Who We Are
We provide quality education for students of all backgrounds
Our purpose is to fill the growing job market with passionate, knowledgeable, and skilled sonographers, MRI technologists, radiologic technologists, and nurses.
To transform our healthcare communities as we transform the lives of our students.
We nourish students’ passion to provide excellent, compassionate, inclusive, and equitable patient care. The central focus of Smith Chason College is to promote and enhance student learning, foster personal achievement, and develop professional competence.
A team driven by passion and knowledge
Our experienced instructors are educating the next generation of sonographers, MRI technologists, radiologic technologists, and registered nurses.
Join our teamHands-on, Hybrid Education
Today our programs combine online didactic courses with in-person labs to provide our students with the hands-on instruction and experience they need to enter the healthcare community with confidence.
Our students have access to a variety of ultrasound machines and nursing simulation equipment in on-campus labs that mimic real-life hospital settings. Additionally, students will take advantage of off-campus MRI and radiological imaging centers to begin building familiarity with the equipment they'll use in the field.
Students will then complete their program with an externship and clinical rotation in a hospital or clinic to continue building their knowledge and skills.
8 Programs
Smith Chason College WCUI School of Medical Imaging
A medical imaging school with over 25 years of experienced instructors mentoring the future sonographers, MRI technologists and radiologic technologists in our communities. Earn your Bachelor’s, Associate’s, Diploma, or Certificate and be eligible to sit for your registries.
Learn More About Our Programs8 Programs
Bachelor Degree Programs
Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Cardiovascular Sonography Bachelor of Science in Pediatric and Adult EchocardiographyAssociate Degree Programs
Academic Associate of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography Academic Associate of Science in Cardiovascular Sonography Academic Associate of Science in Magnetic Resonance Imaging Associate of Science in Radiologic TechnologyDiploma & Certificate Programs
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Qualification Certificate Pediatric Cardiac Ultrasound and Congenital Heart Disease Diploma1 Programs
Smith Chason College School of Nursing
Our School of Nursing is grounded in a foundation of determination and empathy. Smith Chason College School of Nursing provides a degree program designed to equip students for careers as Registered Nurses (RN).
Learn More About Our ProgramOur Accreditation
Our commitment to excellence extends beyond our classrooms and into every facet of your educational journey. We take pride in our accreditation — a testament to our unwavering dedication to the education and job success of our students and alumni. Smith Chason College is accredited by the the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).
See Our Full List of Program Accreditations
Our Founders
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Myra Chason, BS, BSN, RDMS Co-Founder and CEO, Smith Chason College
Myra Chason, a visionary leader in healthcare education, co-founded Smith Chason College over 25 years ago alongside Dr. Neville Smith, M.D. Her journey began with a steadfast commitment to providing top-tier healthcare education to individuals passionate about making a meaningful impact in their communities.
With a nursing and sonography background, she brought invaluable expertise to the college's establishment. Myra's leadership fosters a culture of care, advancing the curriculum for students' success.
Beyond CEO duties, she remains dedicated to supporting faculty, staff, and students. Myra's leadership, marked by empathy and integrity, drives Smith Chason College forward in shaping the future of healthcare education.
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Dr. Neville Smith, MD Co-Founder, Smith Chason College
Dr. Neville Smith, a respected leader in healthcare education and radiology, co-founded Smith Chason College with Myra Chason over 25 years ago. As a Board Certified Radiologist, he dedicated himself to advancing Medical Sonography and MRI education.
Dr. Smith prioritized curriculum innovation, ensuring students received top-notch education to excel in their fields. Beyond education, he established an affordable ultrasound clinic, demonstrating his commitment to accessible healthcare. Though no longer with us, Dr. Smith's legacy lives on, guiding Smith Chason College and inspiring the healthcare community. His sprit endures through the countless lives he touched and the transformative impact of his visionary leadership.
Our History
and Story
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1998
Founded in 1998
Our founders Dr. Neville Smith and Myra Chason, BS, BSN, RDMS shook up the education world in Beverly Hills, California by opening their first campus in 1998, formerly known as West Coast Ultrasound Institute, Inc. (WCUI). The school begins by focusing on offering diagnostic medical sonography and cardiovascular sonography programs. Together, our founders cultivated a new way of educating and entertaining students to keep them on track.
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2001
Accredited by ACCSC
We are accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). Find more information about our accreditation on smithchason.edu/accreditation/
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2002
Department of Education Approval
We are approved by the Department of Education to participate in Title IV Financial Aid programs.
