Online Accredited Sonography Schools

Hi, I'm trying to find the best training I can within Texas. Does anyone know of the reputation of the schools in my state? I'd rather not ask the schools themselves, as they all tend to try and sell you on their curriculum.
Right now, LoneStar Community College is my closest school - but I'm not married to the idea by any means.

HI ROSEALINE, LOOK UP SANFORD BROWN REVIEWS AND YOU WILL COME TO A PAGE OF PEOPLE FREAKING OUT ABOUT HOW MUCH OF A RIP OFF IT IS. I'M NOT SURE WHAT AREA THEY WERE SPEAKING OF, BUT I BELIEVE IT WAS SOMEWEHERE IN THE SOUTH...AND THERE WERE MORE THAN ONE PERSON IN ONE SCHOOL COMPLAINING ABOUT HOW THEY TAKE YOUR MONEY AND DON'T HAVE CERTIFIED PEOPLE TEACHING THE PROGRAM. THEY ALSO COMPLAINED ABOUT HOW NO EMPLOYERS WOULD HIRE THEM BECAUSE OF WHERE THEY WENT TO SCHOOL. MAKE SURE YOU DO YOUR RESEARCH BEFORE INVESTING ALL THAT MONEY INTO YOUR EDUCATION. GOOD LUCK!!!!

I am there at the moment, and if I could get my money back and walk away I would. It is a shambles. Every test we have, there has been cheating, but they dont want to do anything about it- they dont want anyone to fail. They cancelled one test we took ,and told us we had to keep resit it, but still did nothing.
There are 31 on the course and 5 working machines, sometimes only 4.
They have stopped teaching cardiac and doppler, which they still say they do.

Honestly, find another career

lutie in New York, New York said: I am there at the moment, and if I could get my money back and walk away I would. It is a shambles. Every test we have, there has been cheating, but they dont want to do anything about it- they dont want anyone to fail. They cancelled one test we took ,and told us we had to keep resit it, but still did nothing.
There are 31 on the course and 5 working machines, sometimes only 4.
They have stopped teaching cardiac and doppler, which they still say they do.

Honestly, find another career

oops- I am at IAMP in NYC

Hi Lutie...You live in NYC? Go and speak to someone at SUNY Downstate in Brooklyn, or go onto their website: www.SUNY Downstate.edu. Look under College of Health Related Professions. I don't know if you have any college credits or not, but they could help give you some information. I just got accepted to that school after going to Queensborough Community College. I didn't realize how lucky I am until I got onto these messageboards. If I didn't make it into SUNY Downstate, my next alternative would've been Sanford Brown, although, they didn't offer Ultrasound in the Long Island City school. They would've probably give me the run around like the other people I read about stating that I would have to take Medical Assisting or something like that and have to pay for that, and then pay another $30K for the Sonogram program. SUNY Downstate only charges $2,2oo a semester...and at the end you end up with a college degree which gives you many more options (like getting into management). Getting into SUNY Downstate is hard, because they have limited seats (27 per year, as opposed to per "module" whatever that means, but apparently that's what everyone stated about Sanford Brown...I think that's their version of semester which only lasts a couple of weeks). I feel so bad for everyone who got ripped off by these schools. I don't understand how they could stay in business. You should call one of the news stations and see if you could put them on "SHAME ON YOU" or something like that so you could help all of those unsuspecting people like yourself. In fact, they might be able to do something to help get your money back. Those schools target people who want to go the route of getting in and out of school quickly and they take advantage of that. Sometimes, it pays to go to a college for a few years. It may take longer but at least you know you are in a legit school, and when you get out, you have many more options in life & it ususally cost alot less. GOOD LUCK!!!!!

phil36 in Howell, New Jersey said: my fiancee is looking into the ultrasound program in SBI in iselin, nj. has anybody gone to that school or heard anything good/bad about it? they are CAAHEP accredited. thanks

Please do not go to SANFORD BROWN!!! Go onto www.RIPOFF REPORT BY CONSUMERS.com..type in SANFORD BROWN and you will see all comments from former students of that school. I definitely remember the Iselin NJ school being on there as well as a whole bunch of other school in U.S. Good luck!

