Ultrasound Tech Schools in Atlanta

I have been doing research for schools that offer a program as an ultrasound tech in atlanta, but i have only found one, the Sanford school and from reading some comments on here, that doesnt seem like the best place for me, so i wanted to know what other schools or programs are offered in Atlanta that some of you may have attended. thanks!

another ultrasound school in georgia website. iamp.edu. they have campuses in ga,ny,fl.

I am presently a student at the Institute of Medical Ultrasound in Atlanta, although I live in Philly. I was referred to the schol by a past graduate who informed me that over 95% of their graduating students passed the RDMS exam on their 1st attempt.

I have been a student for 6 months and am very impressed by the quality of the course work, all of which is online.

If an online lecture and education is not to "cyber" for you, I would suggest you get more infromation from them.

Good luck whatever you do.

I am currently holding a seat in the Cardiovascular Sonography program at Sanford Brown for the next term. I am very concerned by my own experience thus far with the school, its staff, and its transparent disorganization. Reading all the comments on this forum doesn't exactly help to calm my apprehension over my choice.

I need to be enrolled in a night program since I must retain my current daytime job. That is the only reason I have not closed the door on Sanford Brown yet. It appears as though it is the only program in the area that offers night courses.

I have also come to find out that Sanford Brown is not "programmatically accredited" for their sonography programs. I was mislead when I first interviewed and was told that they were an accredited school. They failed to explain that any further until I had to sign a document in which they went into the details of the difference between having "institutional accreditation" (which they do) and having "programmatic accreditation" (which they don't)!

I do have a bachelor of science degree. It is my understanding that means that it is not necessary for me to attend a "progmatically accredited" program in order to be able to sit for the ARDMS exam. If I can still sit for the exam upon graduation from Sanford Brown, then my concern is whether the education that I will receive will be adequate enough and will have taught me what I need to know in order to pass the exam. Based on my experience thus far with Sanford Brown, I can't help but worry about the quality of education they offer.

So, obviously, I am very confused as to how I should proceed with my quest for a Cardiovascular Sonography education/certification. Does anyone know of any other night programs in Atlanta? Has anyone graduated or know someone who has graduated from the Sanford Brown Cardio program? Did you/he/she have difficulty passing the exam based on the education you received? Any help anyone can offer is greatly appreciated

Hi.
I think that if you have apprehensions before even attending the school, you may be in for a hard time.
You attending a school that is not accredited or completely honest about their standing is no justification in you having to take low-quality training and education. What good does the BS serves you if the quality of your education is lacking?
Please check the other "Atlanta schools" discussions to at least get some insight about Sanford Brown. Someone who post on this site claims that the Institute of Medical Utrasound in Atlanta is a good school. He/she goes by "RDMS in Atlanta" and has posted in the other Atlanta discussion. It could just be someone spamming for the school though; the school IS NOT accredited but is completely online. However, whoever this person is could at least give you more info about their program.

I have heard that their will be a HUGE class action lawsuit filed against IAMP by students due to the school not being able to provide adequate clinical sites for their clinical rotations, and consequently fulfill their training obligations.

I was told this will be made public over the next few weeks.

I would recommend speaking to students at any of the schools to get the inside scoop on how they feel a school is meeting their needs.

who will make this lawsuit public? i don't think the school will make such announcement to the public. why is everyone suing the school. what went wrong during your training. i have a friend that attend their program in atlanta, ga. and loved it. whereas another student complained her training was the worst education she ever received. no clinical site. she has been waiting for 4 months for a site. they told her they were in the process of accrediation. non yet.

I am not sure how to address the clinical portion of your trainging, as this is typically scheduled with sites during hospital/business hours, however, Institue of Medical Ultrasound does provide online classes in the evenings, which may allow you to continue working, as other students have done so in their need to support their families.

Hope this helps.

Mary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania said: I am presently a student at the Institute of Medical Ultrasound in Atlanta, although I live in Philly. I was referred to the schol by a past graduate who informed me that over 95% of their graduating students passed the RDMS exam on their 1st attempt.

I have been a student for 6 months and am very impressed by the quality of the course work, all of which is online.

