Online Sonography Certification Information

Students may prepare for work as diagnostic medical sonographers by studying ultrasound technology at the diploma, certificate, or advanced certificate level online. Options are available for students beginning careers in sonography and for registered medical sonographers.

Possible Routes for Online Sonography Study

Diagnostic sonography programs prepare students to perform high frequency ultrasound exams, which produce 2- and 3-dimensional images of bodily regions, such as the abdomen or heart. Diploma and certificate sonography programs may offer some or all coursework online. For registered radiologists and sonographers, online advanced sonography certificates are also available. Graduates of sonography programs at the diploma, certificate, or degree levels are qualified to sit for exams offered by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for sonographers in 2008 was $61,980 (www.bls.gov).

Online Sonography Certificate Programs

Students with an allied health sciences degree are eligible to apply for a certificate in sonography. The 24-month long general/vascular specialization includes online coursework in ultrasound, sonography procedures, physics, small-parts sonography, and instrumentation. The 14-month long cardiac sonography specialization includes online coursework in physics, instrumentation, cardiac sonography, and advanced cardiac sonography topics. Students must also complete an on-site clinical rotation in an approved hospital or clinic setting.

Sonography Diploma Option With Online Courses

Diploma programs in sonography train students for ultrasound diagnostic positions in hospitals, clinics, and doctors' offices. Prerequisites include previous experience in radiology, nursing, respiratory therapy, physical therapy or a bachelor's degree. Diploma coursework includes physics, abdominal sonography, anatomy, venous duplex techniques, medical sonography, and more. Several sonography courses may be online. A student must also complete a clinical rotation in a hospital or clinical setting affiliated with the program of study.

Online Advanced Sonography Certificate Programs

Diagnostic medical sonography professionals may attain advanced certificates in vascular technology or cardiovascular sonography online. Prerequisites for these year-long programs are an Associate of Science or Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Sonography or American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography certification. Coursework may include topics such as hemodynamics, arterial principles and procedures, venous principles and procedures, advanced sonography topics, cerebrovascular procedures and echocardiography. Some certificate programs qualify graduates to sit for specialty exams, such as the Vascular Technology or Adult Echocardiography exam, offered by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (www.ardms.org).