Financial aid (may be available)
Financial aid (may be available)
Financial aid (may be available)
Financial aid (may be available)
No cost info
No cost info
Financial aid (may be available)
No cost info
Diagnostic imaging is one of the most commonly used technologies in the medical profession. With a degree in diagnostic medical sonography from Collin College, you can be part of a team that helps identify medical issues early enough to make a real difference in people's lives.
Collin College's Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is designed to prepare you to become a registered sonographer. Through our rigorous integrated didactic and clinical program, students graduate with the skills and knowledge required to be competent in sonography.
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Saint Joseph’s University’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography Certificate is designed for students with a college degree who want to start a career in the fast-growing field of sonography. During this program, you'll perform a variety of real-life exams and invasive procedures, from obstetrics and gynecology to vascular and trauma.
This 40-credit certificate program can be completed in less than one year. Once you've completed the program, you'll be eligible to take the** American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) examinations** in sonographic physics, abdomen and obstetrics/gynecology.
While the certificate program is primarily offered in person to provide hands-on learning, some courses are also offered online. The online courses are designed to meet the knowledge base in the career of sonography. Learn more about online learning at Saint Joseph's.
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The online Diagnostic Medical Sonography degree completion program integrates basic medical science with ultrasound courses and a general education core. You will begin the program with a foundation for degree completion built upon two sources:
Credit you complete at another college and transfer to Oregon Tech
Credit granted for professional registries
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Our online diagnostic medical sonography degree completion program offers you continuing education in your profession, advancement or new options in your career, and the bachelor's degree required for entry into master's degree programs. Many of our students go on to advanced degrees in business, education and more.
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Diagnostic Medical Sonography plays a vital role in helping physicians diagnose and monitor a range of medical conditions, from pregnancy to heart disease and cancer. Sonographers use high frequency sound waves or ultrasound to produce dynamic images of organs, tissues or blood flow in the body. Diagnosis and treatment are often determined from those images. Our DMS program offers one-year advanced certificates so you can graduate quickly and enter the workforce. Online courses offer flexibility and convenience, while clinical rotations can potentially be completed wherever you live. If you want to join the healthcare
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The Sonography Programs at Chattanooga State Community College are 12-month certificate programs which begin each fall semester. Full-time student status is required. Both programs are currently accredited by CAAHEP. A class will be accepted each year for fall admission, rotating between the general sonography program offering and the cardiovascular program offering. All courses are taught by Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographers, Registered Vascular Technologists, Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, Sonologists, Cardiologists, and other qualified personnel for each designated subject.
Applicants must possess a minimum of an AS or AAS degree from an accredited patient-care-related field (providing 2 years of clinical experience) and certification in that same field.* *(Those who have not yet taken their certification exams can still be accepted on a probationary status.)
Upon completion of the general sonography program, the graduate will be eligible to test for certification by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) in the specialty categories of Abdominal, Obstetrics and Gynecology. Upon successful completion of the Sonography Physics & Instrumentation exam, in addition to at least one of the specialty exams, the graduate will become a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS). The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) also awards a sonography credential in general ultrasound.
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Diagnostic medical sonographers in Worcester earn between $75,000-$99,460 annually while using cutting-edge ultrasound technology to help diagnose medical conditions—and with programs starting at $15,000 and lasting just 18-24 months, this healthcare career offers one of the highest returns on educational investment without requiring invasive patient procedures. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024 data, the Worcester metro area employs over 450 diagnostic medical sonographers, with 10% job growth projected through 2034, significantly outpacing most healthcare professions as the region's aging population drives demand for non-invasive diagnostic imaging.
Diagnostic Medical Sonography, also known as ultrasound, is a healthcare profession that uses specialized imaging equipment to create visual representations of the body's internal structures. Sonographers use high-frequency sound waves to generate these images, which are then interpreted by physicians to diagnose and monitor a wide range of medical conditions.
Common duties include:
To work as a diagnostic medical sonographer in Worcester, you must meet these requirements:
The fastest path to becoming a diagnostic medical sonographer in Worcester is through an 18-month certificate program designed for healthcare professionals with existing degrees, available at select institutions. However, most students complete 21-24 month associate degree programs at Quinsigamond Community College or similar schools, which provide comprehensive training including 1,000+ hours of clinical experience. These accelerated programs run year-round with intensive coursework, allowing graduates to sit for ARDMS certification immediately upon completion and enter the workforce earning $70,000+ within two years of starting their education.
While hands-on scanning requires in-person training, several hybrid options serve Worcester students. MCPHS University offers didactic courses online with weekend lab intensives on campus, allowing working professionals to maintain employment while training. Bunker Hill Community College provides a hybrid program where Worcester residents complete online theory courses while attending clinical rotations at local facilities. Oregon Institute of Technology's online bachelor's completion program accepts Worcester students who've completed prerequisite clinical training at local hospitals. These hybrid programs typically cost 10-15% less than traditional formats while offering greater scheduling flexibility.
While completely free programs don't exist due to expensive equipment requirements, Worcester offers several affordable pathways. MassHire Central Career Center provides Individual Training Accounts up to $30,000 for eligible displaced workers pursuing healthcare careers. Quinsigamond Community College's financial aid office reports 75% of sonography students receive sufficient aid to cover full tuition through Pell Grants and Massachusetts state programs. UMass Memorial and St. Vincent Hospital occasionally offer tuition reimbursement agreements where students commit to 2-3 years of employment post-graduation in exchange for paid training. Veterans can use GI Bill benefits at all Worcester-area programs, with Yellow Ribbon participants at MCPHS receiving additional tuition coverage.
ARDMS certification begins with completing an accredited program providing prerequisite clinical hours. Register for specialty exams based on your training: Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) plus specialty exams in Abdomen, OB/GYN, Cardiac, or Vascular. Worcester's Pearson VUE testing center on Park Avenue offers exams monthly. The SPI exam features 110 questions over 2 hours covering physics, instrumentation, and patient care. Specialty exams contain 170 questions over 3 hours testing anatomy, pathology, and scanning protocols. Passing scores require 555 or higher on a 300-700 scale. Exam fees total $500-$650 depending on specialties. Maintain certification through 30 continuing medical education credits biennially, easily obtained through Worcester's numerous hospital-sponsored conferences and online courses.
Worcester's diverse healthcare ecosystem provides varied employment settings for sonographers:
Most positions offer standard weekday schedules with occasional weekend rotations. Hospital positions may include second shift differentials adding $3-5/hour. On-call requirements vary but typically involve one weekend monthly for additional compensation.
These terms are interchangeable—both refer to professionals who operate ultrasound equipment, though "diagnostic medical sonographer" is the formal professional title recognized by ARDMS.
While you can focus on obstetric/gynecologic sonography, most employers prefer sonographers cross-trained in multiple specialties for scheduling flexibility; OB-only positions are rare.
Moderately—you'll spend 80% of time standing, frequently reach across patients to scan, and may experience repetitive strain injuries without proper ergonomics; it's less physically demanding than nursing but more than office work.
Diagnostic Medical Sonography is a rapidly growing field with excellent job prospects, and Worcester, Massachusetts, is an attractive destination for those interested in pursuing this career. With a variety of Diagnostic Medical Sonography classes and training programs available in the city, aspiring Diagnostic Medical Sonographers have ample opportunities to gain the necessary skills and certifications to succeed in this rewarding profession. Whether you're just starting your journey or looking to advance your career, the diagnostic medical sonographer schooling options in Worcester can help you achieve your goals and earn a competitive diagnostic medical sonographer salary.
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