Diagnostic Medical Sonography Schools
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While the average person may immediately associate diagnostic medical sonography—or ultrasound technology—with images of babies growing inside the womb, the field extends beyond obstetrics and gynecology to cardiac, vascular, and even pediatric sonography. Many sonographers focus on general sonography to keep their employment options open, but the specialization possibilities are extensive.
Sonographers (i.e., ultrasound technicians) work closely with trained physicians in capturing and interpreting sonographic images. The Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS) adds that practitioners get deeper insights into whether a person’s body functions properly by using high-frequency sound waves to elucidate structures such as organs or blood flow patterns.
In granular terms, sonographers take diagnostic scans; ensure patient safety with proper methods and equipment; maintain detailed patient records (e.g., anatomical or pathological abnormalities); and educate patients on sonographic devices.
Schools nationwide offer diagnostic medical sonography (DMS) programs, with distance learning options becoming increasingly prevalent. In addition to coursework, students are expected to complete a supervised clinical practicum to garner real experience working in a professional environment. This hands-on, practical training must be completed before certification.
While many national organizations offer credentials, no single licensing requirement is recognized by the federal government. While certification and licensure may be voluntary, employers typically prefer registered sonographers. Certification, such as that offered through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT), can be accomplished following the completion of an accredited diagnostic medical sonography program and exam.
It’s important to note that beginning January 1, 2015, the ARRT began requiring candidates to have at least an associate degree before seeking credentialing, although this degree need not be in DMS.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS May 2022), diagnostic medical sonographers make an average annual salary of $84,410. Additionally, the BLS (2022) projected that openings in this field will swell 10 percent between 2021 and 2031, an astonishing rate considering that the average growth for all occupations is 5 percent. The addition of 14,700 jobs nationwide will continue to impact opportunities in this field for years to come.
To increase employment opportunities, diagnostic medical sonographers can earn specializations in cardiology, which is projected to grow 8 percent in the same decade.
Attending one of many reputable diagnostic medical sonography schools may be the perfect option for those interested in a relatively lucrative and fast-growing career in the medical field.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer fast facts | |
---|---|
Projected Jobs Created | 14,400 |
Projected Job Growth | 10% |
Average Salary | $84,410 |
Low Salary | $59,640 |
High Salary | $101,650 |
Entry-Level EDU | Associate Degree |
Source: BLS 2022 |
Sonography Degree & Certification Programs
Training programs throughout the country allow students to earn either a certificate of completion, an associate degree, or a bachelor’s degree in diagnostic medical sonography. However, it should be noted that to qualify for certification through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT)—one of the predominant credentials in the field—students must earn at minimum an associate degree.
Before enrolling in any diagnostic medical sonography courses, students should familiarize themselves with the educational and licensing requirements in the state where they wish to practice.
Those seeking to specialize in a certain type of sonography—areas such as obstetric and gynecological (OB/GYN), vascular, cardiac, or pediatric—should look for programs that offer either direct specialization tracks or clinical practicum options in those fields.
Each program on the following list has, at minimum, earned accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). The list provides a general cross-section of programs offering training at hospitals, universities, and colleges running the spectrum from certificate to four-year bachelor of science (BS) degrees.
At this hospital in Southfield, Michigan, students can complete a 21-month certificate course in diagnostic medical sonography under the direct supervision of trained professionals in the School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
In order to be eligible for this program, applicants must be certified as radiologic technologists and/or have a minimum of an associate degree (healthcare fields preferred but not required). Several prerequisite courses (e.g., physics, algebra, anatomy) must be completed prior to admission. A full list is available on the program website.
The program includes classroom learning and clinical instruction on obstetrics, abdominal, gynecology, superficial anatomy, vascular ultrasound examinations, and sonographic physics and instrumentation.
- Location: Southfield, MI
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP); Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS); Joint Commission of American Hospital Organizations (JCAHO)
- Expected Time to Completion: 21 months
- Estimated Tuition: $9,000
The University of Colorado at Denver
At the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Denver, the Department of Radiology offers a highly selective diagnostic medical sonography certificate program. Approximately six to seven students are selected each year from a pool of 40 to 60 applicants to complete the 13-month program. The program includes classroom and clinical training.
Before admission, students must have an associate degree from a two-year allied health program or a bachelor’s degree in a science or medical field. Direct patient care experience and documented observation within the ultrasound field are also highly valued in the application process.
The program’s curriculum focuses on obstetric and gynecologic ultrasound, ultrasound physics, abdomen, and superficial parts. Additional topics include pediatric, vascular, fetal echocardiography, and breast and musculoskeletal ultrasound.
- Location: Denver, CO
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Expected Time to Completion: 13 months
- Estimated Tuition: $11,500
Located in Palatine, Illinois, the Harper College diagnostic medical sonography associate degree program is appropriate for those students who do not have the prerequisites necessary to qualify for the above certificate programs.
The curriculum of this 71-credit program includes courses such as ultrasound physics and instrumentation; sonography theory; healthcare technology and informatics; legal and ethical issues in health care; introduction to the medical sonography clinical; abdominal and small parts sonography; and obstetrical and gynecological sonography. This coursework helps prepare students for the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) certification exams in either general or cardiac sonography, depending on the path they choose.
- Location: Palatine, IL
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Expected Time to Completion: four semesters
- Estimated Tuition: In-district residents ($135.50 per credit); out-of-district ($390.50 per credit); out-of-state ($468 per credit)
University of Nebraska Medical Center
The College of Allied Health Professions, located at the Medical Center campus of the University of Nebraska in Omaha offers students the opportunity to earn either a post-baccalaureate professional certificate in diagnostic medical sonography or a BS degree in medical imaging & therapeutic sciences upon completion of the program. Graduates are also eligible to take the ARDMS credentialing exams specific to their field of study. The program offers two specialty track options: general or cardiovascular.
