Ultrasound Technician Schools in Texas

Diagnostic medical imaging is a rapidly growing field within healthcare.  It’s a popular career choice for many reasons, including the relatively short educational and training period required for entry-level positions.  Sonographers in Texas are in high demand, and the state ranks 5th nation-wide in percent growth for jobs.

The technology has progressed from scans used during pregnancy to aiding in diagnosing and treating illness and disease, and the technical and personal skill of the sonographer is paramount.  It’s a rigorous course of study, but a very rewarding field to be a part of.

If you’ve been considering a career in healthcare and you’re interested in applying to one of the ultrasound technician schools in Texas, we’ll help you get started.  Below we will provide you with the resources you’ll need to research the field of medical imaging, learn about the licensing and certification requirements in Texas, as well as connect you with accredited programs in your area.

Connect with Educational Programs near You

CAAHEP Accredited Diagnostic Sonography Programs

For a school or program to be accredited means that they have undergone a rigorous review from an outside agency.  As you look at schools you will see that there are many ways in which they can be accredited.  In sonography, however, the most important accreditation for a program to have is the one offered by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).  If the program that you’re researching has this accreditation, that is a clear testament to the quality of education that you’ll be receiving.

Additionally, the successful completion of one of these recognized Texas sonography programs is the most comprehensive and direct way students can earn eligibility to sit for the ARDMS​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI) examination.

Cost, entrance requirements, job placement percentages, and proximity are all important things to think about when researching programs, just be sure that accreditation is at the top of the priority list.

“Do your research and professional observations before you get started. This is an important decision and healthcare is a great profession, but it’s not for everyone, so do everything in your power to make sure this is the right field for you.”

Jessica L. Murphy
Program Director of Diagnostic Cardiovascular Sonography
Alvin College, Alvin, Texas

Accredited Sonography Schools in Texas in 2020

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.  They are all in compliance and accredited as of March, 2020.

Institution Name	Location	Program Director	Initial Accreditation Date
Alvin Community College	3110 Mustang Rd Alvin, TX 77511	Suzanne Poston BS, RDCS, RVS, RCS, RCCS, FASE	11/18/2005
Angelina College	3500 South First Street Lufkin, TX 75902	Casey Davis RT(R), RDMS, RVT	9/17/2010
Austin Community College	4400 College Park Drive Bldg 3000 Room 3228 Round Rock, TX 78665	Janet Barlow AAS, RDCS, RVTG	10/17/1997
Del Mar College	101 Baldwin Blvd West Campus Corpus Christi, TX 78404	Christin Vega MS, RDMS, RVT, RT(R)	5/2/1991
El Centro College	801 Main Street Dallas, TX 75202	Lynn Schluns BS, RDMS, RVT	7/22/1987
El Paso Community College	PO Box 20500 El Paso, TX 79998	Nora M Balderas BS, RT(R), RDMS	5/2/1991
Harris Health System	9250 Kirby Dr. Suite 1800 Houston, TX 77054	Georgette Shepherd BHSc, RDMS, RT(R)(M)	11/17/2010
Houston Community College	1900 Pressler Street Houston, TX 77030	Elizabeth Ho BHs, RDMS, RT(R)	1/26/2007
Houston International College	12135 Bissonnet Suite E Houston, TX 77099	Joan Douglas MS, RDCS, RCS	11/18/2016
Lamar Institute of Technology	855 East Lavaca Beaumont, TX 77705	Judy Tinsley RDMS, RDCS, RVT, RT(R)	9/17/2004
Lone Star College	9191 Barker Cypress Road Cypress, TX 77433	Jeremi Martin BA, RDMS, RVT	3/11/2005
Midland College	3600 North Garfield Midland, TX 79705	Brandi Havner BAAS, RDMS	9/17/2004
Parker University	2540 Walnut Hill Lane Dallas, TX 75229	Ashley Ragsdale BAS, RDMS, RVT	1/16/2020
Pima Medical Institute	10201 Katy Freeway Houston, TX 77024	Sarah Carmona-Alaniz MEd, RDMS	1/11/2018
San Jacinto College	8060 Spencer Highway Pasadena, TX 77505	Samisha Davis BS, RDMS	5/15/2015
St Phillips College	1801 Martin Luther King Drive San Antonio, TX 78203	Yvette Senovsky MD, RDMS	5/17/2019
Tarrant County College	245 East Belknap Fort Worth, TX 76102	Jacqueline Bennett-Scamardo MS, RDMS, RVS, RVT, RT(R,CT)	11/16/2018
Temple College	2600 South First Street Temple, TX 76504	Felix Guzman DM, DMD, MBA, RDMS, RDCS, RVT	3/18/2011
Texas Southmost College	80 Fort Brown Brownsville, TX 78520	Ariel Villanueva MD, RDMS	5/20/2005
Tyler Junior College	P.O. Box 9020 Tyler, TX 75711	Wesley Speake BS, RDMS, RVT	4/17/1997
Weatherford College	225 College Park Dr Weatherford, TX 76086	Peter Klimo MD, RDMS, RDCS, RVT	1/19/2012

“I would encourage all aspiring sonographers to be ‘all-in’. 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!”