Susan in Lennoxville, Quebec said: Hi, do you have a 2 year degree or are you already in the health field? I am just barely getting my "required 48 credits." I hope that this will not be an issue when I go to pass the boards. IUD says it will not be a problem, but I am so skeptical. Also, I am skeptical about the fact that you can't go through with the FAFSA for federal aid, only private loans.
Susan

If the government isn't willing to give a loan it may be because it's not a good school or may have bad reputation. Private loans generally have a much higher percentage rate to pay back. Please be careful, and really research any school you are considering going to. Also, go onto www.RIPOFF REPORT BY CONSUMERS.com and type in the name of the school your interested in going to. I'm not sure if it has schools in Canada, but it's worth a try!! Good luck!!

Dear="ladadee in ozone park, New York" Hi there!! I see that you are from Ozone Park, which is on the other side of Woodhaven Blvd from where I live (I live in Glendale). I am currently attending Queensborough Community College, and will be transferring to SUNY Downstate. I'm currently enrolled @ Quuensborough Community College, and will start Downstate in the fall. It's a four year school. You must have 60 credits, a year in A&P, a semester in chemistry, physics,algebra/trig, psychology and a year of english. The rest of the classes could be whatever you want as long as it fills the quota of 60 credits. You also need a minimum of a 3.0 average.

I know that alot of people want to take the short cut but it seems to me that the majority of the people who go the route of a "trade" school like Sanford Brown or AIT, all live to regret their decision, especially after they owe $30k in loans and can't get a job to pay it off because no one will hire them becuase they went to Sanford Brown. Downstate is a well respected Medical University, and since they have you doing clinicals from the first semester onward, you will be working with a host of doctors who may end up wanting to hire you. There's 97% job placement after graduation. Go onto www.Downstate.edu and see what they have to offer. Good luck!

Money for school. Hi, I just graduated yesterday with my undergrad. I cannot receive any more federal financial aid to go to Ultrasound school. What are my options? I've already been accepted into an online program, now I just need the money.

Anna in Middle Village, New York said:

Thanks for replying.
Unfortunately I live in Upper Manhattan, so SUNY would be too far for me. NYC was very expensive. I should have taken the Vascular tech course at LIU in Brookly but was worried that I would be limited, but at least it was accredited. I have already paid so shall keep on studying, and try to find my own placement/network. The only positive thing is that I have a degree, so can take my boards when I finish, unless they change the rules before then!. Good luck to you

Wasted Money in Atlanta, Georgia said: If the online school is JCC in Jackson - they don't hook you up with someone local to teach you. Your clinical site teaches you and it is within a 2.5 hour drive from your house. I had to sell my house and move to the clinical site. You have no say in where you go - it is where they are able to get someone to take you. Good luck!

I am looking at starting this program at JCC. However the school advisors and everyone has not been very helpful. And I am getting a little nervous about the quality of the school. I am also worried about this driving 2.5 hrs to get to your clinical site. Has anyone else had these problems? Also I am nervous about doing all the prereqs and not being accepted into the sonography program. Anyone have any thoughts?

Otherwise I am open to looking at other online sonography programs.

Once you meet your pre reqs while at JCC it is NO guarantee you make the program. You have to submit an official application with references and they contact you for an interview. If you are local it is in person with a panel of approx 3-5 people that run the program. If you are distant, it is on speaker phone in a room with those same people. They ask you questions from all different angles (academics, personal life, goals, etc.). Then, if you make it into the program they will contact you and let you know where your clinical site is. It may be close to your house or within 2 hours. It all depends where you live, if there are other schools dominating the area, if you are in a rural area. Most schools including this one are very competitive to get into. Most people you are competing with have a 4.0 G.P.A. Good luck.

Danielle in Deltona, Florida said: 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!

Actually, cost at CFI school for DMS is $30,ooo.

Could any one suggest a good ultrasound school around the Seattle area?

I am 33 years old and want a career in sonography. Can anyone list at least 3 online accredited school in my area.

zenchic said: 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!

Hi, I am a current student at mountain State University and I am also looking to transfer out. I have had nothing but trouble and do not reccomend them.

Scott in Houston, Texas said: (Continued)

Should also note that the cost of Vocation schools rather accredited or not are the same. Roughly 36K is the going standard throughout the United States. Why pay that much for a program, that you can't even sit for the registry exam afterwards? Some would argue that paying 36k for a program that is eligible is already to much.

As for Sanford Browns CAAHEP status, if your looking for general diagnostic Medical sonography (Which the majority of people here seem to be), the Atlanta location is ARDMS. As is the Dallas, Houston, etc locations. I assume people would research the accreditations before singing up.

