Ultrasound images allow medical professionals a painless view inside the patient's body.
Diagnostic medical sonographers are the professionals responsible for performing ultrasound imaging procedures. Ultrasounds are most commonly used during pregnancy, but this technology is also used to view abdominal organs, the brain and nervous system, the cardiovascular system and the breasts. According the Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2010-11 Occupational Outlook Handbook, a license is not required to practice as a sonographer. However, completion of a two-year or four-year educational program in the field is desired by most employers. Several of these programs are available in the state of Indiana.
University of Southern Indiana
The University of Southern Indiana offers a four-year sonography program that awards a Bachelor of Science degree in Radiologic Imaging Sciences. The program requires a year and a half of general education courses followed by two and a half years of education within the sonography program. The diagnostic medical sonography program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. Once the program is completed, students are eligible to take the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography's registry examination. As of 2010, the University of Southern Indiana is accepting just 10 students into the sonography program each year.
College of Nursing and Health Professions
University of Southern Indiana
8600 University Blvd.
Evansville, IN 47712
812-465-1181
Health.usi.edu/acadprog/sonography/
Saint Anthony School of Echocardiography
The Associate of Applied Science degree program offered by the Saint Anthony School of Echocardiology is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. This program prepares students for the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonograaphy's examination. The program lasts between 20 and 24 months and classes are scheduled in eight-week blocks. Clinical rotations are an important part of this program as it is taught at the Saint Anthony Medical Center. Students begin with two to four hours of clinical rotation each week and increase to 16 to 24 hours a week by the end of the program. The last nine months of the program are spent in clinical rotation at sister facilities. Admission requirements include prior college or post-secondary education as well as previous health care experience or a related degree.
Saint Anthony Medical Center
1201 South Main St.
Crown Point, IN 46307
219-738-2100
StAnthonyMedicalCenter.com
Indiana University Northwest
The northwest campus of Indiana University, located in Gary, Indiana, offers a diagnostic medical sonography concentration for students majoring in Radiologic Sciences. This program awards a Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Science. General education requirements totaling 79 credit hours must be met for admission into the School of Nursing and Health Professions. Once these requirements have been met, the student must complete 43 credit hours of professional curriculum. These courses are laid out in two fall semesters, one spring semester and two summer sessions.
Indiana University Northwest
3400 Broadway
Gary, IN 46408
219-980-6589
IUN.edu/~ahealth
Tags: Indiana University, Saint Anthony, sonography program, Southern Indiana, University Southern, University Southern Indiana