8 Best Ultrasound Technician Programs in Illinois – 2024


Written By: Editorial Staff @ NursingProcess.org

Looking for a high-paying healthcare job in Illinois that doesn’t require an extensive amount of education? Ultrasound technician programs in Illinois typically take between one and two years to complete, and ultrasound techs earn salaries that average $86,540 a year. Employment opportunities are abundant and demand for ultrasound technician services is expected to increase by 14 percent over the next decade. Many ultrasound tech programs in the Land of Lincoln are offered online, which means you can go to school without quitting your current job. If you love working with high-end technology, this could be the job for you. Find out more by reading about the 8 best ultrasound technician schools in Illinois for 2024.



RECOMMENDED ONLINE HEALTHCARE SCHOOLS

WHAT ARE THE BEST ULTRASOUND TECHNICIAN PROGRAMS IN ILLINOIS?

(Based on our Ranking Methodology, below are the 8 best Ultrasound Technician programs in Illinois. The list includes both campus-based and online programs.)


1) Rush University - Chicago


Accreditation: CAAHEP
Program Type: Baccalaureate (Vascular Ultrasound)

Rush University provides a conducive learning environment to sonography students with its well-equipped state-of-the-art facility and small-sized classrooms. The dedicated faculty brings in their years of professional experience to the classroom, teaching relevant skills and knowledge. Moreover, the college’s active contribution to research positively influences the ultrasound technician curriculum, keeping it dynamic and updated.

Rush University’s College of Health Science offers a 20-month full-time vascular ultrasound bachelor’s program. This 69-credit curriculum spread across five terms trains you to use ultrasound waves to produce images of blood vessels and help diagnose and treat disorders. In the first two terms, you will undergo classroom learning, lab training, and observe patient examination. In the next three terms, you will practice ultrasound technology in a variety of clinical settings under the supervision of qualified sonographers. Your clinical rotations will take place within Chicago’s metropolitan area and beyond. Upon graduation, you can take the ARDMS certification exam to earn the RVT credential and apply for vascular sonography jobs.


2) Southern Illinois University - Carbondale


Accreditation: CAAHEP
Program Type: Baccalaureate

Southern Illinois University’s sonography department strives to give back to the community by preparing students to provide quality scanning services. Its 1,133-acre campus is equipped with libraries, state-of-the-art facilities, student centers, recreation centers, and a health center that offer an enriching environment for students to thrive.

SIUC offers a 4-year baccalaureate degree program in medical diagnostic sonography that emphasizes in the areas of abdomen and obstetrics/gynecology ultrasonography. It begins in fall every year, and intake is limited to 20 students. The first two years of coursework is dedicated to basic sciences, general core and health-related courses. The third- and fourth-year’s curriculum will be a mix of core DMS courses and clinical training sessions at affiliated health care settings in the Southern Illinois and Missouri region. Graduates will be eligible to take the national registry exam in specific areas of sonography – abdomen and obstetrics/ gynecology.


3) Triton College - River Grove


Accreditation: CAAHEP
Program Type: Associate (Diagnostic Medical Sonography) & Certificate (Diagnostic Medical Sonography & Vascular Technology in Sonography)

Established in 1964, Triton College is one of the top-ranking community colleges in the state of Illinois. It provides a simulation lab, interactive classrooms, modern sports facilities, art gallery and much more to foster professional and personal growth of ultrasound technician students.

If you have decided to become an ultrasound technician in Illinois, then Triton College can be a good option. The college offers an associate degree and two certificate programs. The certificate is ideally meant for those who already possess a degree in any allied health career.

• The 21-month associate degree program is for those who want to directly enter the sonography profession. It has five sequential semesters and training includes classroom studies, lab work, and clinical sessions. Clinical rotation starts in the third semester and requires around 1,000 hours of practice sessions.

• The 15-month certificate program is for radiologic or nuclear medicine technologists who want to further their career in sonography. The program includes 800 clinical hours of hands-on-training.

• The 2-semester short accelerated certificate program is for those who want to become a vascular technologist. This 15-credit curriculum is focused on vascular specialization.


4) Harper College - Palatine


Accreditation: CAAHEP
Program Type: Associate (Diagnostic Medical Sonography & Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography)

Harper College’s ultrasound students are taught by a dedicated faculty who strive to nurture their academic and career aspirations. Students are provided with rigorous training in the virtual on-campus hospital where they refine their skills in almost close to real patient scenarios.

To become an ultrasound tech, you can enroll for the Associate Degree program at Harper College in either of the two tracks. It starts in fall and admission is competitive, and only a limited number of students are selected. Post completion you can either take up a job or continue your education by transferring to a 4-year college.

Diagnostic Medical Sonography: This 68-credit hour program will train you to work as an entry-level diagnostic medical sonographer. You will be able to use ultrasound equipment to record images of the abdomen, pelvis, and neck. You will undergo clinical training in abdominal, small parts, vascular, obstetrical and gynecological ultrasound in a hospital-setting. Post-completion of the program you can seek employment in hospitals and outpatient centers.

Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography: This 68-credit hour curriculum is designed to prepare you for a career as a cardiovascular technician or diagnostic cardiac sonographer. You will gain knowledge and skills to record images of the heart. The coursework will also cover vascular sonography as well as EKG-related diagnostic testing. As part of the curriculum, you will undergo clinical training in echocardiography in a hospital-setting.


5) College of DuPage - Glen Ellyn


Accreditation: CAAHEP
Program Type: Associate Sonography (AAS –DMIS), Diagnostic Medical Imaging Sonography (DMIS-Certificate) & Diagnostic Medical Imaging Vascular Sonography (DMVS-Certificate)

College of DuPage offers superior sonography education at its Health and Science Center. Students are taught job-ready skills through rigorous practice sessions at its state-of-the-art lab that includes eight private scanning stations. Sonography graduates have gone on to find employment in many hospitals, outpatient centers and clinics in the Chicago area as well as in other states.

This ultrasound technician school in IL offers three different types of programs –

Associate Sonography (AAS –DMIS): This two-year program starts in the fall of each year and is focused on preparing students for an entry-level career as a Diagnostic Medical Imaging Sonographer. The program is a combination of extensive classroom and laboratory learning along with real-world experience through clinical training sessions at imaging centers. Admission to this program is subject to completion of required prerequisite and general education coursework.

Diagnostic Medical Imaging Sonography (DMIS-Certificate): This 18-month program is meant for those who have completed a degree in any allied health field and hold a valid license in a medical related field. Graduates will be trained to work as diagnostic medical sonographers.

Diagnostic Medical Imaging Vascular Sonography (DMVS-Certificate): The six-month advanced certificate program will train you with the knowledge and abilities to produce images of veins and arteries using ultrasound devices. This program is available for individuals who have completed a general sonography program and hold licensure in any one of the following specialties – abdomen, superficial structures, or OB/GYN.


6) John A. Logan College - Carterville


Accreditation: CAAHEP
Program Type: Associate & Certificate

John A. Logan College trains ultrasound technician students with the knowledge, skills and professional behaviors that propel them to excel in this increasingly in-demand allied health career. Most of the students are known to have successfully found employment within six months of graduation in various imaging centers across the state.

JALC is currently offering two types of Diagnostic Medical Sonography programs –

Associate Degree: The two-year associate degree program in diagnostic cardiac sonography comprises of prerequisite coursework, followed by four semesters of major coursework. The curriculum requires minimum completion of 71 credits of coursework. Graduates can seek employment opportunities at public healthcare facilities, hospitals or medical clinics.

Certificate: This 18-month advanced certificate program in diagnostic cardiac sonography is for those who hold a 2-year associate degree or a Bachelor of Science degree in any allied health program. The 50-credit hour curriculum is focused on cardiac ultrasound studies delivered through classroom lectures, lab work and clinical training sessions at affiliated hospitals.


7) Joliet Junior College - Joliet


Accreditation: CAAHEP
Program Type: Associate & Certificate

Joliet Junior College (JJC) was the nation’s first public community college established in 1901 with a class of just six students. Today the college has grown into an educational institution of repute, and its sonography program is no different. Ultrasound technician aspirants here are prepared to be part of a healthcare team with enhanced critical thinking, decision making, and communication skills.

JJC offers two types of diagnostic medical sonography programs –

Associate Degree: This 6-semester program in diagnostic medical sonography starting in fall every year requires you to attend the campus for most of the coursework except for two courses which can be completed online. Due to limited seats, only twelve students are selected for this full-time day program. Clinical sessions scheduled at affiliated health care centers.

Certificate: This is a 4-semester DMS program beginning in fall every year for those who have completed a 2-year degree in any allied health program along with a clinical externship. Only 12 students are admitted into this program, and all classes are offered on-campus with the exception of two, which can be completed online. Graduates of this program upon passing the SPI exam administered by ARDMS will be able to take the abdomen and OB/GYN specialty exams.


8) Northwestern Memorial Hospital - Chicago


Accreditation: CAAHEP
Program Type: Certificate

Founded in 1966, Northwestern Memorial Hospital (NMH) is a renowned teaching hospital which has been ranked as the sixth best hospital in the nation and #1 in Illinois by the U.S. News & World Report. The highly talented instructional faculty who will instruct and mentor you comprises of 27 board-certified physicians, 56 sonographers, 21 clinical instructors and other support staff. NMH also provides first-class facilities and the best diagnostic equipment to train aspiring sonographers.

This 18-month diagnostic medical sonography program in IL is designed as per the changing trends and requirements of the health care industry. This 46-credit program starts each year in July and classes are scheduled on weekdays for 8 hours a day. Upon successful completion of this program, you will obtain a certificate of achievement and qualify to sit for the SPI exam and corresponding specialty examinations in the abdomen and OB/GYN.


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Ultrasound Technician Schools in other States

  • California
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Michigan
  • Missouri
  • New Jersey
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • Ohio
  • Pennsylvania
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • West Virginia
  • Wisconsin