Sonographer schools in Houston, TX

aescobar in Cypress, Texas said: Mr.Cowan,I recently applied at Sanford Brown for the ultrasound technology program.Unfortunetly,I don't have enough college credits to get in.They gave me the option of either taking additional courses at the community college or enrolling into one of their other programs.This would allow me to earn credits with them so I could be eligable for the DMS program.I am contemplating doing their surgical tech program so I can possibly get into the health care field and also go back for their DMS program. Would you recommend this? Your previous post have put me at ease with this school;how ever I am still kind of scepitcal.

aescobar - What college credits do you have to have to get into Sanford Brown for the ultrasound program? Also how much did they tell you the program would cost you?

Guess what!!!! Cyfair called today I got in after all!!! See ya on the 19th annabelle

pammynelle in Houston, Texas said: Guess what!!!! Cyfair called today I got in after all!!! See ya on the 19th annabelle

I was so excited for you when I read your post. All the hard work will pay off. Hopefully I will soon be in your shoes. Have my final in A&P next week and am ready to see that A...lol...I will definately keep in touch hopefully I will be no more than a year behind you guys!!! Congrats again to both of yall!!!

anabella in Houston, Texas said: I have a pharmacy technician certification I believe they gave me 5 points for it. I didn't take any of my classes at cy fair i took them between HBU and HCC. I believe I had about 73 to 76 points I am not sure.I had A's in all my classes except for the composition I.

Thanks. Another ? for you. How did you find the PSB to be? Did you use a study guide to prepare for it?

pammynelle in Houston, Texas said: Guess what!!!! Cyfair called today I got in after all!!! See ya on the 19th annabelle

congratulations I am so excited for you. I will see you on the 19th. they email me some informations today but I couldn't open them.

its the background check vendors and the uniforms and textbooks we need. Just this semester we need 7 textbooks totally $700. Im not sure if we order the uniforms at the school or if we need to go online and do that. I emailed Christina but shes out til Monday

pammynelle in Houston, Texas said: its the background check vendors and the uniforms and textbooks we need. Just this semester we need 7 textbooks totally $700. Im not sure if we order the uniforms at the school or if we need to go online and do that. I emailed Christina but shes out til Monday

Hey do u mind giving me ur email address maybe we can exchange nbs, I have already bought the books and I saved about $100

My email is pmartin74@sbcglobal.net

CONGRADULATIONS!!!!!

pammynelle in Houston, Texas said: Guess what!!!! Cyfair called today I got in after all!!! See ya on the 19th annabelle

Pammynelle - YAY! I am so happy for you!

I need help from anybody who knows more about this field. I can't decide which is better, radiology tech or ultrasound tech. I heard ultrasound gets paid more than radiology tech. But which one has more job availability? And after graduating from either one of the programs, how can you go higher? Like example- in nursing, after you get your ADN degree, you can either go for bsn or msn. I just want to know about how ultrasound tech and radiology tech works when you want to go higher? Also i am scared of physics and i am not sure if i can handle it as it has been years. And when i saw doppler physics or advanced physics, it kinda scared me. So please tell me how was it when you took those physics related classes, once you are in the program? Also, is it really stressful and time-consuming? Do the teachers gie you alotta homeworks or papers to do?please help:)

anabella in Houston, Texas said: hey Pammynell I got in the general program, have u heard back from them. I am just trying to make some friends..

I also live closer to cy-fair college and trying to go to that college..Is this program competitive? How many volunteer hours did you do and where? how was general physics as im scared of phy? how did u study for the psb test? is it easy or hard? what all categories are there for that test? Thanks..

Both are demanding programs that require intense study and preperation. There is no easy program, but having gone thru both, I consider ultrasound to be considerably harder to learn and master.

I consider them both to be about equally marketable jobs (more or less). The availabilty of jobs is more a function of the market itself and less attributed to the profession. Ultrasound is one of the higher paying imaging modalities but the pay scale depends on experience, skills, and credentials.

Ultrasound physics is pretty tough and the nation pass rate for the ARDMS physics is less than 60%. But I teach this course and it is do-able if you have the right instructor. But don't be fooled, radiography physics is no slouch.

