Online Accredited Sonography Schools

cece atl in atlanta, Georgia said: I am looking into a school that is not accredited, but they say I will be able to sit for the ARDMS test after a year. Does anyone have any advice?

My advise is DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY! The key to "sitting for the registry" after that year is that someone actually hired you to work a year. It is near impossible to get a job without RDMS.

You CAN sit for the registry w.o a job if you have a Bachelor's degree, or an associates in allied health. I have a BA, did a non accredited (working towards accreditation) 12 month program, and passed the registry right after. 2 months after that I was hired.

Yes. You CAN sit... if you have a BA but most schools are allowing students to enroll not telling them that upfront.

I came across this post while looking for degree completion programs online- I have been a registered sonographer for almost 16 years-DO NOT use Sanford-Brown or Ultrasound diagnostic school!! It is a rip-off!! I went there 16 years ago and was very lucky to have an excellent clinical site, and they trained me and then I had to wait 2 yrs to take the registry due to the non-accreditation of the school. I was one of the lucky ones. Graduates of these schools are Not sought after! I tried several years ago to get a BA in Health Arts, but Ultrasound Diagnostic School did not have any formal records and the classes were not accredited and did not transfer. Now i am hoping that with my registries i am able to get going onto a degree program. So please, check out your community college programs. Sonography is a very demanding career, it's not all pretty babies and happy people. It is tough work that can be rewarding, but you must have the proper clinical training to do it.

Thank you so much for your informative reply.

I'm wondering if anyone have any information on Central Florida Institute? I see some of their programs are accreditted by CAAHEP but not DMS. They are accreditted by ABHES and they tell you that you can sit for the registry testing. The school is 20,000 and before I invest that much I wanted to know you all thoughts. Thanks!

Has anyone ever graduated from one of the online ultrasound programs (ie: Jackson community college or Mountain State University)? Did anyone have difficulty w/thier clinical sites? I'm definitely not familiar w/how colleges set up clinical sites that are not local. I'm skeptical despite their CAAHEP accredation.

I graduated from an online school (not one you listed) and was able to get a job immediately following. I don't know about these schools- but mine ensured a clinical site before classes started. I didn't have to do much, just give them a list of possible sites, and they did all of the calling and planning. They let me know about a week later where I would be.

Kate in Apo, what online program did you attend? How long did it take for you to sit for the exam, or did you sit for the exam? and, was the admission process competitive?

I graduate from SMAHE. They are not yet accredited but are working on it. I lived in a BIG city and did not have one place that had a problem with that as long as I would be registered. SMAHE does not take applicants that do not have either A) a BA/BS or B) A 2 year allied health degree. This ensures that you can take the registry right after graduation, which I did. And yes it's extremely competitive, they only take 15 people so you need to get your application in SUPER early. I sent mine in the day after they started accepting them. I loved it because the classes are LIVE, you actually watch streaming video. Therefore you can ask the professor questions right then and there during the lesson. It was just like being in class from the comfort of my home office.

I did some research on CFI and found out that they are a bogus school. They don't tell you that when you take their CPAT test that if you don't pass, you can't take the test for another yr and try to get you to register for another program that you don't have the test for. I was very disappointed w/them and their lack of communication. They told me that they should become accredited for DMS between March and June. Valencia is accredited but hard to get into. I've been talking to a school- Greenville Tech in Greenville, Sc (granted you'd have to move) but you can take most of the classes at a community college then transfer up there.
Good luck!

Kate in Apo, I went to SMAHE website, i cant find any info on thier tuition and fees. Approximately, how much was the DMS program?

Hi there,
There are several different programs, it depends on which on you choose. The gen. program (OB/ABD./VAS.) is $5,500 plus approx. $1,000 for books and uniforms. If you go to the request more info button on the website, they will send you a handbook via email.

I am looking for a sonography program near Charlotte, NC, and the community college here is VERY competitive to get in to. I am open to an online program. Has anyone heard of any online programs near here? Any advice would be appreciated!

