GateWay Community College in Phoenix is the only CAAHEP accredited college recognized by the CHEA in the state of Arizona. The program at GateWay Community College is only for experienced health care workers rather than inexperienced new students. The college offers a 2-year certificate and AAS degree in Ulttrasound Technology with completion of all courses with a C grade or higher.
Because GateWay Community College requires previous medical experience and credentials, it is important to know what they accept. Being certified in any of these fields is required to be accepted into the program: RN, RRT, AART, RVT/RVS, RDCS/RCS. Entering basically requires previous experience in nursing, respiratory therapy or other related ultrasound experience as determined by the school.
Since Arizona only has one accredited school, some opt for the unaccredited route, though it is not usually recommended. You will need a bachelor's degree to sit for your credential exams. If not entering with a bachelor's degree, it may be impossible to find a job without being qualified to sit for your exam. One school that is an option if you have a bachelor's degree is the Phoenix campus of the West Coast Ultrasound Institute. You can train to be a Cardiac Sonographer or Diagnostic Sonographer. The programs range from 18 to 21 months. In the cardiac program you will be learning subjects such as Vascular, Physics and Echo, which pertains to the scanning of the heart. General Sonography will teach Vascular, OB, Abdominal and Physics, and both programs contain an externship program.There are no prerequisites required and if you are entering with a bachelor's degree, it can be in an unrelated subject.