What are the career opportunities for General Sonographers?
Sonographers who are multi-credentialed may have more job opportunities in the Sonography field. Career advancement opportunities exist in education, administration, research, and in commercial companies as education/application specialists, sales representatives, technical advisors, etc.
What scholarships or financial aid is available for General Sonography students?
What is the job market outlook for General Sonographers?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the employment of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers will grow 14 percent from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations.
What type of salary can a General Sonographer expect to receive?
In addition to excellent career opportunities, salaries for sonographers are competitive with or higher than other professionals with similar levels of education. According to the SDMS Salary and Benefits Survey report, the median salary for sonographers is $73,133. This income includes hourly salary, overtime, and on-call pay. The typical hourly pay rate is $35. The typical sonographer is on-call 15 hours per week with the on-call pay rate of $3.00 per hour and the call-in rate of pay of $50 per hour. Salaries vary depending on years of experience, number of specialties practiced, as well geographic location. There are opportunities for full-time, part-time, and PRN employment.
How long will it take to complete the General Sonography certificate?
The certificate will take three semesters to complete. The certificate is set up to allow for additional Directed Practice courses to meet competency requirements, if needed.
Can I enroll in the General Sonography certificate if I have previous medical experience in another specialty?
The Sonography certificate is designed specifically for Sonographers who desire additional credentialing. The college offers a Diagnostic Medical Sonography program for students who have no previous experience in the field of Sonography.
If I decide to continue my education, are there bachelor degree programs available in the field of General Sonography?
Yes, there are bachelor degree opportunities offered at Bowling Green State University, Ohio University, Lourdes College, and Siena Heights University.
Will I be able to work while completing the General Sonography certificate? Is the program offered in the evenings or weekends?
Students enrolled in the certificate have found that having a part-time job is manageable, but does require excellent time management skills. The student must consider that during the clinical course, students will be in clinic for an average of 32 hours per week. Clinical Education is usually conducted on four weekdays, from approximately 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., so it is important to take that into consideration when making a decision about working. There may be some flexibility depending on the clinical site and special situations may be approved as long as the student is meeting the requirements of the course.
Courses are offered during the day and evening hours may be required in those courses that offer a laboratory component. There are no weekend course offerings. Sonography courses are sequenced to provide one annual offering of each course.
What are the progression/completion requirements for the General Sonography Certificate?
All students enrolled in the General Sonography Certificate must achieve a “C” or better in all courses within the plan of study to stay enrolled.  A student who fails to achieve a grade of “C” or better in any course within the plan of study must see the Program Director. The General Sonography Certificate must be completed within two years from the date enrollment in the first course.
The grading scale for the certificate is:
