Become a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer in Texas. Explore medical imaging education and career opportunities near you.
Below you will find all of the CAAHEP accredited Sonography schools in Texas in 2019.
If you’ve been considering attending one of the ultrasound technician schools in Texas, now is a great time to get started. Texas is expecting very strong job growth within sonography, as well as across the healthcare industry. Our guide starts with providing you with the resources you’ll need to research the field of medical imaging, as well as connecting you with programs in your area.
There are many schools in Texas to help you get started in one of these careers. If you don’t see a sonography program in your area, consider one of the related programs listed below. Choose between a campus based and an online program that meets your needs. Request information and you’ll have the opportunity to speak with an admissions representative to have your questions answered.
Connect with Educational Programs near You
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 Minnesota DMS programs is the most comprehensive and direct way students can earn eligibility to sit for the ARDMS Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI) examination.
Accredited Sonography Schools in Texas in 2019
There are many factors to consider when choosing a sonography program, from cost and location to reputation, but one of the most important is accreditation. The following diagnostic medical sonography schools in Texas have been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), as of March, 2018:
Alvin Community College
Alvin, TXAngelina College
Lufkin, TX
Austin Community College
Austin, TX
Del Mar College
Corpus Christi, TX
El Centro College
Dallas, TX
El Paso Community College
El Paso, TX
Harris County Hospital District
Houston, TX
Houston Community College System
Houston, TX
Houston International College – CardioTech Ultrasound School
Houston, TX
Lamar Institute of Technology
Beaumont, TX
Lone Star College
Cypress, TXMidland College
Midland, TX
San Jacinto College
Pasadena, TX
Pima Medical Institute
Houston, TX
Southwest University
El Paso, TX
Temple College
Temple, TX
Texas Southmost College
Brownsville, TX
Tyler Junior College
Tyler, TX
Virginia College
Austin, TX
Weatherford College
Weatherford, TX
Pamela Brower, the Department Chair of Diagnostic Medical Sonography at Tyler Junior College in Texas says that sonographers need to be committed and to prioritize patient care.”I would encourage all aspiring sonographers to be ‘all-in’,” she says. “This is about patient care…We are commissioned to be the best each time we pick up the transducer regardless the ethnicity, the time of day or the type of scan. It’s about the patient!”
Texas Healthcare Career Resources
Texas is the 2nd most populated state in the country with over 26 million residents. It boasts three of the top ten most populous cities in the nation (Houston, Dallas and San Antonio), and has a diverse multicultural ethnic make-up. In 2013, there were over 4,400 sonographers in Texas, and that number is expected to increase by 58% by 2022.
The majority work in hospitals, but ultrasound technicians can also find employment in physician’s offices, clinics, and large medical imaging facilities.
The median annual salary in 2013 for ultrasound techs in Texas was $65,600, which is just under the national median of $66,400.
In 2013 the US Bureau of Labor Statistics declared that Texas had the 3rd highest employment level in the nation for medical sonographers. The Texas Workforce Commission is predicting strong growth in the healthcare industry throughout the state.
Is a job in healthcare the right one for you?
Certification Requirements in Texas
Texas does not require licensure to be a sonographer. 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 Texas to take the exam, and you can find them on the ARDMS website at ardms.org, or by calling the test administrator group 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 prior to taking their test. Request information from several sonography schools in Texas, 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 Houston
Houston has the 5th largest level of employment for sonographers of any metropolitan area in the country, it’s ranked 4th in overall job growth in the nation, and The Texas Medical Center in Southwest Houston is the largest medical center in the world, employing more than 61,000 individuals.
There are great job opportunities for sonographers and other healthcare technicians in Houston, and health technician programs in the city serve to educate and train those interested in becoming part of such a robust local economy.
Sonography Jobs in Houston
The Houston Article, in a November, 2014 article, named sonography as one of the “Top 25 High Paying Jobs for People Who Hate Math”, stating “We combed through the Occupational Information Network (O*NET), a US Department of Labor database that compiles detailed information on hundreds of occupations, to find positions with a median annual salary of over $65,000 that don’t require heavy math skills.”
For those of you who have completed your sonography or health technician program, check out the Chronicle chron.com/jobs for great career advice and posted jobs.
Health Sciences College, namesake of Dr. John B Coleman
Dr. John B. Coleman (1929-1994) was a Houston, Texas-based physician, businessman and humanitarian. HCC Coleman College in Houston was named in honor of Dr. Coleman. HCC Coleman is a health sciences college and one of the member institutions of the world-famous Texas Medical Center.
“The School, named for Dr. Coleman, has grown to be the leading health science community college in the nation and the only one of its kind residing in the world-renown Texas Medical Center,” states the College’s website. “Degrees and certification programs in some of the fastest-growing careers in medicine are offered and the school’s outstanding faculty are acknowledged by their peers for leadership and vision.”
Learn more about the Health Sciences College, and Dr. John B. Coleman, in our recent article.
Limited English Proficient (LEP) Individuals
According to the US Department of Education, limited English proficient (LEP) learners were the fastest growing population in the country. It is estimated that 34% of adults in Texas speak a non-English language. The healthcare industry is concerned that Texans as a result may not be receiving optimal health care.
The over 3 million citizens in Texas who speak English as a 2nd or even 3rd language, can 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 Texas, which has historically been a destination-state for immigrants.
Additional information and page resources:
* Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics Survey and Career OneStop
* https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Careers/Occupations/occupation-profile.aspx
*U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes292032.htm