Find Wisconsin’s Sonography Programs in 2023
Are you considering beginning a career as a sonographer? The first step is to research the field and learn about the programs offered in your area. Below you’ll find information on the programs offered by the 8 CAAHEP accredited institutions in Wisconsin from which to pursue your certificate or degree in diagnostic medical sonography. You’ll also have the opportunity to learn what a sonographer does, where they work, and how much they earn.
Diagnostic medical sonographers work in tandem with physicians to prevent, detect, and diagnose disease, as well as monitor the growth and health of a fetus. Completing your Associate’s Degree or a Certificate in medical sonography in Wisconsin will help to prepare you for an entry-level position in the field. Request information from schools and get the opportunity to ask questions to determine if it’s a right fit for you. If you don’t see a medical sonography program in your area, you may want to consider one of the many programs available within allied health.
Connect with Educational Programs near You
CAAHEP Accredited Diagnostic Sonography Programs
The accreditation of a program is one of the most important factors to consider when researching schools. With sonography, the accreditation to look for is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). They are the most widely recognized accrediting body within medical imaging. Each of the schools below has met the Accreditation Standards and Guidelines set forth by the CAAHEP by passing a series of program reviews, including a self-study review and a site visit.
The successful completion of one of these accredited Wisconsin DMS programs is the most comprehensive and direct way students can earn eligibility to sit for the ARDMS examination.
Accredited Sonography Schools in Wisconsin in 2023
The following schools have ultrasound programs that have been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), current as of April 2023:
| School | Programs Offered | Prerequisites | How to Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center 180 W. Grange Avenue Milwaukee, WI 53207 |
21-month, full-time program. AAS awarded at graduation. |
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Applications are accepted via U.S. mail from Oct – Dec of each year. Learn more here. |
| Bellin College 3201 Eaton Road Green Bay, WI 54311 |
Bachelor of Science in DMS | Enthusiastic and motivated students who have a strong background and understanding of science. | Applications are accepted on the BCU website. There is no application fee. |
| Blackhawk Technical College 6004 S County Road G HS Division Janesville, WI 53547 |
Associate in Science degree with flexible learning options | Certain coursework and admissions testing is required.
Documentation of patient-care training must be completed before petitioning. |
Students must petition between February 1-5. The application can be found and submitted online. |
| Chippewa Valley Technical College 620 W Clairemont Ave Eau Claire, WI 54701 |
Associate Degree in DMS, as well as an Advanced Placement Option | Successfully pass the HESI Assessment within three attempts. | Begin the application here. |
| Concordia University 1670 Miller Park Way West Milwaukee, WI 53214 |
|
Pre-clinical required coursework, and completion of coursework in a CNA with 100 document hours of patient care. | Students will apply during their sophomore year at CUW |
| Froedtert Hospital 9200 W. Wisconsin Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53226 |
Certificate program in vascular, ObGyn, and Abdominal-Extended sonography. | Successful completion of required college-level coursework, personal statement, two letters of recommendation, verification of patient-care experience, and an interview are all required to apply. | The full application process can be viewed here. |
| Northeast Wisconsin Technical College 2740 West Mason Street Green Bay, WI 54303 |
2-year Associate Degree Program | Applicants are ranked on course load and grades on high school transcript as well as scores on entrance exam. | After creating an account, students will apply online. |
| University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics 610 North Whitney Way Suite 440 Madison, WI 53705 |
Bachelor of Science Degree in DMS | Applicants must be currently enrolled at one of the Academic Affiliates, and currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree | Applications are submitted to the Affiliate University, who then forwards applicatin on to the UW hospital. |
| * This information is obtained from a number of sources, is provided without charge, and is believed to be accurate. Please contact us with updates. | |||
-Kayla Klemp, sonography student at Bellin College, had this to say in her winning 2021 Fall USI scholarship application.
“The fact that sound waves are able to create internal images without the use of harmful exposure is simply astounding. The anatomy and physics principles related to this field personally intrigued me as well. This led me to attend Bellin’s medical imaging camp three summers ago, and I remember how excited I was to be pursuing this field.”
Ultrasound Technologist Certification Requirements in Wisconsin
The state of Wisconsin does not require licensure or certification to be an ultrasound technician. However, many states are considering requiring professional licensure or certification, and many employers require it as well.
Requirements for Ultrasound Technician Certification in Wisconsin
The most common certification is by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). The only way to earn their certification is by taking and passing their exam. There are many locations throughout Wisconsin 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. Request information from several ultrasound technician schools in Wisconsin, and do the research to make sure that they meet the certification requirements you’re looking for.
Additional Certification Information
Ultrasound Tech Certification Overview
About the ARDMS Certification
How Much do Ultrasound Techs make in Wisconsin?
Sonography is one of the highest paying jobs available to those who graduate with an Associate’s degree.
- In Wisconsin, sonographers earned a mean salary of $86,810 in 2020. Conditions in your area may vary.
- Local jobs for sonographers are expected to grow by 17% by 2028, with 120 jobs expected to open up each year.
“By 2030, Wisconsin’s population age 65 and older will double, creating an increasing demand for health care now and in the future” (Wisconsin Hospital Association’s 2018 Healthcare Workforce Report). As the population ages, both nationally and regionally, the demand for health care workers will increase. Hospitals remain the largest employer of diagnostic medical sonographers, and typically have salaries higher than the state average.
The following table compares the median annual salaries for Sonographers in the major metropolitan areas of Wisconsin:
| Metropolitan Area | 2020 Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI | $89,380 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $84,890 |
| Madison, WI | $84,180 |
| Appleton, WI | $87,370 |
| Green Bay, WI | $87,290 |
Ultrasound Technician Schools in Madison
The healthcare industry in Madison is flourishing, creating strong job growth and salaries across the field. According to the Madison Region Economic Partnership, the nationally recognized sector attracts and retains more than 63,000 in the healthcare workforce. Salaries in the area are very strong, with the median income for sonographers far exceeding that of the rest of the nation.
Accredited Sonography Programs Available in Madison
UW School of Medicine and Public Health
Become part of this exciting time by completing a sonography program in Madison. If you don’t see one in your area, or you aren’t able to meet its entrance requirements, consider pursuing a career in one of the many fields of allied health, which is also experiencing strong job growth.
Wisconsin Sonography Scholarships
There are several scholarships available to current or prospective students who quaifty. Some are specific to Wisconsin, while others are available nation-wide. Similarly, some are reserved for medical imaging students, while others are open for anyone to apply for. There are also scholarships and other forms of financial aid offered by the schools themselves.
Be sure to read through the requirements, take your time on the application, and submit your best work to give you the best chance at being selected.
Learn more by visiting our financial aid center.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility Requirements | How to Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named Donor Scholarship through Bellin College | $1,000+ | Offers scholarships to nursing or medical imaging students | Lena Goodman Director of Financial Aid lena.goodman@bellincollege.edu 920-433-6638 |
| Holy Family Memorial Scholarship Program | $5,000 | Applicant must be accepted into an accredited program in pursuit of a qualifying degree in Nursing, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Sonography, Occupational Therapy Speech/Language Pathology or Chaplaincy | Human Resources PO Box 1450 Manitowoc, WI 54221-1450 recruiter@hfmhealth.org (920) 320-4031 |
| Ultrasound Schools Info Semi-Annual Scholarship | $1,000 | 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 |
