Best 8 Month Ultrasound Tech Program Online [Accredited]
Best 8 Month Ultrasound Tech Program Online [Accredited]
Best 8 Month Ultrasound Tech Program Online – Accredited. As a medical sonographer, you’ll be an integral part of the healthcare team responsible for detecting diseases and saving lives. The cost and length of time it takes to become an ultrasound tech depends on the type of degree you choose.
To qualify for entry-level ultrasound tech positions, applicants need to earn an associate’s degree or certificate, which typically takes two years. For students pursuing advanced specializations, research opportunities, or high-level positions, a 4-year bachelor’s degree is the way go to.
What Is a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer?
A diagnostic medical sonographer or ultrasound technician is responsible for using imaging and testing equipment to examine parts of the body. This is to support doctors and other healthcare professionals in the process of diagnosing medical conditions and injuries.
What Does a Diagnostic Medical Sonography Technologist Do?
Ultrasound Technicians are responsible for a wide range of duties, including:
- Managing equipment settings.
- Conducting diagnostic procedures.
- Reporting findings to medical providers.
- Analyzing and quality checking diagnostic images.
What Is The Shortest Ultrasound Tech Program?
1. Adventist University of Health Sciences – Orlando
Associate of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography: This 2-year program starting once every year in the summer trimester can be completed by opting for either of the two tracks – General Vascular Sonography and Cardiovascular Sonography. You need to note that admission is competitive and student intake is limited to just 17 for the general vascular sonography track 11 for the cardiovascular sonography track.
2. Smith Chason College
This bachelor’s of science degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography prepares you for a career in an entry-level health sciences position. This is a hybrid program, with online courses and in-person fieldwork, including an externship in a hospital or another medical setting. You’ll explore various specialties in sonography as you progress through this program. This includes courses in: Anatomy and physiology, Ultrasound techniques and sonography principles, Ethics, Abdominal sonography, Patient care.
3. University of Oklahoma – Diagnostic Medical Sonography
The sonography profession uses equipment that generates high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the human body. The University of Oklahoma’s College of Allied Health has been minting well-trained future sonographers. One of the best ultrasound tech schools for those interested in conducting research as undergraduates, students can work with faculty on collaborative research in the sonography lab, apply for grants, and attend panels and workshops at OU’s annual Research Day.
4. Loma Linda University – Ultrasound/Sonography.
A private, Seventh-day Adventist university, Loma Linda University offers a 27-month bachelor’s degree or a 1-year certificate in cardiac sonography. To complete a bachelor’s degree in medical sonography, students spend 32-35 hours per week in a clinical setting and take 20% of their classes online. To earn the certificate, students must take classes focused on cardiac conditions, gain clinical experience, and pass their medical sonographer exam.
5. Oregon Institute of Technology – Diagnostic Medical Sonography Degree
Oregon Institute of Technology offers an online Bachelor of Science for professionals who are already working as registered sonographers. Students can build on previous coursework through this full online program, advancing their career with an additional degree. Students must have access to a fully equipped laboratory to complete required clinical and externship courses.
6. Seattle University
Often placed as one of the top ultrasound tech schools in the country, Seattle University is a private Jesuit university located in downtown Seattle. Because of its urban location, SU students can gain experience interning at a broad range of medical centers, including inpatient and outpatient teaching hospitals, community hospitals, and ambulatory care clinics. While Seattle University has an outstanding 4-year program, they also offer a well-regarded 2-year certificate program. In this program, students take one year of classes and then gain hands-on experience interning at local medical facilities.
7. Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences – Medical Imaging and Therapeutics Field
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences offers twenty-one different majors that allow students to study everything from radiography to nuclear medicine technology. Students who want to pursue careers as ultrasound techs can choose a degree in either sonography or sonography-echocardiography. Both pathways have 3-year accelerated or 2-year fast track programs, making MCPHS one of the best ultrasound tech schools for students who want to finish their bachelor’s degree quickly.
8. Nova Southeastern University
Future sonographers wishing to graduate in two years can pursue Nova Southeastern University’s 27-month bachelor’s degree in medical sonography. A school that prioritizes experiential learning, NSU students receive more than 800 hours of hands-on training in lab and clinical settings.
9. Cambridge College of Healthcare & Technology – Altamonte Springs, Delray Beach & Miami.
To become an ultrasound technician in Florida, you can consider the 28-month A.S. degree program in DMS that is offered at three Cambridge locations: Orlando (Altamonte Spring Campus), West Palm Beach (Delray Beach Campus) and Miami Gardens (Miami Campus). The curriculum is a mix of intense classroom studies and supervised clinical rotations, preparing you to successfully utilize the latest ultrasound equipment, perform diagnostic procedures, interpret sonographic images/scans, and process reports to doctors.
10. University of Missouri.
A large school with connections throughout Missouri, Mizzou students complete rotations at multiple medical rotations that prepare for them for a broad range of careers. All students learn to perform abdominal, OB/GYN, vascular, and cardiac ultrasounds before choosing their specialization.
11. Ohio State University – Undergraduate Degree in Radiologic Sciences and Therapy.
A particularly robust program, OSU offers three majors: radiography, radiation therapy, and sonography. Students can expect to study in smaller classrooms of 10-20 students and complete an impressive 1,600 hours of clinical experience before graduating.
12. Washburn University
Students who already have an associate’s degree in a healthcare field can choose to further their career through Washburn University’s one year certificate program. All of WU’s classes are taught online, and students can complete required clinicals at a facility close to home.
How are Online Sonography Programs Accredited?
The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) is the accrediting agency for sonography programs. As with any other kind of accreditation, CAAHEP’s process begins with a request for accreditation from a program. Once the request is made, the program requesting accreditation undergoes a self-study to examine if and how the program meets the accreditation standards.
The CAAHEP’s Commission on Accreditation (CoA) provides necessary feedback by self-study materials review, if any, to the program, then prepares for a site visit. The site visit team then reports on their findings, which are shared with the program. Then the CoA thoroughly reviews the site findings and the program’s response and critically evaluates the extent to which the program meets accreditation requirements. The program can be recommended for accreditation, or the CoA might recommend that accreditation be withheld.
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