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Ultrasound Technician

Diagnostic ultrasound technology and echocardiography (ECG) are rapidly expanding health care fields where the need for technicians continues. The program consists of four (4) modules with total of 71 units and 1740 hours, and covers both areas mentioned above. Graduates have opportunities for employment in: hospitals, clinics, physicians’ private offices, imaging centers, mobile services, and also in marketing, sales and product development for the equipment manufacturers.
An ultrasound technician is a skilled professional who uses equipment producing high-frequency sound waves to create diagnostic images and data that help health care professionals to diagnose patients with disease. Ultrasound imaging is used on many parts of the body, including the abdomen, blood vessels, and the developing fetus of a pregnant woman. After an extensive and comprehensive educational process, the technician is also qualified to perform an echocardiography exam. The primary role of this test is to obtain an ultrasound image of the heart, including hemodynamic information. This requires great performance skills and also understanding of cardiac anatomy, physiology, and pathology.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS FOR ULTRASOUND TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATE PROGRAM (ALL COURSES ARE GIVEN SEQUENTIALLY)

Program length: 80 weeks for daytime or evening classes of a full-time student.

Course Number	Course Names and Modules	Lecture Hours	Lab Hours	Externship/ Self-study Hours	Total Contact Hours	Units
MODULE 1: core courses
UT 10	Physical Principles of Ultrasound	45	0	0	45	3
UT 20	Medical Terminology	45	0	0	45	3
UT 30	Anatomy and Physiology	45	0	0	45	3
MODULE 2: advanced ultrasound courses
UT 110	Ultrasound Principles and Protocols	45	30	0	75	4
UT 130	OB/GYN Ultrasound	45	30	0	75	4
UT 140	OB/GYN Scanning (Lab)	0	120	0	120	4
UT 150	Abdomen and Small Parts I	45	30	0	75	4
UT 160	Abdomen and Small Parts II	30	30	45	105	4
UT 170	Abdomen and Small Parts Scanning (Lab)	0	120	0	120	4
MODULE 3: advanced ECG courses
UT 115	Introduction to Echocardiography	45	30	0	75	4
UT 125	ECG and Arrhythmias Interpretation	45	30	0	75	4
UT 135	Echo Imaging	45	30	0	75	4
UT 145	Echo Scanning (Lab)	0	120	0	120	4
UT 155	Doppler Vascular Imaging	45	30	0	75	4
UT 165	Vascular Scanning (Lab)	0	120	0	120	4
UT 175	Advanced Echo Imaging	30	30	45	105	4
UT 185	Advanced Echo Imaging (Lab)	0	120	0	120	4
MODULE 4: externships
UT 280A	Practicum/Externship I	0	0	135	135	3
UT 280B	Practicum/Externship II	0	0	135	135	3
	Total:	510	870	360	1740	71

The maximum time permitted for the certificate completion (MTCC) is four (4) years for the academic part of the program for the full-time (minimum 12 units per semester) students, or eight (8) years for the academic part of the program for part-time students.

A maximum of 32 credit units can be transferred from other institutions for the educational Modules 1-3. Work experience in the field can be counted as credit units for the externships (Module 4). The maximum time for the certificate completion is influenced by the transferred credit units, calculated during registration, and is determined by the formula:

MTCC (in years, excluding externship) = 4 – (the number of transferred credit units)/24

Students should register for each Module, similar to a semester registration. During each registration cycle, students pay undergraduate rate per unit (currently $365) for their tuition and are also subject to different fees. For the educational Modules 1-3, the fees are the same as for a semester registration of degree students, with an ultrasound lab fee of $100 for semesters when the lab is used. For the externships or the Module 4, students pay registration fee, an externship insurance fee ($10 per unit), and special fees, depending upon their status.