Vanderbilt University, founded in 1873, is one of the best colleges in America, ranking in the top tier of U.S. News & World Report's Best Colleges 2010, National Universities ranking. The university, which lists at No. 17, houses a medical center as well. Vanderbilt's School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography offers a program in general sonography, with courses available in other subfields, such as vascular and reproductive. Students wishing to undertake the general sonography program participate in a year and a half long course, receiving a certificate upon completion. Courses include Foundations of Ultrasound and Healthcare, Abdominal Techniques and various clinical internships throughout the program.
Potential students must be high school graduates or possess a similar certification, i.e., a GED. Additionally, students should possess an educational history that includes a primary-care-based two- to four-year program, and have the necessary documentation in their field of choice. Four-year degree holders of general bachelor's programs must have a 2.5 grade point average. Students not in possession of a degree must be able to participate in a program of completion at Tennessee's Middle Tennessee State or Austin Peay State Universities. Past college coursework should also include various science requirements, including physics and biology.
Potential students participate in an interview process, consisting of an initial phone review followed by an in-person meeting if they are deemed qualified. Contact the program with any questions concerning qualifications.
Vanderbilt University
1211 Medical Center Dr.
Nashville, TN 37232
615-322-5000
mc.vanderbilt.edu/
Volunteer State Community College, located 30 minutes outside of the state's capital city of Nashville, offers study opportunities in 12 surrounding counties, including Clay and Jackson. The college also has locations at Livingston and nearby Nashville, and offers a diagnostic medical sonography option for students seeking an education focused on ultrasounds and imaging. Program members study issues related to pregnancy, gynecology and stomach-centered health concerns. The course requires 13 months of study, awarding its graduates with a certificate. Potential students should submit a completed application no later than May 1, as the program commences in July. Students will apply to both the college and the program, the latter of which requires students to possess a bachelor's degree or a two-year degree involving primary care. Anatomy and physiology, physics, college-level algebra and medical terminology courses are required of both. The program itself includes such courses as Abdominal Scanning, Introduction to Medical Sonography, as well as others, for a total of 39 credits. Contact the program with any questions.
Volunteer State Community College
1480 Nashville Pike
Gallatin, TN 37066
615-452-8600
volstate.edu/
Methodist Healthcare, a hospital organization, is associated with the University of Memphis and the University of Tennessee, in addition to other affiliates. Methodist Healthcare offers various educational opportunities, including a program in diagnostic medical sonography. Participants choose from 15-month options of general ultrasound or cardiac ultrasound. Students pursuing the general option focus on gynecology, reproductive and stomach-centered scanning, while the cardiac option focuses on issues of the heart. Prospective students should hold a two-year degree related to primary care, or a bachelor's degree. Students must also fulfill various coursework obligations in the subjects of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, among others, obtaining no less than a 2.0 in each course. Three references and a resume must be presented at the time of application, the deadline for which is September 1. Contact the program's director with any questions.
Tamera Ghelichkhani, RDMS, RT(R), Director
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program
Methodist University Hospital
1211 Union Ave.
Memphis, TN 38104
901-516-8099
methodisthealth.org/