If you’re considering pursuing a career as an ultrasound tech, the program is rigorous and competitive, but the job can be quite rewarding. The field of Sonography is seeing tremendous growth across the country in part because of the relatively high salary and shorter education and training period. Most starting positions require just an Associate Degree. We will explore these topics further below, as well as connect you with accredited ultrasound technician schools where you can receive the education you need to become a sonographer.
How to Become an Ultrasound Technologist in PA
- Choose an Accredited Ultrasound Program. Accreditation of the program itself, and not just the school, is one of the most important factors to consider when applying. If possible, select a program that has been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). This will ensure that the education they provide will meet or exceed industry standards. Pennsylvania has 12 programs that have received this recognition.
- Get Your Degree. Sonographers must have a minimum of an Associate of Science degree in medical sonography. Some schools offer Accelerated Certificate programs to students who already hold a degree, and there are also Bachelor’s Degree programs available.
- Receive Your Credentials. Your potential employer will want you to have your RDMS credential, which is offered by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). If you graduate from a CAAHEP accredited program you will automatically qualify to sit for their exams.
Connect with Educational Programs near You
Why Choose a CAAHEP Accredited Diagnostic Sonography Program?
For a program to be accredited means that it has been reviewed by an outside agency for the purpose of verifying the quality of the education and training.
The primary accrediting body for sonography programs is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Graduating from a CAAHEP accredited Pennsylvania school is the most comprehensive and direct way students can qualify to sit for the ARDMS Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI) exam, as well as a specialty exam. Passing both of their exams will allow you to receive professional certification in diagnostic medical sonography.
If you’re currently enrolled in or have been accepted to a CAAHEP accredited program, you’re also eligible to apply for the UltrasoundSchoolsInfo $1,000 scholarship. Click here to learn more.
Accredited Sonography Schools in Pennsylvania in 2024
The following schools all have degree or certificate programs in medical sonography, as of September 2023:
| School | Program | Prerequisites | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Community College of Allegheny County -595 Beatty Road, Monroeville, PA 15146 | Associate Degree in General sonography, Cardiac ultrasound; and Vascular ultrasound. | Successful completion (C of better) of several 100 level math, science, and biology courses are required before admittance. It is also recommended that the applicant has job shadowed in an ultrasound department before applying. Full list of prerequistes can be found here. | Begin your application to CCAC here. |
| Crozer-Chester Medical Center One Medical Center Blvd Pearl Hall Upland, PA 1901 |
Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. | Full time attendance is required, with a five-semester time period given for DMS certificate completion. A grade of B is required in all classes in order to remain in the program. Re-admittance is not allowed. | A maximum of eight students are admitted each year. Contact the school’s Undergraduate Extended Learning department at gel@widener.edu to learn more. |
| Great Lakes Institute of Technology 5100 Peach Street Erie, PA 16509 |
Associate of Science degree in Abdominal-Extended or ObGyn sonography | The program at GLIT is intended for those with no background experience in sonography. A full list of requirements from GLIT can be found at https://glit.edu/admissions. | Begin the online application process here. |
| Harrisburg Area Community College One HACC Drive Blocker 106-B Harrisburg, PA 17110 |
Associate of Science degree in ObGyn or Abdominal-Extended sonography. | Admissions criteria: HACC has created a downloadable PDF that with all the requirements. | Applications are available from March 1st through April 15th of each year. |
| Lackawanna College 501 Vine St Scranton, PA 18509 |
Associate degree in Vascular, Adult Cardiac, Abdominal-Extended, or ObGyn Sonography. | A maximum of 20 students are accepted into the general program, and 25 for vascular and cardiac. Not all who apply are accepted. | Complete the online form to request information from Lackawanna. |
| Misericordia University DMS Program 301 Lake Street Dallas, PA 18612 |
Bachelor’s Degree or an 18-month DMS certificate in Abdominal-e\Extended or ObGyn sonography. | Prerequisites vary depending on degree path chosen. | Apply to the school first, and once accepted you may apply to their medical imaging program. |
| Mount Aloysius College 7373 Admiral Peary Highway Cresson, PA 16630 |
Associate of Science degree in Abdominal-Extended or ObGyn sonography. | Certain college-level courses must be completed prior to application. | Applications should be submitted by January 1st of each year. |
| Northampton Community College 3835 Green Pond Road Bethlehem, PA 18020 |
Associate in Applied Science in Abdominal-Extended or ObGyn Sonography. | College-level prerequisites in math, science, and English with a minimum GPA of 3.0. | The deadline for applying to the sonography program is February 1st of each year. |
| Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences 850 Greenfield Road Lancaster, PA 17601 |
Certificate program in Abdominal-Extended, ObGyn, or Vascular sonography. | Applicants must have completed several courses English, math, and science with a grace of C or better. Find a full list of requirements can be found here. | Begin the application process here. |
| Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences 1025 Old Wyomissing Rd Reading, PA 19611 |
Accelerated Certificate program in ObGyn or Abdominal-Extended Sonography. | Completed applications must include all required transcripts, support materials, and standardized test scores, if applicable. After June 1, applications will be processed for the next class. | Begin the online application here. |
| South Hills School of Business and Technology 480 Waupelani Drive State College, PA 16801 |
Associate Degree or Diploma programs in Adult-Cardiac, Vascular, Abdominal-Extended, or ObGyn Sonography | Admission requirements vary depending on whether you’re applying for the Associate Degree or the diploma program. | Students apply online at http://www.southhills.edu/application/. |
| Thomas Jefferson University 901 Walnut St Suite 704 Philadelphia, PA 19107 |
TJU offers Bachelor’s degrees in Adult-Cardiac, ObGyn, or Abdominal-Extended sonography. | Students must first be admitted to the University and may then apply to the medical imaging department. | Schedule a visit and learn more about the admissions process at Thomas Jefferson. |
| * This information is obtained from a number of sources, is provided without charge, and is believed to be accurate. Please contact us with updates. | |||
Meet Some of Pennsylvania’s Sonographers
Dr. Traci Fox EdD, RT(R), RDMS, RVT
Dr. Fox has been a sonographer for over 20 years. She is currently a professor at her alma mater, Thomas Jefferson University, where she earned her Bachelor and Masters of Science degrees. She later earned her Doctorate in Education from Drexel University. Learn more about the program at TJU in our interview with Dr. Fox.