I met with Sandord Brown in New Jersey this Monday. They informed well including that they are CAAHEP accredited and DMS Graduates are eligible to sit for the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography certification examination. So far I was impressed but I don't make decisions as important as this one thoughtout doing all the reseach. That is why I am here...learning alot more from others. Someone said that they are not CAAHEP approved in Georgia. Sounds like they are different in different Cities when it comes accreditation.

athomemom in Jonesboro, Georgia said: Does anyone know the price at Sanford Brown Institute in Atlanta, GA? I am interested in the sonography program but I have heard nothing good about that school. I also called and they won't give me any prices over the phone. Is it worth it to go to the school or not? Also, I'm an at home mom and I have three kids-one in school though, is the program extremely hard or is it managable?

In New Jersey Sanford Brown told me a little over 34,000. I know you asked for Georgia but at least u can compare.

K-D in New Baltimore, Michigan said: Hi, I am a current student at mountain State University and I am also looking to transfer out. I have had nothing but trouble and do not reccomend them.

Hi I am thinking of starting at Mountain State soon...What kind of problems have you had with them?

Hi K-D. I am also currently a student at Mountain State. I have been taking pre-requisites and I am set to begin the DMS program in July. Do you mind telling me what kind of problems you are having with them? My biggest concern is the placement for the clincals. Were they able to set up up at a hospital to do your clinicals?

Hi Kim,
I am also finishing my pre-requisites and am about to start the actual DMS program. My problem with Mountain State so far as been that they are not very organized. Every time I have a question, or am trying to register for classes, I am passed from person to person and from department to department with each person telling me something different. Whenever I call the school, I usually have to leave a voice message, and it takes days to get it returned. I often feel like I have to nag them into doing their jobs. On Cougar Web, where it tells you how many classes you have left to take, they have me as needing classes that I have already taken. They also told me that although it does not show it on the computer; I have 3 more credit hours than posted, but I should just ignore that. I Switched some classes around this spring, and they gave back all of my financial aid, so I had to re-apply. Then, I just received a letter from the Dean, telling me that I am on academic warning for having lower than a 2.0 and if my GPA was not brought up soon, I would be suspended,however, I currently have a 3.8 and am a member of the International Honor Society. When I called the school, they said they were confused about the end dates of the semester and did not receive my final grades for this spring, I then had to tell them that my spring classes (online) are not over until mid-July. They said to just dismiss the letter. So, to sum it up, many things like this have just made me very uncomfortable with the school and I am on the search for a school that offers an online bachelor degree in DMS. I hope that this helps you; I know I didn't answer about the clinical sites. I am also wonderin

Joy in Baltimore, Maryland said: Hey, sorry it took me so long to respond. No, I am not planning on attending mountainstate. I just saw the forum and I knew about the school. They are accredited but you need to make sure that your state accepts distance learning school. I see you're in maryland so you have to call the licensing board. Maryland is really picky with accepting online schools.

Hi Joy,
I was just wondering if you know of a website that lists which states accept distance learning schools? I had not even thought of that! I am glad I read your post.

Thanks for replying...I know exactly what you mean. Especially about the academic warning thing, I've had a 4.0 so far but get the same warning every semester. I also have a friend going there that has had a lot of problems with them screwing up financial aid. So yes, they are pretty unorganized.

Are you looking to transferring to another school that does DMS online? It seems like there are not a lot of other options for schools with an accredited DMS course, especially not here in Georgia.

Hi. I have a question about on-line schools for sonography...how do you guys do your clinicals? Are there hospitals associated with the school? I hear about people doing on-line schools, but never understood how that works with things like needing experience using the scanning machines.

K-D in New Baltimore, Michigan said: Hi Joy,
I was just wondering if you know of a website that lists which states accept distance learning schools? I had not even thought of that! I am glad I read your post.

I believe Florida Hospital has an accredited DMS Bachelors program. I am looking to attend MSU for the Associates DMS program.

lutie in New York, New York said:

I apply in istitute of allaid medical proffesions and they said that they are an accredited school. Please help I dont want to make a mistake.

georona gadsden in Charleston, South Carolina said: i would like know are there any ultrasound schools in sc

Greenville Tech. offers a DMS program.

I have met with Sandford Brown in Iselin New Jersey. I am inquiring about their Sonography program. Has anyone attended or knows facts good and bad about the school or program?

ome in Peekskill, New York said: I apply in istitute of allaid medical proffesions and they said that they are an accredited school. Please help I dont want to make a mistake.

they are not accredited by CAHEEP, find somewhere else to go. They churn out students without proper clinical placements

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.

check out Mountain State University, only completely accredited online program for DMS.