The U/S program at IAMP in Atlnata is not CAAHEP accredited and when it is time to go for your 6 month internship there is a 6 to 11 month wait. The school only has about 30 sites for students to do their internship and there is about 40 people waiting for the sites. They are sending 8 to 10 people for one interview knowing only one person can do their internship there. I am willing to work as had as I need to and willing to drive anywhere to have a site. Does anyone have any advise for me? Should I try to do my internship out of state where no one knows my school and how bad they are?

Sorry to hear you have such a long wait for your clinical. I think I saw a place in NC or SC that was placing an ad for a job for an intern in ultrasound but the problem you will have is the school doing it. They should not keep accepting students for new classes if they cannot fulfill their contract which includes a clinical site to the previous students. I do not think they have as bad a reputation as sanford brown but hey are heading that direction because even techs at local hospitals talk about our school and say it is too expensive and we are not taught enough to do the job right out of school. You may want to look for a place in another state that is short techs where you would be willing to live because they would prefer to train to keep instead of being a revolving door like the hospitals around atlanta.

Try the Institute of Medical Ultrasound. They will be adding vascular sonography this spring to their training. They are also starting their accredidation process. Look them up

If you have a college degree, or 2-years of allied health training, you can sit for your RDMS exam upon completion of training. I believe ALL of the Atlanta schools will allow you to sit for the registry exam if you meet this criteria. The Atlanta schools are IAMP, Sanford Brown, and Institute of Medical Ultrasound.

Explore your other local options. Some are much more reasonable, and offer the same opprotunities upon completion of your training.

I would encourage anyone looking at training in ultrasound to check out Institute of Medical Ultrasound. I am a graduate of IMU, had great clinical exposure, and secured a job prior to completing my training through the reputation they have developed over the past few years, and connections they have with multiple hospitals and practices in the region. They have a well qualified team of experienced instructors and will be expanding to be the only school to my knowledge offering Gen, Echo and Vascular. I plan to go back to cross train in vascular later this year.

I also found out they have formally started to seek full CAAHEP accreditation.

To my knowledge, only 1 student has not passed the registry exam on their 1st attempt....period. I passed as well.

If looking in Atlanta, or for an online program, it is worth your time to consider them.

is indiana unversity of technology a good school i wanted to appy for the online degree but i was scared if ths is a ripp or fake some one help

Can anyone help me ,i dont find good information online about ultrasound courses.I like to know on campus and online schools too in or near naperville/chicago

Roseleine in Atlanta, Georgia said: But I read some awful things about Sanford Brown. I guess I don't want to be trapped in a school that only worry about the $$. Can you also suggest any online school that is accredited to. I have a 7 month right now and I live in Buford so I know that I won't be able to make it onsite of the schools.

I am also looking for a sonography school and saw the awful comments about Sanford Brown. I still contacted the school about the information in regards to attending and I told the senior admissions rep about the comments and I decided to go and observe for myself because everyone is going to have there own opinion about something and all schools is what you make of it. Also I contacted the BBB (Better Business B) on Sanford Brown and they actually have a good standing with them. I feel like if they really had a bat experience they should have contacted the BBB to voice their complaints so it could be resolved instead of slandering the school.

Aknight in Overbrook, Kansas said: I am also looking for a sonography school and saw the awful comments about Sanford Brown. I still contacted the school about the information in regards to attending and I told the senior admissions rep about the comments and I decided to go and observe for myself because everyone is going to have there own opinion about something and all schools is what you make of it. Also I contacted the BBB (Better Business B) on Sanford Brown and they actually have a good standing with them. I feel like if they really had a bat experience they should have contacted the BBB to voice their complaints so it could be resolved instead of slandering the school.

I spoke with an ultrasound technologist 2 days ago who said that Sanford Brown is not accredited despite reports to the contrary and you will not get hired if you go to this school. This is what I heard, don't know if its true or not.

OK who know s anything about IAMP. I saw that they have an associates program. Does anyone know anything about this school?