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2006
New California Campus & New Vocational Nursing Program
The Ontario, CA branch campus opened in 2006 and we introduced our School of Nursing by offering Vocational Nursing programs at our California campuses.
The success of our VN students has inspired us to innovate and develop more programs to support their aspirations.
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2009
New Campus in Phoenix, Arizona
We open our second branch campus in Phoenix, Arizona.
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2012
Awarded the ACCSC School of Distinction
Our Phoenix Campus receives the 2012 ACCSC School of Distinction Award.
*ACCSC only awards the School of Distinction to an institution in conjunction with a school’s initial or renewal of accreditation review, which occurred in 2012 for our school
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2015
Our First Bachelor Ultrasound Programs Begin Enrolling
We launch and began enrolling for our Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography and Bachelor of Science in Cardiovascular Sonography programs.
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2015
Introducing Our Academic Associates of Science in MRI
2015 also saw the development of our Academic Associates of Science in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) program, educating the aspiring MRI technologists in our communities.
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2017
A Year of Recognition
We were ranked #20 in the Forbes 2017 Top 30 Two-Year Trade School list. Our Phoenix campus received the 2017 ACCSC School of Excellence Award* and the 2017 ACCSC Excellence in Community Service Award.
*ACCSC only awards the School of Excellence to an institution in conjunction with a school’s initial or renewal of accreditation review, which occurred in 2017 for our school
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2019
Our School Grows & Moves to Los Angeles
We expand and move our main campus from Beverly Hills to Los Angeles, California with a floor built out exclusively for our students.
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2020
We Adapt & Implement A New Hybrid Education Model
We pivoted our educational model to an online format in March 2020 in response to the global pandemic to keep our student’s education moving forward.
Today, Smith Chason College continues to utilize a hybrid learning model, with online didactic classes and in-person labs and clinicals.
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2020
More Growth & Move to a Modern New Phoenix Campus
Our Phoenix campus moved in the summer of July 2020 to a brand-new campus built to suit in the heart of the Bioscience Healthcare District.
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2020
A New Practical Nursing Program in Phoenix
2020, also saw the development of the Practical Nursing program at our Phoenix campus. A program built by nurses who understand the need to provide an exceptional nursing education to the next generation of Arizona nurses.
The program was a success as we enrolled three full classes of nurses during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
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2021
A New Nursing Degree Program in LA (ADN)
We launch the first nursing degree program under the new name of our nursing school, Smith Chason School of Nursing. A dedication to our founders and the nurses across the country making a difference.
The new 24-month Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) at our Los Angeles campus is an exciting new program to support the growing need for RNs and support our nurses goals of advancement in their profession. The program has been an immediate success enrolling several full cohorts and counting.
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2022
New Campus in Northern San Diego
Spring 2022, we open our fourth campus in San Marcos, California to support, inspire, and educate the future sonographers and MRI technologists in the Northern San Diego community.
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2022
Reintroducing Smith Chason College
We reintroduced our community to Smith Chason College! Our family grew together, and we evolved into a new, but familiar name and look.
The new name ties back to the legacy and dreams of our founders as we unite our schools and passions.
Together, we are supporting and building the future of healthcare and we are #SmithChasonProud.
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2023
25 Years of Educating the Future of Healthcare
In 2023, we marked 25 years of bringing healthcare education to California and Arizona!
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2023
Toss Your Grad Caps, ADN Grads!
Our Inaugural ADN Class Graduated in October 2023 in Los Angeles, CA, marking a huge milestone in Smith Chason’s growth.
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2023
A Year of Excellence
Our Phoenix campus received the 2023 ACCSC School of Excellence Award, reaffirming our ongoing dedication to achieving excellence.
*ACCSC only awards the School of Excellence to an institution in conjunction with a school's initial or renewal of accreditation review, which occurred in 2022 for our school
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2024
New Program Launch: Bachelor of Science in Pediatric and Adult Echocardiography
Smith Chason College proudly introduces our brand-new, one-of-a-kind Bachelor’s program designed to prepare future leaders in cardiac imaging. Now available at our San Marcos and Los Angeles campuses!
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2024
Expanding in Phoenix: Associate of Science in Radiologic Technology
Expanding access to quality education in Arizona with our new, highly sought-after Radiologic Technology program, training the next generation of imaging professionals.
