West Coast Ultrasound Institute (WCUI) Introduction and Academics

Introduction

Students who are interested in attending an ultrasound institution that is strongly committed to the success of its students should consider attending West Coast Ultrasound Institute (or WCUI). WCUI is a private post-secondary vocational institution.

West Coast Ultrasound Institute is an institution that clearly understands that the prize of learning is valuable and lasts a lifetime. This understanding has made WCUI allow each student to reap the wonderful rewards of getting a sound education and achieve their full potential in the growing health care field.

WCUI’s motto is, “Knowledge Builds Careers” and it has also specifically designed specialized courses for every eligible student in order to develop their knowledge and enhance their skills. The students who successfully complete the course offered at West Coast Ultrasound Institute can be sure of having a solid foundation of both the theoretical and practical knowledge as they start their career in the medical field.

This ultrasound Institute is truly a unique institution because it is owned and run by Board Certified Technologists, Radiologists and Cardiologists that are also presently employed in the healthcare industry. Their skills enable students at WCUI to stay in tune with latest technologies, innovations and imaging protocols.

West Coast Ultrasound Institute will not deny admission or discriminate against prospective students on the basis of their race, sex, disability, color, sexual orientation, age, creed or national origin.

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Information Summary

Ranks 59th in California and 846th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	82.3
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$19,600
Admission Success rate	N/A
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	10 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	83% / N/A
Enrollment Total (all students)	821

Academics

West Coast Ultrasound Institute’s main campus is situated in Beverly Hills, California, there is also a satellite campus situated in Ontario, Canada and another branch campus located in Phoenix. Arizona.

History

In 1998, West Coast Ultrasound Institute was established by a Board Certified Radiologist known as Dr. Neville Smith, M.D. along with Myra Chason, a recognized lecturer of Diagnostic Medical Sonography.

In combination with the expertise of many instructors who are recognized in the community, Smith and Chason have initiated the new training style of “edutaining.” With this new teaching style, Students will no longer worry about sleeping through each class! This particular teaching style is a blend of education & entertainment, this simply allows the learning process to be a lot more entertaining while students still learn the complexities and the technical skills that is needed in today’s demanding medical field.

Dr. Smith understood the importance of having an institution that simply specialized in radiological imaging. He also recognized the great need for a top quality Nursing program as well; this led to the expansion of a truly outstanding Nursing department. WCUI also operates a low-priced ultrasound health center onsite, which caters to patients who do not have medical insurance. The health center has more than 25 referring medical agencies & primary care doctors. Thus, allowing the students to take part in “real” patient care through an array of training programs.

Learning Experience

The learning experience at WCUI comprises of both the instructive and the actual hands-on clinical experience. At WCUI, the students should expect to use the newest ultrasound imaging equipment in the institution’s on-site clinical labs. Between the 3 institute locations, there is more than 50 multifunctional ultrasound equipments that are completely meant for student use. Upon the successful completion of the program, every student is given a clinical externship at an imaging center or hospital. West Coast Ultrasound Institute has more than 70 clinical affiliations with reputable imaging centers and hospitals.

Programs Offered

West Coast Ultrasound Institute offers Short Term Courses, Diploma certificates can be earned in the following; Cardiovascular Echosonography, Vocational Nursing, Diagnostic Medical Sonography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging. WCUI also offers AOS Degree Programs and Advanced Programs as well.

Accreditation & Licensure

West Coast Ultrasound Institute is an accredited institution and is accredited by ACCSC (Accrediting Commission of Career Schools & Colleges) and is licensed to offer educational services in California State by the BPPE (Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education). The BPPE is presently the Dept. of Consumer Affairs. West Coast Ultrasound Institute is also licensed to offer educational services in Arizona State by the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education.

After completing the WCUI’s imaging programs, students will be trained and qualified to take their board and or registry exams from ARDMS (American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers), The Board of Vocational Nursing or ARMRIT (American Registry of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists).

Approvals

West Coast Ultrasound Institute is approved by the Veterans Administration to train qualified Veterans of the US Military, Approved by the United States Department of Education to administer Title IV Federal Financial Aid to eligible students.

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Admissions

In order to start the application process to enter West Coast Ultrasound Institute, applicants MUST tour the institution’s facility and be interviewed by the school’s Admission Representative. The information received will also include placement rates, disclosures of completion, tuition fee plans and applicant’s educational objectives.

