Diagnostic Ultrasound & Vascular Technology

Diagnostic Ultrasound is a branch of medicine which utilizes high frequency sound waves for diagnostic imaging. KU’s accredited ultrasound certificate program is eighteen months in length and prepares the student to use this complex equipment in a clinical setting as an entry-level Sonographer. A certificate from the University of Kansas Medical Center is awarded to the student upon successful completion of the program.

The complexity of radiological equipment and the sophistication of angiography principles and techniques demand a qualified and experienced technologist.  With many changes occurring in the health care industry requiring today's technologist to be more versatile, this program will prepare a technologist by providing skills in multiple imaging modalities.

The Special Procedures Division of the Department of Diagnostic Radiology performs a wide variety of unique procedures. The student will receive experience in procedures such as abdominal, extremity and neuro angiography; angioplasty and embolizations, and in many other aspects of interventional radiology. In order to gain a broader experience in cardiovascular procedures and the related equipment, the student will spend time in the cardiac cath lab at KU Medical Center. The students will also spend time in computed tomography.

Didactic studies include courses in medical law and ethics, intro to sono, ultrasound physics and instrumentation, abdomen, ob/gyn, small parts, neurosonology, vascular technology and vascular physics and instrumentation.

Graduates are candidates to take the national registry examinations given by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) in the areas of Abdomen, OB/GYN, Breast, Vascular Technology, General and Vascular Ultrasound Physics.

The student must pass the X-Ray registry before completing the Ultrasound program. A post-secondary cumulative grade-point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale is required with credits in college Algebra and Communications.

Those who pass the exams become Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographers and Registered Vascular Technologists.

Applicants must be a Registered Radiologic Technologist with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (A.R.R.T) or registry-eligible and either a graduate from a twenty-four month certificate program or a 60-semester credit hour degree program in Radiology. Students please note: KU does not offer an AART program. Please use the links provided at right to search for accredited programs.

The Diagnostic Ultrasound and Vascular Technology program is located in The University of Kansas Hospital for clinical instruction while aspects of the academic program, including application and student services, are handled by the University of Kansas. The program was first available as an academic program in the School of Allied Health in 2000.  Originally 15-months in length, the program expanded to 18 months and added a concentration in vascular ultrasound for accreditation in both general and vascular disciplines of sonography.