4 answers
helen
Student
Sandy, Oregon
1
Question
Asked
2975 views
How many years does a medical sonographer have to complete in college?
I am in 11tg grade in highschool. I’ve done some first aid as an elective in my class. Im thinking about doing hosa. Im also wondering about being a medical sonographer for a career.
4 answers
Michelle M.
Actress
3284
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Helen !
You seem to have keen insight for preparing yourself for your future studies and career !
There are some paths that take different time lengths to be a Medical Sonographer. If you go to college for an Associates in applied sciences or Sonography, that would be two years for your Associates Degree. You can then see if you'd want to go for your Bachelors Degree in Sonography - the Bachelors takes fours years. If you get your Associates first (2 yrs.) then the Bachelors would be 2 more years.
I don't recommend it, but just FYI, the certificate programs for Sonography are anywhere from 12 to 18 months. I recommend going for your Associates or Bachelors Degree to be fully prepared as a medical professional in the future. Having your college degree, as opposed to a Certificate program, will also put you in the forefront for employment consideration over those who do not have a college degree in Sonography.
About HOSA, yes, yes and yes. Definitely join the Health Occupations Students of America ! Through this organization, you will obtain extra education, networking opportunities, leadership opportunities as well as the chance to build your skills. Join them as soon as you can. They also offer you the opportunity to have access to guest speakers, workshops and training, community service and volunteer opportunities, competitions, and networking. This is actually something awesome to look forward to.
So, what specific questions do you have about being a sonographer ? The different areas that you'd learn about and work in are Doppler ultrasound, High intensity focused ultrasound (like for kidney stones and other things), Abdominal sonography which includes examining the pancreas, aorta, inferior vena cava, liver, gall bladder, bile ducts, kidneys, and/or the spleen, Obstetric sonography (examining the baby while patients are pregnant), Cardiac sonography (for the heart), Musculoskeletal sonography, B.reast sonography, Neurosonography, 3D and 4D sonography and Transcranial Doppler. These are just things that sonography is used on.
To find out exactly what a Medical Sonography Program at college looks like, start going to some college websites that offer that as a major and read what the program offers.
This is one of those awesome careers - you get to set your own schedule because you can work part time at a few providers at multiple locations or if you choose, you can work full time at one provider. The places you would possibly work are hospitals, physicians' offices, outpatient care centers, medical and diagnostic laboratories, and in an educational setting. I also want to mention that the pay is good because it is in health care.
If you have any specific questions, do feel free to return here with more questions about the work or anything. You can also watch You Tube videos of people presenting what the career is like. I hope this helps and I wish you all the best moving forward with your plans !
You seem to have keen insight for preparing yourself for your future studies and career !
There are some paths that take different time lengths to be a Medical Sonographer. If you go to college for an Associates in applied sciences or Sonography, that would be two years for your Associates Degree. You can then see if you'd want to go for your Bachelors Degree in Sonography - the Bachelors takes fours years. If you get your Associates first (2 yrs.) then the Bachelors would be 2 more years.
I don't recommend it, but just FYI, the certificate programs for Sonography are anywhere from 12 to 18 months. I recommend going for your Associates or Bachelors Degree to be fully prepared as a medical professional in the future. Having your college degree, as opposed to a Certificate program, will also put you in the forefront for employment consideration over those who do not have a college degree in Sonography.
About HOSA, yes, yes and yes. Definitely join the Health Occupations Students of America ! Through this organization, you will obtain extra education, networking opportunities, leadership opportunities as well as the chance to build your skills. Join them as soon as you can. They also offer you the opportunity to have access to guest speakers, workshops and training, community service and volunteer opportunities, competitions, and networking. This is actually something awesome to look forward to.
So, what specific questions do you have about being a sonographer ? The different areas that you'd learn about and work in are Doppler ultrasound, High intensity focused ultrasound (like for kidney stones and other things), Abdominal sonography which includes examining the pancreas, aorta, inferior vena cava, liver, gall bladder, bile ducts, kidneys, and/or the spleen, Obstetric sonography (examining the baby while patients are pregnant), Cardiac sonography (for the heart), Musculoskeletal sonography, B.reast sonography, Neurosonography, 3D and 4D sonography and Transcranial Doppler. These are just things that sonography is used on.
