Diagnostic Medical Sonography AAS

As a diagnostic medical sonographer, you'll create the ultrasound images that help doctors diagnose everything from pregnancy complications to heart conditions. And with New York paying sonographers nearly $100,000 a year, you'll be on the fast track to both meaningful work and financial stability.

Why Touro's Sonography Program?

NYSCAS’ associate’s degree in sonography appeals to students who are patient, detail-oriented and interested in working directly with patients. You will need to devote nearly two years to full-time study.

The benefits of our carefully designed curriculum include:

• No prerequisites, so you can start right away.

• Extensive training in patient care from day one.
• Early clinical experiences — starting in your second semester.
• Small class sizes and personalized attention.
• Hands-on labs and placements in 42 clinical sites across NYC.
• Preparation for two different certification paths.

Stats on our Sonography Program

According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, New York ranks third in the nation for sonography employment.

College to career in 21 months. The program is less than two years and then you’re ready for your career.

We have 42 sites across NYC for clinical placements.

Sonography vs. Radiography: Choosing Your Imaging Career Path

Both sonography and radiography offer rewarding careers in medical imaging, but there are some key differences. Here's how they compare:

Time required for training:

• Sonography at NYSCAS takes 21 months full-time.
• Radiography at NYSCAS takes 21 months full-time.

Technology and techniques:

• Sonography uses high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to produce images without radiation exposure.
• Radiography uses radiation (X-rays) to create images of the body's internal structures.

Roles and responsibilities:

• Sonographers work with doctors to create diagnostic images, often making decisions about which views to capture during an examination based on what they observe.
• Radiographic technologists work with doctors to capture specific images following standard protocols. This requires precision in setting up equipment and helping patients stay in the right position.

Skills and talents:

• Radiologic technologists are tech savvy, enjoy a faster pace and are adept at operating complex imaging equipment. You’ll need good spatial orientation to position patients correctly and a strong understanding of physics concepts.
• Sonographers piece together a puzzle. You need to visualize and mentally reconstruct 3D structures from 2D images, have a good eye for detail, and a strong understanding of anatomy.

Physical considerations:

• Sonography requires sustained physical exertion during scanning.
• Radiography involves moving and positioning patients and equipment, with attention to radiation safety protocols.

Career specialization:

• Sonography graduates can get specialized credentials in vascular, breast, cardiac or pediatric sonography.
• Radiography graduates can get additional certifications in CT, MRI, mammography or interventional procedures.

Work environments:

• Both fields offer opportunities in hospitals, outpatient centers, doctor's offices, urgent cares, and specialty clinics.
• Sonography exams often involve extended time with patients, particularly in obstetric, cardiac and vascular studies.
• Radiography includes potential work in sports medicine, emergency care, surgical suites, and industrial or research settings.

Salary range:

• Both sonography and radiography offer competitive salaries, starting in the high five figures.
• Compensation varies based on experience, specialization, shift differentials and workplace setting.

Job outlook:

• According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in sonography and radiography are on track to grow faster than average in the coming decade.
• There are plenty of job opportunities in the New York City area for well-trained professionals in both specialties.

The bottom line: The right choice for you depends on your strengths, interest and goals. Consider speaking with Dr. Haytham about which path best aligns with your career plans.

Learn From Practicing Healthcare Professionals

At NYSCAS, your instructors aren't just teachers — they're experienced sonographers who share the real-world insights that prepare you for the many scenarios you'll encounter on the job.

You'll learn from specialists in abdominal, OB/GYN, and vascular imaging who understand current healthcare challenges. These faculty members serve as not just technical instructors, but also mentors committed to your professional development.

Along with how to scan, they'll help you navigate:

• Patient interactions in challenging situations.
• Proper scanning setup to prevent common injuries.
• Professional conduct in clinical settings.
• Ergonomics and techniques to protect your on-the-job health.

Knowledge and Credentials That Open Doors

NYSCAS' 83-credit program prepares you for professional certification while offering the technical and interpersonal skills that employers want.

You'll:

• Study how the human body works through anatomy and physiology.
• Learn medical terms that doctors and nurses use.
• Understand how sound waves create images through ultrasound physics.
• Become skilled at using different types of ultrasound equipment.
• Practice various scanning techniques to get clear diagnostic images.
• Learn to recognize what's normal and what could signal a health concern.
• Develop skills to care for patients and communicate clearly.

Sonography graduates come out of the program prepared for one of two certifications:

• AART Certification and Registration in Sonography, shortened to RT(S)(AART): This is offered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). All graduates are eligible to take this sonography exam.
• RDMS® (Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer): This is offered by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) and is open to students who've earned a bachelor's degree.

These credentials qualify you to work across the country. But you may not need to go far: New York ranks third in the nation for sonography employment, and the metro area employs two to three times as many sonographers as Los Angeles or Chicago.

