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Degree Overview: Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree in Ultrasound Technology

Majors Overview March 15, 2015

Get information about a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree program in Ultrasound Technology and its educational requirements, coursework, career choices, job and wage outlook, and professional certification and continuing education choices.

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree Programs in Ultrasound Technology

Schools offer both Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Ultrasound and Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Diagnostic Ultrasound programs for individuals interested in the field. The program combines clinical experiences with classroom lectures to instruct students in every area of ultrasound technology; however, a specialty may have to be chosen by students for their clinical work.

Before they graduate, students in the bachelor’s degree program are allowed to take the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography’s (ARDMS) sonography principles and instruments examination, whereby they may obtain professional credentials that would boost their employment prospects.

Educational Requirements

Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold a GED certificate or a high school diploma. Prior to entering the ultrasound program, students are required to complete courses in physics, medical terminology, and anatomy. They may also have to complete classes in computer fundamentals, math, and biology before they can seek admission to the program.

Coursework

Coursework within an ultrasound technology program covers topics such as obstetric ultrasound, vascular sonography, echocardiography, and instrumentation. Students enrolled in many programs are allowed to obtain practical experience by working in health care facilities. Core coursework may include topic areas such as:

•Ultrasound physics
•Doppler ultrasound
•Abdominal imaging
•Medical ethics
•Health care trends

Career Choices

Those who complete a bachelor’s degree program may seek entry-level careers in doctors’ offices, medical labs, and hospitals. Additionally, sonographers could seek employment as contractors, and their work may involve working with patients at diverse locations. They can choose from popular career options such as:

•Neurosonographer
•Obstetric sonographer
•Abdominal sonographer

Job and Wage Outlook

Over the 2012 – 2022 decade, job growth rates of 39% have been predicted for diagnostic medical sonographers (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). In May 2012, these professionals brought home an average annual wage of $60,350 (BLS).

Professional Certification and Continuing Education Choices

Licensure is not compulsory for sonographers; however, obtaining professional certification would boost their employment prospects (BLS). ARDMS certification examinations are available to sonographers in ten specialty areas, including vascular technology, neurosonology, fetal echocardiography, and musculoskeletal sonography. Credentials and training may be sought by these professionals in more than one specialty. The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists offers credentials in breast imaging, while credentials in cardiac sonography may be available through the Cardiovascular Credentialing International.

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