Saint Joseph’s University’s Vascular Sonography Certificate is designed for students who hold a degree and want to become an entry-level vascular sonographer or vascular ultrasound technologist. During this program, you will learn how to conduct ultrasounds and vascular exams on veins and arteries throughout the body.
Associate Degree in Vascular Sonography
Saint Joseph University’s Associate Degree in Vascular Sonography provides the preparation necessary to become an entry-level vascular sonographer. You will learn how to perform vascular exams on the veins and arteries throughout the body.
Upon completion of program requirements, you will be eligible to take the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI) and the ARDMS Vascular Technology (RVT) board exams. You are also eligible to sit for the Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) Registered Vascular Specialist (RVS) exam. This 66-credit program can be completed in less than two years.
If you already have an associate degree or higher or have completed a two-year, post-secondary allied health program, you may be eligible for our Vascular Sonography Certificate.
What is Vascular Sonography?
Vascular sonography evaluates the body’s circulatory system of the arteries and veins using high-frequency sound waves. A vascular sonographer is a vital member of a medical team who aids in providing information and support to the physician.
What Sets Our Vascular Sonography Program Apart
Guaranteed Clinical Placements Within Your First Year
Our program guarantees clinical placements for students within the program. You will get to work in clinical settings with expert faculty, helping transfer knowledge and skills from the classroom to in-person patient experiences. You will learn critical thinking, collaboration and problem-solving by engaging in realistic scenarios staged in real-world medical environments. At times, students are offered jobs directly after graduation.
Taught by Experienced Vascular Sonography Faculty
You will learn alongside registered vascular sonographers with years of ultrasound experience to hone your skills for this high-intensity career.
Vascular Sonography Associate Degree Offered In Person and Online
You have the flexibility to pursue the vascular sonography associate degree through in-person and online courses. Learn more about online learning at Saint Joseph's.
Opportunity to Practice Your Scanning Skills in Our Ultrasound Suite
Saint Joseph’s is home to the Center for Excellence in Practice, the first and only learning space of its kind in the Lancaster area. This 20,000-square-foot facility is made up of 24 rooms, including an ultrasound suite where you can practice your scanning skills on live patients. You will have the opportunity to work with students from other programs in realistic sonography simulations that mirror real-life healthcare settings.
Why Study Vascular Sonography in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania is home to top-tier hospitals and physician offices seeking vascular sonographers, including:
- Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health varied locations
- Tower Health Reading Hospital
- Tower Health Pottstown Memorial Medical Center
- UPMC Harrisburg
- UPMC Hanover Hospital
- Hospitals of the University of Pennsylvania – Penn Presbyterian
Program Details
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Saint Joseph’s vascular sonography associate degree is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS).
CAAHEP
9355 – 113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
727-210-2350JRC-DMS
6021 University Blvd., Suite 500
Ellicott City, MD 21043
443-973-3251 -
Saint Joseph's University – Lancaster’s tuition structure includes both per-credit tuition and program-specific fees.
PER-CREDIT TUITION:
The cost of the Vascular Sonography Associate Degree is $670 per credit for the 2023-2024 academic year.
PROGRAM-SPECIFIC FEES:
In addition to the per-credit rate, there are also program-specific fees for the following courses:
- When a student enrolls in VAS 224, they will be responsible for paying a fee totaling $5,575
- When a student enrolls in VAS 233, they will be responsible for paying a fee totaling $5,575
For a detailed breakdown and additional information, visit our Tuition & Fees page.
Program Effectiveness Data
Curriculum
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Fall
Course Credits BIO 175 - Human Anatomy & Physiology I 4 CSS 101 - College Studies Seminar 3 ENG 100 - English Composition 3 MAT 160 - College Algebra 3 PSY 100 - General Psychology 3 Total Credits 16 Spring
Course Credits BIO 176 - Human Anatomy & Physiology II 4 HSC 100 - Medical Terminology 1 HSC 101 - Methods of Patient Care 1 PHY 150 - Physics 3 SOC 100 or SOC 200 - Introduction to Sociology or Cultural Diversity 3 PHI 210 - Ethical and Legal Dimensions in the Health Sciences 1 Total Credits 13 Summer
Course Credits DMS 111 - Introduction to Sonography 1 VAS 112 - Vascular Procedures I 3 VAS 113 - Vascular Lab I 1 Total Credits 5 Total Year One Credits: 34
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Fall
Course Credits CAS 206 - Ultrasound Cardiac Anatomy and Physiology 3 DMS 221 - Ultrasound Physics 3 DMS 227 - Common Vascular Procedures 1 VAS 224 - Vascular Sonography Clinical I 4 VAS 235 - Vascular Sonography Lab II 1 VAS 227 - Vascular Sonography Procedures II 3 Total Credits 15 Spring
Course Credits VAS 233 - Vascular Sonography Clinical II 6 VAS 236 - Vascular Sonography Lab III 1 VAS 230 - Vascular Sonography Advanced Topics 3 VAS 231 - Vascular Sonography Review 3 Total Credits 13 Summer
Course Credits VAS 234 - Vascular Sonography Clinical III 4 Total Credits 4 Total Year Two Credits: 32
Total Program Credits: 66
On Average, How Much Do Vascular Sonographers Make?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary of a vascular sonographer in 2022 is $78,210.
Admission Information
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1. To be considered for admission, you must have graduated from an approved secondary school (or be on track to graduate), received a diploma from an accredited home school association or earned a GED.
2. High school or post-secondary college-level courses must include the following:
- At least four units of English
- At least three units of Social Sciences
- At least three units of Mathematics (Two (2) of which are at least the level of Algebra)
- Two (2) units of Science with a related laboratory or an equivalent (One (1) of which must be biology).
3. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or greater on a 4.0-point scale in secondary or post-secondary education (whichever is more recent). However, the GPA requirement can be different depending on specific program requirements. Please see our undergraduate requirements or reach out to the Office of Admission for additional information.
4. A high school transcript with an official school stamp or an official GED transcript is also required. High school transcripts must include courses completed through your junior year as well as courses in progress during your senior year. If you’ve attended any post-secondary institutions, official transcripts for those institutions are required as well.
Additional Admission Factors for Consideration:
In addition to the required items above, the admission team will consider the following factors when making an admission decision:
- Class rank
- Academic performance in post-secondary science and math courses
- Community service
- Healthcare-related service
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To apply for this program, complete an application online. SAT and/or ACT scores are optional but you can submit them if you think they’ll strengthen your application.
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First-Year Students
Applications for high school students are available beginning August 1 of your senior year. Early Decision, Early Action and Regular Decision options are available. For a full timeline of deadlines, visit our admission page.Transfer Students
Applications to transfer to Saint Joseph’s are accepted on a rolling basis for fall and spring start terms. -
If you are not a United States citizen, you must show proof of permanent resident visa status. Students educated in another country may be admitted if they:
- Satisfy general admission requirements
- Earn a minimum of 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based) or 79 (internet-based) on the Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) administered by the Educational Testing Service of Princeton, New Jersey
Students from English-speaking countries may choose to take the SAT or ACT instead of the TOEFL exam. An evaluation of foreign transcripts by the World Education Service or other approved agency is required.
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Transfer credit may be awarded for previous coursework. A course must meet the following requirements to be considered for transfer to Saint Joseph’s University’s Lancaster campus:
- Undergraduate courses with a grade of “C” or above
- Graduate courses with a grade of “B” or above (Pass/Fail grades are not eligible for transfer credit)
- Must be from a regionally or programmatically accredited institution
- The coursework must match the course offered at Saint Joseph’s University
- Some programs have a time limit for specific courses
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Saint Joseph’s is a military-friendly institution and offers assistance and services to veterans and their dependents who are utilizing educational benefits. Benefits include:
- Chapter 30 Montgomery GI Bill®
- Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation
- Chapter 33 Post 911 GI Bill®
- Chapter 35 Survivors and Dependents Assistance
- Chapter 1606 National Guard or Reserves
- Chapter 1607 National Guard or Reserves (REAP) (*if eligible, must be utilized by November 25, 2019)
- Pennsylvania National Guard Educational Assistance Program (EAP)
- Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA)
Explore Other Degree Programs
Saint Joseph’s University’s Associate Degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography is designed for students who do not currently hold a college degree. Upon completion of program requirements, you will be eligible to take the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) examinations in physics, abdomen and obstetrics/gynecology.
Saint Joseph’s University’s Associate Degree in Cardiac Sonography offers the opportunity to expand your knowledge in the fast-growing field of cardiac sonography. As a graduate of this associate program, you will receive the preparation necessary to become a cardiac sonographer or echo technologist in a hospital or outpatient center.