best training schools and to train in?

When thinking about entering an ultrasound program, you need not be concerned so much about certificate vs. degree. What is important is that you go to an ACCREDITED program, whether it is college or hospital based. An accredited program allows you to take your registry (licensing) exams upon graduation. Once you get licensed, you will never be asked about your schooling again. An employer does not care what route you take to get licensed, they just want you to have that license.

Don't waste your time or money on a NON-accredited program. Upon completion and graduation from a NON-accredited program, you must work in the field of sonography for a full year prior to taking your licensing examinations. But, you will have a hard time finding an employer to hire you, unless you are licensed.

I would suggest you observe an imaging department to get an idea of what ultrasonographers do daily. There is much more to it than scanning pregnant women. Most people have no idea how much is involved in this career!

You can find a list of accredited schools in your area, by searching "diagnostic medical sonography" and your state at the following site. There are links provided for each program, which will give you additional information (including course duration and prerequisite courses):

http://www.caahep.org/Find_An_Accredited_Program.a...

Many people, myself included, go to school to become a radiologic technologist, before continuing to ultrasound school. In fact, it can be difficult to get into u/s school without the RT license. There are many more choices for schools for x-ray in most states. You can find them here, by searching “radiography“ and your state:

http://www.jrcert.org/cert/Search.jsp

The pay for ultrasound technologists will vary, depending on experience and geographical location. The American Society of Radiologic Technologists just did a large salary survey, in 2007. You can see how much a RT and/or sonographer averaged, per year, in your state here:

https://www.asrt.org/media/pdf/research/wss2007/ws...

To be an ultrasound tech you need to apply to a school that offers Radiologic Technology or X-ray Tech. Ultrasound is a component of X-ray Technology. Most states now require that you have an Associates of Applied Science degree in Rad. Tech. in order to get into the field. (I was an x-ray tech for 18 yrs.)

The pay is great and jobs are plentiful. Most Jr. Colleges offer the degree.

You have lab techs, pharmacy techs which require no degree but you also get paid less yet the demand is still there.

You need to decide what it is you want to do and how much of an educational commitment you want to make. You need to check out the schools around you and what they have to offer.