A foundation in radiography will allow you to branch out into CT, MRI, Mammo, Nuc.Med, etc... and there is traditionally more upward mobility associated with this path. Ultrasound is modality specific and lacks a radiation license so you can not branch out to the degree you can in radiology. There is less oppurtunity for upward mobility in ultrasound but there is still some if you are ambitious and pursue higher education.

I personally believe a foundation in radiography is the best place to start. This allows you to get a feel for the profession to decide where you want to specialize. Plus this affords you more oppertunity.

The program is very competitive. The let in 15 to general and about 10 in the echo program. I Didnt do any volounteer hours you can take the Intor to Health Carrers class and earn the same points. I had a similar class from years back. I took Elementary physics from Montgomery COllege and the teacher I had was awesome (Bezayiff). It was not hard at all. OF course im not expecting the Prest of the physics to be as easy. The PSB consist of math,reading,spelling,nonverbal, Google it and you will find sites to show examples. Its like you basic test like TASP,ACT etc you took in high school and before college.

Danielle in Houston in New York, New York said: aescobar - What college credits do you have to have to get into Sanford Brown for the ultrasound program? Also how much did they tell you the program would cost you?

Sorry it took so long to reply,got to young boys and full time job. Well,from what they told me you need 48 college credits for the general ultrasound program and 30 credits for the cardiovascular.I can't even apply for the ultrasound program bc I still need more credits so I didn't get the price.

Scott in Baytown...are you still around? How are you doing now?

Hi everyone…. I’ve been reading through pages of the previous posts and I still have a lot of questions to ask. I graduated in 2008 and just recently decided on Sonography. I’ve looked through the links that M. Cowan posted a year ago and found out many diversities in sonography, such as general, vascular, and cardiac (echo). Do they have the same salary? I realized that it’s better to get as many credentials as possible, but how do I get them? I’m sorry, I’m very new to this and I need a lot of helps.

I live in Houston and I’ve been researching around for a perfect school that is CAAHEP accredited. So far I still couldn’t find one yet. Can anyone recommend me a perfect school to get my associate?

I called Academy of Heath Care Professions earlier today and I ask if they have ultrasound for the Southwest location and unfortunately, they don’t have it and told me to try the Northwest location. I heard they are not accredited either, so I kept on searching. As for Cy-fair or HCC, even though they have the program for sonography, but going there would be very competitive. I’m really stuck now.

Here's a link which shows which schools offer accredited programs: www.caahep.org/

Sanford Brown in Houston (Northloop) has a DMS program which is about 19 months long and costs roughly $34K. They have a class starting on October 19 and I believe they still have seats available. You have to have 48 credits and they prefer that you already work in the medical field (though you don't have to). Their radiography course demands 24 credits in order to be accepted. For either course you have to have 6 college credits in Math and 6 in Science. You must have College Algebra (not pre-algebra or anything lower than College Algebra).

You mentioned you just graduated; from where--high school or another institute?

If you just graduated from high school, SB will recommend you take their Medical Assistant program to gain 41.4 credits and then you will be eligible for the DMS program. The MA program is 11 months in length and costs $14K. They will fill out all of your financial aid paperwork and your first payment on FA will begin 6 months after you graduate.

HCC also offers a similar program, however, it's more difficult to get into. It is much cheaper, though, and has a better reputation than SB.

Let me know if you have more questions...

This website said that Cy-fair is accredited by CAAHEP

www.allalliedhealthschools.com/find/show.php?id=2714

uh i graduated from high school..

TexasGirl in Houston, Texas said: Here's a link which shows which schools offer accredited programs: www.caahep.org/

Sanford Brown in Houston (Northloop) has a DMS program which is about 19 months long and costs roughly $34K. They have a class starting on October 19 and I believe they still have seats available. You have to have 48 credits and they prefer that you already work in the medical field (though you don't have to). Their radiography course demands 24 credits in order to be accepted. For either course you have to have 6 college credits in Math and 6 in Science. You must have College Algebra (not pre-algebra or anything lower than College Algebra).

