Step 1: Major Sonography Education Requirements

Although specific sonography education prerequisites can vary from program to program, the following are general education requirements prospective students will be expected to fulfill before applying to take ultrasound technician programs.

One-Year or Two-Year Program

Applicants to one-year certificate programs should have prior qualifications in an allied health profession that is clinically related to sonography. Those without related qualifications or clinical experience should instead apply for a minimum two-year program. Ultrasound technician requirements for entry to two-year programs include a high school diploma or equivalent with courses in basic science, general physics and algebra.

Find A School

Find a certificate sonography program or an associate program, please visit accredited sonography program directory and use the interactive chart on the webpage.

Required Courses and Skills for Applicants

College-level courses in general physics, algebra, biology and communications skills are required for all applicants pursuing ultrasound education regardless of the program.

Other skill requirements to become a diagnostic medical sonographer may not be as measurable on a transcript but are vitally important. These include the ability to employ learning strategies, active learning skills, critical thinking, active listening and social insight. In addition, prospective sonography students should have strong oral and written communication skills, physical stamina, an eye for visual detail, the capacity to work with technical and computerized machinery, and good hand-eye coordination.

You may want to know what an ultrasound technician does in a normal working day.

Interview

When applying to sonography training programs, students should keep in mind that the application process may include an interview. By preparing for this ahead of time, they will be more capable of offering solid, authentic answers to typical interview questions that may be asked. They may wish to practice examples such as those given below by writing down answers or speaking them in front of a mirror.

Prospective sonography students may even wish to do a mock interview with trusted friends or advisors who will give honest feedback. Such preparation will enable them to take full advantage of an excellent opportunity to make a memorable impression on the admissions committee.

For competitive programs, the extra value that topnotch answers add to an application may provide a crucial boost to a student’s prospects for admission. It is important to remember, however that responses should come across as natural and sincere rather than memorized and overly rehearsed.

Interview Questions

What types of questions can an applicant expect during an admissions interview? These are usually not overly complex, nor are they intended to trick or otherwise throw off the prospective student. Admissions committees simply want to get to know the applicants and ascertain whether or not their aspirations, interests and strengths are a good match for the program in question.

Students applying to sonography programs should be prepared for questions such as:

Sample Questions During Your Sonography School Entrance Interviews

• Why did you become interested in sonography?
• What strengths can you identify in yourself that make you well suited to sonography?
• What are your weak points and what challenges do you anticipate?
• Would you please tell us about yourself?
• What steps are you taking to prepare yourself for an intensive program such as this?
• What do you think will be your most and least favorite areas of sonography?
• What qualities do you feel are important for ultrasound technicians to have?
• What do you like to do in your spare time?
• What attributes do you feel are important in working as part of a team?

Being prepared to answer these and similar questions will enable applicants to interview with confidence and, in the process, strengthen their ability to interview for ultrasound tech jobs after they have graduated.

Do you know what type of sonography programs is the best for you? Read this article quickly to get the necessary information, or find your best school in the directory of schools now.

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