Ultrasound Technology Programs

Ultrasound Technicians or Diagnostic Medical Sonographers work in hospitals and healthcare facilities, operating equipment that uses high-frequency sound waves to take images of patients’ bodies for diagnostic purposes. If you are detail-oriented, have great hand-eye coordination and like working with people, becoming a professional sonographer may be for you.

High Desert Medical College offers both a certificate diploma and an occupational degree program. Our comprehensive and accredited training will prepare you for a professional career in healthcare with high potential and growth. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 17% growth in ultrasound job opportunities until the year 2026 – much faster than average job growth.

Whether you want to get started with the HDMC Ultrasound Technician certificate diploma program or are a recent Ultrasound Technician graduate and want to pursue an Ultrasound Technician AAS (Associates of Appliance Science) degree, we can help.

Ultrasound Technician Certificate Diploma

Students enrolled in our Ultrasound Technician certificate diploma program learn about sectional anatomy, abdominal anatomy, the physics of sonography, and the operation of ultrasound equipment through both didactic and clinical courses.

The program gives students a basis in diagnostic medical sonography and covers the basics of the field. It provides students with the practical training and educational background required to gain certification and employment.

Specific courses include:

• Medical Terminology
• Anatomy, Physiology & Physics
• Ultrasound Laboratory
• Abdomen, OBGYN & Vascular
• Peripheral Vascular Sonography
• Clinical Externship

• Total Weeks in Program: 84 weeks for morning/afternoon classes and 99 weeks for evening classes
• Semester Credit Hours: 88.67
• Alternate Financial Aid Credits: 58
• Total Clock Hours: 2,180 (classroom: 1,220 / clinical externship: 960)

Ultrasound Technician AAS (Associates of Applied Science)

An Ultrasound Technician AAS (Associates of Applied Science) degree program at HDMC is designed to provide students with the educational background and clinical training necessary to gain certification as a medical sonographer. Students enrolled in the AAS degree program are required to learn about sonography physics and equipment operation. The program is a combination of classroom, online and clinical externship. General education courses are part of the required curriculum. Completion of an approved Ultrasound Technician Certificate Program is a pre-requisite.

Specific courses include:

• Introduction to Ultrasound Physics
• Medical Law & Ethics
• Obstetrics/Gynecology Principles
• Peripheral Vascular Sonography
• Professional Development
• Clinical Externship

• Total Weeks in Program: 108 weeks for morning/afternoon classes and 123 weeks for evening classes
• Semester Credit Hours: 118.65
• Alternate Financial Aid Credits: 70
• Total Clock Hours: 2,660 (classroom: 1,220 / online: 480 / clinical externship: 960)