An ultrasound degree can help students gain entry into a growing medical field

Ultrasound technicians are skilled members of the medical field, but there are many ways to gain skills needed for entry into this growing sector. On-the-job-learning and military training are options, but information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates employers prefer to hire technicians with formal education, like an ultrasound degree.

Ultrasound degree options

Students seeking to break into this growing field will find there are many different ways to earn an ultrasound degree. According to the BLS, colleges and universities offer both two-year and four-year ultrasound degrees. Earning an associate ultrasound degree can help future ultrasound technicians get on the fast track to professional employment, while a four-year ultrasound degree can offer specialization and help a student prepare for more advanced careers in this field.

Ultrasound degree coursework

Any course of study for an ultrasound degree, either an associate degree or a bachelor's degree, is likely to include coursework covering the following:

• anatomy
• physiology
• instrumentation
• basic physics
• patient care
• medical ethics

Ultrasound degree certification

Completing an ultrasound degree can prepare students for certification. Though no states require licensure in medical sonography, the BLS reports that most employers prefer to hire candidates who are certified by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography. Though an ultrasound degree isn't a prerequisite for certification, it can help students gain skills needed to pass certifying exams. The ARDMS credential can be obtained in specific areas for imagining, indicating an ultrasound technician's specialization.