6 Online Medical Sonography Programs for 2025

Sonography involves imaging, or the use of sound waves to take pictures of the body's structures. It is also called diagnostic medical sonography.

People who work in this field are known as ultrasound technicians or sonographers. Many colleges offer sonography programs that prepare students for great jobs in medical imaging.

The six schools below offer online sonography programs. These flexible degrees are great for people with busy schedules who are interested in sonography careers.

Featured Online Sonography Degree Programs

This list of schools offers online programs for students who want to start or further their careers in medical sonography.

1. State Fair Community College

State Fair Community College delivers the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS). This program is ideal for learning to work ultrasound imagining machines and give exams.

The first two semesters focus on didactic (book) online courses and scanning lab visits at the Sedalia campus. Students will take online courses and visit clinical sites in the last three semesters. You'll also choose between General and Cardiac tracks.

This program lasts 22 months and prepares you for the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) exams. It has Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accreditation.

2. AdventHealth University

AdventHealth University offers an online Bachelor of Science (BS) in imaging sciences program. This program has a Sonography Track. In it, you'll learn all about sonographic imaging procedures.

You'll take general education, cognate, and core courses. These courses add up to 66 credits. For the Sonography track, you'll need 12 more credits. Some classes you'll take are healthcare law and diagnostic imaging.

After you graduate, you can find great jobs. For instance, you could work as a lead sonographer or MRI technologist.

3. Boise State University

At Boise State University are several medical imaging programs. These programs are all delivered online.

The school offers an online BS in imaging sciences. This non-clinical program is for students who have an ARRT credential.

You can also choose the online BS in advanced medical imaging. This degree is for learners who want to take exams to earn national credentials.

One exam you can prepare for is in diagnostic medical sonography. To help you prepare, Boise offers a Diagnostic Medical Sonography certificate program. This 37-credit online certificate helps you get ready for the RDMS exam.

4. Fort Hays State University

Did you know Fort Hays State University offers a BS in medical diagnostic imaging degree? This 120-credit degree completion program is available entirely online.

As a student in this program, you'll take 34 general education credits and 10 cognate course credits. You'll also take 30 credits in medical diagnostic imaging courses. To finish the program, you'll need 46 credits in free electives.

After earning your degree, you're ready to work as a radiologic technologist or ultrasound tech. Hospitals commonly look to hire these skilled healthcare professionals.

5. Oregon Institute of Technology

At Oregon Institute of Technology, you can earn an online completion degree. The BS in diagnostic medical sonography helps you finish a program started at another school.

Students who have OB/GYN and abdomen credentials receive 80 credits for the ARDMS registry. Staff looks at other college credits to see which can apply toward your bachelor's degree.

You must be a registered diagnostic sonographer to qualify for this online program. You are also required to work in a full-service lab. This is so you can complete clinical didactic courses and earn clinical externship credit.

6. Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health

Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health offers two hybrid sonography/imaging degrees. These programs require students to take both on-campus and online courses.

The BS in cardiovascular sonography requires you to learn your first two years on campus. Your third year you'll have online classes and clinical experiences. The fourth year is entirely online.

The BS in imaging sciences lets associate degree graduates with radiological technician (ARRT) licenses take all courses online. Dual degree enrollees must take courses on campus. Learners can take on concentrations like mammography, MRI, or CT.!!!Average Costs of Online Sonography ProgramsThe cost of enrollment for an online sonography program can depend on different factors. The type of degree you earn and whether you receive financial aid are just a few.!!Associate Degree vs. Bachelor's DegreeAssociate degrees have a reputation for costing less than bachelor's degrees. But this is not always the case. For instance, the DMS associate degree program from State Fair Community College costs as little as $404 per credit hour.On the other hand, the medical imaging bachelor's degree programs from Boise State University cost as little as $395 per credit hour. At the Oregon Institute of Technology, the bachelor's in DMS costs even less at $322 per credit.!!Financial Aid and ScholarshipsFinancial aid is common for students interested in earning a college degree. According to the [National Center for Education Statistics, 72% of undergraduates in the 2019-20 academic year received aid.

What types of aid can reduce the cost of tuition? Here is a short list.

• A scholarship is a financial award offered based on merit, program of study, or other factors. It doesn't have to be repaid.
• A grant also doesn't have to be repaid. This form of aid is typically offered to students with financial need. Federal grants include Pell, FSEOG, and TEACH.
• The Federal Work-Study Program lets students work to earn money for school costs. You'll typically earn minimum wage or more.
• A loan is money you borrow for school that must be repaid with interest.

Other ways to cover the cost of school include tuition reimbursement with your employer or military/veteran discounts or scholarships.

Return on Investment: Salary Expectations for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

A huge benefit of earning a degree in diagnostic medical sonography is the great career opportunities you can look forward to.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), individuals who take jobs in DMS occupations can be top earners, especially if they work in outpatient care centers.

You can expect great job prospects for DMS roles. The BLS projects diagnostic medical sonographers job growth to increase 10 percent from 2022 to 2032. This growth is much faster than average.

Admission Requirements for an Online Sonography Program

The admission requirements for a diagnostic medical sonographer program vary from school to school. However, there are some requirements you'll likely find in most online sonography programs.

Typical Admission Requirements for Prospective Students

Most online schools ask students to complete prerequisites or general education requirements. Courses might include:

• anatomy and physiology
• college algebra
• English composition
• medical terminology
• general psychology
• applied statistics

Along with prerequisite courses, you might need to complete an entrance exam, provide proof of clinical experiences, patient care, or observation hours, or submit an admission essay.

FAQs about Earning Your Sonography Degree Online

Do you want to learn more about earning an online degree in sonography? Review these frequently asked questions for more information.

Where Can You Work with an Online Sonography Degree?

Job opportunities for individuals with an online sonography degree are about the same as for someone with a traditional degree. Research shows that most employers view online degrees as equally credible as traditional degrees if they're from reputable schools.

According to the BLS, common workplaces for diagnostic medical sonographers include the following:

• hospitals
• physician offices
• diagnostic and medical labs
• outpatient care centers

As for work expectations, it's good to note that most diagnostic medical sonographers work full-time. However, you can find great part-time opportunities.

What Can You Do with a Sonography Degree?

Do you want to enroll in a diagnostic medical sonography program? How about imaging sciences? No matter your choice of sonography program, you have plenty of career options to look forward to.

The key is to choose the career path that matches your interests. Here are some potential careers to consider after earning your degree:

• OB/GYN sonography
• cardiac sonography
• vascular sonography
• echocardiography
• abdomen sonography

Many healthcare facilities look for sonographers with experience in these and other specialties. You can also choose a standard sonographer or ultrasound technician role and make a huge difference in your patients' lives.

What Degree Is Best for Sonography?

If you want to work as a sonographer, you can choose from several degree options. However, according to the BLS, diagnostic medical sonographers most often have associate degrees. A certificate that can be completed in one year is also common.

Associate programs teach general and core classes. Some include clinical experiences. You might even choose a program that requires an internship.

Many schools also offer bachelor's degrees. These programs require more classes and may have more clinical experiences. They might also have concentrations like abdomen sonography that can help students qualify for more jobs.

Choose the Right Online Sonography Program

Earning an associate or bachelor's degree in diagnostic medical sonography is not always simple. You want to choose a program that matches your academic and career goals. Explore online sonography programs today to select the school that's right for you.