Let us help you with your school accreditation process. Moving from licensed to accredited in 4 milestones.
Sonography School Accreditation Basics
Interested in accreditation for your diagnostic medical sonography school? Once achieved, institutional accreditation will open the door to multiple funding opportunities, including Federal Financial Aid and Veteran Benefits. We have assisted many institutions through this process and would be pleased to support you as well​. Request your complimentary consultation today!
Getting Started
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Schools apply for both institutional and programmatic accreditation in order to comply with state requirements and provide the best services to their students.
INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITATION
The first step in the accreditation journey is to apply for institutional accreditation. This process includes all programs licensed by your institution and enables the school to apply for federal financial aid funding. We recommend ACCSC or ABHES for institutional accreditation.
PROGRAMMATIC ACCREDITATION
Once institutional accreditation is achieved, we recommend pursuing programmatic accreditation through CAAHEP (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs). Graduating from a CAAHEP-accredited program will provide your students with a direct pathway to certification exams and increase their employment opportunities.
STATE REQUIREMENTS
Only a few states (New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, and Oregon) require state-specific licensure at the time of publishing this page. For additional information and to stay current with regulation changes, visit the official Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography site.
PROGRAM CURRICULUM
Diagnostic medical sonographers generally complete an associate degree program in ultrasound technology. The core curriculum includes:
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Anatomy and Physiology
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Medical Terminology
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Infection Control
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Cross-Sectional Anatomy
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Abdominal Sonography
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Obstetric & Gynecologic Sonography
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Sonographic Physics Instrumentation
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Ethics and Law in Healthcare Professions
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Sonography of Superficial Structures
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Quality Management and Operational Issues
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Endocardiography
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Vascular Ultrasound
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Clinical Practicum
EMPLYMENT PROJECTIONS
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment of diagnostic medical sonographers is projected to grow 13 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations. This growth reflects promising career opportunities for graduates entering the field, with an average of 5,800 annual openings over the decade.
Recommended Accrediting Agencies
We recommend the following accrediting agencies for medical diagnostic sonography programs and healthcare schools: ACCSC (Accrediting Commission for Career Schools and Colleges) and ABHES (Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools). The sections below provide an overview of each agency and outline key considerations.
Licensed to Accredited in 4 Milestones
Our accreditation consulting package is built around four proven milestones that take your institution from licensed to accredited in as little as 18 to 24 months, depending on the accreditation cycle and your school’s readiness.:
1 - Aligning with Accreditation Standards.
2 - Implementing Annual Evaluations.
3 - Preparing Applications & SER Report.
4 - Preparing Visits & Exhibits.​​​​​
This approach allows your institution to commit to one objective and one consulting fee at a time. You may cancel our services at any time without penalties. Each module focuses on one of the Licensed to Accredited Milestones, aligns with 2026 standards, and includes ten (10) live Zoom training sessions.
Choosing Between ACCSC and ABHES
​​​​​Choosing an institutional accreditor is a critical decision that should not be taken lightly. Accreditation requires a substantial investment of both financial and human resources. We recommend selecting an accreditor that aligns with your current goals while allowing room for your school’s future growth.
ACCSC ACCREDITATION
ACCSC is the recommended accreditor for medical diagnostic sonography schools offering programs outside the healthcare sector. Schools accredited by ACCSC have the flexibility to expand their training to any occupational sector and to offer degree programs from associate to master's degrees.
ABHES ACCREDITATION
ABHES is an ideal accreditor for institutions offering predominantly allied health education programs from certificates and diplomas to master's degrees. ABHES also offers programmatic accreditation for the medical assisting, medical laboratory technology, and surgical technology programs​.
PROTECTING YOUR INVESTMENT
Schools accredited by a general-scope agency—such as ACCSC or COE—are well-positioned for long-term growth. Broader accreditation gives owners the flexibility to scale beyond the healthcare sector and increases the school’s overall resale value.
Accreditation Terms & Concepts
Visit our Accreditation Terms & Concepts page for a review of the terms you will encounter as you learn about accreditation. Familiarity with these concepts will help you select the accrediting agency that best supports your school’s goals.