The BS program requires a minimum of 120 credits, while the certificate comprises a minimum of 40 semester hours. The curriculum includes courses such as ultrasound physics; vascular anatomy and physiology; orientation to cardiovascular sonography; cardiac anatomy and physiology; cardiac pathology and hemodynamics; high-resolution sonography; genitourinary ultrasound; and gynecological ultrasound.
- Location: Omaha, NE
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Expected Time to Completion: 12 months
- Estimated Tuition: $10,345
At both their Rochester, MN and Jacksonville, FL campuses, the internationally acclaimed Mayo Clinic offers training in diagnostic medical sonography. The program takes 21 months to complete. Students may choose to receive a certificate of completion from the Mayo School of Health Sciences or to pursue a BS in health professions (BSHP) in collaboration with the University of Minnesota, Rochester. Class sizes are limited to 12 students and this program boasts a 100 percent first-time pass rate on the board exam.
As part of the program, students will delve into topics such as foundations of sonography; abdomen sonography; cross-sectional abdominal anatomy; gynecologic sonography; vascular technology; fetal anomalies; superficial sonography; ultrasound physics; and pediatric sonography.
- Location: Rochester, MN; Jacksonville, FL
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Expected Time to Completion: 21 months
- Estimated Tuition: $271 per credit
Seattle University is one of the few programs that offers a BS degree specifically in diagnostic ultrasound. The curriculum of the program provides students with the clinical experience and academic foundation necessary for pursuing rewarding careers in diagnostic medical sonography. The program offers three curriculum tracks, which include: general, cardiac, and vascular, allowing students to personalize their program experience.
This 4-year program is made up of 180 credits including coursework in anatomy & physiology; ultrasound physics; ultrasound instrumentation; pathophysiology; vascular sonography; cardiac sonography; clinical experience in ultrasound; and leadership for health equity.
Applicants may enter the program as freshmen with a high school diploma or GED, or may choose to transfer in later in their academic career. Students in this program benefit from a student-to-faculty ratio of 8:1 and the university also offers more than 100 clinical internship settings nationwide for students to gain hands-on experience.
- Location: Seattle, WA
- Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities; Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Expected Time to Completion: 48 months
- Estimated Tuition: $1,118 per credit
List of Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Schools
School | City | State | Website | grads (2018) |
---|---|---|---|---|
High Desert Medical College | Lancaster | California | www.hdmc.edu | 167 |
Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale | Fort Lauderdale | Florida | www.keiseruniversity.edu | 137 |
West Coast Ultrasound Institute | Beverly Hills | California | wcui.edu | 128 |
CBD College | Los Angeles | California | www.cbd.edu | 107 |
Central California School of Continuing Education | San Luis Obispo | California | ccsce.org | 100 |
New York Medical Career Training Center | Flushing | New York | www.nymedtraining.com | 93 |
Thomas Jefferson University | Philadelphia | Pennsylvania | www.jefferson.edu | 87 |
EDIC College | Caguas | Puerto Rico | www.ediccollege.edu | 86 |
Oregon Institute of Technology | Klamath Falls | Oregon | www.oit.edu | 81 |
Platt College-Los Angeles | Alhambra | California | www.plattcollege.edu | 77 |
Platt College-Riverside | Riverside | California | www.plattcollege.edu | 74 |
Platt College-Ontario | Ontario | California | www.plattcollege.edu | 71 |
MCPHS University | Boston | Massachusetts | www.mcphs.edu | 67 |
Cambridge College of Healthcare & Technology | Delray Beach | Florida | www.cambridgehealth.edu | 63 |
Grand Valley State University | Allendale | Michigan | www.gvsu.edu | 54 |
Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts | San Mateo | California | www.gurnick.edu | 54 |
ATA College | Tulsa | Oklahoma | tulsa.ata.edu | 51 |
Miami Dade College | Miami | Florida | www.mdc.edu | 50 |
National Career Education | Citrus Heights | California | nce.edu | 50 |
Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Carolina Campus | Carolina | Puerto Rico | une.suagm.edu | 49 |
Institute for Business and Technology | Santa Clara | California | ibt.edu | 46 |
Florida Institute of Ultrasound Inc | Pensacola | Florida | www.fiuonline.net | 45 |
PCI College | Cerritos | California | www.pci-ed.com | 43 |
Center for Allied Health Education | Brooklyn | New York | www.cahe.edu | 42 |
Ponce Paramedical College Inc | Ponce | Puerto Rico | www.popac.edu | 42 |
The College of Health Care Professions-Northwest | Houston | Texas | www.chcp.edu | 42 |
Red Rocks Community College | Lakewood | Colorado | www.rrcc.edu | 38 |
Weber State University | Ogden | Utah | www.weber.edu | 38 |
Triton College | River Grove | Illinois | www.triton.edu | 33 |
Atenas College | Manati | Puerto Rico | www.atenascollege.edu | 32 |
