Chicago Ultrasound Colleges with Degree Program Summaries

The Chicago area has four colleges that offer ultrasound programs. Learn about the programs, admission info and program requirements for three of these schools to make an informed education decision.

View 19 Popular Schools »

Comparison of Chicago Ultrasound Schools

Sonography is a medical specialty in which technicians are trained to perform ultrasound scans. These medical tests produce images of internal organs and tissues that are used as diagnostic tools. Graduates of sonography programs are qualified to work as ultrasound technicians in hospitals, outpatient clinics, private physician offices and other health care facilities.

While there are no schools in Chicago that offer ultrasound/sonography-related training, there are schools just outside of the city that provide the necessary education to work in the field. Triton College is located about 11 miles from Chicago and offers a diagnostic medical sonography certificate and associate's degree. While South Suburban College only offers a certificate in the field, the College of DuPage offers an associate's degree and certificates in sonography as well.  

Triton College South Suburban College   College of Dupage
Ultrasound/Sonography Programs Offered Diagnostic Medical Sonography Certificate
Associate of Applied Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography 		Diagnostic Medical Sonography Certificate Vascular Sonography Certificate
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Certificate
Associate of Applied Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Related Programs Offered Associate in Applied Science in Radiology Technology  Echocardiography Certificate
Associate of Applied Science in Echocardiography
Associate of Applied Science in Radiology Technology 		Associate of Applied Science in Diagnostic Medical Imaging Radiography
Diagnostic Medical Imaging Nuclear Technology Certificate
Mammography Certificate
School Type 2-year; public 2-year; public 2-year; public
Total Enrollment (2011) 14,403* 7,524* 26,209* 
Campus Setting Large suburb Large suburb Large suburb
Tuition & Fees (2011-2012) $3,112 in-district; $7,636 in-state; $9,495 out-of-state* $3,773 in-district; $9,689 in-state; $10,763 out-of-state* $4,224 in-district; $10,208 in-state; $12,448 out-of-state* 
% of First-Year Students Receiving Some Form of Financial Aid (2011) 58%* 82%* 46%*
Acceptance Rate (2011) N/A Open admissions N/A Open admissions N/A Open admissions
Retention Rate (2011) 57% full-time students* 15% full-time students* 65% full-time students*  
Graduation Rate (2011) 14%* 16%* 11%*
Noteworthy N/A N/A Offers advanced sonography certificate
Distance from Downtown 11 mi. 20 mi. 23 mi.

Source: *NCES College Navigator.

Programs at Triton College

Triton College offers several education and training programs in nursing and allied health. Students can enroll in programs related to nuclear medicine technology, radiologic technology and surgical technology. The two sonography programs at this 2-year school provide students with a theoretical background as well as clinical instruction in the field. Students learn to use ultrasound procedures for prenatal, abdominal and small body part scans.

Diagnostic Medical Sonography Certificate

This 34-credit certificate program covers basic theory and clinical instruction in sonography. Students complete coursework in cross-sectional anatomy, abdominal sonography, ultrasound physics, ultrasound film critique and pathology, obstetrical and gynecological sonography and diagnostic sonography. Clinical applications are required each semester.

Associate in Applied Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography

In addition to the general education coursework, the 68-credit associate's degree program comprises a broad health care curriculum as well as sonography training. Students are taught the basics of human anatomy and physiology, medical terminology and ultrasound physics. During the second and third semesters, candidates advance to sonography coursework, such as ultrasound procedures, ultrasound physics, obstetrical and gynecological sonography, cross-sectional anatomy and abdominal sonography. Sonographic specialties are also discussed.

Programs at South Suburban College

Students at South Suburban College can pursue career training through certificates and Associate of Applied Science degree programs. Programs related to allied health include echocardiography, occupational therapy assisting, radiologic technology, nursing and diagnostic medical sonography. Other career training opportunities are available in building construction technology, graphic design, management, teaching aides and paralegal studies.

Diagnostic Medical Sonography Certificate

The diagnostic medical sonography certificate is 39 credits and can be completed in four semesters. Each semester is 16 weeks; however, the summer semester is only eight weeks. Students must complete clinical education requirements each semester as well. The curriculum includes coursework in ultrasound physics, sectional imaging anatomy, abdominal sonography, ultrasound image critique and special sonographic procedures. 

Programs at the College of DuPage

The College of DuPage is the largest public school in the metropolitan area to provide ultrasound/sonography training. Students can also pursue programs in radiography, nuclear medicine, dental hygiene and surgical technology. This 2-year school offers three sonography programs, including two certificates and one associate's degree. All sonography programs at College of DuPage combine classroom lectures with practical experience gained in campus scanning labs.

Diagnostic Medical Vascular Sonography Certificate

This certificate program is designed to teach advanced skills to students who have sonography experience. Vascular sonography uses ultrasound scans to help diagnose arteriosclerosis, thromboses, plaque, aneurysms and other diseases of the veins and arteries. Courses in the program include vascular hemodynamics and physics, abdominal and peripheral arterial, cerebrovascular ultrasound and abdominal and peripheral venous. 

Diagnostic Medical Imaging Sonography Certificate

Students learn the science of diagnostic sonography during this certificate program. In addition to prenatal scans, students are taught how to use ultrasound machines to scan organ tissues, arteries and veins. The diagnostic medical imaging sonography program is for applicants who have completed 2-year allied health science programs. Graduates of the program are eligible to pursue licensure in the field.

Associate in Applied Science in Sonography

This 2-year associate's degree program provides training in abdomen and superficial structures, obstetrics and gynecology and vascular imaging. Students must complete 88 hours of general education and core program requirements. Sonography courses include sonography physics and instrumentation, fundamentals of OB/GYN, fundamentals of breast sonography and basic patient care skills for sonographers. The program also requires students to complete four clinical education requirements. 

More School Options

Benedictine University is 24 miles from Chicago and offers diagnostic medical sonography training. 

Show me popular schools

Related to Chicago Ultrasound Colleges

  • Related
  • Recently Updated
  • Popular
Schools with Echo Ultrasound Training Programs: How to Choose

Echo ultrasound training programs, also known as echocardiography programs, focus on the use of ultrasound machines to...

PHD in Ultrasound: Overviews of Doctoral Programs

Ultrasound technology uses sound pressure to capture a focused energy that cannot otherwise be seen by the naked eye,...

Cardiac Ultrasound Schools, Colleges and Universities

Cardiac ultrasound studies are most commonly found in cardiovascular sonography or diagnostic medical sonography...

Ultrasound Radiologist Education and Training Program Information

Ultrasound radiologists, or diagnostic medical sonographers, use medical imaging equipment to take pictures inside the...

Vascular Ultrasound Certification and Training Programs

19 Popular Schools

Popular Schools

Avg. Wages For Jobs in IL

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics