Online ultrasound technician schools are a flexible option for busy working or parenting professionals who want to advance their careers in allied healthcare.
Sonography entails the effective use of ultrasound equipment to create images of patients’ internal organs for precise diagnosis. As such, online sonography programs must provide the hands-on learning experience required for the job.
We know that finding the right course for you among the available online medical sonography programs can be challenging. So, we put together this write-up with 6 of the best online tech schools and online sonography programs.
Before proceeding to review the top 6 sonogram tech online schools and programs, let’s take a quick focus on why getting a degree in ultrasound technology is important. Also, knowing how much ultrasound technician graduates earn and how to become one will inspire your choice of ultrasound tech program online.
Why Get a Degree in Ultrasound Technology
Becoming an ultrasound technician is relatively easy compared to other professions. With a one-year certificate, you can kickstart a career as an ultrasound technician.
However, advancing your career by getting a degree is even better.
Diagnostic medical sonographers with a degree have better employment opportunities, and employers will pay more to graduates with professional certifications.（1）
Besides, the job outlook for ultrasound technicians is super promising. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a 10% employment growth for medical sonographers from 2022-2032. This growth rate is higher than that of any other occupation.（2）
How Much Do Ultrasound Tech Graduates Make
According to Salary.com, ultrasound tech graduates with an associate degree earn an average annual wage of $84,486. Those with a Bachelor’s degree are even better, earning a median annual wage of $85,105.（3）
These wage means can go up or down minimally or significantly if you consider the level of education alongside other factors like years of experience, the employing industry, and geographical location.
How to Become an Ultrasound Technician
To become an ultrasound technician, you require a minimum qualification of a certificate in sonography. Getting a certificate takes a year of coursework and clinical practicum. However, you may find an accelerated 8 month ultrasound tech program online.（4）
If you want better employment opportunities and salary range, consider going for an associate or bachelor’s degree. The associate degree is the most chosen option and takes only two years to complete. The Bachelor’s degree takes four years, but its benefits are worth the while.
Degree holders have even greater chances of employment, a higher salary, and the opportunity to take managerial roles in ultrasonography departments in hospitals and other healthcare facilities.
As with the certificate in sonography, there are also opportunities to pursue ultrasound technician classes online for both associate and bachelor degrees.
We’ve reviewed 6 of those opportunities for you.
Best Online Medical Sonography Programs and Schools
Effective ultrasonography training requires both knowledge and practicum. As such, online ultrasound technician programs are usually hybrid, meaning they have online coursework, hands-on training on campus, and internships in designated clinical settings.
However, as you’ll notice in some of our choices, ultrasound technicians with a background in sonography can opt for a 100% online sonography degree. This is possible where sonography schools online degrees consider access to ultrasound equipment at the workplace an equivalent of an ultrasound lab on campus.
With that in mind, here are the top 6 online ultrasound tech schools and programs.
1.State Fair Community College (SFCC)
The
State Fair Community College has an Associate in Applied Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. The program trains students in general and cardiac tracks. The general track focuses on abdominal, OB/GYN, vascular, and small-parts ultrasounds, while the cardiac track focuses on cardiac and vascular scans.
To graduate, students must complete 80.5 Credit Hours in 22 months, equivalent to 5 semesters. The program starts in August of the admission year and ends in May of the following year.
The training for this program takes a hybrid model as outlined:
- First 2 semesters: Online coursework + two days a week practicum on ultrasound scanning at the State Fair Sedalia campus.
- Last 3 semesters: 4 days a week clinical internship at the Missouri clinical sites. Students scan real patients supervised by a professional sonographer. The online classes for ultrasound tech continue during this time.
The program is CAAHEP-certified.
State Fair Community College at a Glance:
- Main Location: 3201 W. 16th Street Sedalia, Missouri 65301-2188
- Type of School: Public community college
- Application Fee: None
- Avg in-state undergrad tuition: $5,112
- Avg out-of-state undergrad tuition: $6,648
- Degree Credit Requirement: 65-67 credits
- Program Enrolment Options: 65
- Credit transfer services: Yes. On a course-by-course basis.
2.Washburn University
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Washburn University Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is a post-graduate certificate reserved for those with an associate degree or higher in healthcare. The program takes a year to complete.
The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Certificate allows students to choose from three specialty paths:
- General sonography
- Vascular sonography
- Cardiac sonography
Students can take all three specializations but must complete one at a time.
The program involves online coursework and clinical practice at a facility near you.
Students are eligible for certification by the Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) or the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) before or upon graduation.
The program is CAAHEP-accredited.
Washburn University at a Glance:
- Main Location: 1700 SW College Ave Topeka, Kansas 66621
- Type of School: Public
- Application Fee: None (Does not apply to graduate programs)
- Avg in-state undergrad tuition: $14,194
- Avg out-of-state undergrad tuition: $34,380 (Before aid)
- Degree Credit Requirement: 120 minimum
- Program Enrolment Options: 200
- Credit transfer services: Yes. The number is different for each department.
