What education do i need to have to enroll in diagnostic medical sonography program?

T K: What education do i need to have to enroll in diagnostic medical sonography program?
I am wanting to become a Ultrasound Technician. I only have a high school education. I am wondering if i need to go to school for like nursing before i apply to an ultrasound school.

Answers and Views:

Answer by CanProf
It varies. There are several avenues for entry into the field of diagnostic medical sonography. Sonographers may train in hospitals, vocational-technical institutions, colleges and universities, and the Armed Forces. Some training programs prefer applicants with a background in science or experience in other health care professions. Some also may consider high school graduates with courses in mathematics and science, as well as applicants with liberal arts backgrounds, but this practice is infrequent.

Colleges and universities offer formal training in both 2- and 4-year programs, culminating in an associate or a bachelor’s degree. Two-year programs are most prevalent. Course work includes classes in anatomy, physiology, instrumentation, basic physics, patient care, and medical ethics.

A few 1-year programs that may result in a certificate also are accepted as proper education by employers. These programs typically are satisfactory education for workers already in health care who seek to increase their marketability by training in sonography. These programs are not accredited.

The Commission on Accreditation for Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredited 147 training programs in 2006. These programs typically are the formal training programs offered by colleges and universities. Some hospital programs are accredited as well.

Answer by June Bugg
No, going to nursing school first is unnecessary and probably a waste of time and money (unless you’re really interested in being a nurse). In the early days of ultrasound, people became ultrasound techs by starting in something like nursing and then cross-training into ultrasound. This doesn’t happen anymore. You now have to graduate from a 2- or 4-year diagnostic medical sonography program (sometimes you can go into a special one-year program if you’re already an x-ray tech). Oh, by the way, nowadays we’re called “ultrasound technologists” or “sonographers”, since technicians are generally people who have little or no schooling in their field.

You’re probably going to need to take about a year’s worth of college prerequisite classes before you can apply for an ultrasound program. These classes will include stuff like physics, biology, anatomy and physiology, basic math, basic English, chemistry, and speech. The prerequisites do differ from program to program so find a couple you’re interested in and check out what they require. Some programs also require things like letters of recommendation or volunteer experience before you’ll be considered for admission. Again, check with the school you’re interested in.

Good luck!