When deciding on a school to pursue your ultrasound tech studies, many of you would often check for the institution’s accreditation status to ensure that their educational services can be trusted. The hard fact is that it may be particularly difficult to select the right one, given that there are plenty of medical sonography programs today that are officially certified by the governing bodies. Fortunately, there’s no need for you to go through each and everyone of these accredited sonography programs as we have narrowed down the long list and collated the top five accredited sonography schools that may suit your preference. These are George Washington University, University of Iowa, University of Missouri, Seattle University, and University of Kansas. Judging by their renowned academic performance and the quality education they provide, these schools definitely give justice to their accreditation.
George Washington University
Overview:
George Washington University is an assemblage of ten schools and colleges, plus over a hundred research institutes. It takes pride not only in pioneering sonography education itself but also in being the sole institution to offer a bachelor’s degree on Sonography in Washington/Baltimore.
Program Details:
George Washington offers both degree and certificate programs in sonography, which all require 40 hours per week of coursework. Students enrolled in either program can choose to specialize in General, Vascular, Cardiac, General-Vascular or General-Cardiac Sonography as their clinical practice area. Apart from Sonography-related subject, those in the degree program will be studying other areas such as health policy, management and trends in health care as well.
What’s best is that those in the Bachelor’s of Sciences in Health Sciences (BSHS) program can apply for the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) exam and may thus be credentialed a year before graduation.
Accreditation:
George Washington’s Sonography programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
University of Iowa
Overview:
Founded in 1847, the University of Iowa is widely recognized as a prime national research university. Under its wing is the Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine which offers the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program. Students from this college are highly privileged to belong to Iowa’s only comprehensive academic medical center: the University of Iowa Health Care.
Program Details:
To be qualified, applicants must possess a Baccalaureate degree or have finished a nationally accredited nursing or allied health program from an accredited college or university in the United States. The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program is comprised of 18 months of full-time study. A non-degree certificate from the University of Iowa is awarded to the student upon successful completion of the program.
Accreditation:
The University of Iowa and its Diagnostic Medical and Cardiac Sonography Programs have obtained accreditations from the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools and CAAHEP, respectively.
University of Missouri
Overview:
The University of Missouri is a key player in the educational sector, constantly being lauded as a top-performing institution. It claimed the 97th spot in the 2013 U.S. News & World Report among the national universities and is also one of the 34 public universities to be members of the Association of American Universities.
Program Details:
University of Missouri’s School of Health Professions offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees in the Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound (DMU) Program. Prospective students can choose between a Bachelor of Health Science (BHS) or Master of Health Science (MHS) in DMU. During the program, students spend 30 to 40 hours a week of coursework or a total of 52 weeks in an academic year.
Accreditation:
University of Missouri’s Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound Program is CAAHEP-accredited.
Seattle University
Overview:
Seattle University’s academic excellence is no secret to the world. For more than a decade, the Jesuit Catholic institution has been hailed one of the top 10 universities in the West. In fact, in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges 2013, Seattle University is still among the high ranks.
Program Details:
The Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Ultrasound is offered in three programs: the Typical Program of Study for Junior Transfer Students, the Typical Four-Year Program of Study: Cardiac Vascular Track, and the Typical Four-Year Program of Study: General Vascular Track.
While qualifications or admission requisites may vary among these programs, all require enrollees to comply with the following: 180 credits and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 (C). Students must also receive a grade of not less than C (2.50) in all DIUS courses. Furthermore, the ultrasound specific curriculum is to be taken in the prescribed order and hence, must be completed in 2 years.
Accreditation:
Seattle University’s Diagnostic Ultrasound program is CAAHEP-accredited.
Kansas University
Overview:
The University of Kansas (KU) is home to thirteen schools, among which are the only one of its kind in the entire state: the schools of pharmacy and medicine. Boasting 345 degree programs in over 200 fields, KU has been acclaimed not only for academics but for the overall quality of university life.
Program Details:
Under KU’s School of Health Professions are the Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography and Diagnostic Ultrasound and Vascular Technology programs. The former can be completed in twenty-one months while the latter runs for eighteen months. Graduates of either programs will earn a non-degree certificate from KU.
To be admitted to the program, the applicant must possess either of the following: a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree with emphasis in science, or a licensure in ultrasound, nursing, radiography, nuclear medicine, or other 2-year allied health certificate courses. Prospective students must also comply with minimum grade-point average requirements and prerequisite course work.
The ultrasound certificate program is a 35-40 hours per week clinical education program, which involves both didactic and practical coursework. Upon finishing the program, graduates are qualified to take the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) national exam in adult cardiac sonography.
Accreditation:
All of KU’s academic programs are individually certified at the program/department level. The KU School of Health Professions has obtained accreditation from the Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions.