Best Sonography Programs in Michigan – Overview
Ultrasound diagnosis is a crucial part of the health and medical industry today. Using sound waves, an ultrasound technician/sonographer can create images of the internal organs, muscles, and tissues within the body. It helps to identify the cause and/or effect of numerous health disorders and diseases.
Becoming a certified professional sonographer is considered to be one of the most satisfying and lucrative jobs in the medical diagnostic industry. Choosing to be an ultrasound technician is becoming popular, with competitive salaries that reflect the level of education and training required.
In this article, we will learn about how to become a sonographer, the job prospects and average salary of professional ultrasound technicians, and the best sonography programs in Michigan.
How to Become a Sonographer in Michigan?
Here is a simple breakdown of how to become a certified professional ultrasound technician/sonographer in Michigan:
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Visualizing the Living Body: Diagnostic Imaging
Step 1 – Get admission into a sonography program
It is important to get admission into a sonography program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Currently, there are 13 schools and colleges in Michigan with CAAHEP accreditation and offer superior DMS programs.
Step 2 – Earn your degree
An Associate’s Degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography is commonly required to work as a certified professional ultrasound technician. You can qualify for an accelerated certificate program or a Bachelor’s Degree, depending on your present education and experience.
Step 3 – Pass the certification exam
A key step to becoming a certified professional ultrasound technician is passing a certification exam, such as those offered by the ARDMS. The American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) is usually the most sought-after certification by prospective ultrasound technicians.
This certificate gives candidates priority while seeking employment. You will also need to graduate from a CAAHEP-accredited sonography program to be eligible to sit for the certification exam.
Completing a sonography course from a recognized Michigan DMS program is the most efficient and convenient way to qualify for the ARDMS Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) Exam.
Passing the ARDMS certification exams makes you eligible to practice as a certified ultrasound technician/sonographer.
Average Salary and Career Outlook for Sonographers in Michigan
According to reports by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average annual salary for an ultrasound technician in Michigan may vary, with estimates needing to be confirmed with up-to-date sources like the BLS. The reports also expect the industry to see growth in job prospects by the end of the decade.
Talking about the cost of education, an Associate Degree course of 2 years in ultrasound can cost anywhere between USD 5,180 to USD 38,980, a Bachelor’s Degree course can cost around USD 23,050 to USD 85,080, while certification courses of 10-18 months may cost between USD 2,680 to USD 24,690 per year.
Top 4 Sonography Programs in Michigan
Let’s take a look at the best sonography programs in Michigan:
1 – Grand Valley State University
Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids offers a highly regarded sonography program, among others in Michigan. It is a renowned university with one of the few accredited sonography schools in the state.
Here, students can qualify to appear for the national certification exam, which is administered by ARDMS even before graduation. The college also offers comprehensive clinical sessions at multiple top-notch diagnostic facilities to prepare students with broader skills and create highly trained, fully-certified ultrasound technicians.
GVSU offers a Bachelor’s Degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography with a special focus on Cardiovascular Sonography and Abdominal/OB-GYN Sonography. This is a 4-year full-time program and prepares students with a strong foundation.
To learn more details about admission eligibility and the process for the sonography program offered by Grand Valley State University, you can check out the official website here: https://www.gvsu.edu/dms/.
2 – Delta College
The Delta College at University Center is another leading college in Michigan that offers excellent sonography programs. It houses a recently-renovated state-of-the-art hospital simulation center and an ultra-modern laboratory equipped with a 3D imaging machine to hone a student’s skills. Here, you can pursue an associate’s degree and a certificate in DMS.
The Associate Degree sonography program is worth 86 credits till graduation. It offers comprehensive education, including topics on human anatomy, physiology, ultrasound instrumentation, medical terminology, obstetrics-gynecology, and communication skills.
The Certification program is aimed at students with an associate degree in healthcare who want to change careers. This is a 20-month-long course with limited seats available every year. The Certificate program in sonography is worth a total of 71 credits till you earn your certification.
You can find more details about eligibility criteria, the admission process, etc., by visiting the official link for Delta College here.
3 – Lansing Community College
The Lansing Community College at Lansing is another top school for sonography programs in Michigan. The college offers dynamic and comprehensive sonography education using the latest discoveries and techniques in diagnostic medical imaging.
The college offers an Associate Degree program in sonography. This is a 15-month long full-time course with a limited number of seats. The expansive coursework includes classroom teaching and significant clinical sessions for hands-on experience.
The college also offers a Vascular Certificate Program in sonography. This course is aimed at professionals who wish to specialize in vascular sonography. The course prepares candidates for the Registered Vascular Technologists exam.
4 – Baker College
The Baker College at Auburn Hills & Owosso is the largest not-for-profit college in Michigan and ranks among the top sonography programs in the state. The college has been renowned for its incredible academic reputation for the past 100 years and has helped bring about groundbreaking changes in the industry.
Aspiring ultrasound technicians are taught the latest coursework using the most state-of-the-art diagnostic training equipment.
Baker College offers CAAHEP-accredited associate degrees in diagnostic medical sonography and cardiac sonography. The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is worth 50 credits and specializes in obstetrical-gynecological and abdominal sonography.
A prerequisite for admission into this course requires candidates to complete 28 credits in different subjects, such as English, general physiology, human anatomy and physiology, oral communication, etc.
Visit the official website for Baker College here for further details, such as admission eligibility criteria and the enrollment process.
Conclusion
These are the top sonography programs in Michigan. A certified and licensed ultrasound technician/sonographer in Michigan can earn significantly more than their peers from other states.
The job prospects for professional ultrasound technicians in the state are also extensive and positive, and demand is expected to grow significantly.
Before applying to any college for a sonography program in Michigan, make sure to check the individual eligibility criteria and admission process.
Sonography Programs in the US by State (Map)
See Also
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