I have been doing research on online schools in sonography for forever it feels like and I want to find a GREAT one and get started. Does anyone have any suggestions? I'm looking a Mountain State, but the money is scaring me! Please Help!

What made me change my mind is that when you go to www.caahep.org, the commission that does the accreditation, there no longer are any schools listed that offer online programs and that are accredited. I contacted CAAHEP to make sure that the information was accurate and they said it was. I have changed my mind because I absolutely wanted an accredited program if I were to spend that amount of money.

I just wanted to say that I had been having trouble with Mountain State University, but the problems have been resolved and it seems that those involved, are no longer with the university. Since then, I have had no problems and am now enjoying the whole experience.

I have a B.S. in biology. I want to go to unaccredited
caahep school. Does it matter if I pass the ARDMs anyway?
Will I still have problems with employment? There is a waiting
line at caahep accredited colleges.

From what I understand since you already have a B.S., you could go to an unaccredited school and take the ARDMs right after your graduation. The problem may lie in whether the hospitals will hire you because most hospitals don't want to deal with anyone who didn't go an accredited school. On the other hand, since you would've taken the ARDMs, and you passed, I don't think there would be a problem hiring you, since the state decided that you were qualified by passing the exam plus you already have a college degree. From what I have been reading on these messageboards, the problem for most of the people who are writting on these forums, is that they DON'T have a 4 year college degree and they went to an unaccredited school, and they had to find a hospital were they would allow them to work for pay so they could get the year experience in the work force and THEN sit for the exams. Like I said most hospitals don't want to hire anyone who came from an unaccredited school because there could be liability issues. Since every hospital's criteria is different I would suggest you call a few area hospitals and see what they have to say about your circumstances. Good Luck!!

ome in Peekskill, New York said: I apply in istitute of allaid medical proffesions and they said that they are an accredited school. Please help I dont want to make a mistake.

Go onto CAAHEP.com and see if your school is on there. If not, it means they are unaccredited and unless you have an B.S. degree from a 4 year college, you will have to find a hospital that will hire you and let you work for them a full year in order to sit for your ARDM's exam. However, most hospitals won't want to hire you because you went an unaccredited school you would be a liability risk for them. Also, go onto www.ripoff reports.com and see if anyone has ever complained about that school like they have about Sanford Brown Institutes. You could also try googling, "Reviews for IAMP" or trying actually spelling out their full names. That's how I came across this site as well as ripoff reports.com, when I was looking up SBI, in case I didn't get into Downstate. I think there's an accredited school not far from you. Go onto CAAHEP's website, and put in the state. I'm pretty positive that there's a school not too far from you. Good luck!!

Maritza in New Brunswick, New Jersey said: I have met with Sandford Brown in Iselin New Jersey. I am inquiring about their Sonography program. Has anyone attended or knows facts good and bad about the school or program?

Go onto www.ripoff reports.com. Type in Sanford Brown Institutes. There is someone who complained about SBI in Iselin. You will see tons of people complaining about that school all over the country. I know of at least one person who complained and I'm pretty sure there are quite a few that has complained. Also, there are a few more of these sonography forums that has so many people complaining about SBI. Read up on as many as you can before investing all that money. Good luck.

Maritza in New Brunswick, New Jersey said: I have met with Sandford Brown in Iselin New Jersey. I am inquiring about their Sonography program. Has anyone attended or knows facts good and bad about the school or program?

Hi again...go onto www.CAAHEP.com. Type in your state and you will find quite a few programs for ultrasound. I am positive there's a community (or a county) college that offers ultrasound program in Paramus. I am pretty sure the name of that school is BERGEN COMMUNITY COLLEGE. Go onto www.BCC.edu and see what they have to say. Since it's an community college, the tuition will be really cheap, alot cheaper than if you went to IAMP or SBI...AND they are accredited and you will walk away with an Associates Degeree! Since it's an accredited program you could sit for your ARDMs when you graduate!! Sounds like a great deal to me! I wish I had a commmunity college by me that offered an Ultrasound program. Instead I had to go to QCC to get 60 credits THEN I quaified for SUNY Downstate. Now I will begin that program in the fall. I don't mind really, since when I initially decided to go back to school it was so I would have a 4 years degree. I just got lucky find out about Downstate and to see that my credits would transfer to their program. So I am accomplish-ing two goals instead of just one. :o)

I already have a B.S. Would it hurt me
to go to an unaccredited technical
school as long as I parr ARDMS? The
community colleges have a waiting line here.

