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Sonography Schools

What to Expect from Sonography School

Choosing a sonography school that is best for you can be a daunting task. First you must decide if you are going to relocate or if you are going to try to find one locally. If you opt to find one near you, be sure that it is accredited and will be recognized by the ARDMS (American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers). Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound programs are designed to prepare you to perform basic diagnostic ultrasound exams. Usually, the programs focus on the most common areas of the body that sonography is used for such as the abdomen, pelvis, pregnant female organs, and superficial structures. Many programs will also give you some basic instruction on vascular ultrasound. Some sonography schools also offer a full certificate for vascular sonography to give you a more in depth training in this area.

What types of classes will I be taking during sonography school?

As a diagnostic sonography student, you will be taking classes in anatomy and physiology in order to gain the foundational knowledge you will need to successfully perform your job. As a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer, you will need to possess a high level of familiarity with the organs you are imaging in order to understand the protocols for a systemic and logical survey of the organs. This knowledge will come in handy when you are moving the transducer around the exterior of the body and navigating around to find the best quality images for the ordering physician to interpret. The curriculum is generally includes a lecture, or standard classroom portion of study, then an imaging lab portion, then a clinical component. Lastly, you will have an externship in order to take what you have learned and apply it to the real world under the supervision of a seasoned professional. You can get a more detailed look at a typical set of course work on the ultrasound courses and ultrasound training pages.

The Externship

The externship is often cited as one of the most important parts of the learning process and will give you the confidence you need to be competent in your first job out of sonography school. The externship consists of supervised procedures in a clinical setting. The professional you are assigned to will complete competency logs for a list of procedures that you have successfully performed under their watch. After completing the sonography school program, you will have the skills and competencies that will help you get your first job as a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. To find schools offering sonography programs, take a look at the ultrasound school directory where you can request information and get the specifics about sonography programs.

Cardiovascular Technology: A Popular Option for Specialization

Many students are choosing to supplement their studies in a specific area of sonography such as cardiovascular technology. Cardiovascular technology is fast becoming a popular option for sonography students to pursue. The program is designed to train you on imaging the heart and valve function. While all sonography schools are different, most of these programs will give you practical experience in cardiovascular science, EKG, holter monitoring, telemetry, and echocardiography. Once you complete your certificate in cardiovascular technology, you will want to apply for the Certified Cardiographic Technician (CCT) and Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS) examinations. To learn more about the specific licensing requirements and certification, check out the ARDMS website.

We have put together some resources to help you with further research on sonography schools and careers:

School Directories:

Sonography Career Research:

Radiology Programs:

Sanford-Brown Institute

Get everything you need for the medical career you want. Sanford-Brown Institute's advanced programs allow you to complete your certificate or degree program in as little as 9 months. Learn more today.

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Sanford-Brown College

Get the skills you need in Tech, Business, or Healthcare in as little as 9 months from Sanford-Brown College. Choose from convenient day, evening, and weekend classes. Learn more today.

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American Institute - Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Advance your career with American Institute - Diagnostic Medical Sonography. Our program can be completed in as little as 16 months. We offer program specializations in general or cardiac sonography, both of which include vascular ultrasound training.

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Medical Career Institute

Experience the Rewards of Caring, With ECPI’s Medical Careers Institute, you can Earn Your Bachelor’s Degree in 2.5 Years or Your Associate’s Even Sooner through Our Year-Round Schedule!

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Keiser University Campus

Keiser University offers accredited degree programs in today's high-demand careers: Healthcare, Technology, Paralegal, Business, Nursing and Legal Studies.

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ATI Career Training Center

ATI has over 35 years of experience helping working adults like you get hands-on career training. Quality programs are offered in healthcare, automotive and electronics.

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Carrington College

Carrington College has helped over 45,000 graduates realize their dream of a career in healthcare. Now it's your turn. Choose from eleven conveniently located campuses.

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Career Colleges of America

Get your career started with Career Colleges of America. We have four campuses in the Los Angeles area offering a wide variety of allied health training programs.

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AICHP-Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Give your career a boost with American Institute College of Health Professions. We offer diploma and bachelor's degree programs in diagnostic general sonography and diagnostic cardiac sonography.

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Keiser Career College

Keiser Career College offers career-oriented training programs that prepare students for positions in allied health and computer technology. Associate degrees and diplomas are available from our Florida campuses. All programs focus on the specific skills and knowledge needed for today's career fields. The faculty is comprised of industry-experienced professionals who offer students personal attention and their own practical knowledge in an environment that simulates the real world.

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Vatterott College

Advance your career with a certificate, diploma or bachelor's degree from Vatterott College. Our innovative, hands-on training helps you build the life you want.

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Ohio Business College

Ohio Business College offers a variety of Associate degrees, including Business Administration, Human Resource Management, Web Page Design, Information Technology, Accounting and Legal Assistant. We also offer Real Estate Pre-Licensing courses and Microsoft Office Specialist exams.



For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, please visit our website at: www.ohiobusinesscollege.edu/disclosure.asp.

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Concorde

Get your career started with Concorde Career College. Our training programs are short, affordable, and hands-on. We offer training programs in medical assisting, dental assisting, insurance coding, respiratory therapy, surgical technology, vocational/practical nursing, patient care, and more.

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The Bryman School of Arizona

The Bryman School of Phoenix in Arizona can train you for some of the fastest growing careers in the health care field. We offer hands-on training in real-world settings, small class sizes, flexible day or evening schedules, career services assistance for graduates, and much more.

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Globe University/MSB

Globe University is focused on providing students with the knowledge, skills, and credentials they need to reach their personal and professional goals.

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