Non-accredited school with Bachelors

I have read through numerous topics in this forum in regards to accredited and non-acredited schools, with or without bachelors and so forth but my question is:

Is there anyone here that attended a non-accredited school with a Bachelors degree that was able to pass the ARDMS exam and is now working with their certification? Was graduation from a non-accredited school an issue when being considered for a position? Or was it not a factor as long as you passed your exam?

I am also confused as to someone stating they were only eligible to take the Physics exam and had to go back to school for the other exams? Are the other exams a requirement to get a job? And does graduation from a non-accredited school with a BA qualify you for any/all the exams?

I have very recently enrolled in a non-accredited school, after seeing that I would be qualified to take the ARDMS exam upon completion. I understand that enrolling in an accredited school would be ideal but my time constraints will not allow me to wait 2-3yrs for the waiting list.

So to sum it up, I would like to hear from anyone that completed their education at a non-accredited school and have passed their ARDMS exam and if they had any issues in obtaining a job?? Thank you in advance =).

baileylove in Orange, California said: I have read through numerous topics in this forum in regards to accredited and non-acredited schools, with or without bachelors and so forth but my question is:

Is there anyone here that attended a non-accredited school with a Bachelors degree that was able to pass the ARDMS exam and is now working with their certification? Was graduation from a non-accredited school an issue when being considered for a position? Or was it not a factor as long as you passed your exam?

I have very recently enrolled in a non-accredited school, after seeing that I would be qualified to take the ARDMS exam upon completion. I understand that enrolling in an accredited school would be ideal but my time constraints will not allow me to wait 2-3yrs for the waiting list.

So to sum it up, I would like to hear from anyone that completed their education at a non-accredited school and have passed their ARDMS exam and if they had any issues in obtaining a job?? Thank you in advance =).

The accreditation issue doesn't apply to Bachelor's degree programs in Ultrasound.

If your Bachelor's degree is in Sonography, you can sit for the registry exams right away after graduation. If it's in another field, you will need to have 12 months clinical experience and 12 CME (continuing medical education) credits in each specialty.

If your program is not a Bachelor's but is CAAHEP accredited in sonography, you can sit right away for your exams.

If your sonography or other allied health degree/certificate is not accredited by CAAHEP, then there are other requirements (12 months clinical experience and 12 CME credits for each specialty - abdomen, OB/GYN, etc.).

I hold a BA in another field. And, I want to be very careful in making my decision to pursue a non-accredited program. Are the 12 months of clinical a requirement after I've completed an non-accredited program or will they consider the clinical hours which is part of the program requirement? Basically for those people who hold BA degrees in other fields, how is our situation different from the people who have had issues with not being able to sit for their ARDMS who are attending non-accredited schools? Thanks!

It does not matter for ARDMS what school did you graduate.
I got register for Physics with out any problem and I have Russian Bachelor degree, not medical.
But to take your second exam you have to have 1 year full time job(12 months clinical experience)and they will not accept the clinical hours which is part of the program requirement. 12 CME credits you can get anywhere it's not a problem at all.same books have it.
Just after accredited program you are able to get both exams.
My advise - if you have opportunity to go in accredited school, go with it.
Lot of people don't have this opportunity.

Natalia in Concord, California said: It does not matter for ARDMS what school did you graduate.
I got register for Physics with out any problem and I have Russian Bachelor degree, not medical.
But to take your second exam you have to have 1 year full time job(12 months clinical experience)and they will not accept the clinical hours which is part of the program requirement. 12 CME credits you can get anywhere it's not a problem at all.same books have it.
Just after accredited program you are able to get both exams.
My advise - if you have opportunity to go in accredited school, go with it.
Lot of people don't have this opportunity.

were u able to obtain a job for the 12 months clinical experience AFTER you passed the PHYSICS part of the exams? or is just the PHYSICS part not enough to get hired?

Natalia in Concord, California said: It does not matter for ARDMS what school did you graduate.

It does matter. If you graduate from a nonaccredited school that is over 1640 hours long and offers 12CME credits you can take the ARDMS boards immediately- in both physics and a specialised subject- IF you have a BA. YOu do not have to work for 12 months. However there is noting better than going to an accredited school

ano in New York, New York said:

Yes I do have a BA so I am aware of being able to take the ARDMS immediately. I wasn't sure if I was able to take more than the Physics part of the exam according to Natalia, but I guess I am able to take more than that. Thank you.

