ANSWERS: 1
  • Ultrasound technicians are medical professionals who use sound waves to produce pictures of the interior structures of a patient's body. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the demand for ultrasound technicians will increase by 19 percent through 2016, resulting in the creation of 8,700 jobs.

    Types of Programs

    The most common education for ultrasound technicians is an associate's degree, though some have bachelors degrees in the field, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Professional who already have medical training, such as medical assistants or X-ray technicians, sometimes pursue certificate programs in ultrasound technology.

    Time Frame

    Associate's-degree programs usually require two years of schooling, and bachelor's programs take four years to complete. Students usually complete certificate-based programs in one year or less.

    Locations

    Community and junior colleges usually offer associate's degrees in ultrasound technology, and traditional colleges and universities offer bachelor's programs in the field. Health-care professionals have access to certificate programs at hospitals and vocational or technical schools.

    Features

    The longer the program, the more hands-on experience a technician receives, making bachelor's recipients more desirable than applicants with associate's degrees. Bachelor's programs typically require coursework in areas outside of ultrasound technology, such as social science and English, but associate's programs concentrate solely on courses related to the field.

    Cost

    Associates programs usually cost less than those that result in bachelor's degrees. For the 2009-10 school year, one year in an associate's program averaged $2,544, compared with $7,020 at in-state public universities and $26,273 at private universities for bachelor's programs, according to CollegeBoard.com.

    Source:

    CollegeBoard.com: 2009-10 College Prices

    U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

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