How to Choose Sonography Schools

Sonography schools can help set the foundation for a stable career in the medical field. With the proper training, a person can become a sonography technician. This job involves using imaging machines known as ultrasounds to scan inside a patient's body. They do this to monitor the development of babies inside the womb,or to check to see if a patient's organs are function properly, or to detect the presence of abnormalities. The success of people in this field depends largely on the sonography schools they attend.

Instructions

1. Look for sonography programs that are accredited. This way you will know that your education meets the standards of the profession. Also, sonography technician students must graduate from an accredited program in order to seek certification. The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) are the two organizations who handle the accreditations. You can find accredited sonography schools near you by contacting these two.

2. Research the success rate of the sonography programs. The Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography recommends that students speak with the people in charge of the educational programs, before making a decision. Ask what percentage of the graduates successfully completed their certification the first time around. Find out what percentage of the school's graduates found jobs related to sonography. Ask the sonography schools for references from students or employers.

3. Get the necessary facts about unaccredited programs. Find out if graduates from these programs will be required to further their education and clinical experience, in order take the certification exam. If they are, then that means you may have to spend more time and money taking courses before you can try to get a certificate. Specifically ask if graduates are eligible to take the ARRT, ARDMS, or CCI exams for certification.

4. Consider online educational opportunities. There are several sonography programs that provide students with online or distance education. Many of these programs are accredited. The Distance Educational Clearinghouse, created by the SDMS, provides information about educational programs for students who are pursuing a career in sonography.