Baileylove,

I live not far from you. Where are you going to school now?
I also have a BA (in Psch). I tried Cypress College for their sonography program this last fall and didn't get in, my GPA wasn't high enough =( the lowest was 3.6 and unfortunately there isn't anything I can do about my "B" in Math and English from ten years ago when I pursued my BA. Sigh...
So, Let me know, If I should stop wasting time reapplying to Cypress or waiting away for Orange Coast for 3 years!
IT'S HELL

soconfusesd in Fullerton, California said: Baileylove,

I live not far from you. Where are you going to school now?
I also have a BA (in Psch). I tried Cypress College for their sonography program this last fall and didn't get in, my GPA wasn't high enough =( the lowest was 3.6 and unfortunately there isn't anything I can do about my "B" in Math and English from ten years ago when I pursued my BA. Sigh...
So, Let me know, If I should stop wasting time reapplying to Cypress or waiting away for Orange Coast for 3 years!
IT'S HELL

I am currently enrolled at Newbridge College(non-accredited) and I have heard the stories about people that graduted from here not being able to work or take the exam after but these were people that DID NOT have their BA. I am pretty sure that going to a non-accredited school will not affect us as much because we do have a BA, as stated in the RDMS website. I also tried to contact all the accredited programs but the waiting list was on average about 5 years and I do not have 5 years.

Also, if u read on ano from NY's comment, she/he better explains it.

Natalia in Concord, California said: It does not matter for ARDMS what school did you graduate.
I got register for Physics with out any problem and I have Russian Bachelor degree, not medical.
But to take your second exam you have to have 1 year full time job(12 months clinical experience)and they will not accept the clinical hours which is part of the program requirement. 12 CME credits you can get anywhere it's not a problem at all.same books have it.
Just after accredited program you are able to get both exams.
My advise - if you have opportunity to go in accredited school, go with it.
Lot of people don't have this opportunity.

Natalia, I have russian BS degree as well. How hard is it to get those 12 months clinical experience after the caahep unaccredited school?
Please, email me ktchernova@yahoo.com. Thanks

baileylove in Orange, California said: Yes I do have a BA so I am aware of being able to take the ARDMS immediately. I wasn't sure if I was able to take more than the Physics part of the exam according to Natalia, but I guess I am able to take more than that. Thank you.

go to ARDMS web site and download the brochure,read prerequisites for 3A group. You are gonna be able to sit for a physics after graduation, and then you are gonna have 1 year to pass second exam, And you are gonna be able to take that exam, if you have 1 year experience letter form your employer about full time, payable job. You are not a first and not a list in this situation, I do have friend with USA Bachelor, she passed physics and 6 month for now can,t get a job to be able to get that experience for the second exam

baileylove in Orange, California said: I have read through numerous topics in this forum in regards to accredited and non-acredited schools, with or without bachelors and so forth but my question is:

Is there anyone here that attended a non-accredited school with a Bachelors degree that was able to pass the ARDMS exam and is now working with their certification? Was graduation from a non-accredited school an issue when being considered for a position? Or was it not a factor as long as you passed your exam?

I am also confused as to someone stating they were only eligible to take the Physics exam and had to go back to school for the other exams? Are the other exams a requirement to get a job? And does graduation from a non-accredited school with a BA qualify you for any/all the exams?

I have very recently enrolled in a non-accredited school, after seeing that I would be qualified to take the ARDMS exam upon completion. I understand that enrolling in an accredited school would be ideal but my time constraints will not allow me to wait 2-3yrs for the waiting list.

So to sum it up, I would like to hear from anyone that completed their education at a non-accredited school and have passed their ARDMS exam and if they had any issues in obtaining a job?? Thank you in advance =).

I am in the same situation (have bachelors degree and thinking about non-accredited ultraound school). Please share similar experiences!

I just have to respond especially being that I live close to you. I have a BA but would rather get into a accredited school. I know someone who is an ultrasound tech here and she told me finding a job is going to be tough even coming out of an accredited school. In socal there aren't enough jobs and so if it's competitive who do you think will land the job. Cypress college doesn't have a waiting list and it's a year and half program but your prereq can't be lower than a 3.6. You're gambling with going to non-accredited.

I suggest reading some of the job postings. I too am in the same boat as all of you and I've realized that a lot of the job postings are requiring ARDMS in addition to graduation from an accredited school. I would be very cautious. I am also considering an unaccredited school but I can't make a final decision as it could be a very costly error.

I'll be as clear as I can with this:

If attending an ultrasound certificate program (accredited or non-accredited) - you may sit for your Physics even before you graduate (you just have to provide a transcript showing you've taken and passed your physics component). This is new. There is a new Physics exam, the SPI, and that is the new ruling that compes along with it. Now, as far as your specialty is concerned (Abdomen, Breast, OB/GYN, etc), you may NOT sit for that exam until you have graduated (completed 1000 clinical hours). If you attend a CAAHEP accredited school, you may sit for your specialty immediately upon graduating, regardless of prior school experience. If you attend a non-accredited program, you may only sit for the specialty immediately upon graduating IF you have ANY Bachelor's degree. Does not matter if it is foreign, or what type of Bachelor's it is (mine is in Music, go figure...). If you graduated from a 4 year or equivalent college program and can prove it, you can sit for that specialty exam. If not... you work the year's worth of hours first, then you sit for the exam.