You mentioned you just graduated; from where--high school or another institute?

If you just graduated from high school, SB will recommend you take their Medical Assistant program to gain 41.4 credits and then you will be eligible for the DMS program. The MA program is 11 months in length and costs $14K. They will fill out all of your financial aid paperwork and your first payment on FA will begin 6 months after you graduate.

HCC also offers a similar program, however, it's more difficult to get into. It is much cheaper, though, and has a better reputation than SB.

Let me know if you have more questions...

what's MA?

I dont want to go to SB because i dont have the credits that they require and i really want to start now and finish in 2 yrs...

Yep, then try Cy-Fair...pretty hard to get into and last I checked they had a waiting list. Either way, you'll need plenty of credits to get accepted into a program.

Alvin CC also has a program.

MA is medical assistant. You won't finish in 2 years without already having credits.

i thought associate only takes 2 years... guess i was wrong then.. i attended college for only one semester. i took english, sociology, government, and history

ok, i just looked through the requirements to be in the program at cy-fair... guess i wont be the lucky one.

* TB Test
* Background Check
* CPR Certification
* Program Prerequisites
* Chest X-Ray

* Tetanus
* Measles
* Mumps
* Hepatitis B

* Rubella
* Diptheria
* PSB
* Malpractice/Liability Insurance

that's what i copy from the website. Does other schools like AHCP or ACC require these?

I guess it depends upon the program. San Jacinto College has a Radiography program which takes 3 years to complete. They're all a little different. In 2.5 years you could attend SB and graduate as a Registered MA and Certified DMS, but it will cost nearly $50K.

Doing that would require you attend the MA Program for 11 months and then going into their DMS program for 19 months afterward.

I don't work at SB...I don't even love the place...but for me, it's the quickest route to get where I'd like to be. I start class next week.

AHCP doesn't have an accredited program as far as I know. I was shown a form by SB that listed a lot of those vaccinations and was told I'd have to start those after the first 2 months of class. I'm not sure all of that is required by SB, but I'm sure any program dealing with being in a medical setting will require those.

You have an externship to complete with the course/s which puts you in hospitals and/or clinics.

correct me if i'm wrong... maybe i misread somewhere on my research, but for what i know so far if i go to AHCP, then after i graduate i have to work for a year in order to take the ARDMS test. (correct or no?) But if i cant find a job (since most of them only hire students that pass ARDMS test or went to an accredited school) then how am i supposed to work?

So if i go to SB, i dont need to have 48 credits but instead just take registered MA and then go for DMS? I can get my associate by then? but i thought SB only have certificate..

i've been looking at HCC websites for hours now trying to find exactly where is the BMS program... i want to know if it is as difficult to get into as cy-fair. well i looked under their classes and they do have BMS class.. but i dont think that's the right one since it's not a program... They have so many locations but i dont think all of the are the actual college.... aish, im really going nowhere.

if i choose SB and spend my 2.5 yrs there... do you think i would find a job after graduation to pay for my $50K debt? are you doing this plan too?

i would prefer go to other colleges since they dont require 48 credits.
One of my friend are attending at SB right now and she said she have to focus alot since the program is a 1.5 yr program... i would want to take the regular (not rushing) program if i can find a school.

YN in Cypress, Texas said: i've been looking at HCC websites for hours now trying to find exactly where is the BMS program... i want to know if it is as difficult to get into as cy-fair. well i looked under their classes and they do have BMS class.. but i dont think that's the right one since it's not a program... They have so many locations but i dont think all of the are the actual college.... aish, im really going nowhere.

if i choose SB and spend my 2.5 yrs there... do you think i would find a job after graduation to pay for my $50K debt? are you doing this plan too?

i would prefer go to other colleges since they dont require 48 credits.
One of my friend are attending at SB right now and she said she have to focus alot since the program is a 1.5 yr program... i would want to take the regular (not rushing) program if i can find a school.

I beleive HCC requires the applicant already have an Associate's in Allied Health Field or a Bachelor's Degree, the same goes for HCDE. If you choose the college route you are looking at ATLEAST 3yrs due to the prerequisites to apply to either program. If you do not want to do the radiology or any other Health Associate's first, then your options are Alvin and CyFair. Do you have a special interest like cardiac? general?

