What are the limitations if I go to a non-CAAHEP accredited school for Medical Diagnostic Sonography?

Question

One school I'm researching says the following...

ACCREDITATIONS

accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT).

APPROVALS

Approved
Department of Education: Federal Government
Approved by the US Department of Education (DOE) to administer Title IV Federal Financial Aid to those Students who qualify.

Veterans Administration:
Approved to train eligible Veterans of the United States Military.

American Registry of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists (ARMRIT): Upon completion of the MRI program, graduates are eligible to apply to sit for the American Registry of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists (ARMRIT) - www.armrit.org National Certification examination.

***NOTE***

SCHOOL IS NOT CAAHEP ACCREDITED. WHAT IF I ATTEND THIS SCHOOL -- WILL IT BE WORTH MY INVESTMENT DESPITE THE ABOVE SITUATION? WHAT ARE THE LIMITATION IN TERMS OF FINDING WORK IF I GO THIS ROUTE?

Answer 1

When thinking about entering an ultrasound program, you need not be concerned so much about certificate vs. degree. What is important is that you go to an CAAHEP ACCREDITED program, whether it is college or hospital based. An accredited program allows you to take your registry (licensing) exams upon graduation. Once you get licensed, you will never be asked about your schooling again. An employer does not care what route you take to get licensed, they just want you to have that license.

Don't waste your time or money on a NON-accredited program. Upon completion and graduation from a NON-accredited program, you must work in the field of sonography for a full year prior to taking your licensing examinations. But, you will have a hard time finding an employer to hire you, unless you are licensed. In fact, I routinely see questions on Y!Answers regarding where to get work experience after graduation from one of these non-accredited programs.....

I would suggest you observe an imaging department to get an idea of what ultrasonographers do daily. There is much more to it than scanning pregnant women. Most people have no idea how much is involved in this career!

You can find a list of accredited schools in your area, by searching "diagnostic medical sonography" and your state at the following site. Maybe there is an accredited program near you. There are links provided for each program, which will give you additional information:

http://www.caahep.org/Find_An_Accredited_Program.aspx

Many people, myself included, go to school to become a radiologic technologist, before continuing to ultrasound school. In fact, it can be difficult to get into u/s school without the RT license. There are many more choices for schools for x-ray in most states. You can find them here, by searching “radiography“ and your state:

http://www.jrcert.org/cert/Search.jsp

Answer 2

You can't get registered unless you graduate from an accredited school or work for a year after graduation from a non-accredited school, but most employers will not hire you if you are not registered, so how will you be able to work for a year?

Go to an accredited school. I recommend becoming a radiologic technologist first. You can find accredited schools here: http://arrt.org/index.html?content=http://www.arrt.org/nd/listOfSchools.ndm/listSchools&iframe=yes then sonography. You will be much more attractive to an employer if you are trained in more than one modality.

Answer 3

I talked with some local hospitals in my area to ask what they look for in new applicants. There were certain schools they said they absolutely will not hire a graduate from there. When I mentioned that the school claims to be accredited, they checked and it in fact wasn't. Most of them said they like community colleges because the training they get.

Answer 4

Caahep