Jobs are indeed looking for the RDMS or RVT - it makes things way more competative (blame the health insurers - it's their fault). The good news is that if you take your SPI nice and early, it's a good sign to your potential employer that you are serious about becoming registered (I mean, hey... you're already halfway there).

I think the most important thing you can do before choosing a school is to talk to the students who have attended it - accredited or not... there are some accredited programs that have bad reputations, and some non-accredited ones that have very good reputations.

Let me know if there's anything else I can say to help. Good luck to all!

i am from india,i am a mother of 2 kids and i like to do dms.right now, all these courses here are offered only next year.my husband asks me "is there any chance to do these course or complete the clinical experience in india"?then come back here and do the credential and sit for the exam?i have an allied health care degeree aready.if any foreign educated people,especially from india are there here?please help me to clear my mind.

To the people confused about sitting for your exams I will copy and paste directly from the ARDMS website the correct information for you all. I do not understand why you ask these questions on a forum without doing your research!?!? If I was an employer I would not hire any of you! It is not hard to go to the website and find out the proper information. Asking someone who may or may not be so clear is just being plain lazy...come on people!!

Prerequisite
3A Bachelor’s degree (any major) or foreign degree equivalent to a Bachelor’s
degree in the U.S. or Canada
Required Clinical Ultrasound/Vascular Experience
12 months of full-time 2 clinical ultrasound/vascular experience 3
1) Copy of Bachelor’s degree or an official transcript earned in the U.S. or
Canada or an original foreign transcript evaluation indicating that the
degree is equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree in the U.S. or Canada
and
2) Original letter from supervising sonographer/technologist or education
program director indicating dates of ultrasound or vascular experience/
successful completion of sonography program as shown on page 15
and
3) Original signed and completed clinical verification (CV) form for each
appropriate specialty area(s). CV forms are located on pages 31-35.
Prerequisite
3A Bachelor’s degree (any major) or foreign degree equivalent to a Bachelor’s
degree in the U.S. or Canada

So if any one is further confused on this...what this means is NO you can not sit for your specialty exam if you attended a non CAAHEP accredited school, even with a bachelors. Sorry, but this has been in effect for the last year and a half. The only way to sit right after for any specialty exam(abdomen, ob, vascular etc) is with a bachelors in Sonography or you attended a school accredited by CAAHEP. All of this information is on the ARDMS website, I suggest if you really want to be a part of this field you start there. There is no easy way around this, unless you put in the time or wait. If you do not have time I suggest looking else where. Wasting your time and money on a "diploma Mill" will only cause you grief later on. I know I sound harsh especially in the first e-mail...but I know first hand, because I can not find a job, and I went to a non accredited school. UNITED MEDICAL INSTITUTE>>>for those interested in knowing. If I can save someone else from doing the same it's worth it.

anniegot your gun in Sacramento, California said: So if any one is further confused on this...what this means is NO you can not sit for your specialty exam if you attended a non CAAHEP accredited school, even with a bachelors. Sorry, but this has been in effect for the last year and a half. The only way to sit right after for any specialty exam(abdomen, ob, vascular etc) is with a bachelors in Sonography or you attended a school accredited by CAAHEP. All of this information is on the ARDMS website, I suggest if you really want to be a part of this field you start there. There is no easy way around this, unless you put in the time or wait. If you do not have time I suggest looking else where. Wasting your time and money on a "diploma Mill" will only cause you grief later on. I know I sound harsh especially in the first e-mail...but I know first hand, because I can not find a job, and I went to a non accredited school. UNITED MEDICAL INSTITUTE>>>for those interested in knowing. If I can save someone else from doing the same it's worth it.