If an online lecture and education is not to "cyber" for you, I would suggest you get more infromation from them.

Good luck whatever you do.

Do you have anymore information on the school? What is their percentage of students that find jobs after they are done? Do they help you with placement? How do clinicals work? Any info you can give me about the school would be helpful. Thanks

Today, I went to Sanford Brown institute to meet with an Admissions Rep. I was told that the courses were transferrable to the University System of Georgia and is one of the three private colleges and state technical institutions that were recognize. Also, I was told that only 26 students are selected into program based on higher education or past medical experience for atleast 2 years. This is so confusing to me!! Please help me understand what going on!!

My name is Josie, I am a current student @ Sanford Brown Institute in Tampa. I truly believe that they misrepresented themselves when I signed up .I went in to get a degree in Ultrasound. The recruiter told me that the best way to do that and get the credits needed, was to get into medical assisting first to acquire the entry credits needed for the ultrasound, then re- enroll going right into the Ultrasound Diagnostic immediately after finishing MA. Not True....Soon after entering school, we found out that we needed 7.5 regular college credits from an outside accredited facilty to enter the ultasound class. At that point we where told that we could go into cardiovascular tech if we wanted to right after MA, for those of us who really opted not to go to a community college. Now after a few more months , I find out that , that to also needs college credits from an outside accredited facilty. Mind you my intention was never to be an Medical assistant as I've worked in medical offices before an have done what an Ma does, I only took it to earn those supossed credits that i needed. I've asked the question to diffrent personnel there and all they tell me is " Did we give you a handbook, all of your answers are in there, we did not mislead you , you should have read it!" After not being in school for 20 years , I had the recruiter explain it to me(handbook), the part where it shows credits and so on. I didn't know what I was looking at and I trusted him to guide me correctly and obviously he didn't. What will happen if i decide to pull out now and just go to a community college where I know my education will be well worth my money. Can I pull my student loans?Please help/!!!

Rashad in Atlanta, Georgia said: Today, I went to Sanford Brown institute to meet with an Admissions Rep. I was told that the courses were transferrable to the University System of Georgia and is one of the three private colleges and state technical institutions that were recognize. Also, I was told that only 26 students are selected into program based on higher education or past medical experience for atleast 2 years. This is so confusing to me!! Please help me understand what going on!!

Consider alternative schools at Grady or Institute of Medical Ultrasound, both in Atlanta, both with good reputations and good clinical training

I have looked at the institute of Medical Ultrasound...it seems to be the best... but the price is so high!! And they don't accept Pell.... Argh.... Does anyone else feel the bite of that amount!?

I am from San Diego, CA and wanted to know if Institute of Medical Ultrasound would be the best school for me:

1. since it is NOT accredited school?

2. since I will be applying for "DISTANCE PROGRAM", I do not know where to look for a facility in CA that delivers diagnostic medical sonography services and is willing to engage in a mentorship contract with IMU?

PLEASE HELP!!!

www.caahep.org/

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs

State by state. Lists the only programs that are recognized. Only these programs will allow you to be able to become licensed after graduation, which is the best way to get a job and make money. There are only 147 schools overall. Only 6 in GA for Diagnostic Medical Sonography ranging from certificates to B.S.

Have not heard good things about Sanford Brown education. Even though the program is recognized, may not be worth the money if you can't learn what you need to.

HI EVERYONE

SO IM A GRADUATE OF SONOGRAPHY PROGRAM AT GWU! I HAVE MY BS IN HEALTH SCIENCES. I STILL HAVE NOT TAKEN MY REGISTRY EXAMS. IS ANYONE INTERESTED IN A STUDY PARTNER? OR CAN ANYONE RECOMMEND A GOOD SCHOOL THAT MY OFFER REGISTRY PREPARATION? IT IS MY GOAL TO GET REGISTERED BEFORE THE END OF THIS YEAR, 2009.

Mary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania said: I am presently a student at the Institute of Medical Ultrasound in Atlanta, although I live in Philly. I was referred to the schol by a past graduate who informed me that over 95% of their graduating students passed the RDMS exam on their 1st attempt.

