Vascular Sonography Certificate

Saint Joseph’s University’s Vascular Sonography Certificate 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 40-credit program can be completed in less than one year.

If you do not have an associate degree or higher and haven’t completed a two-year, post-secondary allied health program, we invite you to explore our Associate Degree in Vascular Sonography.

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.

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What Sets Our Vascular Sonography Certificate 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.

Program Offered In Person and Online
The vascular sonography certificate program offers the flexibility of 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 this Program 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

  • Saint Joseph’s vascular sonography certificate 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
    727-210-2350

    JRC-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 Certificate 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

  • Total # of Graduates/Total # of Students Enrolled

    Cohort Number and/or Track Name
    2022
    2021
    Cohort 2 Vascular 2021
    7/8 (88%) Enrolled Graduates Rate
    7/8 (88%) Enrolled Graduates Rate

  • Total # of Graduates Employed in 6 Months/Total # of Graduates

    Cohort Number and/or Track Name
    2022
    Cohort 2 Vascular 2021
    7/7 (100%) Enrolled Graduates Rate

  • Total # of Test Takers/Total # of Graduates

    Enter Cohort Number
    Select Concentration
    2022
    2
    Vascular
    6/7 (86%) Graduate Test Takers

  • Total # of Graduates Successfully Earning Credential/Total # of Test Takers

    Cohort Number & Concentration
    Select Credentialing Exam(s)
    2022
    2 VASC
    RVT(VT) or RVS
    6/7 (86%) Successful Test Takers

Curriculum

  • Summer Session I
    CourseCredits
    DMS 111 - Introduction to Sonography1
    VAS 112 - Vascular Procedures I3
    VAS 113 - Vascular Lab I1
    PHI 210 - Ethical and Legal Dimensions in the Health Sciences1
    Total Credits6
     
    Fall
    CourseCredits
    DMS 221 - Ultrasound Physics3
    DMS 227 - Common Vascular Procedures1
    VAS 227 - Vascular Procedures II3
    VAS 224 - Vascular Clinical I4
    VAS 235 - Vascular Lab II1
    CAS 206 - Ultrasound Cardiac Anatomy and Physiology3
    HSC 100 - Medical Terminology1
    HSC 101 - Methods of Patient Care1
    Total Credits17
     
    Spring
    CourseCredits
    VAS 223 - Vascular Clinical II6
    VAS 236 - Vascular Lab III1
    VAS 230 - Vascular Advanced Topics3
    VAS 231 - Vascular Review3
    Total Credits13
     
    Summer
    CourseCredits
    VAS 234 - Vascular Clinical III4
    Total Credits4
     
    Total Program Credits: 40

What is the Average Salary a Vascular Sonographer Can Expect to Earn?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary of a vascular sonographer in 2022 is $78,210.

Admission Information

  • You can enroll in this certificate with any bachelor’s degree. No medical background or related experience is required. 

    The GMAT is not required for Saint Joseph’s University certificates. To learn more about the admission process and required materials or ask any questions, please email the admission office.

    1. Apply online.
    2. Submit official college transcripts from all colleges attended.
    3. Submit a personal statement.
    4. Submit resume.
    5. Submit two letters of recommendation.


    Visit our Admission Information page to learn more about admission requirements, key deadlines, additional requirements for international students and how to submit your application.

  • Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. New students may enroll in courses during the fall, spring or summer semesters.

    Start Terms:

    1. Fall: August and October
    2. Spring: January and March
    3. Summer: May

  • 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 agencies is required.

  • 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

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 Exam (RVT) board exams. You are also eligible to sit for the Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI), Registered Vascular Specialist (RVS) exam.
 

Diagnostic Medical Sonography Certificate

Saint Joseph’s University’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography Certificate is designed for students who hold a college degree. Upon completion of the program requirements, students are eligible to take the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) examinations in sonographic physics, abdomen and obstetrics/gynecology. This 40-credit certificate program can be completed in as little as one year.

Cardiac Sonography Certificate

Saint Joseph’s University’s Cardiac Sonography Certificate offers the opportunity to expand your knowledge in the fast-growing field of cardiovascular sonography. Designed for students who hold a college degree, this program also prepares you to sit for exams required to become a registered cardiac sonographer.

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