I went to Indiana University and they are top notch! In Indiana the IUPUI campus is a great medical teaching college! I would not hesitate at all to be a part of IU's online program!

john in Brooklyn, New York said: is indiana unversity of technology a good school i wanted to appy for the online degree but i was scared if ths is a ripp or fake some one help

Hi Everyone,

I am currently a sonography student in Florida, I was googling something and some how managed to end up here. Just a piece of advise, Sonography is not an easy field, you can not just do it online. It takes a lot of work and dedication, I am currently on my second semester and we practice a lot not including our intership. You need to learn how to use as many different machines as possible, get acquainted with physics and anatomy. It's not about just taking pictures, you have to be able to find the organ and follow the protocol of what that image is going to look like. Which means that you have to actually spend a lot of time in a clinical setting which actual patients or a lab at school with students.

My recommendation is that you find an actual accredited institution and atttend. Now, most accredited institutions are hard to get in, and are based on GPA. Also, keep in mind there are a lot of schools that are not accredited like Sanford Brown that charge over 30,000, and no one will hire you, you can't even sit for your boards. You can only sit for your boards after one year which you have to show proof that you worked for that year in this specific field. You have to keep in mind that the odds of you getting hired without your boards is very small, so small that you can practically save yourself the 30,000 dollars and major in another field.

Hi R,

I appreciate your advice and had just a few questions.

I am a respiratory therapist (10yrs) and a speech language pathologist (3yrs) looking to go into sonography. When you were saying that as a sono student you need to spend a lot of time in a clinical setting with actual patients.....are you saying more than what the clinical requirements are?

I am just asking b/c I was interested in an online program where you do all your class/book work online then of course attend a different hospitals for clinical rotations. The school I am looking into is CAAHEP certified but still weary.

Do you feel that classroom attendance w/professor physically there is an important part that is crucial to mastering techniques? or do you feel that bookwork can be done online and leave the clinicals to the sites?

Thanks for your time,
Hjl

Kate in Apo said: I graduated from an online school (not one you listed) and was able to get a job immediately following. I don't know about these schools- but mine ensured a clinical site before classes started. I didn't have to do much, just give them a list of possible sites, and they did all of the calling and planning. They let me know about a week later where I would be.

Kate,

Since your classes were streamlined live that meant you had to be home in your office certain times and certain days right? Did you have any classes that weren't streamlined and that you logged on and took exams etc?

You have brightened my hopes about this online school.
Thanks!

Hi Hjl,

I meant the time needs to be spent practicing sonography on patients.

Just to give you an idea of how much practice we do.

We spend 2 days in lab at school practicing, and one 6 hour day at a clinical site. This is only for the first year.

The second year we spend 1 day in the lab at school practicing with the machines, three days at the clinical site. Each year consists of 3 semesters. So in total we have 6 semesters.

Each specific organ takes time to learn, one organ has about 11 images and each image has landmarks that you have in your pictures. It sounds easy but believe me it is not when you are scanning a 350 pound patient.

Just a reminder for the people that are planning on doing an online program. Anyone can finish those programs, but can not keep a job. I have seen many times techs get in trouble for not doing their jobs correctly due to lack of education.

Money is always good, but the quality of your work is always better.

Hjl in Dallas, Texas said: Hi R,

I appreciate your advice and had just a few questions.

I am a respiratory therapist (10yrs) and a speech language pathologist (3yrs) looking to go into sonography. When you were saying that as a sono student you need to spend a lot of time in a clinical setting with actual patients.....are you saying more than what the clinical requirements are?

I am just asking b/c I was interested in an online program where you do all your class/book work online then of course attend a different hospitals for clinical rotations. The school I am looking into is CAAHEP certified but still weary.

Do you feel that classroom attendance w/professor physically there is an important part that is crucial to mastering techniques? or do you feel that bookwork can be done online and leave the clinicals to the sites?