Bellevue College | Bellevue | Washington | bellevuecollege.edu | 32 |
GateWay Community College | Phoenix | Arizona | www.gatewaycc.edu | 32 |
Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Cupey Campus | San Juan | Puerto Rico | umet.suagm.edu | 32 |
AdventHealth University | Orlando | Florida | www.ahu.edu | 31 |
Community College of Allegheny County | Pittsburgh | Pennsylvania | www.ccac.edu | 31 |
Houston International College Cardiotech Ultrasound School | Houston | Texas | cardiotech.org | 30 |
Lansing Community College | Lansing | Michigan | www.lcc.edu | 30 |
Lone Star College System | The Woodlands | Texas | www.lonestar.edu | 30 |
Rochester Institute of Technology | Rochester | New York | www.rit.edu | 30 |
Stautzenberger College-Brecksville | Brecksville | Ohio | www.sctoday.edu | 30 |
Casa Loma College-Van Nuys | Van Nuys | California | www.casalomacollege.edu | 29 |
Cuyahoga Community College District | Cleveland | Ohio | www.tri-c.edu | 29 |
Cypress College | Cypress | California | www.cypresscollege.edu | 29 |
North-West College-Long Beach | Long Beach | California | www.nw.edu | 29 |
South Hills School of Business & Technology | State College | Pennsylvania | www.southhills.edu | 29 |
The College of Health Care Professions-Fort Worth | Fort Worth | Texas | www.chcp.edu | 29 |
College of DuPage | Glen Ellyn | Illinois | www.cod.edu | 28 |
Lackawanna College | Scranton | Pennsylvania | www.lackawanna.edu | 28 |
Monroe College | Bronx | New York | www.monroecollege.edu | 28 |
American Institute of Medical Sciences & Education | Piscataway | New Jersey | www.aimseducation.edu | 27 |
Cardiac and Vascular Institute of Ultrasound | Mobile | Alabama | www.ultrasound.edu | 27 |
The College of Health Care Professions-San Antonio | San Antonio | Texas | chcp.edu | 27 |
George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville | Hanceville | Alabama | www.wallacestate.edu | 26 |
Spokane Community College | Spokane | Washington | scc.spokane.edu | 26 |
Western Suffolk BOCES | Northport | New York | www.wilsontech.org | 25 |
Baker College | Flint | Michigan | www.baker.edu | 24 |
North-West College-Santa Ana | Santa Ana | California | www.nw.edu | 24 |
El Centro College | Dallas | Texas | www.elcentrocollege.edu | 23 |
Pittsburgh Career Institute | Pittsburgh | Pennsylvania | www.pci.edu | 23 |
The University of Findlay | Findlay | Ohio | www.findlay.edu | 23 |
Loma Linda University | Loma Linda | California | home.llu.edu | 22 |
South College | Knoxville | Tennessee | www.south.edu | 22 |
Trocaire College | Buffalo | New York | trocaire.edu | 21 |
Austin Community College District | Austin | Texas | www.austincc.edu | 21 |
Central Ohio Technical College | Newark | Ohio | www.cotc.edu | 21 |
ECPI University | Virginia Beach | Virginia | www.ecpi.edu | 21 |
Gwinnett Technical College | Lawrenceville | Georgia | www.gwinnetttech.edu | 21 |
Houston Community College | Houston | Texas | www.hccs.edu | 21 |
Meridian College | Sarasota | Florida | www.meridian.edu | 21 |
Nova Southeastern University | Fort Lauderdale | Florida | www.nova.edu | 21 |
San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia | Visalia | California | www.sjvc.edu | 21 |
ATI College-Norwalk | Norwalk | California | www.ati.edu | 20 |
Palm Beach State College | Lake Worth | Florida | www.palmbeachstate.edu | 20 |
Elgin Community College | Elgin | Illinois | www.elgin.edu | 19 |
Medical Career Institute | Ocean | New Jersey | www.mcinj.edu | 19 |
Platt College-Anaheim | Anaheim | California | www.plattcollege.edu | 19 |
University of Oklahoma-Health Sciences Center | Oklahoma City | Oklahoma | ouhsc.edu | 19 |
University of Rio Grande | Rio Grande | Ohio | www.rio.edu | 19 |
Alvin Community College | Alvin | Texas | www.alvincollege.edu | 18 |
American Institute-West Hartford | West Hartford | Connecticut | americaninstitute.com | 18 |
College of Southern Nevada | Las Vegas | Nevada | www.csn.edu | 18 |
Georgia Northwestern Technical College | Rome | Georgia | www.gntc.edu | 18 |
Great Lakes Institute of Technology | Erie | Pennsylvania | www.glit.edu | 18 |
Hunter Business School | Levittown | New York | hunterbusinessschool.edu | 18 |
ICPR Junior College-Mayaguez | Mayaguez | Puerto Rico | www.icprjc.edu | 18 |
Lamar Institute of Technology | Beaumont | Texas | www.lit.edu | 18 |
Southeastern College-West Palm Beach | West Palm Beach | Florida | www.sec.edu | 18 |
University of Charleston | Charleston | West Virginia | www.ucwv.edu | 18 |
Eastern Florida State College | Cocoa | Florida | www.easternflorida.edu | 17 |
Ferris State University | Big Rapids | Michigan | www.ferris.edu | 17 |
Hillsborough Community College | Tampa | Florida | www.hccfl.edu | 17 |
Hudson Valley Community College | Troy | New York | www.hvcc.edu | 17 |
Kettering College | Kettering | Ohio | kc.edu | 17 |
National Polytechnic College | Lakewood | California | www.npcollege.edu | 17 |
Pitt Community College | Winterville | North Carolina | www.pittcc.edu | 17 |
The College of Health Care Professions-Austin | Austin | Texas | www.chcp.edu | 17 |
American Medical Sciences Center | Glendale | California | www.amsc.edu | 16 |
Central New Mexico Community College | Albuquerque | New Mexico | www.cnm.edu | 16 |
