While a fully online program for diagnostic medical sonography is rare, more and more programs are developing hybrid programs where the student can do the clinical component on campus and some of the reading and testing online. As of June 2016, there are few online programs which have received accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs (CAAHEP). While these programs offer didactic courses online, there is still an essential clinical piece of ultrasound technician training that requires hands on experience. Students will not be able to earn the sonography certification necessary to obtain top employment without clinical practice in addition to classroom or online courses. Below is a sampling of online and hybrid certificate, associate, and bachelor’s programs for aspiring diagnostic medical sonographers:
- Adventist University:
This school based in Orlando, Florida provides an online BS in diagnostic medical sonography (BSDMS) program. When taken as a degree completion program, the BSDMS is open to applicants currently registered in sonography through ARDMS, ARRT, or CCI. In as few as two years, students complete 34 credits of imaging courses such as advanced sonographic specialties and pathophysiology. Notably, Adventist University is CAAHEP accredited and was one of the pioneers in distance-based education, offering online degrees since 2001.
- Jackson College:
As part of their allied health program, this Michigan based college offers training in general, cardiac, and vascular sonography. Like Washburn, Jackson College offers their sonography didactic courses online but still requires students to complete an in person clinical practicum. Students can expect to spend between 24 and 32 hours a week over the course of approximately one year at an approved clinical site near their home in order to successfully complete the program.
- Oregon Tech Online:
This school also provides an online bachelor of science (BS) degree completion program in diagnostic medical sonography. Open to registered diagnostic sonographers, Oregon Tech’s courses include intro to diagnostic imaging, applications of abdominal sonography, pelvic sonography, and physics of medical imaging. Additionally, students complete a DMS externship at an approved clinical facility located close to their homes. Supervisors sign off on a DMS skills checklist as employment ready skills are acquired.
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee:
Unlike the previous two schools on this list, UWM offers a bachelor of science (BS) degree in biomedical sciences with a diagnostic medical sonography sub major. Students complete two years of classroom training, either on campus or online, followed by two years of professional and clinical training at a UW clinical site. The school is affiliated with the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics in Madison but also has clinical sites in Milwaukee and Chicago. Students can choose a general focus or may concentrate on vascular or cardiac ultrasound.
- Washburn University:
This school, with its main campus in Topeka, Kansas, has been offering online diagnostic medical sonography training for more than a decade. All didactic courses are offered online, while clinical training can be arranged close to the student’s home for maximum flexibility and convenience. Graduating students are eligible for the ARDMS and CCI certification examinations. The program offers a general sonography certification program as well as specialized tracks in cardiac and vascular sonography.
There is a growing trend for online training in other healthcare professions that can be achieved 100% online. Click the “Search Now” link at the top of the page to view an updated list of online healthcare schools. Programs range from diploma, degree completion, associate’s, bachelor’s and graduate programs.
Additionally, the number of schools converting from traditional campus-based curriculum to an online hybrid is quickly changing. Click here to view the schools accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs (CAAHEP).