Most ultrasound technician have an educaiton backgroun in diagnostic medical sonography.
A degree in diagnostic medical sonography is the most common path to a career as an ultrasound technician. These degrees include courses covering anatomy, physiology, equipment use, diagnosis and other information pertinent to the field of ultrasound technology. Several schools in Michigan offer a program in diagnostic medical sonography, all of which involve a significant amount of hands-on training in a clinical setting.
Ferris State University
Ferris State is located in Big Rapids, Michigan. The school offers an associate's degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography through their College of Allied Health. The degree requires that after spending three semesters on campus, students must complete three more semesters in an off-campus clinical setting. During their hands-on training, students are provided with continued academic instruction and feedback on their progress. Most of the technical courses in this program focus on ultrasound technology for gynecology and obstetrics. After graduation, students may take the exam to be included in the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS).
Ferris State University
420 Oak Street
Big Rapids, MI 49307
(800) 433-7747
ferris.edu
Grand Valley State University
Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan offers a four-year bachelor's of science degree in Radiologic and Imaging Sciences. Within this degree program, students can choose to focus their studies on diagnostic medical sonography. This program provides a wide variety of courses that cover abdominal obstretics and gynecology, vascular sonography and echocardiography. A significant amount of training through direct contact with patients is also required of students in this program. Many students take the exam for inclusion in the ARDMS towards the end of their program; since 2007, all graduates of this program at Grand Valley have been registered with the ARDMS before their graduation.
Grand Valley State University
1 North Campus Drive
Allendale, MI 49401
(616) 331-5000
gvsu.edu
Providence Hospital Allied Health School
Providence Hospital, located in Southfield, Michigan, offers their own School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography. This program is directed towards those who wish to specialize in this field, including individuals already working as a registered nurse, radiologic technologist or other health care professional. Applicants may also have a bachelor's degree with clinical medical experience in order to be eligible. The program, which is affiliated with Madonna University in Livonia, is 18 months in length and offers concentrations in abdominal, obstetrics and gynecology, vascular, superficial parts and sonography physics. The program is also highly selective, taking only four or five students per year. Students participate in the program much like a full-time job, spread across 40 hours from Monday to Friday each week and rotating their clinical training between Providence Hospital and their affiliate facilities. Students can take the ARDMS exam after graduation.
Providence Hospital Allied Health School
16001 W. Nine Mile,
Southfield, MI 48075
(248) 849-5385
Tags: State University, Grand Valley, Providence Hospital, Allied Health, Ferris State