You are in fact- incorrect. As I stated before -yes you can sit for your boards- if you have a BA AND your course is over 1650 hours long. If you want to check - call the ARDMS. I did.

hey i m foriegn doctor,i have passed united state medical lisence exam,i m just looking for any hospital or clinic where i can get 12 month clinical experience in ultrasound,,is there anyone who can guide me where i can get clinical traning of 12 month...thankyou

acntech2009 in Ossining, New York said: I'll be as clear as I can with this:

If attending an ultrasound certificate program (accredited or non-accredited) - you may sit for your Physics even before you graduate (you just have to provide a transcript showing you've taken and passed your physics component). This is new. There is a new Physics exam, the SPI, and that is the new ruling that compes along with it. Now, as far as your specialty is concerned (Abdomen, Breast, OB/GYN, etc), you may NOT sit for that exam until you have graduated (completed 1000 clinical hours). If you attend a CAAHEP accredited school, you may sit for your specialty immediately upon graduating, regardless of prior school experience. If you attend a non-accredited program, you may only sit for the specialty immediately upon graduating IF you have ANY Bachelor's degree. Does not matter if it is foreign, or what type of Bachelor's it is (mine is in Music, go figure...). If you graduated from a 4 year or equivalent college program and can prove it, you can sit for that specialty exam. If not... you work the year's worth of hours first, then you sit for the exam.

Jobs are indeed looking for the RDMS or RVT - it makes things way more competative (blame the health insurers - it's their fault). The good news is that if you take your SPI nice and early, it's a good sign to your potential employer that you are serious about becoming registered (I mean, hey... you're already halfway there).

I think the most important thing you can do before choosing a school is to talk to the students who have attended it - accredited or not... there are some accredited programs that have bad reputations, and some non-accredited ones that have very good reputations.

Let me know if there's anything else I can say to help. Good luck to all!

WELL SAID, AND VERY ACCURATE.

anniegot your gun in Sacramento, California said: So if any one is further confused on this...what this means is NO you can not sit for your specialty exam if you attended a non CAAHEP accredited school, even with a bachelors. Sorry, but this has been in effect for the last year and a half. The only way to sit right after for any specialty exam(abdomen, ob, vascular etc) is with a bachelors in Sonography or you attended a school accredited by CAAHEP. All of this information is on the ARDMS website, I suggest if you really want to be a part of this field you start there. There is no easy way around this, unless you put in the time or wait. If you do not have time I suggest looking else where. Wasting your time and money on a "diploma Mill" will only cause you grief later on. I know I sound harsh especially in the first e-mail...but I know first hand, because I can not find a job, and I went to a non accredited school. UNITED MEDICAL INSTITUTE>>>for those interested in knowing. If I can save someone else from doing the same it's worth it.

YOU ARE WRONG!!!! There is nothing about CAAHEP accredited program in 3A of ARDMS. even in subsections 2 and 3. READ IT!!!

sonoportland in Portland, Oregon said: The accreditation issue doesn't apply to Bachelor's degree programs in Ultrasound.

If your Bachelor's degree is in Sonography, you can sit for the registry exams right away after graduation. If it's in another field, you will need to have 12 months clinical experience and 12 CME (continuing medical education) credits in each specialty.

If your program is not a Bachelor's but is CAAHEP accredited in sonography, you can sit right away for your exams.

If your sonography or other allied health degree/certificate is not accredited by CAAHEP, then there are other requirements (12 months clinical experience and 12 CME credits for each specialty - abdomen, OB/GYN, etc.).

I want to correct you on something. Nowhere in the ARDMS requirement 3A does it say that your externship experience needs to be from a CAAHEP accredited program. It just states clinical "program". SO if you have a BS or BA in any diciplin and complete an 18 month sonography program which meets the class and externiship requirements of the ARDMS, you can sit for the exam right after you get your certificate. Done and Done.

OMX CAM in Miami, Florida said: I hold a BA in another field. And, I want to be very careful in making my decision to pursue a non-accredited program. Are the 12 months of clinical a requirement after I've completed an non-accredited program or will they consider the clinical hours which is part of the program requirement? Basically for those people who hold BA degrees in other fields, how is our situation different from the people who have had issues with not being able to sit for their ARDMS who are attending non-accredited schools? Thanks!

Your clinical hours are part of the non-accredited school program if you have a bachelors degree. Dont panic...according to 3A, you can sit for the exam immediately after getting your non-accredited certificate.

Can someone please give me the basic websites for ARDMS License and the CAAHEP Accred Schools in Southern California. I am finishing my Bachelor of Science in Business Management and want to become an Ultrasound technician and MOVE TO SANTA ROSA, CALIFORNIA. Trying to reinvent myself for to move up north. Appreciate any help. My goal is to work at Kaiser in Santa Rosa. Thank you in advance for clarifying details.

abc,fairfield,ca in Fairfield, California said: i am from india,i am a mother of 2 kids and i like to do dms.right now, all these courses here are offered only next year.my husband asks me "is there any chance to do these course or complete the clinical experience in india"?then come back here and do the credential and sit for the exam?i have an allied health care degeree aready.if any foreign educated people,especially from india are there here?please help me to clear my mind.

Hi there ! did you sit for ARDMS yet?