Several Colorado schools train students in the proper use of ultrasound technology.
Sonographers, or ultrasound technologists, assist in the diagnosis of medical ailments. Students can become sonographers after completing a one-year certificate program, but two-year associate degree programs are more common. If you want to improve your career options, look for schools that prepare you to take the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) exam. Passing it can lead to higher-level jobs.
Red Rocks Community College
The sonography program at Red Rocks Community College is offered at the school's Arvada campus, 13 miles northwest of downtown Denver. The 21-month, full-time program prepares students for the ARDMS certifying exam. In addition to learning through classroom instruction, students work in a hands-on lab environment and complete a supervised clinical component in nearby medical facilities. Students pursue either the associate of applied science degree or certificate of completion, with each offering three areas of specialization: diagnostic medical sonography, vascular technology and echocardiography. Only 16 to 20 students are accepted into this competitive program each year. Applicants must have a bachelor's degree or a two-year degree or certificate in a patient care-related field.
Red Rocks Community College
Arvada Campus
5420 Miller St.
Arvada, CO 80002
303-914-6010
rrcc.edu
Pueblo Community College
Located 45 miles south of Colorado Springs, Pueblo Community College offers a full-time, four-semester medical sonography program. Students select from two tracks: one leading to an associate of applied science degree and the other leading to certificate in medical sonography. Both tracks include several clinical internships and both prepare students for entry-level careers as diagnostic sonographers in the areas of abdomen and OB/GYN. Upon successful completion of either program, graduates are eligible to take the ARDMS certification exam. All applicants must have a bachelor's degree or a two-year degree or certificate in a patient care-related field. Several prerequisite courses are required.
Pueblo Community College
900 West Orman Ave.
Pueblo, CO 81004
719-549-3200
pueblocc.edu
University of Colorado Hospital
University of Colorado Hospital accepts only seven to nine students into its 12-month program, which combines classroom instruction, laboratory training and hands-on clinical experience and prepares students for the ARDMS exam. The students are assigned to a primary hospital in the Denver metropolitan area, Colorado Springs or Fort Collins, where they receive all clinical instruction. Lectures and labs are held at the University of Colorado one day per week. Because of the condensed nature of this program, admissions requirements are very stringent. Applicants must have an associate of science degree from a two-year allied health program, or a bachelor's degree, preferably in a science or related field. In addition to several required math and science courses, applicants must have patient-care experience and 40 hours of observation in an ultrasound department.
University of Colorado Hospital
Department of Ultrasound
F-720
1635 Aurora Court
Aurora, CO 80045
720-848-1872
uchsc.edu
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