring technologists make an average of $66,234 per year, according to PayScale.com (2023), while neurophysiology technologists can make a little over $65,000 per year.
Although it is possible to get a job as a neurodiagnostic technologist without a degree, pay increases with certification and an associate’s degree. Earning professional credentials and pursuing a formal education can also lead to better wages, as a technologist degree can be transferred towards a specialist program.
Licensing & Certification of Neurodiagnostic Technologists
It is possible to work as a neurodiagnostic technologist without a degree, as long as the applicant has extensive experience working with neurodiagnostic machines and software. For instance, a medical assistant or sonographer could potentially be hired for this type of position, as long as they can prove a significant mastery of the equipment and other responsibilities.
Still, many employers will not hire a neurodiagnostic technician without some form of licensure or certification. There are several ways to accomplish this, depending on what specialty one would like to pursue.
The American Association of Electrodiagnostic Technologists (AAET) offers certification for Registered Nerve Conduction Study Technology (R.NCS.T), which both degree holders and non-degree holders can complete. Students not completing electrodiagnostic technologist programs can still take the certification exam, provided that they have at least one year of experience in Nerve Conduction Studies and an equivalent of two years of college courses in biology, math, anatomy, English, and physiology.
A majority of NDT, END, and EEG applicants are required to obtain an associate’s degree in NDT Technology as well pass a national certification exam through the American Board of Registration of Electroencephalographic & Evoked Potential Technologists (ABRET). There are six certifications available, and the requirements for each vary slightly. In general, students will need to have completed a CAAHEP-accredited program and some hands-on work experience.