Thanks for your time,
Hjl

Hjl,
Are you still a practicing RT? If not, what made you decide to leave it? I was looking into this field as well, and even thought about SLP a while back.

R,

Thank you for all your advice I do appreciate that.
Scanning is something so different from anything I have done before so it is hard for me to compare it against my past job history. It's nice to have an insider view on what it's like.

Thanks for the tips!

lostnconfused in Columbus, Mississippi said: Hjl,
Are you still a practicing RT? If not, what made you decide to leave it? I was looking into this field as well, and even thought about SLP a while back.

lostnconfused,

Yes I am still practicing respiratory therapy. I have choosen to continue w/respiratory at the moment rather than Speech path b/c of the hours. I am able to work 3 12hr shifts and then spend the rest of the week at home w/the kids, rather than w/speech work 5 8hr days. (I realize in sono I might not always have the 12hr shift option).

I am choosing to change to sono field b/c I've come to know a little about myself over the years. In respiratory most places you work can be stressful. There's always a pt that's not doing well on your shift that you are responsible for or a code was called that you've got to respond to. Respiratory is a great field and can be very rewarding, but over the years I'm growing tired of being stressed w/life & death. I worked in the ER for a year or so then grew tired of the stresses of not knowing what was going to be wheeled through the doors, then changed to the unit which is more controlled but someone was always on the verge of coding etc. It's just intense a lot of the time, and can get real messy (mucus/suctioning/blood/urine/stool etc)....and as you become more seasoned and comfortable w/your skills the stress is lessened but never completely goes away.

I feel that I am more technical and enjoy working w/equipment/computers etc. Speech pathology is not a technical field. SLP job requires you to be very creative, innovative, high energy, and must be passionate about reaching that child.......and to be honest I'm not the most creative person. I enjoyed doing therapy but not sure if I could do it day in and day out coming up w/new games, therapies etc.

You probably didn't want to know all of that but there it is.

How come you didn't pursue your SLP?

I was wondering if there was anyone who went to or is attending Mountain State Universitys online ultrasound program. I am most likely going to go here for my training, but would like opinions of actual students before I make my decision.

Thanks for any replies!

Has anybody heard of institute of ultrasound diagnostics in mobile al? Anybody attending this program? It is CAAHEP accredited.

Hjl;
I took a few classes in SLP this past semester as a potential career switch-I loved the Phonetics class but the other classes were very dull and I hated observing the clinicals. I knew after observing the clinicals that it wasn't the field for me-I couldn't imagine doing that everyday.
I thought about RT but after reading the forums here on the field, I'd much rather stick ultrasound.

Susan in Lennoxville, Quebec said: Has anybody heard of institute of ultrasound diagnostics in mobile al? Anybody attending this program? It is CAAHEP accredited.

I am applying to this program. All I know is that it is accredited and you can take ARDMS exams right after you complete it.

i am applying at iamp in new york city , does anybody know about the school and do you think its a good school?

i am applying at iamp in new york city , does anybody know about the school and do you think its a good school?

I am interested in any info on accredited on-line Med.Sonography Programs. How long are they and how much. I am a RETIRED woman and would like to embark upon a NEW CAREER.. I believe Med. Sono. would suit me fine, but I don't want the classroom setting if I can help it. PLEASE...and ON-LINE GRADUATES???? Please, please share information.

Thanks all...

DeniseH in youngstown, Ohio said: I am looking at an online school in Michigan for an associate degree in Medical Sonography. Do you have any opinions regarding online schooling versus classroom setting? I work full time and have young children and find it impossible to do anything else! Will I be less employable earning my degree online? The school is an Accredited school.

WHAT IS THE NAME OF THE ONLINE SCHOOL IN MICHIGAN...OR ANYWHERE. PLEASE, THANK YOU.

Carli in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan said: I am interested in any info on accredited on-line Med.Sonography Programs. How long are they and how much. I am a RETIRED woman and would like to embark upon a NEW CAREER.. I believe Med. Sono. would suit me fine, but I don't want the classroom setting if I can help it. PLEASE...and ON-LINE GRADUATES???? Please, please share information.