Applying for Federal Financial Aid
Once institutional accreditation is achieved, schools may begin the Federal Financial Aid application process. Historically, Title IV funding has been limited to programs with 600+ clock hours duration. Regulatory revisions are expected to expand eligibility to shorter programs beginning July 1, 2026.
International Students F1 & M1 Visas
Licensed schools complete the SEVP certification process to enroll international students with M-1 or F-1 visas for on-campus or hybrid programs. Institutional accreditation is typically one of the eligibility requirements, except in certain scenarios where programs lead to a state-issued license.
Veteran Education Benefits
Institutional accreditation is typically one of the eligibility requirements for schools to become VA training providers. Once approved, students may use their veteran benefits to pay for their program of study at your school
ACCSC Accreditation Basics
The Accrediting Commission for Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) is a national institutional accrediting agency serving more than 150,000 students annually across a wide range of occupational programs.
ACCSC ELIGIBILITY HIGHLIGHTS
Basic eligibility requirements for initial accreditation:
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Private postsecondary school.
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Programs with occupational-technical focus.
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Continuous operation for the last two years.
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Has graduates from the longest program.
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At least one program with 300+ hours duration.
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Meets financial stability requirements.
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Active students for all programs.
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Compliance with state & federal regulations.
Download our free ACCSC Eligibility Self-Assessment to verify your current status and the steps needed to be ready for the initial application.
nce institutional accreditation is achieved, schools may begin the Federal Financial Aid application process. Historically, Title IV funding has been limited to programs with 600+ clock hours duration. Regulatory revisions are expected to expand eligibility to shorter programs beginning July 1, 2026.
ACCSC ACCREDITATION PROCESS
The ACCSC accreditation process takes approximately 24 months and includes attending a workshop, submitting applications part I and II, submitting a self-evaluation report (SER), attending an orientation, and hosting an ACCSC on-site visit.
LEARN MORE
Visit our ACCSC Accreditation Resources page for a dive into the ACCSC initial applicant world, access free resources, and guides.
ABHES Accreditation Basics
The Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) is a nationally recognized accrediting agency for institutions and programs focused on healthcare education. ABHES offers both institutional and programmatic accreditation.
ABHES ELIGIBILITY HIGHLIGHTS
Basic eligibility requirements for initial accreditation:
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Private sector licensed institution.
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Principal activity is education.
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Focus on healthcare education.
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Programs lead to employment.
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Located in the United States.
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Legally authorized to operate.
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Has graduate students.
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Continuous operation for two years.
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Meets financial stability requirements.
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Programs have active students for visits.
​For the complete list of eligibility requirements, download our free ABHES Eligibility Self-Assessment to evaluate your institution’s current status and identify the steps needed to prepare for the initial application.
ABHES ACCREDITATION PROCESS
The initial ABHES accreditation process takes approximately 24 months and includes attending a workshop, submitting an application, a self-evaluation report, and hosting ABHES preliminary and full visits.
LEARN MORE
Visit our ABHES Accreditation Resources page for a dive into the ABHES initial applicant world, access free reference guides, and resources.
Our Consulting Services
We are readily available to assist you through the entire accreditation process and support you at every stage of your school’s journey.
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Accreditation - Initial & Renewals
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State License Applications
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Compliance & Best Practices
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SEVP Certification - International Students
Budget-Friendly Solutions
Count on our affordable, budget-friendly consulting solutions to help your sonography school achieve this important milestone. Request your personalized quote today.
What Our Clients Say
We invite you to visit our Google Business page to read reviews from our satisfied clients. You can also explore Ms. Nunez’s LinkedIn profile to learn more about her background, experience, and client endorsements as our Education Consultant.
Complimentary Consultation
Ready to take the first step? Schedule a complimentary phone or Zoom consultation to discuss your goals, explore our services, and see if we're the right fit for your organization. Request your complimentary consultation by calling 786-618-2277, completing our Complimentary Consultation Request form, or emailing info@baysideprojects.com.
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Request Your Free Consultation Today!
Need assistance? We are glad to help! We serve institutions nationwide. Request your complimentary consultation by calling 786-618-2277, completing our Complimentary Consultation Request form, or emailing info@baysideprojects.com. We are available to provide your sonography school with the accreditation consulting services to help you achieve this important milestone.