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Sonography Degree
Colleges offer formal training in both 2- and 4-year programs, culminating in an associate or a
bachelor’s degree. Two-year programs are most prevalent. Course work includes classes in anatomy,
physiology, instrumentation, basic physics, patient care, and medical ethics. Some healthcare workers,
such as obstetric nurses and radiologic technologists, increase their marketability by seeking training
in fields such as sonography. This usually requires completion of an additional 1-year program that may
result in a certificate. Registration with American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS)
requires passing a general physical principles and instrumentation examination, in addition to passing
an exam in a specialty such as obstetric and gynecologic sonography, abdominal sonography, or neurosonography.
Scope of this degree
Unlike most diagnostic imaging methods, sonography does not involve radiation, so harmful side effects
and complications from repeated use are rarer for both the patient and the sonographer. Hospitals will
remain the principal employer of diagnostic medical sonographers. However, employment is expected to
grow more rapidly in offices of physicians and in medical and diagnostic laboratories, including
diagnostic imaging centers. Sonographic technology is expected to evolve rapidly and to spawn many new
sonography procedures, such as 3D- and 4D-sonography for use in obstetric and ophthalmologic diagnosis.
Leading Programs:
- Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer
- Diagnostic Medical Sonography
- Surgical Technologist
More Sonography Colleges
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