Working as an ultrasound tech, or sonographer, allows you to help patients in the medical field in a position other than doctor or nurse. In this kind of role, you’ll work with patients to produce images of the body, which can be used by medical professionals to diagnose diseases and provide treatments. Sonography is a safer form of medical imaging than x-rays, since there is no radiation involved, but you still have to go through an ultrasound tech program to learn to use the machinery and care for patients effectively.

The time you’ll spend on your ultrasound tech degree education depends on your specialty and the type of degree you want to earn. Some employers hire ultrasound techs with little education in the field beyond the basics, while others require you to have more education than the average nurse. Overall, you’ll spend between one and four years as a full time student getting an education in the field of sonography.

The advantage to spending less time on your schools is that you can get started quickly in the field, which many workers find necessary in order to save money. On the other hand, if you spend the time to get a bachelor’s degree in ultrasound technology, you’ll have a much higher earning potential once you graduate. An advanced degree also allows you to specialize, so you can choose from more specific fields like abdominal sonography, OB-GYN sonography, or breast sonography.

Keep in mind that before you start any ultrasound tech program, you’ll need to meet certain prerequisites. Almost all programs require that you have a high school diploma or GED, and other common prerequisites include the ability to lift at least 50 pounds and the ability to bend and stoop. If you’re not currently in good physical shape, you may need to take the time to do some conditioning so you can perform the job successfully.

Of course, the time you devote to school every semester has an impact on how long it takes you to actually finish the program. Online programs for sonographers make it especially easy to complete programs on a part-time basis, which is optimal for non-traditional students in many cases. If you are already working as an ultrasound tech with a one-to-two year education, online programs make it possible for you to go back to school to complete your bachelor’s degree while still continuing to work in your field. You can also complete all of your education online, even as a traditional student.

Remember, for most ultrasound techs, the learning doesn’t stop once you graduate from college. You’ll go through on-the-job training with your employer to learn their company-specific rules and procedures, and many also provide you with continuing education opportunities, both required and optional. Take advantage of any learning opportunity presented to you, as this will not only help boost your skills as a sonographer, but it also means that you qualify for pay raises and promotions, as well as more advanced jobs, should you leave your employer to work elsewhere.

Having a degree in the healthcare field is a wise move for anyone looking to become a part of a growing medical field. Becoming an ultra sound tech generally requires some formal training, with the most popular form of education being a two-year degree in a field such as medical assisting, as there aren't really any degrees specific to ultrasound technicians. The following schools offer accredited online degree programs in related healthcare fields.

AS in Medical Assisting AS in Health Info Tech	Kaplan University - The medical assisting program from Kaplan University, while not an ultrasound technologist degree program, is a related healthcare service program and a flexible and affordable way for anyone to train to become a certified ultrasound technician. Graduates of this program are eligible to take the Certified Medical Assistant examination given by the American Association of Medical Assistants. Kaplan also offers a program in health information technology.
AS in Health IT	DeVry University - DeVry University is offering a health information technology associate's degree program, though not specifically an ultrasound program, intended to prepare individuals to work with health information systems and databases in their future careers assisting nurse staffs and physicians.
BS in Health Services Mgmt AS in Medical Office Admin	Virginia College - The health services management degree from Virginia College Online is a bachelor's level degree program that is geared toward medical professionals looking to advance their careers within the medical industry. The health services management degree is not an ultrasound technician program, but is related to the heathcare field. Graduates of this program will be suited for management positions in hospitals, private practices, home health agencies, and more. Virginia College also offers a degree in medical office administration.
AS in Medical Assisting	Herzing University - The AS in medical assisting online degree program from Herzing University gives students a general introduction to the basic operations of a physician's office, with training in medical examination and laboratory procedures. Please note that this is not an ultrasound technologist degree.
AS in Health IT	Hodges University - Those graduating with an HIT degree from Hodges University's Online are trained to become specialists at overseeing computer information systems, managing patient health information and medical records, programming and coding the diagnoses and procedures for healthcare services provided to patients. Though this is not specifically a medical ultrasound degree, it could provide a good background.
AAS in Medical Billing	Lincoln College - Lincoln College Online does not have an ultrasound program, but does have related healthcare service programs such as the associate's degree in medical billing and coding which is geared specifically for students looking to advance their careers within the healthcare administration business. Specifically, this degree program will prepare individuals with the skills needed to properly bill patients and health insurance companies, a useful skill in many hospitals, ultrasound facilities, or physician offices.
AS in Health IT AS in Healthcare Admin	Carrington College California - Although this Carrington College California program is not an ultrasound technician degree, students of Carrington College California have two online degree options available to them: the AS in healthcare information technology focuses on the gathering and handling of patient-related health data; the AS in health administration focuses on developing entry-level administrators or administrative assistants within a healthcare setting such as a hospital or lab.
AAS in Health IT	Rasmussen College - The healthcare information technology program allows students to learn medical coding skills when obtaining an A.A.S. degree from Rasmussen College. Note: This is not an ultrasound tech degree. Students learn to the techniques and skills required for maintaining patient files, medical records and disseminating data needed within their medical agency. Enrollees will also be required to receive management and supervisory training.
AS in Medical Assisting BS in Health Science	Keiser University - The BS degree in health science offered by Keiser University prepares students for both health service administration as well as business endeavors. Ultrasound techs can have a variety of degrees and healthcare backgrounds, but the BS degree in health science is not a diagnostic ultrasound technician degree. The entirely online coursework focuses on business law, management, medical anatomy, physiology, and more. Keiser also offers an associates degree in medical assisting.
AS in Medical Assisting	San Joaquin Valley College - Though not a specialized sonography program, the AS in medical assisting online degree program from San Joaquin Valley College teaches students essential technical, technological, and organizational tasks within a healthcare office. There may also be an accelerated option for those who wish to get their career underway as soon as possible.
AS in Health Administration	Brookline University - Brookline College does not offer an ultrasound tech degree. The AS degree in health administration from Brookline College Online is a two-year program that educates students on the importance of both ethical and practical issues pertaining to 21st century healthcare and healthcare technologies, such as ultrasound.
AS in Health Administration	Iowa Central College - Iowa Central College's AS degree in health care administration is a two-year program that prepares students for the real world of patient care in a health setting, such as hospital, physician office, or medical ultrasound clinic. Please note - this is not a diagnostic medical sonography degree.
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