An ultrasound bachelors degree is usually earned in 4 years at either a college or university. It is the standard professional undergraduate degree, although it is not a very common degree to earn in ultrasound technology. Instead, most students opt to enroll in ultrasound tech associates degree programs or, if they already have medical training, complete a certificate in ultrasound technology.

Those who do pursue bachelors degrees will be able to practice the profession at a much higher level. A bachelors degree in ultrasound technology usually prepares students to enter or continue in a more advanced position, like working in healthcare management or shaping healthcare policy.

Several of the programs take only 2 years to complete because they expect you to have already earned an associates degree in ultrasound technology. You will still be expected to take academic coursework and clinical rotations in sonography, among other requirements. If you are interested in doing research or teaching, you might thinking about continuing on into a ultrasound technology masters degree program.

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While there are a only a handful of schools offering an ultrasound technician bachelors degree, it is still useful to get a sense of what the degree entails:

TIME TO COMPLETE

A standard bachelors degree is completed in 4 years, although it may be more or less depending on factors such as taking time off or receiving early college credits. The amount of time required complete your bachelors in ultrasound tech will depend on your experience and education, as well as the structure of the program. Some programs are only 2 years because you are expected to have already completed 2 years of associates degree work. You might also be required to have some certification from the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) or another professional sonography organization, or expected to earn certification during your course of study.

NUMBER OF SCHOOLS

Only 27 U.S. schools are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) to offer ultrasound technician bachelors degrees. There is only 1 accredited program that offers the ability to do some work online. While you may find other programs that look respectable, bear in mind that most employers will expect you to have attended an accredited institution in order to be considered for top jobs.

AVERAGE COST

You can expect to spend about $15,000 a year on tuition for your ultrasound technician bachelors degree, although this will also depend on location and the nature of the program. This will not include the cost of books, supplies and fees, or room and board. There may be financial aid available through the school, government or 1 of the professional sonography organizations, so you should not be deterred from pursuing this degree because of costs.

COURSE OF STUDY

Since you may already be expected to have worked as an ultrasound technician, the coursework for earning an ultrasound tech bachelors degree will most likely not include the basics learned in an associates degree program. Some programs may be specialized, so that your sole focus is on a complex area of sonography such as cardiac. You will most likely need to take classes in general sonography and complete at least 1 clinical rotation. Other coursework will focus on management, health policy, current issues in the healthcare field in general, leadership and ethics.

COMMON PROFESSIONS

Students who earn ultrasound tech bachelors degrees will be eligible for the most advanced work in the field and earn top salaries. The degree will also position you to enter management positions within the department and upper areas of the facility where you work. You might also work in government positions in healthcare management or public policy.

CONCLUSION

While earning a bachelors degree in ultrasound technology is not common, it is useful for those who want to practice the profession at the highest level, as well as engage in healthcare management and have a voice in the shaping of healthcare policy.