Essential Information
There are numerous schools in Florida that offer ultrasound (also referred to as sonography or diagnostic medical sonography) programs. Studies are typically offered through associate or bachelor's degree programs. Certificate programs can also be found but may be reserved for existing healthcare professionals. One of the schools discussed in this article also offers a master's degree in cardiovascular sonography. Students in an ultrasound program are able to gain hands-on skills through labs and clinical experiences. In addition, depending on the school, students may be able to complete courses online.
Adventist University of Health Sciences
This Orlando school offers an associate degree program in DMS that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). The program has specializations in general and cardiovascular sonography. Sonography courses cover pathophysiology, anatomy, and medical terminology. Students who undertake the general sonography concentration complete additional coursework in obstetrical, genitourinary and abdominal sonography. The cardiovascular emphasis focuses on vascular and cardiac sonography. Both concentrations require several credits of clinical practicum experience. The school also offers an online DMS bachelor's degree program.
Broward College
Broward College's diagnostic medical sonography technology program is housed at the school's North Campus in Coconut Creek. Students take courses in physiology, small parts sonography, echocardiography and abdominal sonography. Students must also partake in a series of supervised clinical experiences. Broward's DMS program is CAAHEP-accredited.
Gulf Coast State College
This college is located in Panama City and offers a DMS associate degree program. Students take courses covering the circulatory system, sonographic physics, sonography pathology and cross-sectional anatomy. Practical fieldwork courses are required. The college also offers a specialized certificate program in cardiovascular sonography.
Hillsborough Community College
Located in Tampa, this college offers a DMS program. Students study abdominal sonography, sonographic scanning and sonographic physics. The program also incorporates professional training in supervised medical facilities. The CAAHEP-accredited program takes two years to complete.
Miami Dade College
This college in Miami offers an accredited associate degree in DMS. Students undertake courses in small parts sonography, neurosonography and cross-sectional anatomy. Other program topics include Doppler principles and pediatric sonography. All DMS students complete clinical experiences.
Nova Southeastern University
This university in Fort Lauderdale offers bachelor's and master's degree programs in medical sonography and cardiovascular sonography. The bachelor's degree program in cardiovascular sonography provides clinical experiences and ultrasound labs. Cardiovascular graduate students complete online courses, a practicum, an internship and other clinical experiences. The Bachelor of Science program in medical sonography has tracks in vascular sonography and general sonography. However, only the vascular portion of the program is accredited by CAAHEP.
Palm Beach State College
This school in Palm Beach Gardens offers an associate degree program in diagnostic medical sonography. Students take courses like circulatory system sonography, abdominal sonography and obstetric sonography. They also participate in clinical internships. The college also confers a diagnostic medical sonography certificate. Both programs are CAAHEP-accredited. These programs are only available to students who have completed an allied health accredited program, a 2-year allied health program or a bachelor's degree program with medical experience.
Pensacola State College
This Pensacola College offers a sonography program with courses on the circulatory system and abdominal sonography. Students also study topics like sonographic physics and superficial structures. Clinical experiences are required.
Polk State College
Polk State College offers a CAAHEP-accredited AS degree program in diagnostic medical sonography at its Airside Center campus, which is based in Lakeland. The DMS program trains students in neurosonology, abdominal sonography, medical terminology and sonographic imaging procedures. Students must complete clinical experiences. The program is offered in day and evening formats.
Valencia College
Valencia College in Orlando offers a DMS Associate in Science degree program, which is accredited by CAAHEP. Students study medical terminology, abdominal sonography and sectional anatomy. A practicum and clinical sonography courses are also required.
Career Requirements
While Florida does not require diagnostic medical sonographers to be licensed, a majority of employers prefer to hire certified workers. Organizations like the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARMDS) provide certification exams. Certification requirements require two written tests and passing an accredited diagnostic medical sonography (DMS) program.
School Comparison: At a Glance
| School Name | School Type & Setting | Ultrasound Programs Offered | Undergraduate Tuition & Fees (2018-2019) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adventist University of Health Sciences | 4-year, private not-for-profit; midsize city | Associate of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (Tracks in General or Cardiovascular Ultrasound), Online Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography | $12,240* |
| Broward College | 4-year, public; large suburb | Associate in Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (Ultrasound) | $2,830 in-state; $8,952 out-of-state* |
| Gulf Coast State College | 4-year, public; small city | Associate in Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Advanced Technical Certificate - Cardiovascular Sonography | $2,370 in-state; $8,633 out-of-state* |
| Hillsborough Community College | 2-year, public; large city | Associate in Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography Technology | $2,506 in-state; $9,111 out-of-state* |
| Miami Dade College | 4-year, public; large city | Associate in Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography | $2,838 in-state; $9,661 out-of-state* |
| Nova Southeastern University | 4-year, private not-for-profit; large suburb | Bachelor of Health Science in Cardiovascular Sonography, Bachelor of Science in Medical Sonography (Tracks in General or Vascular Sonography), Master of Health Science in Cardiovascular Sonography | Undergraduate: $30,900*; Graduate: $20,620* |
| Palm Beach State College | 4-year, public; large suburb | College Credit Certificate in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Associate in Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography | $2,444 in-state; $8,732 out-of-state* |
| Pensacola State College | 4-year, public; small city | Associate in Science in Sonography (Diagnostic Medical Sonography) | $2,704 in-state; $10,875 out-of-state* |
| Polk State College | 4-year, public; small city | Associate in Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography | $3,366 in-state; $12,272 out-of-state* |
| Valencia College | 4-year, public; midsize city | Associate in Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography | $2,474 in-state; $9,383 out-of-state* |
Source: *NCES College Navigator.