Community College of Rhode Island | Warwick | Rhode Island | www.ccri.edu | 16 |
Eastern Iowa Community College District | Davenport | Iowa | www.eicc.edu | 16 |
ICPR Junior College-General Institutional | Hato Rey | Puerto Rico | www.icprjc.edu | 16 |
Midwestern Career College | Chicago | Illinois | www.mccollege.edu | 16 |
Montgomery College | Rockville | Maryland | www.montgomerycollege.edu | 16 |
Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health | Omaha | Nebraska | www.methodistcollege.edu | 16 |
Ogeechee Technical College | Statesboro | Georgia | www.ogeecheetech.edu | 16 |
Southern Technical College | Fort Myers | Florida | www.southerntech.edu | 16 |
Southwest University at El Paso | El Paso | Texas | southwestuniversity.edu | 16 |
Volunteer State Community College | Gallatin | Tennessee | www.volstate.edu | 16 |
Orange Coast College | Costa Mesa | California | www.orangecoastcollege.edu | 15 |
Chattanooga State Community College | Chattanooga | Tennessee | www.chattanoogastate.edu | 15 |
Cincinnati State Technical and Community College | Cincinnati | Ohio | www.cincinnatistate.edu | 15 |
Florida National University-Main Campus | Hialeah | Florida | www.fnu.edu | 15 |
Mercy College of Health Sciences | Des Moines | Iowa | www.mchs.edu | 15 |
Oakland Community College | Bloomfield Hills | Michigan | www.oaklandcc.edu | 15 |
Sacramento Ultrasound Institute | Sacramento | California | sui.edu | 15 |
Temple College | Temple | Texas | www.templejc.edu | 15 |
William Rainey Harper College | Palatine | Illinois | www.harpercollege.edu | 15 |
American Institute-Clifton | CLIFTON | New Jersey | www.americaninstitute.com | 14 |
Center for Ultrasound Research & Education | White Plains | New York | www.cure.edu | 14 |
Danville Area Community College | Danville | Illinois | www.dacc.edu | 14 |
Howard Community College | Columbia | Maryland | www.howardcc.edu | 14 |
Lincoln University | Oakland | California | www.lincolnuca.edu | 14 |
Modern Technology School | Fountain Valley | California | www.mtschool.edu | 14 |
Mount Aloysius College | Cresson | Pennsylvania | www.mtaloy.edu | 14 |
O C Collins Career Center | Chesapeake | Ohio | www.collins-cc.edu | 14 |
Saint Louis Community College | Bridgeton | Missouri | www.stlcc.edu | 14 |
Tacoma Community College | Tacoma | Washington | www.tacomacc.edu | 14 |
Tyler Junior College | Tyler | Texas | www.tjc.edu | 14 |
Weatherford College | Weatherford | Texas | www.wc.edu | 14 |
Amarillo College | Amarillo | Texas | www.actx.edu | 13 |
Bergen Community College | Paramus | New Jersey | www.bergen.edu | 13 |
Broward College | Fort Lauderdale | Florida | www.broward.edu | 13 |
Healthcare Career College | Paramount | California | www.infotech.edu | 13 |
Long Island University | Brookville | New York | liu.edu/cwpost | 13 |
St Philip's College | San Antonio | Texas | www.alamo.edu/spc | 13 |
SUNY College of Technology at Alfred | Alfred | New York | www.alfredstate.edu | 13 |
Gulf Coast State College | Panama City | Florida | www.gulfcoast.edu | 12 |
Albany State University | Albany | Georgia | www.asurams.edu | 12 |
Baptist Memorial College of Health Sciences | Memphis | Tennessee | www.bchs.edu | 12 |
Del Mar College | Corpus Christi | Texas | www.delmar.edu | 12 |
Delaware Technical Community College-Terry | Dover | Delaware | www.dtcc.edu | 12 |
Johnston Community College | Smithfield | North Carolina | www.johnstoncc.edu | 12 |
Lorain County Community College | Elyria | Ohio | www.lorainccc.edu | 12 |
Parker University | Dallas | Texas | www.parker.edu | 12 |
Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences | Lancaster | Pennsylvania | www.pacollege.edu | 12 |
Piedmont Virginia Community College | Charlottesville | Virginia | www.pvcc.edu | 12 |
Quinnipiac University | Hamden | Connecticut | www.qu.edu | 12 |
Tidewater Community College | Norfolk | Virginia | www.tcc.edu | 12 |
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences | Little Rock | Arkansas | www.uams.edu | 12 |
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College | Asheville | North Carolina | www.abtech.edu | 11 |
Baptist Health System School of Health Professions | San Antonio | Texas | www.bshp.edu | 11 |
BridgeValley Community & Technical College | South Charleston | West Virginia | www.bridgevalley.edu | 11 |
Chippewa Valley Technical College | Eau Claire | Wisconsin | www.cvtc.edu | 11 |
Foothill College | Los Altos Hills | California | foothill.edu | 11 |
Hill College | Hillsboro | Texas | www.hillcollege.edu | 11 |
ICPR Junior College-Arecibo | Arecibo | Puerto Rico | www.icprjc.edu | 11 |
Lake Michigan College | Benton Harbor | Michigan | www.lakemichigancollege.edu | 11 |
Midland College | Midland | Texas | www.midland.edu | 11 |
Northern Virginia Community College | Annandale | Virginia | www.nvcc.edu | 11 |
Polk State College | Winter Haven | Florida | www.polk.edu | 11 |
Rowan College at Gloucester County | Sewell | New Jersey | www.rcgc.edu | 11 |
San Jacinto Community College | Pasadena | Texas | www.sanjac.edu | 11 |
Santa Barbara City College | Santa Barbara | California | www.sbcc.edu | 11 |
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center | Houston | Texas | www.mdanderson.org | 11 |
West Kentucky Community and Technical College | Paducah | Kentucky | westkentucky.kctcs.edu | 11 |
Westmoreland County Community College | Youngwood | Pennsylvania | westmoreland.edu | 11 |
American Institute-Toms River | Toms River | New Jersey | www.americaninstitute.com | 10 |
Baton Rouge Community College | Baton Rouge | Louisiana | www.mybrcc.edu | 10 |
Central Georgia Technical College | Warner Robins | Georgia | www.centralgatech.edu | 10 |
Concordia University-Wisconsin | Mequon | Wisconsin | www.cuw.edu | 10 |
Delgado Community College | New Orleans | Louisiana | www.dcc.edu | 10 |
El Paso Community College | El Paso | Texas | www.epcc.edu | 10 |
Grady Health System Professional Schools | Atlanta | Georgia | www.gradyhealth.org | 10 |
Greenville Technical College | Greenville | South Carolina | www.gvltec.edu | 10 |
H Councill Trenholm State Community College | Montgomery | Alabama | www.trenholmstate.edu | 10 |
Hackensack Meridian Health JFK Medical Center Muhlenberg Harold B Dorothy A Snyder Schools-School of Imaging | Plainfield | New Jersey | www.jfkmuhlenbergschools.org | 10 |
Harrisburg Area Community College | Harrisburg | Pennsylvania | www.hacc.edu | 10 |
Kaskaskia College | Centralia | Illinois | www.kaskaskia.edu | 10 |
Marion Technical College | Marion | Ohio | www.mtc.edu | 10 |
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science | Rochester | Minnesota | college.mayo.edu | 10 |
Mt San Jacinto Community College District | San Jacinto | California | www.msjc.edu | 10 |
NHTI-Concord's Community College | Concord | New Hampshire | www.nhti.edu | 10 |
Northampton County Area Community College | Bethlehem | Pennsylvania | www.northampton.edu | 10 |
Owens Community College | Perrysburg | Ohio | www.owens.edu | 10 |
Rowan College at Burlington County | Mount Laurel | New Jersey | www.rcbc.edu | 10 |
South Piedmont Community College | Polkton | North Carolina | www.spcc.edu | 10 |
Springfield Technical Community College | Springfield | Massachusetts | www.stcc.edu | 10 |
The College of Health Care Professions-McAllen Campus | McAllen | Texas | www.chcp.edu | 10 |
Tulsa Community College | Tulsa | Oklahoma | www.tulsacc.edu | 10 |
Union County College | Cranford | New Jersey | www.ucc.edu | 10 |
Valencia College | Orlando | Florida | valenciacollege.edu | 10 |
Bryan College of Health Sciences | Lincoln | Nebraska | www.bryanhealthcollege.edu/bcohs | 9 |
Cape Fear Community College | Wilmington | North Carolina | www.cfcc.edu | 9 |
Columbus Technical College | Columbus | Georgia | www.columbustech.edu | 9 |
Delta College | University Center | Michigan | www.delta.edu | 9 |
Hinds Community College | Raymond | Mississippi | www.hindscc.edu | 9 |
Lurleen B Wallace Community College | Andalusia | Alabama | www.lbwcc.edu | 9 |
Pima Medical Institute-Houston | Houston | Texas | pmi.edu | 9 |
Southeast Technical Institute | Sioux Falls | South Dakota | www.southeasttech.edu | 9 |
Southwestern Community College | Sylva | North Carolina | www.southwesterncc.edu | 9 |
University of Missouri-Columbia | Columbia | Missouri | missouri.edu | 9 |
Blackhawk Technical College | Janesville | Wisconsin | www.blackhawk.edu | 8 |
Eastern International College-Jersey City | Jersey City | New Jersey | www.eicollege.edu | 8 |
Forsyth Technical Community College | Winston-Salem | North Carolina | www.forsythtech.edu | 8 |
Laramie County Community College | Cheyenne | Wyoming | www.lccc.wy.edu | 8 |
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College | Green Bay | Wisconsin | www.nwtc.edu | 8 |
Pensacola State College | Pensacola | Florida | www.pensacolastate.edu | 8 |
St Cloud Technical and Community College | Saint Cloud | Minnesota | www.sctcc.edu | 8 |
Texas Southmost College | Brownsville | Texas | www.tsc.edu | 8 |
University of Nebraska Medical Center | Omaha | Nebraska | www.unmc.edu | 8 |
Allen College | Waterloo | Iowa | www.allencollege.edu | 7 |
Bunker Hill Community College | Boston | Massachusetts | www.bhcc.mass.edu | 7 |
Gateway Community College | New Haven | Connecticut | www.gatewayct.edu | 7 |
Healthcare Training Institute | Union | New Jersey | www.htinj.edu | 7 |
Horry-Georgetown Technical College | Conway | South Carolina | www.hgtc.edu | 7 |
Ivy Tech Community College | Indianapolis | Indiana | www.ivytech.edu | 7 |
John A Logan College | Carterville | Illinois | www.jalc.edu | 7 |
Joliet Junior College | Joliet | Illinois | www.jjc.edu | 7 |
New Mexico State University-Dona Ana | Las Cruces | New Mexico | dacc.nmsu.edu | 7 |
South Suburban College | South Holland | Illinois | www.ssc.edu | 7 |
Upstate Medical University | Syracuse | New York | www.upstate.edu | 7 |
Angelina College | Lufkin | Texas | www.angelina.edu | 6 |
Merced College | Merced | California | www.mccd.edu | 6 |
New Horizons Medical Institute | Norcross | Georgia | www.newhorizonsmedical.com | 6 |
Bowling Green State University-Firelands | Huron | Ohio | www.firelands.bgsu.edu | 5 |
Jones County Junior College | Ellisville | Mississippi | www.jcjc.edu | 5 |
Rhode Island College | Providence | Rhode Island | www.ric.edu | 5 |
South Texas College | McAllen | Texas | www.southtexascollege.edu | 5 |
Southside Regional Medical Center Professional Schools | Colonial Heights | Virginia | www.srmconline.com | 5 |
Ultrasound Medical Institute | Royal Palm Beach | Florida | www.nriinstitute.edu | 5 |
