Ultrasound degree programs range from an associate’s degree to a bachelor’s degree in radiology. Students with a health-care degree may be able to enroll in a 12- to 18-month ultrasound certificate program. Students typically apply for the ultrasound degree program after completing the necessary requirements. Because sonography is a competitive field, students who maintain a high grade point average gain an advantage. Schools may conduct interviews with applicants and require letters of recommendation as well as a resume.
An associate’s ultrasound degree program takes two to three years to complete and requires around 80 credit hours from an accredited school. Students must complete a variety of required science and math courses, as well as general studies, before being accepted into the sonography program. The majority of schools require anatomy, physiology, and physics classes, with biology and chemistry being recommended. College algebra and statistics are required math classes. Medical terminology is required for any student interested in pursuing a career in the medical field.
After being accepted into associate’s degree programs in ultrasound, students spend a year learning how to maintain and operate the equipment. They learn how to distinguish between normal and abnormal tissue structures in the abdomen, breast, and heart, as well as gain experience in obstetrics and gynecology, as well as viewing neurological and vascular tissues. Students must complete the required number of hours of hands-on clinical experience in addition to attending lectures. Students explain procedures to patients, position patients correctly, and perform actual ultrasound procedures during clinicals.
After completing an associate’s degree program or after obtaining an associate’s degree and gaining work experience, students can enroll in bachelor’s ultrasound degree programs. A bachelor’s degree usually requires 120 credit hours to complete. Before enrolling in a full year of advanced sonography classes, many schools require specific math and science prerequisites. Students can choose to specialize in one or more areas of sonography in these courses, which provide more in-depth knowledge in all fields of sonography.
Students typically take the state board examinations offered by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers after completing and graduating from ultrasound degree programs (ARDMS). Students who pass the state exam are eligible to submit fees and obtain professional certification. Maintaining certification necessitates reapplication for certification in accordance with state regulations every three years, as well as the completion of 30 continuing education credits.