The Role of CAAHEP in Accredited Ultrasound Technician Schools
The path to becoming a certified diagnostic medical sonographer starts and ends with education. Popularly called Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) in the United States, the DMS program is an allied health education course that prepares undergraduate students for a career in diagnostic medical sonography in 2014 and 2015. With the predicted job outlook for sonographers continually increasing (in the span of ten years between 2012 and 2022), the number of accredited ultrasound technician schools in the US has been increasing as well.
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With the ever growing list of accredited ultrasound technician schools in 2015, the search for the right school can be difficult and time-consuming. But the name itself - ‘accredited’ - is a step in the right direction. What exactly does accreditation mean for schools and their DMS programs? How does a program become accredited? Does accreditation affect the quality of sonography training students receive?
A look at CAAHEP and sonography
CAAHEP stands for the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. They are a ‘programmatic postsecondary accrediting agency’, responsible for accrediting allied health programs in the United States. Sonography is not the only discipline they accredit; other allied health occupations in medical technology and medical assisting are also governed by the CAAHEP. Currently, the agency accredits approximately 2100 education programs in 26 allied health occupations. They are recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). The growing number of CAAHEP-accredited schools can be attributed to the high salary and employment opportunities for sonographers in the US. By the middle of 2013, 58,250 sonographers were employed in the country, earning $67,170 annually. |
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Accredited sonography schools
It goes without saying that accredited ultrasound technician schools offer students the best training in sonography. Accreditation makes sure that an allied health education program meets the standards set for all colleges and universities in the country. To make things clear, CAAHEP does not accredit schools – they accredit programs. Students who want to study in a CAAHEP program should make sure that the program itself is accredited by the agency.
CAAHEP accredits different kinds of sonography programs – both campus-based and programs that offer classes online. It doesn’t matter what state or city the sonography program is offered; if it meets the criteria of CAAHEP and passes the rigorous accreditation process, it will be accredited as such.
Applying to a sonography program
When categorized according to length, sonography programs are available in (1) certificate, (2) associate degree, and (3) bachelor degree programs. They are also categorized depending on the specialty the student wishes to take. CAAHEP allows four specialties to have their own training programs separate from each other – (1) general sonography, (2) cardiac sonography, (3) vascular sonography, and (4) pediatric cardiac sonography.
Applying to accredited ultrasound technician schools is the same as applying to other colleges and universities. Students have to submit sonographer requirements – usually a resume, transcript of high school records, and other typical college requirements. There are currently 208 schools that have been accredited by the CAAHEP in offering diagnostic medical sonography training. More information can be found on the CAAHEP and Bureau of Labor Statistics websites.
It goes without saying that accredited ultrasound technician schools offer students the best training in sonography. Accreditation makes sure that an allied health education program meets the standards set for all colleges and universities in the country. To make things clear, CAAHEP does not accredit schools – they accredit programs. Students who want to study in a CAAHEP program should make sure that the program itself is accredited by the agency.
CAAHEP accredits different kinds of sonography programs – both campus-based and programs that offer classes online. It doesn’t matter what state or city the sonography program is offered; if it meets the criteria of CAAHEP and passes the rigorous accreditation process, it will be accredited as such.
Applying to a sonography program
When categorized according to length, sonography programs are available in (1) certificate, (2) associate degree, and (3) bachelor degree programs. They are also categorized depending on the specialty the student wishes to take. CAAHEP allows four specialties to have their own training programs separate from each other – (1) general sonography, (2) cardiac sonography, (3) vascular sonography, and (4) pediatric cardiac sonography.
Applying to accredited ultrasound technician schools is the same as applying to other colleges and universities. Students have to submit sonographer requirements – usually a resume, transcript of high school records, and other typical college requirements. There are currently 208 schools that have been accredited by the CAAHEP in offering diagnostic medical sonography training. More information can be found on the CAAHEP and Bureau of Labor Statistics websites.