University of Alaska Anchorage | Anchorage | Alaska | www.uaa.alaska.edu | 5 |
Universidad Central Del Caribe | Bayamon | Puerto Rico | www.uccaribe.edu | 4 |
Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute | Hudson | North Carolina | www.cccti.edu | 4 |
Columbia Basin College | Pasco | Washington | www.columbiabasin.edu | 4 |
Eastern International College-Belleville | Belleville | New Jersey | www.eicollege.edu | 4 |
ICPR Junior College-Manati | Manatà | Puerto Rico | www.icprjc.edu | 4 |
Labette Community College | Parsons | Kansas | www.labette.edu | 4 |
Newman University | Wichita | Kansas | www.newmanu.edu | 4 |
University of Kansas | Lawrence | Kansas | ku.edu | 4 |
Caris College | Jeffersonville | Indiana | www.cariscollege.edu | 3 |
Hillyard Technical Center | Saint Joseph | Missouri | www.hillyardtech.com | 3 |
Institute of Medical Ultrasound | Atlanta | Georgia | www.imu.edu | 3 |
Marian University | Fond Du Lac | Wisconsin | www.marianuniversity.edu | 3 |
West Virginia University Hospital Departments of Rad Tech and Nutrition | Morgantown | West Virginia | www.wvuhradtech.com | 3 |
Augusta Technical College | Augusta | Georgia | www.augustatech.edu | 2 |
Bacone College | Muskogee | Oklahoma | www.bacone.edu | 2 |
Benedictine University | Lisle | Illinois | www.ben.edu | 2 |
Seattle University | Seattle | Washington | www.seattleu.edu | 2 |
Carl Sandburg College | Galesburg | Illinois | www.sandburg.edu | 1 |
Lewis University | Romeoville | Illinois | www.lewisu.edu | 1 |
Middlesex Community College | Bedford | Massachusetts | www.middlesex.mass.edu | 1 |
Oklahoma City Community College | Oklahoma City | Oklahoma | www.occc.edu | 1 |
Hybrid & Online Sonography Programs
Online training programs for diagnostic medical sonography are rare. As of March 2022, there are few online programs that have received accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs (CAAHEP).
While these programs offer didactic courses online, there is still an essential clinical piece of ultrasound technician training that requires hands-on experience. Students will not be able to earn the sonography certification necessary to obtain top employment without clinical practice in addition to classroom or online courses. Here is a sampling of online certificate, associate, and bachelor’s programs for aspiring diagnostic medical sonographers:
With its main campus in Topeka, Kansas, Washburn University has been offering online diagnostic medical sonography training for more than a decade. All didactic courses are offered online, while clinical training can be arranged close to the student’s home for maximum flexibility and convenience. Graduating students are eligible for the ARDMS and CCI certification examinations. The program offers a general sonography certification program as well as specialized tracks in cardiac and vascular sonography.
The general program is made up of 40 credits, while the cardiac and vascular tracks comprise 34 credits each. Sample some of the courses in the curriculum: introduction to diagnostic medical sonography; sonography principles & instrumentation; abdomen sonography procedures; cardiac sonography procedures; and vascular sonography procedures, among others.
- Location: Topeka, KS
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Expected Time to Completion: 12 months
- Estimated Tuition: $410 per credit
As part of Jackson College’s allied health program, this Michigan-based college offers training in general, cardiac, and vascular sonography. Like Washburn, Jackson College offers its sonography didactic courses online but still requires students to complete an in-person clinical practicum. Students can expect to spend between 24 and 32 hours a week over the course of approximately one year at an approved clinical site near their home in order to successfully complete the program.
The general and cardiac sonography options have an associate in applied science degree while vascular sonography specialty has both an AAS and a certificate option. The general sonography AAS degree is made up of 80 credits, while the cardiac sonography program comprises 73 credits. Vascular sonography AAS degree requires 79 credits and the certificate consists of 59 credits.
Some of the courses in the curriculum are human anatomy and physiology; introduction to diagnostic imaging; introduction to sonographic instrumentation; medical terminology; sonographic techniques; abdomen and small parts sonography; obstetric and gynecologic sonography; cardiovascular principles; and cerebrovascular procedures, among others.
- Location: Jackson, MI
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
- Estimated Tuition: County residents ($176 per credit); out of county ($199 per credit); out of state ($264 per credit)
Oregon Institute of Technology
Headquartered in Klamath Falls, Oregon Tech Online provides an online bachelor of science (BS) degree-completion program in diagnostic medical sonography. Open to registered diagnostic sonographers, Oregon Tech’s courses include obstetrical sonography; applications of abdominal sonography; pelvic sonography; physics of medical imaging; sonographic pathology; breast sonography; neonatal & pediatric sonography; and musculoskeletal sonography.