I have been a student for 6 months and am very impressed by the quality of the course work, all of which is online.

If an online lecture and education is not to "cyber" for you, I would suggest you get more infromation from them.

Good luck whatever you do.

Mary, could i ask you a few questons about the program in Atlanta? My email is ashleighmccullough@hotmail.com. Thanks so much!!!

Hello everyone, I'm looking for a school to attend for cardiovascular sonography. I went by sanford brown and spoke to a rep, I was told the same thing that I need to attend the MA program because I need 30 credits and than I can transfer it cardio. I did my math and that will be over 35,000 - 40,000 in loans that I will owe back. is there another more republe school out there in ga that is worth getting my money? I just cant see me given up that much money and not getting what is needed.
denagga@aol.com lets talk

There's one at Grady Memorial Hospital, besides Sanford Brown, it is the only other school in Atlanta that is accredited by caahep. I also heard that there's an ultrasound training program at St. Joseph Hospital, but I wouldn't recommend it because it is not accredited.

Josie Z in tampa, Florida said: My name is Josie, I am a current student @ Sanford Brown Institute in Tampa. I truly believe that they misrepresented themselves when I signed up .I went in to get a degree in Ultrasound. The recruiter told me that the best way to do that and get the credits needed, was to get into medical assisting first to acquire the entry credits needed for the ultrasound, then re- enroll going right into the Ultrasound Diagnostic immediately after finishing MA. Not True....Soon after entering school, we found out that we needed 7.5 regular college credits from an outside accredited facilty to enter the ultasound class. At that point we where told that we could go into cardiovascular tech if we wanted to right after MA, for those of us who really opted not to go to a community college. Now after a few more months , I find out that , that to also needs college credits from an outside accredited facilty. Mind you my intention was never to be an Medical assistant as I've worked in medical offices before an have done what an Ma does, I only took it to earn those supossed credits that i needed. I've asked the question to diffrent personnel there and all they tell me is " Did we give you a handbook, all of your answers are in there, we did not mislead you , you should have read it!" After not being in school for 20 years , I had the recruiter explain it to me(handbook), the part where it shows credits and so on. I didn't know what I was looking at and I trusted him to guide me correctly and obviously he didn't. What will happen if i decide to pull out now and just go to a community college where I know my education will be well worth my money. Can I pull my student loans?Please help/!!!

I SEE TOO MANY OF THESE SITUATIONS GOING ON AND NO ONE TAKES RESPONSIBILITY.
DO WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO SOMEONE HAS TO DRAW THE LINE.

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

Hello All
I have read every comment on here and thought of adding a comment of my own. I have a BA in computer graphics design but have experience in health (Sales portion) account managing. I am thinking of either obtaining a certificate or another degree in altra-sonography.I have several questions and wish for a response ASAP. I am reading that Sandford Brown College or Sandford Brown Institute isn't a good school. But
1.) Will I be able to obtain a sonography position immediately after school if I obtain a certificate or another degree. Should I shoot for a degree or a certificate?

2.) Which schools does anyone recommend that offers accurate clinical training and(inexpensive)?

3.) How long does it take to obtain either a cert. or degree? and is it like a nursing program which seems never-ending from one program which requires a passing exam score to another program?

4.) Is this a good field to enter that is in demand now or even 20 years from now?

5.) Can a sonography expert advance eventually in their career which = increase in wages?
Can I please get good feed back ASAP please. This is very important to me b/c I am young and want to begin fresh again. Thank you ever so much.

It's pretty easy to figure out if a school is worthwhile and accredited. If they can receive Title IV funds from the government for student loans, then they are accredited. Also, any school you ask has to tell you their graduate placement rate and their job placement rate. Anyone who won't tell you is either lying or don't care. There a million different accrediting groups out there, but the key is, do people get jobs after graduating from that program.

I know the President of the entire Sanford Brown school in Atlanta is a working sonographer, so that is strong. Also, I know several of their schools offer free test prep for physics and pay for the exam. The school in Jacksonville I checked out had 10 ultrasound machines for the students to scan with and that seems like twice as many as anything else I saw out there. If it was me I would ask the admission people for any school I was interested in for the graduation rate and the job placement percentage. Again, If they can't tell you, they are either lying or don't care. 70% is the Caheep minimum, I think.