Jessica Carlino, RDMS, RVT
Jessica is a sonographer and registered vascular technician. She is a graduate of the DMS program at Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences (PA College). In our interview, Jessica shares her experience of studying sonography and working in the field. She offers advice on how to become a successful student and sonographer. “Successful sonography students should have a strong work ethic and understand how to communicate with others. Sonography is a challenging program, and is a constantly changing profession.”
Advice From the Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences
Emily Long, part of the communications team at Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences, enjoys writing about current trends in health care and helping students get the information they need to land a job in their desired career field. “Applying for your first job as a sonographer can seem daunting. But there are lots of great ways to start enhancing your resume before you even graduate.”
Pennsylvania Sonography Student Scholarships
Pursuing your education can be an expensive endeavor, and scholarships can help offset some of the costs for those who qualify. Along with potential financial aid, scholarships can be used to help pay for tuition, books, and sometimes living expenses. Learn more by visiting our Financial Aid center.
A few of the scholarships that are available to students who qualify are listed below. The application and other details can be found by visiting the individual scholarship’s website that you’re interested in pursuing.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility Requirements | How to Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ultrasound Schools Info | $1,000 | Non-renewable scholarship awarded to an aspiring sonographer currently enrolled in a CAAHEP accredited diagnostic medical sonography program. | Ultrasound Schools Info Attn: Scholarship Committee PO Box 3026 Bellingham, WA 98227 |
| Pennsylvania State Grant Program | Varies | Needs-based award for high school graduates attending an approved program. | Scholarship Committee info@pheaa.org |
| NAAAP Philadelphia | $1,000 | Asian or Asian-Americans attending a greater-Philadelphia accredited college. | Scholarship Committee P.O. Box 473 Philadelphia, PA 19105 |
| M. Verna Butterer Educational Trust | $16,000 | Applicant must be at least a 2-year resident of Bucks County, PA, and demonstrate financial need. | M. Verna Butterer Educational Trust P.O. Box 273 Fountainville, PA 18923 215-249-0503 |
Ultrasound Tech Certification Requirements in Pennsylvania
Currently, there are no licensure or certification requirements for diagnostic medical sonographers in Pennsylvania. However, it is almost certain that prospective employers will require that you get your RDMS credentials from the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).
The ARDMS is an organization that provides the most highly regarded certification to sonographers. The only way to earn their certification is by taking and passing their exam. Once you have met the ARDMS’ prerequisites, there are many testing locations where you can take the exam in Pennsylvania.
Additional Certification Information
DMS Certification Overview
Learn More About the ARDMS
How Much do Ultrasound Techs Make in Pennsylvania?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2022), the mean annual salary for sonographers in Pennsylvania is $75,500. In addition, those in the top 90th percentile made a mean annual salary of $94,590, while those in the bottom 10th percentile earned up to $60,330 a year. Conditions in your area may vary. In Pennsylvania, job growth is predicted to increase by 17% by 2030 (O*Net).
| Metropolitan Area | 2022 Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Pittsburgh, PA | $70,370 |
| Scranton–Wilkes-Barre–Hazleton, PA | $70,080 |
| York-Hanover | $72,240 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $81,250 |
Medical Imaging Organizations in Pennsylvania
Belonging to a society or organization within your chosen field has many benefits. Networking with your peers, staying up to date on new technologies and procedures, and remaining current with continuing medical education (CME) requirements can all come from membership with these organizations.
Some examples of medical imaging societies in Pennsylvania are listed below:
- Pennsylvania Radiological Society
- Pennsylvania Society of Radiologic Technologists
- The Hospital Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania
- Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
Click here for more information regarding ultrasound societies and organizations.
City Spotlight: Philadelphia, PA
In 2014, Thomas Jefferson University was awarded “Best Radiologic Technologist Training Program” by the RSNA. The Jefferson School of Health Professions Department offers a Bachelor’s and Master’s program in Medical Imaging & Radiation Sciences where students can choose from a variety of modalities to specialize in, such as nucelar medicine, cardiac, vascular, and general sonography. TJU is just one of several schools in Philadelphia that offers training to aspiring ultrasound technicians and other medical imagers.
There were around 1,730 sonographers working in Philadelphia in 2022 who made an average of $81,250 a year. In addition, job growth state wide is predicted to increase by 17% by 2030 (O*Net).
Keep Exploring! Find Other Articles & Interviews Below.
- Sonography Student Resource Center
- Sonography Career Paths
- 7 Female Pioneers in Medical Imaging
- Ultrasound Technician Degree Options
- Find an Ultrasound Technician Program Near You
- How to Pay for Sonography School
- Anatomy & Physiology: A Student’s Perspective
- Time Management Tips for Sonographers
- What to Know About Selecting an Ultrasound School
- Tips on Preparing a Successful Sonography Schools Application
- Expectation vs Reality – What’s it Like to be a Sonographer?
- Diagnostic Sonographer Overview
- What Makes a Great Sonographer?
- Allied Health Careers & Education
- Explore Additional Healthcare Career Options
