Accredited Ultrasound Technician Schools in West Virginia

(found 5 schools, updated in May 2017)

West Virginia has rugged wilderness that represents historical land once logged and mined by early settlers as a matter of the country’s survival. Today the same countryside offers numerous opportunities for enjoying river rafting, mountain hiking and fishing. Called “The Mountain State”, residents and visitors appreciate the beauty of the Allegheny Highlands. The West Virginia Health Care Authority and the system of health care facilities deliver medical and well care services throughout the state, creating interesting opportunities for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers.

Sonography Education in West Virginia

As of 2017, West Virginia has five schools offering CAAHEP accredited ultrasound technician programs, including diploma, certificate and degree programs. The certificate program focuses on sonography procedures and diagnostics for the abdomen, and in obstetrics and gynecology, and teaches neurosonography. Students have a choice of general sonography, vascular sonography and cardiac sonography. Sonography students completing the program can then sit for the ARDMS examination. Earning the ARDMS credential is an important step towards beginning a successful ultrasound career because most employers now require proof of registration.

Salaries and Career Outlook for Sonographers in West Virginia

The average annual wages for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in 2016 in West Virginia was $58,180 per the statistics, which makes it one of the lowest paying states for sonographers in the U.S. for this profession. However, a large portion of the state is rural, and non-metropolitan areas typically pay less than cities. Despite the relatively low salary for sonographers, it is an excellent wage compared to the average salary for all other jobs in the state. In addition, the highest earning sonographers make approximately $75,740 annually. As the provisions of the Affordable Care Act are rolled out, there is a likelihood that the need for sonographers will increase and particularly in rural areas. West Virginia had 490 sonographers employed in 2016, but that number is expected to reach 690 by 2024 with a job growth rate of 29.2 percent. The state trend indicates there will be at least 20 openings each year. | See Job Openings

Best Paying Regions in West Virginia

Here are the 7 top paying regions in West Virginia in terms of annual median wages:

1. Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY–OH: $61,340
2. Morgantown: $60,790
3. Wheeling, WV-OH: $57,910
4. Northern West Virginia nonmetropolitan area: $57,320
5. Beckley: $56,840
6. Charleston: $56,600
7. Southern West Virginia nonmetropolitan area: $55,650

Best Diagnostic Medical Sonography Schools in West Virginia in 2017

BridgeValley Community & Technical College

Address: 2001 Union Carbide Drive
Zip: 25303
City: South Charleston
Website: www.bridgevalley.edu
Contact Person: Kim Shamblin
Contact Email: send mail
Contact Phone: (304) 205-6669
Program: Associate’s Degree in General Sonography and Vascular Sonography
Accreditation: CAAHEP
Program Length: Prerequisites – 22 credit hours; Sonography core education – 50 credit hours in 4 semesters and 1 summer semester
Application Deadline: March 10, 2017
Program State Date: Fall
Main Courses: Abdominal/Pelvic Sonography, Sonography of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vascular Technology, Sonographic Pathophysiology, Superficial/Specialty Sonography, Acoustical Physics and Instrumentation, Sonographic Sectional Anatomy, Practicum
Estimated Tuition, Fees and Costs: Tuition Per 12 Credits – $2,060 (West Virginia resident) or $4,906 (nonresident); DMS Program Entrance Fee – $475; DMS Program Fee – $250 per semester
Financial Aid Opportunity: Federal programs including Federal Pell Grant, Federal Direct Subsidized Loans, Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Federal Parent PLUS Loans; State programs including West Virginia Higher Education Grant, West Virginia PROMISE Scholarship; Scholarships like Poffenbarger Allied Health Scholarship, First-Time Academic Scholarships, President’s Level Scholarship, West Virginia Resident First Generation Freshman Scholarship, High School/Career & Technical Center Scholarship, etc.

West Virginia University Hospitals

Address: PO Box 8062, Medical Center Drive
Zip: 26506
City: Morgantown
Website: www.wvuhradtech.com
Contact Person: Candice E. Norris BA, RDMS, RT(R)
Contact Email: send mail
Contact Phone: (304) 598-4187
Program: Certificate Program in General Sonography
Program Length: 18 months
Application Deadline: February 1
Program State Date: July
Main Courses: Abdominal Sonography, Obstetrical and Gynecological Sonography, Neurosonography, Cardiovascular Sonography, Breast Sonography, Physics and Instrumentation, Applied Sonography, Medical Ethics and Law, Case Review and Critique
Estimated Tuition, Fees and Costs: $4,500 for tuition, additional costs including books, uniforms, electronic tracking fees, graduation fees, certification fees, etc.
Financial Aid Opportunity: Students enrolled in this program are not eligible for aids and loans
Accreditation: CAAHEP Accredited and ARRT Recognized

United Hospital Center, Inc.

Address: 327 Medical Park Drive
Zip: 26330
City: Bridgeport
Website: www.uhcwv.org
Contact Person: Rosemary Trupo
Contact Email: send mail
Contact Phone: (681) 342-1871
Program: Diploma in General and Vascular Sonography
Accreditation: CAAHEP
Program Length: 18 months
Application Deadline: February 1
Program State Date: November
Main Courses: OB/GYN Sonographic Procedures and Pathology, Vascular Sonographic Procedures and Pathology, Sonography Principles and Instrumentation, Introduction to Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Clinical
Estimated Tuition, Fees and Costs: $3,000 (tuition fee), additional costs inducing books, uniforms, etc.

St. Mary’s Medical Center

Address: 2900 First Avenue
Zip: 25702
City: Huntington
Website: www.st-marys.org
Contact Person: Nancy MacClellan
Contact Email: send mail
Contact Phone: (304) 526-1430
Program: Bachelor’s Degree in General Sonography, Cardiac Sonography and Vascular Sonography
Program Length: 4 years
Application Deadline: April 1
Program State Date: Spring semester
Estimated Tuition, Fees and Costs:
Accreditation: CAAHEP

University of Charleston

Address: 158 Dye Drive
Zip: 25801
City: Beckley
Website: www.ucwv.edu
Contact Person: Tammy Mollohan
Contact Email: send mail
Contact Phone: (304) 352-0037
Program: Associate’s Degree in General Sonography, Cardiac Sonography and Vascular Sonography, Bachelor’s Degree in General Sonography, Cardiac Sonography and Vascular Sonography
Accreditation: CAAHEP

For more school options in other locations, visit accredited ultrasound technician school directory 2017.