How Important CAAHEP Accreditation is to Sonography Programs
With thousands of colleges and universities in the country, only a handful ultrasound technologist schools are accredited in offering sonography education programs. Exactly 208 schools in the United States have been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Compared to the hundreds more that offer sonography education, these 200 schools are your best choice when it comes to learning undergraduate sonography.
What does accreditation mean?
As a student, it is important that you know that while schools may tout themselves as accredited, their sonography programs might not be. CAAHEP is an organization that is responsible for accrediting allied health programs, not schools. By being accredited, a program has met all the standards set by CAAHEP all over the country. Sonography isn’t the only program accredited by CAAHEP; they accredit over 19 different allied health fields in the United States.
The history of accreditation starts in the early 1900s, when the American Medical Association establishment the CME – or the Council on Medical Education. The council developed a rating scale that was used to inspect health institutions, including medical schools. By the 1930s, different national organizations along with the AMA established an accrediting body for allied health programs. Today, CAAHEP accredits more than 2,000 programs in over 20 allied health disciplines in the US.
Finding the right accredited college or university for you
All schools that are accredited by CAAHEP can be found on the CAAHEP website. If you are looking for ultrasound technology schools in your city, the website can be very helpful to you – they even show which schools offer online sonography training. Sonography programs (called Diagnostic Medical Sonography programs) that are accredited best prepare students for the ARDMS examination. Students can enroll in three different kinds of accredited sonography programs:
1. Certificate course – 12 month long; targeted towards students who are already working in the allied health field or finished a similar allied health course
2. Associate degree program – 2 years long; students are required to complete all general education classes before application
3. Bachelor degree program – 4 years long; regular undergraduate program in sonography
ARDMS certification exam
The ARDMS exam is the end point to the educational process in becoming a sonographer. Accredited schools are the best because they have the highest passing rate for students undertaking the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography certification exam. Their graduates are well-prepared to sit for the exam and become certified sonographers, compared to schools that aren’t accredited.
Sonographers are not required by law to have certificates (unlike licenses), but most health facilities require them from employees. Technically speaking, sonographers can work directly after graduating from college – but it is preferable to apply for certification exams from the ARDMS, specifically the (1) Sonography Principles and Instrumentation and (2) specialty exams.
With more than 200 accredited schools in the country, you are sure to find one that is near you and offers the best Diagnostic Medical Sonography program. There are campus and on-line programs available all over the country – remember to apply for one that has the kind of sonography training you want and is also accredited.
What does accreditation mean?
As a student, it is important that you know that while schools may tout themselves as accredited, their sonography programs might not be. CAAHEP is an organization that is responsible for accrediting allied health programs, not schools. By being accredited, a program has met all the standards set by CAAHEP all over the country. Sonography isn’t the only program accredited by CAAHEP; they accredit over 19 different allied health fields in the United States.
The history of accreditation starts in the early 1900s, when the American Medical Association establishment the CME – or the Council on Medical Education. The council developed a rating scale that was used to inspect health institutions, including medical schools. By the 1930s, different national organizations along with the AMA established an accrediting body for allied health programs. Today, CAAHEP accredits more than 2,000 programs in over 20 allied health disciplines in the US.
Finding the right accredited college or university for you
All schools that are accredited by CAAHEP can be found on the CAAHEP website. If you are looking for ultrasound technology schools in your city, the website can be very helpful to you – they even show which schools offer online sonography training. Sonography programs (called Diagnostic Medical Sonography programs) that are accredited best prepare students for the ARDMS examination. Students can enroll in three different kinds of accredited sonography programs:
1. Certificate course – 12 month long; targeted towards students who are already working in the allied health field or finished a similar allied health course
2. Associate degree program – 2 years long; students are required to complete all general education classes before application
3. Bachelor degree program – 4 years long; regular undergraduate program in sonography
ARDMS certification exam
The ARDMS exam is the end point to the educational process in becoming a sonographer. Accredited schools are the best because they have the highest passing rate for students undertaking the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography certification exam. Their graduates are well-prepared to sit for the exam and become certified sonographers, compared to schools that aren’t accredited.
Sonographers are not required by law to have certificates (unlike licenses), but most health facilities require them from employees. Technically speaking, sonographers can work directly after graduating from college – but it is preferable to apply for certification exams from the ARDMS, specifically the (1) Sonography Principles and Instrumentation and (2) specialty exams.
With more than 200 accredited schools in the country, you are sure to find one that is near you and offers the best Diagnostic Medical Sonography program. There are campus and on-line programs available all over the country – remember to apply for one that has the kind of sonography training you want and is also accredited.