Thank you for your information. I've
read ARMDS requirements since I
already have a B.S. in Biology.Has
anyone heard of Newbridge in Santa Ana,CA.? I hate to spend 30K,but I don't
think I can wait until I get an opening
at Community College and I would have to
take a bunch of other classes.

Nikki in Los Angeles, California said: Thank you for your information. I've
read ARMDS requirements since I
already have a B.S. in Biology.Has
anyone heard of Newbridge in Santa Ana,CA.? I hate to spend 30K,but I don't
think I can wait until I get an opening
at Community College and I would have to
take a bunch of other classes.

before you do that, I highly recommend you to call your nearest hospital in the sonography program and talk to the Chief Ultrasound technologist there to see what he/she thinks if a graduate go to an unaccredited CAAHEP ultrasound program. If you don't believe that person, try another hospital and ask. They would be willing to give you an answer. Ask them also would it matter if you have a BS in bio. Honestly, I wouldn't spend 30k on an unaccredited program. I would rather wait.

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 have heard a bunch of negative complaints about sanford brown but is it really that bad?

HI Aurora. I guess what state you are in, in regards to Sanford Brown. Here in NYC, they tell you you must take a Medical assisting course for $12k BEFORE you could take the sonogram program which is another $27k. Once they graduate from there, and if they don't already have a bachelor's degree, they will have to find a job and work for a full year before you could take the exams. SBI isn't an accredited school here in NYC, therefore NO HOSPITALS will hire anyone to work for the year experience because they are a liability to the hospital. SBI isn't a respected school in NYC, but that's not to say that's the case everyway. Unfortunately, until you are reading these messageboards, you don't know what you have to know about a school before spending all that money it. Go onto www.Ripoffreports.com and see how many complaints that has regarding SBI...and that is from students throughout the country. If you feel SBI is the way to go, then go for it and good luck! :o)

What are my chances of getting an externship from unaccredited
school,if I have a B.S. in Bioloogy and supplemental courses
suchb as pathophysiology?? Anyone?? I have to work during the
day,so I can only go to a night technical school.

I haven't met anyone that's graduated from the program to say one way or the other but I'm not willing to invest 30k into a place that has such a bad rep by so many comments.

Nikki in Los Angeles, California said: What are my chances of getting an externship from unaccredited
school,if I have a B.S. in Bioloogy and supplemental courses
suchb as pathophysiology?? Anyone?? I have to work during the
day,so I can only go to a night technical school.

Santa Barbara City College (a state community college) offers an 18 month ultrasound program. The cost is much less than 30k. They only accept students who already have a Bachelors Degree, or a two year patient care related Associate Degree. Classes are on Friday and Saturday. They are supposed to start in August. I think there are still openings for the August start. Hope this helps.

It's still not a CAAHEP school,either.
That seems to be the problem. Thanks,
anyway.

Nikk in Los Angeles, California said: It's still not a CAAHEP school,either.
That seems to be the problem. Thanks,
anyway.

Honestly Nikki, the schedule format for a CAAHEP sonography program is basically 8-4. The only class you have to worry about is clinicals because that will be from usually from 8-4 pm but in the first semester usually, they start you off easy with clinicals once a week or two. As you progress throughout the program, the clinicals days will increase from one to two or three especially in the last semester because of the growth of knowledge you have already. The summer clinicals are going to be 4-5 days depending on the program, and you might have some summer vacation left. The didactic classes like pathology, or physics are in the morning or after noon but they end after what 2-3 hours but you might have to come to class twice a week or so. If you could find a job maybe after 4-5 pm, you are set or work in the weekend. Honestly, you are better off going to a CAAHEP school regardless you have a BS degree in biology.

Hi everyone. First let me say that this site has been a great help in search for the right school to become a sonographer. I was wondering if anyone has attended Bergen Community College in Paramus, NJ for their sonography program. I keep reading about SAnford Brown and I don't have any where near $30,000 to spend and I have enough debt and don't want to take out too much of a loan. Can anyone tell me anything about Bergen Community? Thanks and good luck to you all.

I guess I will have to take my chances
with a technical night school.I'm single
so I can go anywhere for externship.
However, please answer this. I have to
work fulltime for 12 mo. I have two pass
ARDMS within two years of technical
training(not clinical),or the technical
won't count. I'm confused. Please clarify
someone.
learning