May 21, 2025
NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography program has been awarded Initial Accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). The accreditation was granted following a recommendation by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS).
The newly accredited program includes three specialized concentrations, Abdominal-Extended Sonography, Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN) Sonography and Vascular Sonography.
“Receiving this accreditation validates the quality of our program and our commitment to meet the growing demand for qualified sonographers,” said Jennifer Evans, assistant professor and coordinator of NSU’s sonography program. “As educators in the sonography program, we are extremely proud to receive national recognition for delivering excellence in sonography education.
The accreditation, effective May 16, is valid through the next scheduled evaluation in 2030. The program was reviewed under the 2020 Standards and Guidelines for the Accreditation of Educational Programs in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. No areas of non-compliance were identified, signaling full alignment with national standards for quality and educational rigor.
“This accreditation validates the exceptional work of our faculty, clinical partners and staff in developing a high-quality, comprehensive sonography program,” said Dr. Aimee Badeaux, dean of the College of Nursing and School of Allied Health. “It demonstrates our ongoing commitment to academic excellence, patient-centered training and workforce readiness.”
The announcement comes on the heels of another major milestone for the program, the graduation of its inaugural cohort in May 2025. These graduates are now preparing for national certification exams in their respective specialties and are poised to enter the healthcare workforce.
CAAHEP is recognized as one of the largest programmatic accreditors in the health sciences field. Its rigorous accreditation process ensures that educational programs meet nationally established standards and prepare competent entry-level professionals.
NSU’s sonography program plays a critical role in addressing workforce needs in diagnostic imaging and improving access to quality healthcare services throughout the region, Badeaux said.
“Providing our students with high-quality instruction and hands-on training is at the heart of our mission,” Evans said. “We recognize that our local healthcare communities are depending on us to educate sonographers who will enter the field with compassion, confidence, and clinical competence—an expectation now affirmed through our national accreditation.”
To learn more about the program or to explore enrollment options, visit www.nsula.edu or contact the School of Allied Health at www.nsula.edu/alliedhealth
