Several colleges in North Carolina offer programs in diagnostic medical sonography.
Diagnostic medical sonographers use high-frequency sound waves, or ultrasound, to produce images of various parts of the body for helping with the diagnosis of disease. According to the North Carolina Career Resource Network, the outlook for this career field is positive, as health-care practitioner and technical support occupations are expected to continue to grow through 2014. The median annual wage of diagnostic medical sonographers in May 2008 was $62,660, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics. Several colleges in North Carolina train students for this field.
Cape Fear Community College
Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington offers an associate degree in medical sonography. In the program, students learn produce quality images through classroom teaching as well as hands-on laboratory training. Classes cover topics such as introduction to sonography, patient care, vascular sonography, obstetrical/gynecological sonography and sonography of the abdomen. Students also study advanced pathology and complete clinical hours. The sonography program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs in cooperation with the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. Founded in 1959, Cape Fear Community College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Cape Fear Community College
411 N. Front St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
910-362-7000
cfcc.edu/son
Caldwell Community College
Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute in Hudson offers associate degrees in medical and cardiovascular sonography. Through the medical program, students learn to capture images of fetuses, female pelvis areas and organs such as the liver and kidneys. Students learn direct the sound waves into the body, which produces reflections that help to create images of the body's organs for review of potential diseases. Cardiovascular students learn produce images of adult hearts and blood vessels. Cardiovascular and echocardiography certificates also are available at the college. The sonography programs are accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. Founded in 1964 and also featuring a campus in Boone, Caldwell Community College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Caldwell Community College
Caldwell Campus
2855 Hickory Blvd.
Hudson, NC 28638
828-726-2200
cccti.edu/healthsci/Sonography/Sonography.htm
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College in Asheville offers an associate degree program in medical diagnostic sonography. Courses cover topics such as gynecological and obstetrical sonography, introductory vascular sonography, the abdomen, physics and cross-sectional anatomy. Students learn use ultrasound equipment, how diseases work, how a fetus develops and interact with patients. The program also includes clinical rotations. Upon graduation, students are eligible to complete exams in ultrasound physics and instrumentation through the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers. They then can work for a variety of employers such as hospitals and clinics. The sonography program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. Founded in 1959, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
340 Victoria Road
Asheville, NC 28801
828-254-1921, ext. 470
abtech.edu/ah/mi/sonography.htm
Tags: Community College, accredited Commission, Asheville-Buncombe Technical, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community, Caldwell Community, Caldwell Community College