Ultrasound Technician Degree Vs Diploma Vs Certificate

Ultrasound technology is gaining more and more prominence as the diagnostic tool of choice as it is non-invasive, safer and more cost-effective than most other technologies.  As the demographics of our population changes there is greater demand for reliable therapeutic means that will meet the stringent standards of health-care.  So now that you have chosen ultrasound sonography as your career choice, which training course is the most apt for you? Your decision will depend on the time-frame, budget and level of expertise you had in mind.  Broadly there are three classifications of training offered by most universities and trade schools for ultrasound technician.

All three courses of study will deal with:

  • physics
  • human physiology
  • human musculoskeletal anatomy
  • principles of ultrasound theory
  • the correct usage and safety of ultrasound equipment
  • therapeutic and diagnostic
  • ultrasound techniques
  • patient care
  • medical ethics

The depth to which these topics will, be covered is based on the course of study you choose.  The three choices can almost be considered as increasing in degree of difficulty.

Ultrasound Technician Certificate Courses

This is usually a 1 year course intended for people that have previous medically allied training.  For instance, a medical assistant that wants to change career paths can take a certificate course, unlike a person that does not have pertinent medical training.  The assumption that the individual has dealt with patients in a clinical setting is made while extending them this option.  If one is looking to expand one’s skill set in the medical field or completely shift gears towards a different one, a certificate course will give you the training and the knowledge to make the change.  While satisfying some course requirements may make one eligible for this course, care must be taken that it does not limit your future employment possibilities.  Depending on the employer, sufficient stock may not be placed on the certificate degree as opposed to a diploma.  Financial aid is available for qualifying applicants.

Ultrasound Technician Diploma Courses

This takes two years to complete depending on the prerequisites you have met. Prerequisites include a GED with a GPA of over3.0.  In hospital settings, a diploma is the standard of care if not the bare minimum for ultrasound tech eligibility.  It is perhaps the most popular of the three ultrasound course choices as it is recognized worldwide by the health care industry.  The salary is commensurate with the high level of expertise required to graduate with a diploma.   Financial aid is available for qualifying applicants.

Ultrasound Technician Degree Courses

This as the name suggest is the most comprehensive educational package.  It does take four years to complete and entails a very in depth study of the theory of the technology along with an emphasis on diagnosis.  The prerequisites for this degree are an associate’s degree in an allied health field or a BA in any field with 3.0 or greater GPA in Human Anatomy and Physiology, Physics and higher math.  This degree can render an ultrasound technologist much more attractive than either of the previous courses. The degree course is marked by the number of hours of hands on experience or clinical internship/practicum that one gets.  In several schools, this is over 900 hours; this distinguishes the degree program from any other courses that are offered. Financial aid is also more easily available for qualifying students in degree programs.  Typically over 250 hours of classroom instruction is completed.  Degree holders work very closely with physicians in the diagnosis process.  They are given more free rein to accomplish a diagnosis.  Accordingly, the salary is much higher with future profit sharing possibilities.

No matter what your choice of ultrasound tech course is, it is important that the trade school or university be accredited.  Non-profits bodies such as ARDMS (American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography) and CAAHEP (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs) vet the degree granting body for academic rigor.  It should be noted that employers prefer hiring graduates that are registered with ARDMS and products of CAAHEP approved institutions.