Sonographers examine babies in utero.
Several Maryland colleges offer certificates in sonography. Most employers require a certificate from an accredited sonography training program in conjunction with a passing score on the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographer's exam. The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs recommends that sonography training programs offer hands-on, clinical experience.
Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine provides training for sonography students through the Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science and the School of Medical Imaging. The diagnostic medical sonography program at Johns Hopkins grants certificates to successful students following a full-time 14 to 18 month program. This program offers students clinical experience in routine exams, as well as specialized diagnostic exams, such as obstetric, pediatrics and neurosonology. Notre Dame of Maryland grants a certificate in sonography through Johns Hopkins, as well.
Montgomery College
Montgomery College, of Montgomery County, offers an Associate of Applied Science in diagnostic medical sonography, as well as a certificate. Students in the certificate program may apply their credits toward an associate degree. Both of these programs prepare students to sit for the American Registry exam. Students may select a specialty, including echocardiography, vascular sonography or abdominal sonography.
Sanford Brown Institute
The Sanford Brown Institute of Landover offers a certificate program in cardiovascular sonography and in diagnostic medical sonography. The cardiovascular sonography certificate prepares students to conduct echocardiographic exams through a program of lectures, lab experience and practice in a clinical setting. The diagnostic medical sonography certificate prepares students to perform basic sonographic examinations, such as of the abdomen and of pregnancies. Both programs prepare students to sit for the American Registry exam and perform entry-level sonography work.
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
The University of Maryland of Baltimore County grants a certificate in diagnostic medical sonography through its Training Centers. Students can specialize in general, cardiac or vascular sonography. UMBC's program runs on a 13 1/2 month full-time, day-time, weekday schedule, which completely prepares the student to sit for the American Registry exam. UMBC offers classes including physics of sonography, cross-sectional anatomy, echocardiography, vascular anatomy and OB/GYN sonography. Students also learn patient care skills, both in a classroom setting and in Maryland hospitals such as Johns Hopkins and Mercy Medical.
Tags: diagnostic medical, diagnostic medical sonography, Johns Hopkins, medical sonography, American Registry