To find out exactly what a Medical Sonography Program at college looks like, start going to some college websites that offer that as a major and read what the program offers.
This is one of those awesome careers - you get to set your own schedule because you can work part time at a few providers at multiple locations or if you choose, you can work full time at one provider. The places you would possibly work are hospitals, physicians' offices, outpatient care centers, medical and diagnostic laboratories, and in an educational setting. I also want to mention that the pay is good because it is in health care.
If you have any specific questions, do feel free to return here with more questions about the work or anything. You can also watch You Tube videos of people presenting what the career is like. I hope this helps and I wish you all the best moving forward with your plans !
Isabel Dominguez
Student
137
Answers
Corning, California
Updated
Isabel’s Answer
Hi Helen!
Becoming a medical sonographer is an exciting journey! You can start with either a 2-year associate degree or a 4-year bachelor’s degree in diagnostic medical sonography or a similar field. Some programs might ask for classes in anatomy, math, or physics first. After finishing your degree, you'll take a certification exam like the ARDMS to get registered. Your first aid skills and interest in HOSA are fantastic starting points. Being part of HOSA can give you valuable hands-on experience and help you meet people in healthcare. Medical sonography is a rewarding and in-demand career where you can enjoy strong job growth and work closely with patients and technology.
Becoming a medical sonographer is an exciting journey! You can start with either a 2-year associate degree or a 4-year bachelor’s degree in diagnostic medical sonography or a similar field. Some programs might ask for classes in anatomy, math, or physics first. After finishing your degree, you'll take a certification exam like the ARDMS to get registered. Your first aid skills and interest in HOSA are fantastic starting points. Being part of HOSA can give you valuable hands-on experience and help you meet people in healthcare. Medical sonography is a rewarding and in-demand career where you can enjoy strong job growth and work closely with patients and technology.
babitha asha
Internal medicine physician
15
Answers
Mount Laurel, New Jersey
Updated
babitha’s Answer
It depends on GPA, but need not be very high a just decent one, of decent you can apply to university and complete a bachelor program and specialize later with specialities like cardiology etc.
But if not good GPA join any community program and take major diagnostic sonography and do pre pre-requisites required and continue with sonography and if you want later join 3 plus one program to go university and do bachelors.
If not at all good GPA join any trade school and they will take 30,000 dollars and you can get certified to become sonographer.
But if not good GPA join any community program and take major diagnostic sonography and do pre pre-requisites required and continue with sonography and if you want later join 3 plus one program to go university and do bachelors.
If not at all good GPA join any trade school and they will take 30,000 dollars and you can get certified to become sonographer.
Cheri Hall
Physical Therapist
103
Answers
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Updated
Cheri’s Answer
Hi Helen,
Michelle has shared a great overview of how to become a medical sonographer, and I have a few more tips for you.
When looking at schools or programs, make sure they are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). This means the school has a good curriculum and offers quality education, which will help you meet job requirements, earn your certification, and find a job after graduation.
As you finish high school, remember that many programs require you to complete certain classes first. These usually include English composition, algebra, physical science, biology, and statistics, but requirements can vary by school.
After finishing your Medical Sonography program, you'll need to pass the ARDMS certification exam to start working as a sonographer.
Also, think about the type of program you want, from certificates to Bachelor's degrees. A Bachelor's degree can open up more job opportunities and higher salaries. It can also lead to other roles in healthcare, like sales or research.
Good luck!
Michelle has shared a great overview of how to become a medical sonographer, and I have a few more tips for you.
When looking at schools or programs, make sure they are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). This means the school has a good curriculum and offers quality education, which will help you meet job requirements, earn your certification, and find a job after graduation.
As you finish high school, remember that many programs require you to complete certain classes first. These usually include English composition, algebra, physical science, biology, and statistics, but requirements can vary by school.
After finishing your Medical Sonography program, you'll need to pass the ARDMS certification exam to start working as a sonographer.
Also, think about the type of program you want, from certificates to Bachelor's degrees. A Bachelor's degree can open up more job opportunities and higher salaries. It can also lead to other roles in healthcare, like sales or research.
Good luck!
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