Ultrasound Technology Program

Available in the Following Campuses

Core Program Start Date: November 18, 2013

Program Description

The Ultrasound Technology program prepares graduates for entry-level employment as an Ultrasonographer with specialization in general sonography (Abdominal and Small Parts, Obstetrics and Gynecology and Introduction to Vascular). Graduates will be qualified to work in hospitals, imaging centers, physicians’ offices, or clinics.

Students completing this program are awarded an Ultrasound Technology Diploma.

Mission Statement

Program Goals and Objectives

Program Outline and Course Descriptions

Essential Duties, Knowledge, Skill and Ability Requirements of the Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

Watch Ultrasound Technologist Career Video

Prerequisite Courses

Prerequisite courses are offered in online and residential formats and cover general medical science courses such as:

Essential Medical Bioscience (80 hours)
Anatomy & Physiology (56 hours)
Ultrasound Basic Physics & Instrumentation (48 hours)
Cross-Sectional Anatomy (48 hours)

Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts offers Prerequisite Courses that are not accredited by ABHES.

Clinical Training

We, at Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts, consider clinical experience one of the most important parts of the medical education. Students are required to be rotated throughout our affiliated medical facilities, while attending the school. Click here for the list of medical facilities.

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission into the Ultrasound Technology Program, the applicant must meet the following criteria:

Applicant must submit a completed application.
Applicant must have graduated from high School, or earned a GED and be at least 18 years of age. Student must provide copy of HSD or copy of transcripts.
Applicant must possess an Associate of Science Degree in an Allied Health field that is directed at human patient care or a Bachelor of Science or Arts Degree in any field. Student must provide official transcripts which reflect a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in all college course work directly from the registrar’s office before the application will be considered complete. Diploma copies of degrees are accepted.
Applicants holding a foreign diploma must bring proof of successful completion of an ESL class equal to ESL 26/ English 1A in the Foothill - De Anza community college system or to successfully pass TOEFL test with the following minimum scores: 560 for the PBT (paper-based test) and 87 for the iBT (internet-based test).
Applicant must pay all applicable fees, as per the current published fee schedule prior to the issuance of an enrollment contract or must make other arrangements acceptable to the School.
Applicant must complete a Scholastic Level Exam (SLE) with a score of at least 30.
Applicants who can demonstrate 2 years of allied health education including but not limited to nursing sciences, Radiology Technicians, Paramedics, etc., may be exempt from taking certain prerequisite courses and challenge exams by providing an official grade transcripts for each of the following courses:
1. - Anatomy and Physiology
  - Biology
  - Algebra (College Level)
  - Physics (College Level)
Applicant must pass all of the following prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of C defined as a C grade point value*.
1. - Essential Medical Bio-Science
  - Anatomy and Physiology
  - Ultrasound Basic Physics and Instrumentation
  - Cross-Sectional Anatomy
    * Applicants may request credit granting for the Essential Medical Bioscience and Anatomy and Physiology prerequisite courses after submitting an original transcript that proves equivalent coursework was successfully completed within the last 5 years and given a grade of at least a C. All credit granting is subject to the approval from the Executive or Associate Program Director. Please allow 7 days for review.
Applicant must submit an essay (no longer than two typed pages) which describes the following:
1. Synopsis of their observation, experience, and the impact on their decision to pursue this career path based upon one 4 hour Ultrasound Department visit to our affiliated hospitals scheduled by the Program Director during their completion of the pre-requisites.
2. Reasons for applicant’s desire to become an ultrasound technologist.
3. Reasons for applying to the Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts San Mateo Campus Ultrasound Technology Program.
4. Personal attributes which would contribute to the applicant’s success in the program.
5. Pertinent employment, volunteer, or other experience which would support applicant’s knowledge of the medical field.
Applicant must comply with the Gurnick Academy requirements for Immunizations, Health Screening, Background Check, and CPR policy.
Applicant must pass an interview with the Ultrasound Program Directors of Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts.

Program Length and Schedule

Ultrasound Technology Program Fees

Prerequisite Cost:
(additional, if applicable)

Registration Fee	$75.00
Student Tuition Recovery Fund (non-refundable)	$2.50
Library Fee	$45.00
Books & Materials	$450.00
Uniform	$30.00
Prerequisite Tuition	$4,696.00

Total Prerequisite Cost: $5,298.50

Core Program Cost:

Student Tuition Recovery Fund (non-refundable)	$19.50
RSDRF (refundable deposit)	$100.00
Books & Materials	$982.00
Uniform	$30.00
Program Tuition	$37,656.00

Total Program Cost: $38,787.50

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available for those who qualify. Click here for more information about Financial Assistance.