Additionally, students complete a DMS externship at an approved clinical facility located close to their homes. Supervisors sign off on a DMS skills checklist as employment-ready skills are acquired.
- Location: Klamath Falls, OR
- Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 to 48 months
- Estimated Tuition: $281 per credit
Institute of Ultrasound Diagnostics
Students at the Institute of Ultrasound Diagnostics will have the opportunity to complete an online accelerated sonography program which can be completed in just one year. The program provides students with the training, skills, and knowledge necessary for successfully gaining employment as entry-level ultrasound technicians.
As part of the program, students will be required to participate in a mandatory three-week “Sonography Boot Camp” that includes dedicated time for clinical rotations and in-class instruction. The curriculum includes courses such as abdominal sonography; physics & instrumentation; and obstetrical and gynecologic sonography. The program consists of 1,982 total contact hours.
- Location: Daphne, AL
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Expected Time to Completion: 12 months
- Estimated Tuition: $11,500
Labette Community College’s online diagnostic medical sonography program has two concentration options: general sonography and vascular sonography. Both concentrations require students to complete clinical rotations (1024 clinical hours) at a site near them. Students will also be prepared to take the ARDMS registry exams.
The general concentration comprises 38 credits, while the vascular concentration consists of 32 credits. The curriculum includes courses such as introduction to sonography; sonography physics & instrumentation; sonography pathology of abdomen and small parts; vascular sonography; and OB/GYN for sonography.
- Location: Parsons, KS
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Expected Time to Completion: 12 months
- Estimated Tuition: Kansas residents ($14,162 total); Arkansas, Missouri, & Oklahoma residents ($15,086 total); out-of-state residents ($15,262 total per credit)
School | City | State | Website | grads (2018) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Platt College-Los Angeles | Alhambra | California | www.plattcollege.edu | 77 |
Fort Hays State University | Hays | Kansas | www.fhsu.edu | 56 |
Washburn University | Topeka | Kansas | www.washburn.edu | 56 |
Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts | San Mateo | California | www.gurnick.edu | 54 |
Jackson College | Jackson | Michigan | www.jccmi.edu | 53 |
American College for Medical Careers | Orlando | Florida | www.acmc.edu | 36 |
AdventHealth University | Orlando | Florida | www.ahu.edu | 31 |
Loma Linda University | Loma Linda | California | home.llu.edu | 22 |
Misericordia University | Dallas | Pennsylvania | www.misericordia.edu | 16 |
Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health | Omaha | Nebraska | www.methodistcollege.edu | 16 |
Santa Fe College | Gainesville | Florida | www.sfcollege.edu | 13 |
Siena Heights University | Adrian | Michigan | www.sienaheights.edu | 13 |
Baptist Health System School of Health Professions | San Antonio | Texas | www.bshp.edu | 11 |
State Fair Community College | Sedalia | Missouri | www.sfccmo.edu | 11 |
Core & Elective Courses in Medical Sonography Programs
To establish a standard curriculum across the many diagnostic medical sonography schools in the US, the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRCDMS) has made available a common core curriculum list of courses, as well as those specialty courses that should be taken for specialization in the field.
The core curriculum of an accredited program typically includes:
- Anatomy & physiology
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Communications
- Psychology & human behavior
- Statistics
- Information technology
- Superficial structures
- Vascular & neuro sonographic imaging
- Patient care
- Medical ethics & law
- Medical terminology
- Pathophysiology
- Sonography principles & instrumentation
- Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSD)
Full descriptions of each of these requirements are available on the JRCDMS website in a PDF. Students who wish to specialize in abdominal sonography should expect to find courses that include each of the following areas:
- Biliary
- Liver
- Pancreas
- Renal & lower urinary tract
- Spleen
- Adrenal
- Abdominal vasculature
- Gastrointestinal tract
- Abdominopelvic wall & cavities
- Interventional
- Organ transplant
- Breast
- Neck
- Prostate
- Scrotum
- Musculoskeletal sonography
- Pediatric hip
- Neonatal brain
- Neonatal spine
For students who wish to specialize in obstetrics and gynecology, the following elective courses are generally required:
- Clinical assessment of obstetrical patients
- Fetal assessment
- High-risk obstetrics
- Fetal structural abnormalities
- Interventional procedures
- Postpartum complications
- Performance standards & documentation
There may be other elective possibilities for those students pursuing a four-year degree that is outside of the sonography curriculum.
Diagnostic Sonography School & Program Accreditation
Generally, accreditation means that a particular educational program has been evaluated and approved by a nationally recognized body of experts. Both programmatic and institutional accreditation is important to consider.
Programmatic Accreditation
Programmatic accreditation refers to the evaluation of a specific program, in this case, a sonography program. Prior to seeking professional certification through a body such as the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) or the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT), aspiring ultrasound technicians must complete a program at an accredited school.
For many branches of medical technology, including diagnostic medical sonography, the gold standard of programmatic accreditation is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs (CAAHEP), a group that has established ultrasound technician program standards in conjunction with the Joint Review Commission on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRCDMS).
Accreditation will consider faculty, facilities, curriculum, and other factors to determine whether a program meets the accrediting body's standards. CAAHEP maintains a list of accredited sonography programs.
Institutional Accreditation
Additionally, there are six regional institutional accrediting organizations that have been recognized by the US Department of Education’s Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA):
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
- Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
- Commission on Colleges for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Each agency has its own process, but accreditation typically consists of a thorough application, self-study, and site visit by the accrediting agency. Typical criteria used in the program-approval process are curriculum standards, quality of facilities, program finance management, availability of institutional resources, and student outcome measures.