In my opinion, community colleges are great for kids trying to figure out what they want to do, where as schools like Sanford brown are better if you know what you want to do.

Oh, and one more thing. Rashad said that transfer of credits could be done for sure. Thats not correct. Federal law states that no institution can guarantee their credits will be transfered to another school, its up to the receiving school. Also the school you transfer to cannot legally deny your credits just because of where you went to school. If people are telling you not to go to a school because their credits don't transer or are guaranteeing their credits transfer, either one is not true. The credits from one school are just as likely to be accepted as any other, so long as they are accredited.

I have been researching ultrasound schools and I notice that u said you are in Philly. How will you do your clinicls?

I am glad I came upon this site and did "EXTENSIVE" research before I decided "NOT" to attend Sanford-Brown in Atlanta. I went through the same scenario...I met the admission reps and the admission director..they were very nice and welcoming and feed u all of the information that Sanford-Brown is the perfect fit for you. Let me say this is all a recruiting tactic ALL private schools use to try to reel in student (especially the vulnerable ones). I was 1st interested in the Medical billing and coding..Why?? because I'm a working adult who has to work my schedule around my child and pay bills. My current career was just not cutting it for me anymore since the recession & I was getting behind on bills. Not to mention I've had to sacrifice from working full-time to part-time so I can be home more with my child. SO I figured this 8 months program will be my temporary savior..I'll graduate and get a stable entry-level job, and have decent pay until I'm caught up with my bills..& then later attend a 4yrs institution where I was still planning on obtaining my BA degree. I honestly just needed a quick solution to my situation.WRONG!!!then I started to have second thoughts on the program because in reality.."which hospital or medical office will hire you to handle their finances ONLY after going to school for just 8 months, with very little or no experience at all???" So that's when Diagnostics Medical Sonography & Cardiovascular Sonography came to play..First off, Diagnostic sonography is a certificate program and cardiovascular is an associate degree. Diagnostic sonography is programmaticly accredited but cardiovascular is NOT.And if u have not had any previous college credits they try to get u to take the Medical assisting program to earn 30 credits which is not even enough to get in!!BEWARE!!

Mary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania said: I am presently a student at the Institute of Medical Ultrasound in Atlanta, although I live in Philly. I was referred to the schol by a past graduate who informed me that over 95% of their graduating students passed the RDMS exam on their 1st attempt.

I have been a student for 6 months and am very impressed by the quality of the course work, all of which is online.

If an online lecture and education is not to "cyber" for you, I would suggest you get more infromation from them.

Good luck whatever you do.

hi Mary , i am intrested in ultrasound program , there are around 6 schools in georgia which are accredited ,but heard some good things about IMU , BUT I heard its not accredited , how are u feeling about the IMU , could u give me some info and does it effect in getting a job as it not accredited, please let me know , thanks.

Hi I am from Philly but now live in Atlanta and read your blog about school. How do you get clinical time? How much is school costing? I was going to go to Sanford Brown but they want 40,000 and I here its crap!

Mary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania said: I am presently a student at the Institute of Medical Ultrasound in Atlanta, although I live in Philly. I was referred to the school by a past graduate who informed me that over 95% of their graduating students passed the RDMS exam on their 1st attempt.

I have been a student for 6 months and am very impressed by the quality of the course work, all of which is online.

If an online lecture and education is not to "cyber" for you, I would suggest you get more infromation from them.

Good luck whatever you do.

Elizabeth in Atlanta, Georgia said: I have been doing research for schools that offer a program as an ultrasound tech in atlanta, but i have only found one, the Sanford school and from reading some comments on here, that doesnt seem like the best place for me, so i wanted to know what other schools or programs are offered in Atlanta that some of you may have attended. thanks!

I am wondering how do you find the externship site? I am attending a non-accredited institute, and really...they aren't that reliable for finding a site for me. I would like to know how do I find an externship for myself. I will be done with the didactic and laboratory course by August. So, I need to start looking right now. Thanks