University Communications and Marketing

City College to offer Ultrasound Technology Certificate of Applied Science degree

Board of Regents approves program

University Communications and Marketing, 657-2266

MSU BILLINGS NEWS SERVICES — City College at Montana State University Billings has received approval from the Montana Board of Regents to begin offering a 12-month Ultrasound Technology Certificate of Applied Science degree for licensed, certified, or registered health professionals. It will be the only ultrasound program in the state of Montana and the only program offered in a 400-mile radius.

The program will open for students this fall and will be offered one time per year, starting each fall, for three semesters (fall, spring, and summer). Students enrolled in the program will receive a high-tech education in a modern lab setting as the hybrid program will offer online didactic courses with short-term lab work on the City College campus during each semester. Students will also need to complete a clinical internship during the program which will be completed at local hospitals and other clinical facilities including Billings Clinic and St. Vincent Healthcare.

This program will be marketed to individuals who already possess licensure, certification, or registration in a healthcare area, with the target students coming from Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Graduates of the program will gain practical, hands-on education in ultrasound scanning techniques and will receive thorough tutelage in the physics of ultrasonography.

Admission requirements to the program include first being admitted to City College; second, completing the necessary prerequisite courses with the required minimum GPA; and third, submitting the required documentation of licensure, certification, or registration in an approved healthcare field. Following the completion of these steps, students may then apply to the Ultrasound program.

Ultrasound is one of the chief imaging techniques that does not use ionizing radiation and is invaluable in diagnosing and treating disease. Ultrasound, also referred to as sonography, is utilized primarily in hospitals, clinics, doctor’s offices and community health centers. This proposed program is a natural extension of the existing City College Radiologic Technology program and complements the existing Nursing, Paramedic, and Graduate Athletic Training programs at MSU Billings. Faculty and students of the Rocky Mountain College Physician’s Assistant (PA) Program have expressed interest in an Ultrasound Technology CAS program, along with other local physicians, physician assistants, nurses, and paramedics.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, employment of ultrasound technologists is projected to grow 24% from 2014-2024, faster than the average for all occupations. The number of ultrasound jobs in 2014 was 112,700 and this is expected to increase to 140,300 jobs by 2024. Montana is one of the states with the lowest employment in this area, but also one of the highest demands for sonographers.

The program’s education and training will enable prospective students to sit for the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) and/or American Registry of Radiologic Technologists Sonography [(ARRT) (S)] registry examinations. Students who pass these board examinations will be eligible for employment in the field locally, regionally and nationally.

After certification, career opportunities for those who are enrolled in the program include working in hospitals, clinics, physician offices and mobile services.

Applications for this program will be accepted between May 29 and July 27 for fall entry. Interested students are urged to contact Jacket Student Central at 247-3000 or ccadmissions@msubillings.edu.

See also: Ultrasound Technology Program Details