Every applicant MUST do the following:

Fill out WCUI enrollment application – the application form can be downloaded on WCUI’s website.

Include a non-refundable application fee

Submit a copy of a photo identification – ID card or drivers’ license

Present proof of high school completion or General Education Diploma (GED)

Complete a background check

Write an essay (one page) on a specific subject provided by WCUI

Pass the Wonderlic Scholastic Level examinations

Acceptance into WCUI’s program is conditional upon being able to meet cut-off dates in order to complete funding paperwork. If the enrollements surpass class availability, paperwork will be reviewed by the WCUI’s campus director and notice of denial or acceptance will be mailed to applicants two weeks before their scheduled commencement date.

West Coat Ultrasound Institute also accepts transfer credit that is based on course work. WCUI’s Director of Education decides equivalency. Applicants should refer to WCUI’s Transfer Credit Policy at the school’s website.

International students should present the following after being accepted for enrollment into WCUI so that they can receive the I-20mn form in order to apply for an M-1 or F-1 student visa: Confidential statement of account – a bank statement or certified letter should be submitted which certifies that there are sufficient funds available for payment of tuition fees and living costs. Advance payment of first quarter’s tuition fee, a copy of the applicant’s passport, a copy of their I-94 card and sit for TOEFL test and pass with a minimum score of 500.

Financial Aid

At West Coast Ultrasound Institute, financial aid is available to students who are eligible regardless of their color, sex, national origin, race, age, sexual orientation, disability or age. In depth information and expert financial aid advice are available to every applicant at WCUI’s financial aid office which can be found at each campus.

In order to get financial aid funded by the federal government or other kinds of financial assistance, applicants should complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), be enrolled as a regular student in WCUI’s approved certificate or degree programs, demonstrate financial need, meet citizenship requirements and should also sustain acceptable academic progress. Applicants for financial aid must not be found defaulting on any student loan program – this includes Stafford Loan – the applicant must not also owe a refund on California Student Assistance Grant, PELL Grant or SEOG.

Please Note: Processing an application for financial aid usually takes 2 weeks and applicants are advised to apply early.

Types of Financial Aid Available

GI Bill Educational Benefits: Students who have served in the United States Armed Forces are qualified to get federal benefits in accordance with the GI Bill of Rights. This particular bill of rights offers service members of the United States military learning benefits – this will depend on what branch of the military the applicants served in and for what length of time.

Military Tuition Assistance: The TA (Armed Forces Tuition Assistance) is a financial aid that is paid to the qualified member of the United States Navy, Air Force, Army, Coast Guard and Marines. The US congress has provided every branch of the armed forces the opportunity to pay up to a hundred percent for the tuition fees of its members. Note: Each one has its own standards for eligibility, restrictions, application procedures and obligated service. The funds are normally paid directly to the institute by the applicant’s branch of service.

Vocational Rehabilitation for Veterans (also known as VR&E): This particular financial aid program is often referred to as Voc Rehab or Chapter 31, it assists veterans with service linked disabilities and service handicaps train for, find and maintain suitable work. This program is designed to help veterans with service linked disabilities so serious that they cannot even consider getting employment right away, the Vocational Rehabilitation for Veterans programs provide services to help improve the beneficiary’s ability to live independently as possible.

Student Financial Aid Details

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Additional School Information

Students attending the WCUI Beverly Hills Campus will can have loads of fun outside the school campus because Beverly Hills has a lot to offer in terms of sites and sounds. Students can visit the Beverly Hills Garden Park, take the Trolley Tour, spend quality time at the Museum of Television & Radio or simply lookout for famous faces on Rodeo Drive.

Students attending WCUI Phoenix campus will find loads of fun spots outside campus. Museum buffs will find Phoenix’s Heard Museum truly fascinating, the Chase Field is also one of Phoenix’s treasures and nature lovers will not be able to get enough of the Desert Botanical Garden.

Students attending West Coast Ultrasound Institute will definitely have a lot of places to visit outside the classroom and labs. Students can take a trip to Niagara Falls, CN Tower, Black Creek pioneer village and many other fun spots.

Bibliography

Ultrasound Learning. ”Discover Your Possibilities as an Ultrasound Technician”. 2011.

Universities.com. ”West Coast Ultrasound Institute”. 2001-2011.

West Coast Ultrasound Institute website. ”About WCUI”. 2011

West Coast Ultrasound Institute