Bachelor of Science (BS) in Vascular Ultrasound

Rush's Approach: Bachelor of Science in Vascular Ultrasound 

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We use a teacher-practitioner model. That means your teachers in the classroom, lab and clinic are experienced practitioners in their fields.

Your first year of study consists of classroom learning, student laboratory work and observing patient examinations at Rush.

In your second year, you will perform vascular examinations on a diverse population of patients.

Examinations are performed under the direction of credentialed vascular sonographers at two or more vascular laboratories.

Vascular Ultrasound Bachelor’s Degree Program Length and Location

The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Vascular Ultrasound program is a full-time, on-campus program that is completed in 20 months.

First year

Start the program in September and participate in two semesters of classroom and student laboratory experiences. Learn to perform ultrasound exams in the student lab the first week of classes and continue to improve your skills throughout the program. Rotate through the hospital lab to observe patient exams being done by professionals at Rush before scanning patients during the second year

All technical courses are taught by experienced, credentialed registered vascular technologists (RVT).

Second year

Improve your skills by performing vascular exams on patients under the supervision of an RVT in rotations through two to four clinical sites (vascular ultrasound labs) Attend one course each semester, either at Rush or through the internet, primarily to write and present patient case studies

One course is dedicated to preparation for the national credentialing examination offered by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS). This is for the RVT credential after graduation.

Clinical rotations

Clinical sites are located both within the Chicago area and beyond. You are typically assigned to Chicago-area labs for two rotations, and one lab outside the Chicago for two rotations.

The Chicago-area clinical sites include university and community hospitals and private labs. Clinical site locations outside the Chicago area currently include vascular labs in the following areas:

• Springfield, Illinois
• Ann Arbor, Michigan
• Boston, Massachusetts
• New Hampshire
• Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina
• Charleston, South Carolina,
• Tampa, Sarasota and Miami, Florida
• Seattle, Washington

Lab locations may change slightly each year. Upon admission, essentially all students must agree to attend a clinical site outside the Chicago metropolitan area for two of the four rotations in the year.

Assignments outside of Chicago are assigned during the spring semester of the first year using a preference/lottery system. Students first rank the locations by preferences, and a lottery system establishes the assignment of each according to the preference rank.

Final clinical assignments for the Chicago area are made by the program director working with the clinical coordinator. All site assignments may change at the discretion of the program as necessary.

Housing, living and travel arrangements to the clinical sites are the responsibility of the student. We have graduates and clinical instructors who are happy to assist with suggested areas for housing.

Each year, there may or may not be a chance for one to two students to be assigned to Chicago-area only sites.

This opportunity will be determined just before interviews begin in late December or early January.

It primarily depends on the number of clinical sites available that year. The opportunity is only offered to the first one to two students accepted in the rolling admission process if it is offered.

Graduation

Students who successfully complete the program and are eligible to take the ARDMS credentialing exam to earn the RVT credential.

Pass rates for our students have been excellent (92-100% the past five years).

According to the ARDMS, students from programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs who pass the ARDMS exams before graduation receive the RVT credential upon graduation.

Vascular Ultrasound Program Tuition

At Rush University, we know your education is a big investment. We want to make sure you have all the information to be able to make the best financial decisions for you and your family.

Tuition for the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Vascular Ultrasound program is $880 per credit.

Learn more about tuition

Learn more about Student Financial Aid

Vascular Ultrasound Career Opportunities

Our graduates have a 92-100% job placement rate (vascular positions within six months past graduation) over the past three years.

In addition, job openings submitted by employers to our program are forwarded to all graduates.

Approximately half or more of these jobs were located in the Chicago area.

Employment of diagnostic medical sonographers is expected to increase 10% from 2021-31, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is above the average for all occupations.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median salary of $75,380 (2021).

Vascular Ultrasound Program Effectiveness Data

View our Program Effectiveness Data