3.Fort Hays State University
Fort Hays State University offers an online B.S. in Medical Diagnostic Imaging (MDI). Diagnostic medical sonography is one of the program’s specialty courses.
The entirely online degree program takes 4 years to complete. The classes focus on patient care, equipment operation, emergency imaging, image quality, and clinical practice.
The 120 minimum credit hours of the MDI degree are distributed across four course categories, including general education (34), cognate courses (10), core major courses for diagnostic medical sonography (30), and free elective courses (46).
The university indicates that its program accreditation is by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Fort Hay State University at a Glance:
- Main Location: 600 Park St. Hays, Kansas 67601
- Type of School: Public
- Application Fee: $30
- Avg in-state undergrad tuition: $5,634
- Avg out-of-state undergrad tuition: $16,811
- Degree Credit Requirement: 120 minimum credit hours
- Program Enrolment Options: 200+
- Credit transfer services: Yes. Granted upon evaluation.
4.AdventHealth University
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AdventHealth University offers an Online Bachelor of Science in Imaging Sciences with six different tracks, including Sonography. The program takes 4 years.
The 100% online Bachelor of Science in Imaging Sciences targets trained imaging technologists with an associate degree from CAAHEP and JRCERT-accredited programs. The applicants must also be certified by a relevant body such as ARDMS, CCI, or ARRT.
The university may also admit applicants with a diploma or certificate from accredited programs. However, they have to complete 24 credit hours of general education first, with the possibility of transferring credits.
For the sonography track, students take 24 credits in general education courses, 27 in cognate courses, 15 in core courses, and 12 in the sonography track courses.
AdventHealth University states that it is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
AdventHealth University at a Glance:
- Main Location: 671 Winyah Drive Orlando, FL 32803
- Type of School: Private
- Application Fee: $20
- Avg in-state undergrad tuition: $16,320 (2 semesters), $24,480 (3 semesters)
- Avg out-of-state undergrad tuition: $16,320 (2 semesters), $24,480 (3 semesters)
- Degree Credit Requirement: 78 credits
- Program Enrolment Options: Numerous
- Credit transfer services: Yes. After the official evaluation of previous coursework.
5.Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health
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Nebraska Methodist College has two online Bachelor’s degrees offered in a blended or hybrid mode: The BS in Cardiovascular Sonography and the BS in Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
The BS in Cardiovascular Sonography requires 123 credits to complete in 4 years. As a blended program, students spend the first two years of coursework on campus. The third year has both online coursework and clinical practicum in local facilities, while the fourth year is entirely online.
The BS in Diagnostic Medical Sonography is an on-campus program running for four years for students directly from high school. However, the course has a hybrid offer for those with an associate degree seeking to complete the Bachelor's degree.
Those admitted for this second option can transfer credits from their associate degree. A total of 128 credits is required to graduate.
Both programs are CAAHEP-accredited.
Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health at a Glance:
- Main Location: 720 N. 87th Street, Omaha, NE 68114
- Type of School: Private (non-profit)
- Application Fee: None
- Avg in-state undergrad tuition: 16,883 (may vary with the number of credits per semester)
- Avg out-of-state undergrad tuition: 16,883
- Degree Credit Requirement: 123-128 credits
- Program Enrolment Options: Numerous
- Credit transfer services: Yes. For associate degree holders with ARDMS certification.
6.Oregon Institute of Technology
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Oregon Institute of Technology has an online completion BS in Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
The program targets registered sonographers who want to advance their career by completing a Bachelor’s degree.
To be eligible for the 100% online completion program, applicants must be diagnostic sonographers with both abdominal and OB/GYN credentials and registered with the ARDMS. Those with only one of the credentials must take additional coursework for the other.
Additionally, the applicant must be working with access to a well-equipped and full-service laboratory where they can complete the clinical externship credits.
The credits from your former sonography course and the professional certification exams are transferred to allow you to complete your degree in two years. The credit transfer evaluation is done case by case.
Oregon Institute of Technology at a Glance:
- Main Location: 3201 Campus Drive Klamath Falls, OR 97601
- Type of School: Public
- Application Fee: $50
- Avg in-state undergrad tuition: $12,687
- Avg out-of-state undergrad tuition: $35,592
- Degree Credit Requirement: 125 credits (80 from past sonography experience and 45 coursework and externship at Oregon).
- Program Enrolment Options: Around 50
- Credit transfer services: Yes. As part of the completion nature of the program.
Concluding Summary
Studying for your ultrasound tech degree on campus can be challenging if you are a working professional or are taking time off work for parenting roles.
But not every possibility of advancing your career is lost.
You can take online classes for sonogram technician and complete your medical sonography degree without sacrificing your other roles.
We’ve given you some of the best online ultrasound tech schools and sonography programs in this post. One of them could just be what you are looking for.
Hello
I am interested find an online medical sonography course to learn and earn my certificate in ultra sound technology. I am 56 and needingcareer change. I live in the SanFrancisco Bay Area . I would like to obtain the certificate as well as continue to study for advancement. What do you suggest I do to reach my goal?