Ultrasound Technology

The Associate of Occupational Science in Ultrasound Technology (A.O.S. in UT) program’s minimum expectations are to prepare competent entry-level sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains for the abdominal sonography-extended and obstetrics and gynecology sonography concentrations. Graduates may work in hospitals, imaging centers, physicians’ offices, or clinics.

Program goals and objectives.

Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) requires the ability to provide diagnostic sonographic images and possess critical thinking skills. The Sonographer needs to make crucial judgments while performing sonographic exams. Sonographers are professionals who must possess high-level skills in diagnostic sonographic techniques under the guidance of a licensed physician.

A sonographer is responsible for providing excellent patient care and gathering adequate data for diagnoses. Program graduates will be able to perform, at a minimum, the following objectives.

Cognitive

• Obtain, review, and integrate relevant patient data to achieve optimal diagnostic results.
• Demonstrate critical thinking skills during sonographic procedures to provide optimum diagnostic services.

Psychomotor

• Perform sonographic procedures appropriately and accurately, recording all anatomic and physiologic information for interpretation by a physician.
• Document and present complete and accurate sonographic findings to the interpreting physician to facilitate patient diagnosis.
• Maintain optimal function of the sonographic equipment.
• Assist physicians during invasive ultrasound-guided procedures.

Affective

• Employ effective communication skills with patients and all healthcare team members.
• Provide compassionate patient care and education to promote overall well-being.
• Act professionally in accordance with recognized ethical and legal standards.
• Demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning.

• Accredited by CAAHEP
• Hands-On Scan Lab Training
• Clinical Rotations Provided
• Job Placement Assistance

All applicants to Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts must meet the General Admission Requirements for all Programs, including the entrance exam where required, and the additional admission requirements for this program.

• Attend or view a live or recorded Information Session.
• Submit original transcripts from the Registrar at an educational institution for applicants requesting credit granting for some/all General Education courses. Copies are not accepted. All coursework must be completed and given a grade of at least a “C.” Anatomy and Physiology I with Laboratory must be completed within the last five (5) years. All credit granting is subject to the approval of the Program Director or Program Coordinator. Please allow seven (7) days for review.
• Complete an admission interview with the Program Director and designees.

The program information, length, and schedule are subject to change. Please read the accompanying Addendum for changes and updates.

Connect with an admission advisor for more details. The Associate of Occupational Science . in Ultrasound Technology (A.O.S. in UT) program has a library and classrooms with audiovisual teaching aids, textbooks, journals, anatomical charts, models, and e-library resources. The scan laboratory has ultrasound machines and an Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) machine.

The student will receive didactic and clinical education in abdominal sonography, extended small parts, obstetrics and gynecology sonography, ultrasound physics, instrumentation, musculoskeletal (MSK) sonography, pediatric sonography, neonatal sonography, patient care, and vascular sonography. This training will be combined with General Education courses. The instructor-to-student ratio is 1:30 in residential lectures, 1:25 in online lectures, 1:10 in the laboratory, and 1:1 during clinical rotation.

The program consists of eight (8) 12-week quarters. During the program’s first quarter, students will take General Education courses up to 24 hours per week via online delivery. Students will continue taking General Education, on-campus didactic, and lab sessions, up to 24 hours per week, during the second quarter.

The subsequent two (2) quarters (Quarters III and IV or Quarters V and VI, depending on the quarter sequence) consist of on-campus didactic/lab sessions only, including three (3) days per week of up to eight (8) hours per day of didactic and lab instruction. After completing four (4) quarters, students are generally expected to participate in clinical rotations two (2) days per week, up to eight (8) hours per day.

Students will continue to attend didactic/lab sessions on campus three (3) days per week, up to eight (8) hours per day. In the last two (2) quarters, students attend clinical rotations a minimum of three (3) days per week and attend Master Scanning Lab courses once a month on days to be announced on a separate schedule.

The student receives 1,426 hours of didactic and laboratory instruction, as well as 960 hours of clinical education, enabling them to apply lecture topics to practical use. The curriculum equips students with the technical, clinical, and interpersonal skills required to excel in this field. Furthermore, the program prepares students to take their ARDMS examinations.

An Associate of Occupational Science in Ultrasound Technology is awarded upon program completion. The expected completion time for this program is 96 weeks, excluding holidays and vacation times. Class times can and may be rescheduled on an alternate day of the week (Sunday through Saturday) to ensure on-time program completion and fulfillment of required program hours.

Master Scanning Labs (MSL) may be scheduled at other campuses as needed, in any order.

Upcoming start date for this program: July 6, 2027 (application deadline March 19, 2027).

Tuition and fees. Registration Fee (non-refundable) $100.00; Student Tuition Recovery Fund $0.00; Textbooks $350.00; Tuition $66,960.00. Total program cost $67,410.00. Total program cost excludes transportation, room and board, and personal expenses.

Total fees per period of enrollment. Period 1: $7,590.00; Period 2: $9,485.00; Period 3: $8,020.00; Period 4: $10,155.00; Period 5: $11,040.00; Period 6: $10,320.00; Period 7: $5,280.00; Period 8: $5,520.00.

Cost of Attendance, 2026–2027 (one academic year). Tuition & Fees $23,760.00; Books $275.00; Transportation $7,560.00; Food & Housing $21,451.50; Personal Expenses $765.00; Loan Fees $99.00; Laptop Fees $450.00; Total Cost of Attendance (One Academic Year) $54,360.50. Individual student costs will vary.

Financial aid. Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts participates in various federal and state student financial assistance programs, including the Federal Pell Grant, FSEOG, Direct and Direct PLUS Loans, Cal Grant, Sallie Mae® and Campus Door loans, and veteran benefits, for those who qualify. Each campus has a Financial Aid Advisor. Gurnick's FAFSA school code is 041698.

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Other fees, as applicable. ATI TEAS $120; background check $33–$75; drug testing $74–$148; CPR $55–$80; fingerprinting $81 and up; licensing board fees $200–$500 depending on the exam and license; campus parking permit $25; graduation ceremony fee $20–$50. Some of these fees may be paid by Gurnick Academy for some programs.

Career paths. Diagnostic Medical Sonographer.

Certification and licensure. ARDMS examinations; ARRT® (S) examination.

School Performance Fact Sheet, calendar year 2024. Associate of Occupational Science in Ultrasound Technology – 139.5 Quarter Credit Hours at the Fresno campus reported an on-time completion rate of 68% (27 of 40 students available for graduation); a job placement rate of 69% (20 of 29 graduates available for employment employed in the field) (published March 17, 2026).