Thanks all...

Go to CAAHEP website, choose from the menu: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer, check the "online" box- you will see the list of accredited online schools and their websites. Online schools do teach you theory online , but most of the time is spent on clinical sites.

DeniseH in youngstown, Ohio said: The school is accredited with Allied and I found out that they hook you up with a local company that teaches you that hands on part.

What school? Is this an online school?

thanks!!

Question? Can somebody explain to me how a online ultrasound school works? How and where do you do clinicals. That would work out great for me, but it seems kinda risky. At Grady you have to hold a RT cert before you can do sonograpy as well as at Coosa Valley. I also heard that is the best way to go is to become an RT first.

R in Tampa, Florida said: Just a reminder for the people that are planning on doing an online program. Anyone can finish those programs, but can not keep a job. I have seen many times techs get in trouble for not doing their jobs correctly due to lack of education.

Money is always good, but the quality of your work is always better.

I was wondering on what school it is that you attend here in Fl. Do you attend Hillsborough Community College? If so how long did it take you to get accepted and how hard was it and what is the process?

Hjl in Dallas, Texas said: Hi R,

I appreciate your advice and had just a few questions.

I am a respiratory therapist (10yrs) and a speech language pathologist (3yrs) looking to go into sonography. When you were saying that as a sono student you need to spend a lot of time in a clinical setting with actual patients.....are you saying more than what the clinical requirements are?

I am just asking b/c I was interested in an online program where you do all your class/book work online then of course attend a different hospitals for clinical rotations. The school I am looking into is CAAHEP certified but still weary.

Do you feel that classroom attendance w/professor physically there is an important part that is crucial to mastering techniques? or do you feel that bookwork can be done online and leave the clinicals to the sites?

Thanks for your time,
Hjl

You're a speech language pathologist! Why would you want to leave that field? The pay is awesome and you don't have lift anyone. That's the best position in the therapy field to have.

well......the pay is comparable to sono really in the Dallas area. Therapy requires you to be constantly creative coming up w/new ideas and ways to grab a childs attention and interest. There are a lot of grey areas in Speech where therapy can take many directions b/c there isn't a clear cut path to take --so to speak. I do love the children but it's very taxing on me b/c I struggle to be creative and fun all the time during therapy. Adults (stroke/TBI etc) are rewarding too but can become somewhat depressing and you have to be very, very patient seeing minimal progress over long periods of time. I've just come to realize that though I wish I were more creative, the reality is that I'm not and I have to work very hard at it. I'd rather do something technical/diagnostic. I know my husband thinks I'm nuts too.

lostnconfused in Columbus, Mississippi said: Hjl;
I took a few classes in SLP this past semester as a potential career switch-I loved the Phonetics class but the other classes were very dull and I hated observing the clinicals. I knew after observing the clinicals that it wasn't the field for me-I couldn't imagine doing that everyday.
I thought about RT but after reading the forums here on the field, I'd much rather stick ultrasound.

I understand. I haven't read the forums on Respiratory therapy (RT? not radiologist tech right?) but I've been in the field for around 11yrs now and I've come to realize I can't do this the rest of my life. I'm glad that I did it and have knowledge/experience in it but it's not something that I want to wake up and experience daily. I'm tired of codes, suctioning, vomit, and all of the other wonderful body fluids that come along w/the job. I realize someone has to do it and I feel like I've done my share and it's time to move onto something else.

The job environment in speech path can be completely different but I'm just not creative enough.....and I get somewhat impatient and frustrated which you can't do.

Hi ladies! I am from Virginia and there is only ONE school in the state that has the Medical Sonography program that is accredited...But its an hour and a half drive and I have a 7 month old that I stay home with and it just isn't going to work! I was wondering if anyone here has had luck with an online degree with local clinical work?? I really want this, but have had no luck yet! What have you girls done to get into an accredited online program??