For details please call 650-685-6616.

Certification for Ultrasound Technologists

The law does not require Ultrasonographers to be registered by The American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) to work, but such certification may increase the chances of being hired.

Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts only accepts applicants with a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree in any field, or who possess an Associate of Science degree in an Allied Health field directed at human patient care. Graduates from Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts are eligible to sit for the ARDMS examination immediately after completion of the program under ARDMS prerequisite 1 (for Associate of Science degree in an Allied Health field graduates) and ARDMS prerequisite 3A (for Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree graduates).

For more information about ARDMS certification & examination you can visit ARDMS website at www.ardms.org.

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary and Job Outlook

The median wage in 2012 for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in the San Francisco Bay Area was $102,506.00 annually, or $49.28 hourly. The median is the point at which half of the workers earn more and half earn less.
Source: State of California Employment Development Department Detailed Guide for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers.

According to the statistics of US Labor Deportment, Employment of diagnostic medical sonographers is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2012 as the population grows and ages, increasing the demand for diagnostic imaging and therapeutic technology. In addition to job openings due to growth, some job openings will arise from the need to replace sonographers who leave the occupation permanently.

Opportunities should be favorable because sonography is becoming an increasingly attractive alternative to radiologic procedures, as patients seek safer treatment methods. Unlike most diagnostic imaging methods, sonography does not involve radiation, so harmful side effects and complications from repeated use are rarer for both the patient and the sonographer. Sonographic technology is expected to evolve rapidly and to spawn many new sonography procedures, such as 3D-sonography for use in obstetric and ophthalmologic diagnosis. However, high costs may limit the rate at which some promising new technologies are adopted.

Hospitals will remain the principal employer of diagnostic medical sonographers. However, employment is expected to grow more rapidly in offices of physicians and in medical and diagnostic laboratories, including diagnostic imaging centers. Health facilities such as these are expected to grow very rapidly through 2012 due to the strong shift toward outpatient care, encouraged by third-party payers and made possible by technological advances that permit more procedures to be performed outside the hospital.

Frequently Asked Questions

Admission Requirements

Prerequisite Coursework

Program

Clinical Training/ Internship

Tuition

Graduation Information

Facts and Fun Statistics

This is a new section for many of you who expressed interest in such facts as the ones below about our Academy and our Programs. Ultrasound Technology is offered at Main Campus only. Our main campus is located in San Mateo, California. Let us share with you some facts:

Most of Ultrasound Technology students are from Fremont, San Jose, San Francisco, Oakland and Hayward as well as nearby smaller/larger Bay Area cities.
According to our statistical data more than 25% ultrasound students are from: Danville, Daly City, Palo Alto, Redwood City, San Leandro, San Ramon and Sunnyvale.
Students from Foster City, Menlo Park, Newark, Milpitas, Pacifica, San Bruno, Santa Clara, Saratoga, Union City, Vallejo, Walnut Creek and other nearby locations combine 32% of our student population.

Gainful Employment Disclosure Information

Gurnick Academy is committed to providing thorough and timely vocational medical training to our students so they may obtain gainful employment.

Our institution has provided program specific information regarding gainful employment in compliance with the new Gainful Employment regulations for Title IV eligible institutions, put forward by the U.S. Department of Education, in July 2011.

All required information can be found throughout this page. You may also visit the Gainful Employment Disclosure page to see this disclosure information for all campuses and programs.

Disclosure Information for 2011-2012 Financial Aid award year:

Available in:
San Mateo Campus
Award:

Ultrasound Technology Diploma
Length of the program (2011-2012 award year):

78

Weeks

110.0

Credit hours

2,092.0

Clock hours

Occupations:

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, SOC Code: 29-2032.00

Occupational Profile on O*Net for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
On-time Completion Rates (2011-2012 award year):
The number of students who completed the program during the award year was less than 10, for privacy reasons, the school should not disclose this information.

Cost of program and Room $ Board cost (2011-2012 award year):

Tuition & Fees

$36,880.00

Books & Supplies

$1,040.00

Room & Board

$23,520.00

Placement Rates reported to ABHES (2011-2012 award year): 67%.
Median Loan Debt (2011-2012 award year):
The number of students who completed the program during the award year was less than 10, for privacy reasons, the school should not disclose this information.

Professional Ultrasound Resources

Accreditation of Ultrasound Practices:

Educational Programs Accreditation:

Ultrasound Registry Associations:

Professional Membership Associations and Organizations:

78	Weeks
110.0	Credit hours
2,092.0	Clock hours

Tuition & Fees	$36,880.00
Books & Supplies	$1,040.00
Room & Board	$23,520.00