Sonography Schools in Dallas

The 3rd largest city in Texas, Dallas is home to numerous cotton, oil, and finance related businesses.  The increasing population of Dallas seeks higher educational opportunities through traditional and online programs offered by universities located within the city. Dallas boasts some of the leading criminal justice, liberal arts and Sonography schools in the nation that may help students start careers in fields like healthcare.

What do Diagnostic Medical Sonographers do?

Before we get into the details of how to get into the field of Sonography in Dallas, TX, let’s take a look at what these professionals actually do:

• Taking and preparing patients medical history
• Maintaining diagnostic imaging equipment
• Operating diagnostic imaging machinery
• Creating specialized images of the body’s organs and tissues known as sonograms or ultrasounds
• Reviewing images obtained to ensure all areas needed for diagnoses have been covered
• Reporting any normal or abnormal findings to the physicians
• Keeping a record of the findings

Top Sonography Schools in Dallas

Sonography Schools in Dallas offer certificates, diplomas and associate degrees. These can serve as the foundation for pursuing advanced degrees such as the bachelor’s or master’s degree program in this field. Alternatively, graduates may also begin their careers after obtaining an associate's degree. Various credentials such as that of the Registered Medical Diagnostic Sonographer awarded by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, require an associate degree for eligibility to take the examinations. Some well-reputed Sonography schools in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex (DFW) also offer comprehensive specialization courses in disciplines such as echocardiography.

Let’s look at two of the top Sonography schools in Dallas:

El Centro College

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program at the El Centro College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). The college offers certificate and associate degree programs, which are recognized nationally for their top-notch faculty and clinical rotations. Students are given classroom instruction, as well as practical experience in the state-of-the-art ultrasound scanning lab and through clinical rotations in local health care centers. The comprehensive program will give you exposure to a large variety of ultrasound equipment, in various medical settings such as a 300-plus-bed hospital, a children’s hospital and so on.

Parker University

The Diagnostic Sonography Department at Parker University offers a highly sought-after Sonography program, with the optimal class size and a dedicated faculty. Each student is given personal attention, and is exposed to real-world experiences. The two-year long program will help students understand the mechanics of Sonography, through detailed coursework including Sonography of Superficial Structures, Principles of Vascular Technology, Sonography of High Risk OB, Abdominopelvic Sonography, Sonography of Obstetrics/Gynecology, etc.

Careers in Sonography

Upon graduation from an accredited Sonography school, students may find career opportunities in a wide variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics and laboratories. Diagnostic medical sonographers earned a median annual wage of $71,410 in May 2017, as reported by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. With more training and progression in knowledge, professionals may possibly earn higher salaries.

In Texas, Diagnostic Medical Sonographers earned an annual mean wage of $78,250, according to May 2017 data reported by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. The total employment in the state was 5,270, which is second only to California. In addition to being one of the highest employment states for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, the Dallas-Plano-Irving metropolitan division also ranks among the highest employment metropolitan areas in the state.

Careers in this field are expected to grow in the near future. As the large baby-boom population ages, the need for diagnosing medical conditions such as heart diseases and blood clots is expected to increase. Imaging technologies play a vital role in diagnosing such medical conditions.

How long does it take to graduate from a Sonography School in Dallas?

Many schools in Dallas, such as the El Centro College, are offering Diagnostic Medical Sonography programs. Students can enroll in an Advanced Technical Certificate Program in Sonography that can be completed in 1 year or an Associate Degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography that takes 2 years to complete. These programs train students to perform diagnostic exams using high frequency waves to examine soft tissue structures including the kidneys, gallbladder and the liver.

What are the requirements to graduate from a Sonography School in Dallas?

In order to obtain an Advanced Technical Certificate in Sonography, students are expected to complete approximately 42 credits and in order to graduate from an Associate Degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, students need to complete 65 credits. The students have to study a number of modules such as Physics and Allied Health, Patient Care & Management, and Physiology. After completing the degree, students can find employment in hospitals, clinics, medical laboratories, and physicians’ offices.

How much can I make after graduating from a Sonography School in Dallas?

After graduating from a Sonography school, you can work as Ultrasound Technicians or Diagnostic Medical Sonographers. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Sonographers and Cardiovascular Technicians earned an annual median pay of $67,080 in 2018. In 2016, there were 122,300 jobs in this field. Moreover, the employment in this field is predicted to grow by 17% from 2016 to 2026, which is faster than the average for all other occupations.