Online Schools with Polysomnography Programs: How to Choose

Online programs in polysomnography equip students with the skills and knowledge to work in the sleep technology field, helping people get treatment for sleep problems. Most of these programs are composed of online lectures and clinical experience in sleep disorder centers. They prepare students for certification by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists.

How to Select an Online Polysomnography School

Program Type

Online polysomnography programs teach students how to test for and assess sleep disorders in patients during polysomnography evaluations, which are more commonly known as sleep studies. Polysomnographic technicians work with medical doctors to gather and analyze data. Typically, they monitor sleep stages and other activity - such as respiration and eye movement - during overnight examinations in hospitals and sleep clinics.
Online polysomnography programs are usually hybrids, combining lecture courses delivered online with hands-on clinical experience in a sleep lab or hospital. Because of the clinical requirements, an entire program in the field usually cannot be completed online. The amount of practical, on-site training versus online instruction varies among programs. Students may want to investigate this factor when choosing an online polysomnography school.
Students may also want to determine if a school's online courses provide the same professors, class sizes and individual attention as their on-campus counterparts. Typically, this information can be learned on the school's website or by contacting the program directly.

Technical Requirements

When considering whether an online polysomnography program is right for them, students may also want to consider their level of comfort with the program's technical requirements. Students usually need a broadband Internet connection, and they may have to install a software program that allows them to access coursework, turn in assignments, complete exams and communicate with other students online. Most programs expect students to be comfortable navigating the Web and changing Internet browser and security settings.

Accreditation

A prospective sleep technician may also wish to investigate a program's accreditation before deciding on an online polysomnography school. Graduates of a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) are eligible to pursue Registered Polysomnographic Technician (RPSGT) status by taking an exam. The RPSGT is the highest credential that a non-physician can earn in the field.
Some accredited programs are stand-alone polysomnography programs. Others offer related degrees through which students can specialize in polysomnography. A list of accredited programs can be found on the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists' (BRPT) website, www.brpt.org.
Students can pursue other pathways toward the RPSGT, which are also outlined on the BRPT website. Some schools are Accredited Sleep Technologist Education Program (A-STEP) providers. The A-STEP training program - developed by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) - consists of an 80-hour classroom introductory course followed by a series of 14 self-study modules completed online. Students can sit for the RPSGT exam if they complete nine months of on-the-job experience in addition to the A-STEP requirements.

List of Common Online Polysomnography Programs

Polysomnographic Technology Certificate

During this online program, students are taught the fundamentals of sleep disorders and learn how to recognize pathologies in human sleep patterns. The curriculum teaches monitoring techniques using EKGs and equipment that measures brain, eye and muscle activity. Particular emphasis is placed on detecting respiratory problems, which often play a role in common sleep disorders like sleep apnea and insomnia.
Students also learn how to analyze polysomnography data. This information is gathered through a variety of tests performed by the somnographer, including the Multiple Sleep Latency Test - which is an evaluation for narcolepsy - and Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT). The MWT reveals how easily a patient can stay awake during the day; it can be an indicator of a treatment program's success.

Associate in Applied Science in Polysomnography

A polysomnography program leading to the associate's degree usually lasts two years and requires the completion of general education requirements in addition to sleep technology-related courses. Some AAS programs allow students to explore related topics - such as respiratory therapy - in more depth. According to CAAHEP, a 2-year associate's degree program is generally preferred by employers.