Best Ultrasound Technician Schools

Ultrasound technicians, also called sonographers, are becoming more and more sought after, as this technology has improved significantly since the days when it was only used to monitor pregnancies. Today, ultrasound technicians work in many fields of medicine. Some still work with OB-GYNs to provide images of fetuses, while others use sonography equipment to look at the abdomen, blood vessels, or even brain. Sonography is vital in diagnosing disease quickly, so this work environment is fast-paced. If you thrive in that kind of job, the ultrasound technician career path might be perfect for you – and that starts with getting a solid education.

Ultrasound technician schools can offer either two-year or four-year programs. Unlike many medical careers, you don’t have to be licensed or certified to become a sonographer. However, more and more employers are making this a personal requirement, so applicants who haven’t completed an accredited program may find it nearly impossible to get hired at a reputable hospital or physician’s office. In other words? You need an education to go anywhere in this field. There are nearly 150 accredited ultrasound technician programs in the United States, so you have a wide range of options. Unfortunately, all of these programs are expensive.

One popular financial aid choice for students in any field is the college grant. Grants are similar to scholarships in that you don’t have to repay them when you complete your program, like you do with student loans. However, whereas scholarships are given based on merit, grants are given based on financial need. Even if you didn’t have the best grades in high school or don’t know how to kick a football or play the flute, you can still receive free money for college.

Where can you find great ultrasound technician school grants? Most grants actually come from the government, so begin with national, state, and local resources. However, there are also some organizations that sponsor grants. The American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine offered a $10,000 grant for clinical and basic science ultrasound research projects annually, with a deadline in November. You can also look to the American College of Phlebology to fund research related to your education, as they have a number of grants available to ultrasound technician students.

In addition, consider talking to your employer about ultrasound grant options. Sometimes, the government has grants available to employers specifically to fund education of their employees. Most hospitals and other health organizations are glad to sign the paperwork if you do the research and legwork it takes to apply for the grant. Remember, grant applications can be much longer than applications for scholarships, and you may have to go into great detail about your educational plans.

Try not to let that deter you, though. With higher education, you can earn more money as an ultrasound technician, and it will be easier to find a job or be selected for a promotion. Grants are one of the best ways to make higher education possible.

Top Five Online Ultrasound Tech Degree Programs

Having an ultrasound technician's degree is a wise move for anyone looking to become a part of a growing medical field. To become an ultra sound tech, a student will need at least an associate's degree in medical assisting or comparable field.

AS in Healthcare	University of Phoenix — The College of Health and Human Services of the University of Phoenix offers an associate's degree in health care that will prepare its students for a wide variety of entry-level medical assisting jobs, potentially in the ultrasonography field.
AS in Allied Health Science	South University — The associate's degree in allied health science from South University is geared specifically for students looking for a general education with a focus in life science subjects such as anatomy, chemistry, nutrition, and physiology.
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. The entirely online coursework focuses on business law, management, medical anatomy, physiology, and more.
Medical Assisting Program	Kaplan University — The medical assisting program from Kaplan University is 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.
AS in Health IT	DeVry University — DeVry University is offering a health information technology associate's degree 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 Management	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. Graduates of this program will be suited for management positions in hospitals, private practices, home health agencies, and more.
BA in Medical Technology	Ashford University — The BA in healhcare - medical technology degree program from Ashford University presents its students with a full spectrum of knowledge regarding the healthcare industry. The specialization here is on medical technology, which is ideal for anyone interested in a degree as a medical sonography or ultrasound tech.
AS in Healthcare Admin	California Coast University — California Coast University offers an associate's degree in healthcare administration program intended to prepare individuals for entry-level positions as managers within the healthcare field.
BS in Health Informatics	Walden University — The BS in healthcare informatics degree with an from Walden University Online teaches students essential technical, techological, 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.
See more ultrasound/radiology degrees...