Paying $11k for an MA program is a massive rip off. SBH has been steering students into this route for years. Dont fall for it. If you are interested in attending SBH program just take the hours at any community college for a fraction of the price.

Why would you spend a year to go to school for a very expensive program that you will not use? In the same years time you can get the credits for much cheaper.

BTW: I am the program manager for the county program and I taught DMS at AHCP and trust me when I tell you there are no short cuts or quick fixes. If you want to go into this profession you should research your options and make well informed choices that best fit your situation. One last tidbit: Don't trust admissions reps...

YN in Cypress, Texas said: i thought associate only takes 2 years... guess i was wrong then.. i attended college for only one semester. i took english, sociology, government, and history

Yn, Your making this more difficult then it has to be. I am starting the program at cyfair on Monday.Yes it is very competitive,and it sounds like you will never get everything done that you need to get done before joining the program,but I guarantee if you start now,you will. You already have the English and sociology out of the way so thats a good start. You will need to take A&P 1 and 2,College Algebra,Elem. or general physics.(earning A's) ALso to have a chance at getting in you will need to get you coreqs out of the way before applying which will be the computer and a fine arts/humanities elec. since you already have sociology done. The shots you should have had already as a kid.With maybe the exception of the hep b but you can get that done to..you just have had to started the series which takes 6 months to be accepted. All programs are going to require these as you are working in the hospitals and its the hospitals that will require them. The background ck and Cpr you dont do until after your accepted.While it is hard it is do able.My advice would be to sign up now for fall classes at lonestar college taking the A&P 1 and College algebra,then in winter mini mester take the computer or elective. In spring take A & P 2 and physics,then spring minimester take the other coreq that you didnt take during winter minimester. Youll be done and can apply for the program in JUne for the falling Fall semester. Doing it like this you would graduate in Dec. 2011. Also go to cyfairs website and go to sonography and view the points worksheet. ANy extras you can do like the model patient. Also volunteering in a medical setting or taking the intro to health careers CE course(not both you only earn 4 points for 1 or the other not both). LEt me know if you need any more info

Does anyone know if it is true, that Sanford Brown does job placement once you are finished with their programs?

I was told that over 70% of SBH's students are hired by their externship employer. Just becoming registered or certified (which you'll be able to do by attending SBH) makes you more employable than someone who isn't.

I don't think they have job placement, but rather job assistance. No one is going to guarantee you a job.

THey say they do,but Ive heard many complain that they do nothing to help.

TexasGirl in Houston, Texas said: I guess it depends upon the program. San Jacinto College has a Radiography program which takes 3 years to complete. They're all a little different. In 2.5 years you could attend SB and graduate as a Registered MA and Certified DMS, but it will cost nearly $50K.

Doing that would require you attend the MA Program for 11 months and then going into their DMS program for 19 months afterward.

I don't work at SB...I don't even love the place...but for me, it's the quickest route to get where I'd like to be. I start class next week.

TexasGirl- I would like to ask you some questions if you don't mind. Can you email me at Daniellegowen@yahoo.com - I am looking into going to school as well. Sanford Brown was my second choose, but I don't think I want to spend that much money. Most hospital's that i have called do not hire people from that school. You may want to check into that a little more.

Danielle in Houston in New York, New York said: TexasGirl- I would like to ask you some questions if you don't mind. Can you email me at Daniellegowen@yahoo.com - I am looking into going to school as well. Sanford Brown was my second choose, but I don't think I want to spend that much money. Most hospital's that i have called do not hire people from that school. You may want to check into that a little more.

All negatives aside (which mainly is price) I have talked to @ 3 u/s technicians that are graduates from SB & are currently working and loving their jobs. 2 of them work for private Dr.'s not hospitals per say but I really think it is unlikely that employers hire based on WHERE you went to school....their main thing will be that you are ACCREDITED one way or another :O)

Danielle, if you are checking an area other than Houston, that may be true about SB. In Houston their program is accredited and their school is a bit better than other SB's. I have read A LOT on SB and I've weighed my options. The real drawback about SB for most people is the cost. My husband makes a very nice salary, so for me, that is not such an issue. I understand it may be for others, and that is something they have to take into consideration when weighing their options.