Clinical experience that launches careers — often right after graduation

From your second semester on, you'll train at hospitals and imaging centers throughout New York City. With 42 clinical sites across the city, you'll get diverse experience by working directly with patients at:

• Hospital imaging departments
• Outpatient clinics
• OB/GYN practices
• Maternal-fetal medicine centers

Your clinical hours may also go beyond the typical 9-to-5 schedule, giving you a chance to see the evening cases and emergency situations that prepare you for real-world practice.

This hands-on approach pays off: Many students get job offers directly from their clinical sites before they even graduate.

What You'll Learn (and When You'll Learn It)

Sonography students specialize in general sonography, abdominal and extended imaging, and obstetrics/gynecology (OB/GYN). You'll also get an introduction to vascular sonography.

Throughout the program, you'll alternate between classroom learning and clinical experience. Sonography students spend two to three days each week at clinical sites, practicing on real patients with professional supervision.

Semester 1: Build your foundation

• Master anatomy and physiology fundamentals.
• Learn basic ultrasound physics.
• Understand medical terminology.
• Begin developing patient care skills.
• Start learning scanning basics in the lab.

Semesters 2-3: Develop technical expertise

• Apply your knowledge of cross-sectional anatomy.
• Practice scanning protocols for various exams.
• Begin clinical rotations with professional supervision.
• Study pathology and disease recognition.
• Learn proper scanning ergonomics to protect your health.

Semesters 4-5: Deepen your knowledge and practical skills

• Master specialized OB/GYN techniques.
• Integrate vascular imaging skills.
• Complete extensive clinical rotations.
• Prepare to take certification exams upon graduation.

Support and Schedule

Your NYSCAS professors are here to help you succeed, and we work hard to offer the support you need. At students’ request, we often add extra scanning time and lab hours, as well as tutoring.

While not required, we highly encourage you to take advantage of those extra hours, which can go late into the evening. Extra lab hours and tutoring are generally available Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 to 9 p.m.

We also might add additional review classes in the summer that are not currently on the calendar. Keep this in mind when planning your schedule.

Course Spotlight: Cross-Sectional Anatomy

Cross-sectional anatomy teaches you to think like a medical imaging professional, putting together the pieces to form a whole. You'll learn to:

• Recognize anatomical structures from different angles.
• Understand how images fit together to form complete diagnoses.
• Apply knowledge of normal anatomy to identify abnormalities.
• Visualize three-dimensional relationships from two-dimensional images.

This critical thinking skill is essential to sonography, because it helps you gather vital diagnostic information to share with your patients' care teams.

Student Spotlight: Daniftahel Finds His Calling After Career Change

After working in HR for several years, Daniftahel found himself laid off and reflecting on what he really wanted to do with his life. It had been a decade since he'd been in school, but was ready to explore something new.

"I've always wanted to be a part of the medical world," he says. "When a family member told me about sonography, it sounded super interesting."

With application deadlines approaching, Daniftahel quickly did his research and applied to NYSCAS. "Touro seemed to have the most organized and readily accessible information," he says. From there, the curriculum, application requirements, and financial aid support made it the clear choice. "Knowing there's such high demand for sonographers and excellent job security made the decision easy."

As the only male student in his year, Daniftahel also came to feel like a big brother to his classmates. And through is clinical rotations at Metropolitan Hospital, Lennox Hill Radiology, and Harlem Hospital, he gained hands-on experience with everything from OB/GYN exams to vascular procedures. "Every single staff member I've come across has taken me under their wing," he says.

As he looks ahead to the job market after graduation, Daniftahel plans to start in general sonography to get experience in a hospital. He then hopes to specialize in vascular imaging.

A Challenging — and Rewarding — Career Path

Training for a sonography career can be intense, physically as well as mentally. That's why NYSCAS emphasizes proper ergonomics and technique from day one: to protect your long-term health.

At the same time, the rewards of working in medical imaging are substantial. Sonographers are problem solvers and decision makers, using critical thinking to decide how to scan as they are scanning, based on findings. Salaries start around $80,000 in NYC, and there’s lots of room to grow as you gain experience in the field.

Beyond clinical practice, sonographers can go on to:

• Specialized areas like vascular or breast sonography.
• Leadership roles like department supervisor.
• Industry roles like applications specialist for medical equipment companies.
• Positions with ultrasound education and training programs.
• Work in sales and marketing for ultrasound equipment.

Accreditation & Certification

CAAHEP and ABHES accredit the educational programs that train sonographers. ARDMS, ARRT and CCI certify sonographers. Sonography programs do not need to be accredited, but they do need to meet the credentialing standards of AART, ARDMS or CCI. Touro’s sonography meets the education and clinical experience requirements to sit for the AART credentialing exam.