Become a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer in Illinois. Explore medical imaging education and career opportunities near you.
Pursuing your education at one of the ultrasound technician schools in Illinois will help to put you in a position for a solid education combined with the ability to earn an above average salary. Below you will find all of the accredited Sonography schools in Illinois to help you get started, plus access to our resources to learn about the field.
Take a moment to request information from a school, and you’ll have the opportunity to speak with a representative to have your questions answered, and to make sure that their programs align with your long-term career goals.
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CAAHEP Accredited Diagnostic Sonography Programs
Each of these schools has met the CAAHEP DMS Accreditation Standards and Guidelines by passing a series of program reviews, including a self-study review and a site visit.
The successful completion of one of these recognized Illinois DMS programs is the most comprehensive and direct way students can earn eligibility to sit for the ARDMS Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI) examination.
Accredited Ultrasound Technician Schools in Illinois in 2019
Accreditation of a program or institution is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing your sonography program. The following ultrasound technician schools in Illinois have all been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), as of April 2019:
| Institution Name | Location | Program Director | Initial Accreditation Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| College of DuPage | 425 Fawell Blvd Glen Ellyn, IL 60137 |
Melissa McKirdie BA, RDMS, RVT | 4/19/2001 |
| Harper College | 1200 W Algonquin Rd Palatine, IL 60067-7398 |
Kelly Hamontree MS, RDCS | 1/18/2008 |
| John A Logan College | 700 Logan College Drive Carterville, IL 62918 |
Valerie Newberry PhD Ed, RDCS, RVT | 4/19/2001 |
| Joliet Junior College | 1215 Houbolt Rd Joliet, IL 60431 |
Elena Miller MS, RDMS, RVT | 9/16/2016 |
| Northwestern Memorial Hospital | 541 N. Fairbanks Ct Suite 950 Chicago, IL 60611 |
Casey Clarke BSRT, RT(R), RDMS, RDCS | 9/16/2005 |
| Rush University | 600 S. Paulina St Suite 1001 Chicago, IL 60612 |
Jacqueline Ortiz MA, RVT | 5/19/2006 |
| Southern Illinois University | 1365 Douglas Drive Carbondale, IL 62901 |
Shannon Anderson MSEd, RDMS, RVT, RT(R) | 5/20/2005 |
| Triton College | 2000 Fifth Avenue River Grove, IL 60171 |
Debra Krukowski BS, RDMS, RT(R) | 7/17/1986 |
Illinois Healthcare Career Resources
Significant job growth in the healthcare industry is expected in Illinois, with job growth specific to sonographers expected to be 17% in the decade spanning 2014 to 2024. General medical and surgical hospitals offer the highest level of employment in sonography. The Chicago-Joliet-Naperville metropolitan area has the 6th highest employment in medical imaging in the country (BLS).
Start by requesting information from schools to ensure that they have the programs you’re looking for. You’ll have an opportunity to ask questions, so be prepared with a list before you make that call.
The median salary for sonographers in Illinois was $75,490 in May, 2015.
Is a job in healthcare the right one for you?
Certification Requirements in Illinois
Illinois does not require certification to be an ultrasound technician. However, most employers require professional certification by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). The only way to earn certification is by taking and passing their exam. There are many locations throughout Illinois to take the exam, and you can find them on the ARDMS website at ardms.org, or by calling the testing company Pearson Vue at 1-877-258-9220.
The easiest way to qualify to sit for the exam is to graduate from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Otherwise, you’ll need 12 months of full time clinical experience, which is not easy to get when you are not ARDMS certified. A bit of a catch-22, but a reality in today’s working environment. Request information from several ultrasound technician schools in Illinois, and do the research to make sure that they meet the certification requirements you’re looking for.
Additional Certification Information
Frequently asked questions
What does an ultrasound technician do?
There’s much more than just imaging internal organs. Learn more at: ultrasounddchoolsinfo.com/ultrasound-technician. Get a complete job description, as well as first-hand accounts of what it’s like to be a sonographer.
How do I get started?
We’ll walk you through all of the steps, starting when you’re still in high school or before you’ve started any formal post-education program, all the way through finding a job and advancing in your career. Get Started Now.
How long do I have to go to school?
Most degree programs are completed within two years.
How do I know if it’s right for me?
In order to be successful in the field, you’ll need more than just technical knowledge. Here’s how you’ll know if you’ve got what it takes.
What other jobs can I get in healthcare?
There are many careers available within the healthcare industry, and we’ll introduce you to many of them here.
Ultrasound Technician Schools in Chicago
Chicago, sometimes referred to as “the city that works”, has a positive employment outlook in a city of 9.3 million people. Over 65% of the state’s population lives in the Chicago Metropolitan area, or “Chicagoland” as it’s commonly referred to. Pursuing your degree at a Sonography school in Chicago should pay off with good employment opportunities, as health care has been identified as the third fastest growing industry in the city.
A November, 2013 article in the Chicago Tribune stated that sonographers are “often trained through an associate’s degree program, these health care workers are highly paid, and demand for them is expected to soar during the years to come”.
Shop along Chicago’s “Magnificent Mile”, an eight-block stretch of North Michigan Avenue, offering every kind of shop imaginable. Explore art and architecture in Millennium Park, catch an amazing view of the city at the Sears Tower, or go see the Bulls play at the United Center.
How Much Do Sonographers in Illinois Make?
The following table compares the median salary for ultrasound techs across the major metropolitan areas of Illinois:
| Metropolitan Area | 2015 Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $74,500 |
| Chicago-Joliet-Naperville, IL | $77,700 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $65,500 |
| Peoria, IL | $71,600 |
| Rockford, IL | $74,900 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $64,000 |
Limited English Proficient (LEP) Individuals
A significant percentage of the U.S. population does not speak English as their first language. For Limited English Proficient (LEP) individuals, this can prove to be a barrier to obtaining quality medical care.
In Illinois, 1.2 million citizens, who speak English as a 2nd or even 3rd language, have difficulty understanding the information presented to them by their physician, nurse, or other healthcare provider. Healthcare providers who speak a second language can have increased job opportunities available to them, especially in Illinois, which is traditionally a destination-state for immigrants.
All job growth and salary statistics provided by:
*U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes292032.htm
*Career OneStop, https://www.careerinfonet.org/occ_rep.asp?next=occ_rep&Level=Overall&optstatus=111111111&jobfam=29&id=1&nodeid=2&soccode=292032&menuMode=&stfips=17&x=31&y=16