Overview of Master Degree Programs for Students Interested in Sonography
Majors Overview April 5, 2018This article talks about the master’s degree program in sonography and its educational requirements, coursework, career options, and continuing education options.
Master’s Degree Programs in Sonography
Some 2- and 4-year undergraduate degree programs related to sonography or ultrasound technology are available at schools; a few schools offer a Master of Science (M.S.) in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. Extensive experience with ultrasound equipment is available to enrollees. They acquire patient and clinical interaction skills. In some programs, enrollees are allowed to choose a specialization such as vascular sonography. The completion of a project or a thesis and research components comprise the master’s degree programs in sonography. These programs are devised to train graduates for certification or professional licensure.
Education Requirements
While admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold a baccalaureate degree, applicants are not always required to have an undergraduate background in the health sciences. They are however expected to have completed prerequisite undergraduate coursework including mathematics, anatomy, physics, and English courses.
Coursework
Within the program coursework, basic principles of ultrasound technology are complemented by advanced courses in a particular branch of sonography. Core coursework may cover topic areas such as:
•Epidemiology
•Research methods
•Diagnostic medical sonography
•Ethical issues in healthcare
•Advanced Anatomy
•Principles of management
•Clinical Externship
•Ultrasound lab
•Biostatistics
Career Options
Program graduates can seek some specialized career paths including:
•Obstetrician
•Echocardiographer
•Echoencephalographer
•Abdominal sonographer
•Neurosonographer
•Vascular Sonographer
•Ultrasound Technologist
•Nuclear medicine technologist
•Breast Sonographer
•Gynecologist
Continuing Education Options
Many diagnostic medical sonographers opt for certification or licensure even though there is no compulsion to hold either. Licensure is available through some independent organizations such as the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists and the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography. The holding of a degree and passage of an examination will help individuals gain licensure in a particular specialty of sonography.
