Which Schools in Austin Offer Ultrasound Technician Education?

Are you interested in learning more about the education needed to become an ultrasound technician in Austin, TX? This article provides school and program information for two colleges that offer associate degree programs.

What You Need to Know

To become an ultrasound technician, you can earn an associate's degree in an area like diagnostic medical sonography or diagnostic cardiac sonography. Many programs prepare you for voluntary certification from organizations like the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).

Schools Offering Ultrasound Technician Education in Austin, Texas

Austin Community College District

The Health Sciences Division at Austin Community College (ACC) offers two options for ultrasound technology that include associate's degree programs in diagnostic medical sonography and diagnostic cardiac sonography. Both programs offer a mixed curriculum of lectures/lab studies and supervised clinical training. Similar in duration, each program requires completion of 2,224 hours, 1,056 of which are spent on clinical experience.

The diagnostic medical sonography program (offered at the Eastview campus) focuses on ultrasound imaging and evaluation of the abdomen. The program is designed to prepare you for certification in abdominal and OB/GYN specialties from the ARDMS. Coursework includes abdominopelvic sonography and pathology, sonographic anatomy, and ultrasound instrumentation.

The diagnostic cardiac sonography program (offered at Round Rock campus) concentrates on imaging and evaluation of the heart. By completing required courses, such as echocardiographic pathology, sonographic anatomy, and vascular technology, you can prepare for certification in adult echocardiography from the ARDMS. You must pass each sonography course with a grade of 'C' or better before you can advance to the next semester.

ACC also offers an optional certificate program in vascular technology. This program consists of 13 credit hours of basic and advanced vascular technology courses and requires enrollment in one of the associate's degree sonography programs.

• Program Name: Associate of Applied Science
• Area of Specializations: Diagnostic Medical Sonography & Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography (Echocardiography)
• Program Length: 72 credits; approximately six semesters
• Tuition and Fees: In-district students $2,550, out-of-district students $10,830, out-of-state students $13,020 (2020-2021)
• Prerequisites: English composition I, college algebra, medical terminology, human anatomy (both lecture and labs), and general college physics
• Admission Requirements: Complete sonography information session, sonography lab volunteer session, and patient care education; must meet technical standards for program; criminal background check; proof of required immunizations
• School Type: 2-year, public; 41,056 (all undergraduate)

Temple College

Temple College offers a diagnostic medical sonography program that provides you with the knowledge to pass the ARDMS certification and seek employment as a sonographer. Your curriculum includes classroom lectures, lab studies, clinical rotations, and practicum courses to help you obtain hands-on training in a workplace environment. You will study topics that include Doppler physics, neurosonology, and general psychology. In order to be eligible to graduate, you must pass a comprehensive examination.

• Program Name: Associate of Applied Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography
• Program Length: 72 credits; six semesters
• Tuition: In-district students $2,736, out-of-district students $4,512, out-of-state students $6,432 for out-of-state students (2020-2021)
• Prerequisites: Anatomy & physiology, composition, college algebra, and college physics with 2.5 collective GPA
• Admission Requirements: Must attend information session; proof of liability insurance, drug screening, required immunizations, completed physical examination, and criminal background check; complete HOBET V test with 70% in reading, math, science, and English language usage; official high school transcript; two letters of reference; CPR for Healthcare Provider or American Red Cross CPR for Professional Rescuer certification
• School Type: 2-year, public; 4,887 (all undergraduate)

If you would like to take your ultrasound technician education in Austin, TX., Austin Community College District and Temple College offer associate degree programs.