Prior to enrolling in a program, students should ensure that their school has the proper accreditation, which can vary by region, place of employment, or desired credential.
Career Outlook
The career outlook for diagnostic medical sonographers is exceptionally strong. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2022) anticipates a 10 percent increase nationally in openings for diagnostic medical sonographers (DMS) between 2021 and 2031, which is more than double the average growth projected for all occupations in that time period (5 percent).
Because diagnostic medical sonographers can be useful in many different situations, there are several factors contributing to this positive outlook. First, as with so many healthcare occupations, the aging US population is going to continue to have more and more contact with the healthcare industry. From mammograms to blood clots, ultrasounds can be of assistance for many age-related ailments.
Furthermore, medical imaging technology is continuing to advance. This means that physicians are going to be able to treat more health issues using non-invasive techniques and outpatient procedures, which can include the assistance of ultrasound technicians.
While hospitals are expected to hire the majority of new sonographers, physicians’ offices and outpatient surgical centers are also expected to be in the market for trained sonographers moving forward.
Specializing in a certain area of medical sonography can also enhance a person’s employment prospects and earning potential. The Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (SDMS) releases annual compensation survey providing information about salaries for sonographers. Of course, one should also consider that demand can fluctuate based on geographic location and demographics, so other specialties might be growing faster in other states.
The BLS (May 2022) found the following percentiles for diagnostic medical sonographers around the country:
United States | |
---|---|
Number of professionals employed | 81,080 |
Annual mean wage | $84,410 |
10th percentile | $61,430 |
25th percentile | $68,580 |
50th percentile (median) | $81,350 |
75th percentile | $97,350 |
90th percentile | $107,730 |
Interestingly, PayScale (June 2023)—an aggregator of self-reported wages—found lower figures among its 1,287 DMS respondents:
- 10th percentile: $50,000
- 50th percentile (median): $68,335
- 90th percentile: $97,000
Not surprisingly, wages and employment figures in this field also tend to vary based on region. The BLS (May 2022) found that the top-employing states for diagnostic medical sonographers correlated roughly with population size:
- California: 8,100 employed ($114,480 annual average salary)
- Hawaii: 310 employed ($105,850 annual avg.)
- Washington: 1,430 employed ($103,700 annual avg.)
- Oregon: 1,160 employed ($101,850 annual avg.)
- Rhode Island: 300 employed ($96,400 annual avg.)
Fortunately for residents of the Golden State, California was both the top-employing and top-paying state in this profession.
Considering that only two years of postsecondary school is the typical entry-level education for this career, it can prove a very lucrative professional field. For aspiring technicians in this field, there is a wide range of specialties and conditions that benefit from applying this continually evolving technology. Some of the high-growth subfields of this discipline include gynecology, pregnancy, breast imaging, heart disease screening, prostate cancer detection, and musculoskeletal exams.
Career Facts | Diagnostic Medical Sonographer |
---|---|
Related Careers | Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians, Nuclear Medicine Technologists, Radiation Therapists, Radiologic and MRI Technologists, Registered Nurses |
Common Job Titles | Cardiac Sonographer, Cardiac/Vascular Sonographer, Diagnostic Medical Sonographer, Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS), Sonographer, Ultrasonographer, Ultrasound Technician, Ultrasound Technologist |
Technology & Equipment | Ultrasound Monitors, Ultrasound Video Equipment, High-Frequency Transducers, Patient Medical Record Software, Office and Productivity Software |
Sourced From BLS 2022 |
Licensing & Certification in Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Two main bodies offer national certification exams for careers in sonography. More diverse, specialty-focused credentials are available from the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS), while a generalized sonography certification is available from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).
The ARDMS offers five specialized exams, which result in the credential of Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS). The exams are:
- Abdomen (AB)
- Breast (BR)
- Fetal Echocardiography (FE)
- Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN)
- Pediatric Sonography (PS)
Additionally, the ARDMS has three credentials for subfields of diagnostic sonography: Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS), Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT), and Registered Musculoskeletal Sonographer (RMSKS). The ARDMS has minimum education and/or experience levels in order to sit for any certification exam. To obtain certification, students must pass the basic Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) exam as well as at least one specialty examination.
Applicants can visit the Prerequisite and Requirement Eligibility Program (PREP) portion of the ARDMS site to determine eligibility for their intended certification exam. This credential is valid for one year.
The ARRT provides a generalized sonography certification. To be eligible for the ARRT exam, students must have completed an ARRT-approved sonography program within the last three years and earned an academic degree. Accredited agency lists are available on the ARRT website.
Additionally, candidates must have fulfilled the didactic and clinical competence requirements, including proof of having completed seven mandatory patient care procedures, four mandatory scanning techniques, 22 imaging procedures, and five elective imaging procedures. This registration must be renewed annually.
As of June 2023, the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) reports that there are four states which regulate sonographers: New Hampshire, New Mexico, Oregon, and North Dakota. Additional states may pass licensure laws for sonographers, so interested students would be wise to check with their local state organizations to determine whether licensing is required.
The ARRT and ARDMS certifications require continuing education (CE) units to maintain the credentials. The ARRT requires 24 CE credits biennially as well as continuing qualifications requirements (CQR) to be fulfilled every 10 years. The ARDMS requires 30 continuing medical education (CME) units every three years. Please reference the links above for details about what types of CE qualify.
Finally, the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS) provides a wealth of CE and CME opportunities through annual conferences, events, meetings, online coursework, and other offerings.