non-accredited programs

Loriintn · Joined: 27 Jul 2007 Posts: 1

I am interested in going to school for diagnostic medical sonography, but the nearest accredited program is in Chattanooga. I live 40 miles northeast of Knoxville, TN and work full time. Going there isn't really feasible, but there is a program at a Roane State which isn't accredited. Is it harder to get a job if your program isn't accredited? I've heard that most places won't hire you, so why offer a program if it's not accredited?
Any explanation is appreciated.

hjhogle · Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2007 7:00 pm Post subject:

Ultrasound programs are offered that are not accredited because someone can make a buck from it. And unfortunately, Sonography is not yet in a position to insist upon professional recognition.

Credentials are a method that ANY industry uses to demonstrate to the public and to themselves that they are trained, skilled professional, experts in their field.

Would you go to some guy who was not a board-certified neurosurgeon and allow him to perform brain surgery on you?

Would you allow your child to spend 12 years in school with some guy who was not a certified teacher?

Wouldn't you rather take your automobile to a certified mechanic? Knowing that you could trust that he was trained and that his work would reflect that?

If you receive training from someone who isn't certified, how do I (as your employer ... or more importantly, as your patient) know that you know what you're doing? Perhaps the person who trained didn't know what they were doing ... Perhaps the person who trained you was any old person off the street?

Would I allow you to perform MY ultrasound if you were not credentialed? Not a chance,

So as your employer, do I want to hire you, knowing that there ARE patients out there who will ask the question - there ARE patients out there who will refuse to allow you to perform their study? Not a chance.

I want to hire skilled profesionals, who have been trained by professionals. I do NOT want to hire someone who was trained by the Acme School of Ultrasound.

By all means. Attend an ultrasound program that isn't credentialed because it's more convenient. But be cautious - there are places that can hire you but won't. And if we're all lucky, the day will come when you will need those credentials in order to perform ultrasound.

And that's my 0.02

jg1970 · Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 13

I went to a school that was not accredited...as I have known other techs that have as well. To say that techs coming out of there are not qualified is a bunch of bull...it is more expensive, but what I have seen more than anything is that being registered is more important than where you went to school. Also, doing well in your clinicals...most places will hire you after your clinical is done - if you really show the passion and desire to work there. I was able to take my boards after school because I have an undergrad degree...if you have that, then go to the school closest to you...if you do not, I think ARDMS requires that you wait a year(since the school is not accredited). Getting registered is that hardest and main obstacle of being in this field....you have to get those boards to be a marketable tech. Believe me, techs rarely talk about where they went to school....they talk about passing their boards and where they have worked - that makes the biggest impact. I have known some HORRIBLE techs that have gone to accredited schools that did not know what the hell they are doing...do what is best for you...but put the boards first...that should be the deciding factor where you go to school...where you are can take them the quickest once out of school. Peace to you!

hjhogle · Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 6:34 am Post subject:

Please note, I did not say that songraphers coming out of an unaccredited school were not qualified.

What I DID say was, "Would I allow you to perform MY ultrasound if you were not credentialed? Not a chance".

In many fields (and it's not out of line to expect Ultrasound to go the same way), one must graduate from an accredited program in order to be eligible to sit the boards.

And, would I want to spend my hard-earned $$ in order to receive training from a program that has no one overseeing it? A program that is allowed to use poorly trained instructors because there are no standards they must follow? The trouble with attending a non-accredited program is that there is no protection for the student - you don't know enough about the field (which is why you're going to school) to properly evaluate whether or not the program is a good one. Your education ... your $$ and your future are a crap shoot.

Since I can spend more and attend a program that has been reviewed by professionals to help ensure that I get the education and training I'm paying for ...

Good luck

jg1970 · Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 13

I really think you should get your facts straight before making assumptions about the quality of unaccredited schools. I had WONDERFUL instructors - VERY qualified...All registered in all areas, had been in the field for 15-20 years and worked at many outstanding hospitals. I chose the unaccredited program only because I have an undergrad degree and knew I could take my boards right out of the program. Again, I have worked with techs from schools that were accredited...and believe me, their knowledge was incredibly lacking - it can go either way in accredited or non-accredited....BOARDS are the most important! I couldn't tell you where most of my collegues went to school...nor have I EVER heard a patient ask..."where were you trained?"...if you are a qualified, passionate tech..that is what will shine thru to employers and patients.

hjhogle · Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 5:37 pm Post subject:

I'm sure that you did have wonderful instructors, very qualified and that you yourself are a most able and skilled sonographer.

That has nothing to do with what I said.

The trouble with unaccredited to schools is not whether or not they're the best thing since sliced bread - it's that there is no one overseeing standards for the program and there is no way to know in advance whether "your" program is one of the good ones. You get much more standardized education from accredited programs.

Since you're totally focused on "the boards" ... you'd do well to remind folks that if you do not have a prior undergrad degree and you attend an unaccredited school, you will not be eligible to take the exam immediately after graduation.

And, by the way, although it's been years since I had an ultrasound, I have refused in a physicians office to let a "nurse" perform a chest radiograph. And that's the point. I don't care where they went to school - I DO care that they have credentials.

tamoune · Joined: 20 Aug 2007 Posts: 1

I AM INTERESTED IN ATTENDING IAMP SONOGRAM PROGRAM NEXT YEAR? ANYONE ATTENDED IAMP? THEY HAVE PROGRAMS UP NORTH,FLORIDA,ATL. ANY INFORMATION THIS SCHOOL WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. I DO NOT WANT TO WASTE TIME AND $30,000 STUDENT LOAN?

jen1967 · Joined: 12 Aug 2008 Posts: 10

Just thought I'd throw out my "0.02." There seems to be some concern over accredited vs. non-accredited schooling. Since a sonographer's credentials are what is important, then it stands to reason that you also agree that you do NOT have to attend an accredited institution. As you should be aware, both recognized sonography registering bodies (ARDMS and CCI) have prerequisites enabling students from non-accredited institutions to sit for the registry. Depending on student's previous background, the 12 months experience is also subject to review.
In my research, several schools, with excellent reputations AND graduates, choose to be non-accredited.

Just as an added note, institutional accreditation is not performed by "professionals" in the sonography field but professionals in the education field. With a little internet research, you can find many pending litigations with accredited institutions as defendents.

Word to the wise, in my humble opinion, do some research, choose the school that best meets YOUR needs and question them to be sure you will be able to sit for the registryupon completion of program.

Employment is based on being registered as well as scanning capabilities, NOT the institution name on the diploma.