Pamela Brower
Department Chair of Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Tyler Junior College, Tyler Texas

Certification Requirements in Texas

Is certification required to be a sonographer in Texas?

Certification is not required by the state of Texas.  However, possessing certification in your field is a way of showing expertise and dedication to your craft, and is worth pursuing.  Most employers require professional certification by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).

Earn your ARDMS certification

The only way to earn certification by the ARDMS is by taking and passing their exam.

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 to meet one of their other requirements, such as 12 months of full time clinical experience prior to taking their test. The ARDMS publishes a full list of possible prerequisites on their downloadable PDF.

Additional Certification Information

Certification overview
About the ARDMS

How Much do Ultrasound Techs Make in Texas?

Medical sonographers in Texas earned a median salary of $71,550. For those just entering the workforce, you can expect to earn around $52,000 per year, while those at the top of the pay scale earn over $100,000 per year.

Texas is the 2nd most populated state in the country with over 23 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 2016, there were over 5,200 sonographers in Texas, and that number is expected to increase by 35% by 2026.

In 2017 the US Bureau of Labor Statistics declared that Texas had the 4th highest employment level in the nation for medical sonographers. The Texas Workforce Commission is predicting strong growth in the healthcare industry throughout the state.

There are a lot of factors that can affect how much you earn, from the type of employer you work for, to your education and geographic location. Most of the ultrasound techs working in Texas have an Associate’s in Science degree and find employment at hospitals and outpatient surgical facilities. Furthering your education by obtaining a bachelor’s degree can make you eligible for more senior positions, which will typically come with a higher salary. Job growth is expected to be strong in the state, so it’s a great time to launch a new career in medical imaging.

Job Growth and Salary for Ultrasound Technologist in Texas

• Median salary for ultrasound techs in Texas was $71,800 in 2017
• In 2016 there were over 5,200 working sonographers in the state
• The Houston area has the 4th highest level of employment in the country
• Job growth is expected to be at 35% by 2026

BLS and Career OneStop

Texas Sonography Scholarships

Investing in your education is one of the most important decisions that you’ll make, and it can be costly. Student loans are one way to pay for your education, and there are many scholarships that go un-awarded every year. Most schools have needs or merit-based scholarships available, and there are countless clubs, organizations, and businesses that offer scholarships as well.

Most needs-based scholarships require that you apply for the FASFA first, which is a federal financial aid program, before they’ll accept your application. Make sure that whatever you apply for, that there is no fee for application. That is a red-flag that what is being offered is a scam.  Learn more about financial aid, including grants, loans, and scholarships, and financial aid for undocumented students by visiting our financial aid center.

Below you will find just a few of the scholarship opportunities for program applicants in Texas.

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility Requirements	How to Apply
Texas Urban Scholarship	$2,000	Needs based scholarship for students who are from certain counties within the state.	Scholarship Committee 1140 Empire Central Suite 550 Dallas, TX 75247 info@txadc.org 214-630-2511
Texas Educational Opportunity Grant	Amount varies	Applicant must demonstrate financial need and attend a public school or university in Texas.	Student Financial Aid Programs PO Box 12788 Austin, TX 78711 888-311-8881
George and Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation Scholarship	$18,000	Applicant must be a high school senior from one of the Houston area counties.	3336 Richmond Suite 310 Houston, TX 77098 HammanFdn@aol.com 713-521-4601
Ultrasound Schools Info	$1,000, twice per year	The Ultrasound Schools Info student scholarship is a semi-annual, non-renewable $1,000 scholarship awarded to an aspiring sonographer currently enrolled in a CAAHEP accredited diagnostic medical sonography program, or a high school student who has been accepted to a program.	Ultrasound Schools Info Attn: Scholarship Committee PO Box 3026 Bellingham, WA 98227 Email: scholarship@ultrasoundschoolsinfo.com

Keep Exploring other States and Cities

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.

Frequently asked questions

What does an ultrasound technician do?

Ultrasound technicians, also called medical sonographers, use special equipment that emits sound waves to image internal organs, tissues, and unborn babies. They play an essential role in the healthcare team. Learn more by visiting our ultrasound technician overview page.

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 sonographers hold a two-year associates degree, with one-year certificates and bachelors degrees available depending on your previous education and career goals.  Visit our degree center to learn which options are right for you.

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.

You can also learn first hand what it’s like to be a sonographer by reading one of the many interviews we’ve conducted with professionals and teachers in the industry.

Resources:
Career OneStop
Career OneStop Toolkit
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Dallas Morning News