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How hard is it to be accepted into a sonography program after completing a bachelors degree in health sciences?
Im in the 12th grade thinking about majoring in health sciences. I'm thinking of majoring in either pre-med or biology, although I'm not sure what would better prepare me for the work of an ultrasound technician.
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LaTausha’s Answer
You may want to look at pre-allied health programs versus pre-med or biology. Do some research on the educational path for the sonography profession. I'm not sure if Radiology is separate from sonography but I recommend you consider that as well. Contact academic advisors at college of interests to see what they offer and recommend. You still have time to decide. Typically the first 1-2 years of any health or science major have the same basic prerequisite before you have to declare a major. Good luck !
Radiology is a medical doctor specialty. Radiologists are medical doctors. A radiology technician is also known as a radiographer or radiologic technologist. Most programs for this are 24 month but there are shorter duration programs, too.
Michelle M.
Yes, Thanks for elaborating Michelle. I mentioned it as a point for consideration since the student is thinking of attending a 4yr institution. A bachelors in Radiology Science would cover all or most diagnostic imaging techniques. And if they aspire to go to med school to become a radiologist the pre reqs would already be completed in undergrad.
LaTausha Myers
Thanks. It is my understanding that Radiology is a medical specialty that one chooses during Medical School. Student needed re-direction for the path as health sciences, which she said she wanted or thought she needed to get her Bachelors in - is not the path for what she says she wanted to do. My advice redirects her to the places she can take the programs she needs to take to do what she stated she wants to do. Universities do not offer a Radiology Major - only in Medical School, it is a medical specialty.
Michelle M.
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Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Chelsie !
If your career goal is to be a Sonogram Technician, you would have to apply to Sonogram Programs, not necessarily colleges.
There is no pre-med major. "Pre-med" in college is a path in which students major in something like Biology, Anatomy or Chemistry and take a variety of life sciences. You do not need a Bachelors Degree in order to apply to a Sonogram program which is what you'd need to do if you want to do sonograms.
In New York City, you will find sonogram programs at Ace Diagnostic Medical Sonography School, Touro University, Hunter Business School, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Phillips School of Nursing at Mount Sinai Beth Israel, New York Medical College, and Trocaire College. So if you want to be a Sonographer, find out how to apply to these institutions as they are the ones that offer the program that you'd need, not a Bachelors Degree in a science.
Sonography programs in New York City vary in length depending on the institution and program type. Full-time programs typically range from 14 months to 24 months, not four years that a Bachelors Degree takes. Touro's Program is 21 months. The Medical Training Institute of New York has a 72-week (approximately 17-month) day program and a 90-week (approximately 19-month) evening program. You can also explore the institutions I've mention if you want an Associate's Degree or a Bachelor's Degree in Sonography in New York City. But to Major in a life science will not prepare you for a career as a Sonographer. As a sonographer, you'd do sonograms and ultra sound exams on patients.
This would be a good time to schedule orientations/tours of the schools/programs I've mentioned. You will be able to choose which program and path you like the best and obtain detailed information about the programs.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
If your career goal is to be a Sonogram Technician, you would have to apply to Sonogram Programs, not necessarily colleges.
There is no pre-med major. "Pre-med" in college is a path in which students major in something like Biology, Anatomy or Chemistry and take a variety of life sciences. You do not need a Bachelors Degree in order to apply to a Sonogram program which is what you'd need to do if you want to do sonograms.
In New York City, you will find sonogram programs at Ace Diagnostic Medical Sonography School, Touro University, Hunter Business School, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Phillips School of Nursing at Mount Sinai Beth Israel, New York Medical College, and Trocaire College. So if you want to be a Sonographer, find out how to apply to these institutions as they are the ones that offer the program that you'd need, not a Bachelors Degree in a science.
Sonography programs in New York City vary in length depending on the institution and program type. Full-time programs typically range from 14 months to 24 months, not four years that a Bachelors Degree takes. Touro's Program is 21 months. The Medical Training Institute of New York has a 72-week (approximately 17-month) day program and a 90-week (approximately 19-month) evening program. You can also explore the institutions I've mention if you want an Associate's Degree or a Bachelor's Degree in Sonography in New York City. But to Major in a life science will not prepare you for a career as a Sonographer. As a sonographer, you'd do sonograms and ultra sound exams on patients.
This would be a good time to schedule orientations/tours of the schools/programs I've mentioned. You will be able to choose which program and path you like the best and obtain detailed information about the programs.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
Updated
Memeh’s Answer
Hey Chelsie,
Getting into a sonography program after a bachelor’s in Health Sciences isn’t impossible, but it can be a bit competitive since spots are usually limited. If you keep your GPA strong (around 3.0 or higher), complete courses like anatomy, physiology, and physics, and get some healthcare or shadowing experience, your chances will be really good.
A Health Sciences degree is actually a great foundation because it covers many of the subjects you’ll need later. But Biology or Pre-Med can also prepare you well, it just depends on what you enjoy most.
If your main goal is to become an ultrasound technician (sonographer), you can either go straight into a diagnostic medical sonography program after high school or get your bachelor’s first and then apply for a post-baccalaureate program in sonography.
So overall, it’s definitely achievable if you stay focused and plan ahead.
Next Step for You, Chelsie: Start by researching accredited sonography programs (either associate, bachelor’s, or post-baccalaureate) so you can see what courses and requirements they expect. That’ll help you decide whether to major in Health Sciences, Biology, or Pre-Med now. You can also: Talk to a school advisor or a sonographer to understand what the job is really like. Take science subjects seriously in high school, especially biology, physics, and math. If possible, volunteer or shadow at a hospital or imaging center. That experience will make your future applications stronger and help you confirm your interest in the field.
Getting into a sonography program after a bachelor’s in Health Sciences isn’t impossible, but it can be a bit competitive since spots are usually limited. If you keep your GPA strong (around 3.0 or higher), complete courses like anatomy, physiology, and physics, and get some healthcare or shadowing experience, your chances will be really good.
A Health Sciences degree is actually a great foundation because it covers many of the subjects you’ll need later. But Biology or Pre-Med can also prepare you well, it just depends on what you enjoy most.
If your main goal is to become an ultrasound technician (sonographer), you can either go straight into a diagnostic medical sonography program after high school or get your bachelor’s first and then apply for a post-baccalaureate program in sonography.
So overall, it’s definitely achievable if you stay focused and plan ahead.
Memeh recommends the following next steps: