Still Seeking Sonography Program In Oregon - Help? PCC does NOT have a program?

Question

I posted my request for help already and got the same response which led me to ask here. Try PCC. Having already contacted the majority of the schools I can think of in my area (as well as those accredited beyond a reasonable commute to see if I can work something out) let me just say it was PCC that responded to me confirming that they do NOT have a program for Diagnostic Medical Sonography / Sonographer or Ultrasound. What PCC Currently has (as of an emailed response dated 8/6/08 and their website) are a Radiography program earning an Associate of Applied Science Degree as well as a nine month program for MRI Technologist Training IF you are already one of the following: Applicants must be currently credentialed Radiography Technologists, Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, Nuclear Medicine Technologists or Radiation Therapy Technologists.

I am STILL currently actively searching for ANY program in the Portland Metro area (1.5 hour commute from Cornelius or less preferred).

How does a person really interested in making this career change find training in this field without needing to uproot the family for schooling? I am married with school age children and relocating for school is simply not an option. Help?

Answer 1

There are two ways to answer this question:

1) The depressing way:  

Looks like there really isn't anything here for you.  I've looked on several search engines, including http://www.petersons.com and finally http://www.caahep.org/Find_An_Accredited... (from CAAHEP, an accreditation system for healthcare-related schooling programs), and I came up with nothing either in Oregon or online for sonography.  There are 157 programs nationwide on that latter search, but none in Oregon.

2) The (somewhat) uplifting way:

I found two online degree programs that do claim to offer degrees that might interest you:

Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences: Online Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences- http://floridahospitalcollege.search4car...

Mountain State University: Online Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography- http://www.mountainstate.edu/landing/onl...

I'll admit I'm pretty skeptical about those last two colleges.  You probably are too.  But I suppose it wouldn't hurt to check them out.

Here's to hoping you don't give up on your dream.  Good luck.