A public institution, Northern Virginia Community College is in Annandale, a suburban area approximately 11 miles from Alexandria. With an enrollment of more than 72,000 students, the college is the second largest community college in the United States as of May 2010, according to its website. The college grants an Associate of Applied Science in diagnostic medical sonography, which requires two years to complete. Although the school is accredited by the state, the program does not carry the professional accreditation of the Commission for the Accreditation of Allied Health Education Professionals (CAAHEP), meaning that its graduates are not eligible for national, voluntary certification in the field from the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers. Prior to applying for admission, students must complete prerequisite courses in anatomy, English, mathematics, acoustical physics and health-care systems. Students have the option to specialize in cardiac, vascular or general ultrasound, which includes abdominal, obstetric and gynecological sonography. Four clinical placements are required for graduation. The college participates in federal and state loan, grant and veterans' benefits programs and offers a limited number of institutional scholarships and work-study placements. Job placement assistance is available.
Northern Virginia Community College
8333 Little River Turnpike
Annandale, VA 22003
703-323-3000
nvcc.edu
Home to more than 40,000 students, Tidewater Community College is a public institution based in Virginia Beach. The college offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in diagnostic medical sonography through a program approved by CAAHEP. Students must take a placement test prior to admission, and may need to take algebra or English courses prior to enrolling based on the results of the test. The program focuses primarily on general ultrasound, but also features an introduction to vascular sonography techniques. The two-year program requires courses in physics, humanities and social sciences and four clinical rotations in area hospitals and clinics. Eligible students may take advantage of federal and state grans and loans, institutional scholarships, veterans benefits and work-study opportunities. The Career Services center at the college offers job placement assistance.
Tidewater Community College
1700 College Crescent
Virginia Beach, VA 23453
757-822-7271
tcc.edu
Located in Petersburg, Southside Regional Medical Center is a general surgical hospital founded in 1884. The hospital's School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography is home to a CAAHEP-approved two-year certificate program in ultrasound. The program is open only to individuals who have a two-year associate degree in a health-care field like X-ray technology or respiratory therapy or who have a license in a medical field, such as a licensed practical nursing credential. Students must also complete all previous coursework in medical terminology, anatomy, medical ethics, pathophysiology, patient care, mathematics, physics and communications. Those who have not met these requirements prior to enrollment take these classes at the College of William and Mary in Virginia concurrently with the clinical rotations and lecture courses offered at the medical center. Apart from a limited number of institutional scholarships, no financial aid is available.
Southside Regional Medical Center
200 Medical Park Blvd.
Petersburg, VA 23805
804-765-5000
srmconline.org