KU’s certificate in diagnostic ultrasound and vascular technology is an 18-month, accredited certificate program that prepares the student sonographer to use complex ultrasound equipment in a clinical setting. The sonographer, after advanced training, uses high-frequency sound waves for diagnostic purposes under the direction of a radiologist.
A certificate from the University of Kansas is awarded to the student upon successful completion of the program at its KU Medical Center campus in Kansas City, Kansas. Instruction is provided by skilled professionals employed by The University of Kansas Health System and KU Medical Center.
Graduates are candidates to take the national registry examinations given by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in the areas of abdomen, obstetrics and gynecology, vascular technology, and sonography principles and instrumentation. Those who pass the exams become registered diagnostic medical sonographers and registered vascular technologists.
More about this program and the profession can be found on the program’s website.
Admission
The following are required for entry to this program:
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Applicant must have completed, or be currently enrolled in, at the minimum a 24-month radiologic technology program (60 semester credit hours or 84 quarter credit hours).
Please note: The required RT program is not available at the University of Kansas – please visit the program website for schools offering accredited AART programs.
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Applicants must be a registered radiologic technologist (ARRT) or must be registry-certified before program start date in September.
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Post-secondary credits, with a cumulative grade-point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, are required in the following courses:
• Communication skills (English, speech, or composition)
• General college-level physics and/or radiographic physics
• Human anatomy and physiology
• Algebra, statistics (or higher) mathematics course
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The student will be required to pass the ARRT registry exam before entrance into the ultrasound program.
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Good physical and mental health are essential to the field of ultrasound. Physical or other disabilities are evaluated on a case by case basis by the program and by the Office of Institutional Opportunity and Access. Please review the program's technical standards for details.
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Background check: the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) requires all incoming students to pay for a background check. Applicants will be asked to provide information and make the payment once officially accepted into the program. A drug screening may also be required. For more information, please see School of Health Professions background check and drug screening information.
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International students: an applicant is considered an international student if he or she requires a visa, or currently resides in the U.S. with non-immigrant status, or currently resides in the U.S. while applying for permanent residency. Additional requirements and documentation, such as proof of English language proficiency, are required for international students to become eligible for KU programs. Please review the information for international students before applying.
Certificate Program Requirements
The student spends 40 hours a week in the 18-month program, with time divided between classroom courses and clinical application. Didactic studies include courses in medical law and ethics, introduction to sonography, sonography principles and instrumentation, abdomen, OB/GYN, small parts, neurosonology, and vascular technology.