I will know more (and maybe have some gripes) after I've been there a little while, but for now, they have really been a great opportunity. I would have spent 3-4 years in college and still not have received as much time in a hospital as I would attending SBH. I am able to finish the MA in 11 months and go into DMS with all the credits and as a registered or certified MA. I will keep that certification and then graduate again from SB's DMS Program ~19 months later and then sit for my registration. So in about 2.5 years, I will be registered for two programs.

Also, the schedule is pretty good (roughly 2 weeks off at Christmas time, plus other holidays) and only going to class Monday thru Thursday from 8am-1pm. Students get a 10-minute break every 50 minutes and a 30-minute lunch break. They also offer an evening class which is from 5pm to 10pm, I believe.

TexasGirl in Crosby, Texas said: Danielle, if you are checking an area other than Houston, that may be true about SB. In Houston their program is accredited and their school is a bit better than other SB's. I have read A LOT on SB and I've weighed my options. The real drawback about SB for most people is the cost. My husband makes a very nice salary, so for me, that is not such an issue. I understand it may be for others, and that is something they have to take into consideration when weighing their options.

I will know more (and maybe have some gripes) after I've been there a little while, but for now, they have really been a great opportunity. I would have spent 3-4 years in college and still not have received as much time in a hospital as I would attending SBH. I am able to finish the MA in 11 months and go into DMS with all the credits and as a registered or certified MA. I will keep that certification and then graduate again from SB's DMS Program ~19 months later and then sit for my registration. So in about 2.5 years, I will be registered for two programs.

Also, the schedule is pretty good (roughly 2 weeks off at Christmas time, plus other holidays) and only going to class Monday thru Thursday from 8am-1pm. Students get a 10-minute break every 50 minutes and a 30-minute lunch break. They also offer an evening class which is from 5pm to 10pm, I believe.

I heard hospitals don't like to hire SB's students, so you may need to take this into considerations. I think because they know that it is easy to get into the program if u have money..

I am very good friends with someone in HR at Memorial Hermann in Houston. You are wrong in stating places don't like to hire SB students. I'd like the name and number to the person/s you spoke with because I'm sure it's just not true.

There are only a few programs which are accredited...SBH is one of them.

Also, it is not EASY to get into the program. You must have 48 college credits.

Annabella,

I don't think anyone is going to take your "hearsay" into consideration. You should really provide proof before anyone just takes your word for it. If not, don't say anything because you are WRONG.

TexasGirl in Crosby, Texas said: Annabella,

I don't think anyone is going to take your "hearsay" into consideration. You should really provide proof before anyone just takes your word for it. If not, don't say anything because you are WRONG.

I am sorry I was not trying to heart anybody's feeling I didn't tell you I was sure of that, I said " I heard they don't like to hire", I tought I was helping u guys with my info. and for ur information I got in SB sonography program last year but I chose to go to lonestar college because it has better reputation. I am sorry again :)

TexasGirl in crosby

so I won't be the only one saying that, Danielle in Houston stated "Most hospital's that i have called do not hire people from that school. You may want to check into that a little more".
I didn't see getting offended by what he is saying.

I just can't understand trying to sway anyone's decision on something you heard. I think if anyone is going to say something like that, they need to back it up with proof instead of spreading rumors.

That's great you got into Lonestar. Good luck to you. For me, SB was the better choice. Maybe in the future you can comment on Lonestar College since you'll have first-hand knowledge of their program and can help people make a decision about that college.

TexasGirl in Crosby, Texas said: I just can't understand trying to sway anyone's decision on something you heard. I think if anyone is going to say something like that, they need to back it up with proof instead of spreading rumors.

That's great you got into Lonestar. Good luck to you. For me, SB was the better choice. Maybe in the future you can comment on Lonestar College since you'll have first-hand knowledge of their program and can help people make a decision about that college.

Sorry if I was mean in anyway. I wish you good luck..

I am seeing some debate on if facilities hire SBH students. I can shed some light on this. The marketability of a sonographer who freshly graduates from school is about 70% student attributes, 30% school.

The two most important things that a manager looks for in a new hire is:
1. Credentials. Are you ARDMS credential and how many do you have?
2. Scanning proficiency. Can you scan, and which exams are you proficient at?

Some places will hire you if you are not credentialed and they will usually give 6 months to 1 year to gain the appropiate credentials. If you come out of school and can not scan well your lack of proficiency will be evident when you perform for your scan interview.

As far as schools, some shool graduates are perhaps slightly more desirable due to the reputation of the school. Once a person has gained experience and credentials this factor mostly disappears. I am a sonographer and I know of a few people who claim that they will not hire "new grads" from a propietary school, but in my humble opinion these folks are few and far between. SBH & AHCP have former graduates all over the gulf coast, I see them all the time and they are as good or professional as anybody, thus the potential is there.

Here is what you guys should focus on.
1. Pick the school that is right for you.
2. Study hard, work, hard and be the absolute best student that you can be. Remember it is you who determines your sonography fate. Lazy, poor attitude graduates who cant seem to "break in to the industry" are the first ones to complain about the schools.

I have said it before, YOU HAVE TO EARN YOUR WAY INTO THIS FIELD!!! I taught at AHCP for years and some of the best students I ever saw came from here. They had job offers a year before the graduated. WHY? Because they earned the respect of industry. On the other hand I had lazy students who just did the minimum and wasted both theirs and my time. Guess what, they don't work in this field.

Annabella dont worry about her. Ive heard negative things about SB also. Also Crosbygirl you were saying that you will get more hospital time with Sanford and brown thats just not true either. I dont know about the other schools,but CF has 1360 hours of clinical time. I dont see why someone would want to spend almost $50000 to be a sonographer at SB when they could try for CF for $5000. SB is an easier way out,cause they will tell u to take MA course for $14k(which mind you only pays about $10-12 hr when you get a job. then you automatically get into the DMS class. WIth CF you have to work your butt off and saw potential and good grades to be accepted. Thats what they meant by taking the easy way out. If you just fork out enough money you can get in with SB. Hospitals know this too.

Pammynelle, WHATEVER.

You guys are bashing SBH and you've never even studied there. To be quite honest, I am amazed at your typing and grammar skills and that you act like you're going to a better school. You can't even punctuate correctly so what does that say about Lonestar allowing you into their program?

Btw, I already have a GREAT job lined up in the Medical Center and they're pleased with my attending SBH. So say whatever you'd like. You and anabelle cannot back up what you say and that's the bottom line.

I will receive more time in a hospital because I am going through the MA program, too. I have a 5-week externship in the hospital before I enter the DMS Program. I will ALSO continue to work in the hospital on the weekends while I attend the DMS Program. Don't say you get more hospital time than that.

Also, you said "I don't see why anyone would want to be a sonographer for $50K" Well, I have the money---that is not a problem.

Different programs work better for different people. Find what suits you best and go with it. But to come on a board and bash a program you know little about is pretty amazing. Especially if there are people on the board who are IN the program.

Every school, every program has some real winners and losers. Your going to Lonestar will only get you so far. Keep that in mind. If you're a lousy employee, who cares where you attended school? If you just don't have the knack for scanning, you think anyone is going to overlook that because you went to Lonestar?

I see two types of people bashing 'other' schools.

1. Those terrible students who graduated from the program and can't get the respect of the industry so they blame the school.

2. Those who never went to the school but think they know what they are talking about because of what they heard or the fact that they are 'gung-ho' for another program.

Although I don't agree that the MA program is a good pre-req for any program, I do think SBH is a viable solution for ultrasound education for some.

SBH has scores of gradutes who make a large part of the gulfcoast work force. Most likley more than any other local school.

It is going to be your personal work ethic that will be the biggest determiner of your success in this industry.

Matt Cowan, BHSc, RT(R), RDMS, RVT, RDCS

I completely agree, Matt. Thanks.