Sonography

What is sonographic technology?

Sonographic technology, also called ultrasonography and sonography, is the science applied to the modern devices and methods of using ultrasonic waves to produce images.

What should I look for in an online sonography school?

The best online sonography schools should possess either regional or national accreditation from an accrediting body that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

In addition, you can often recognize top online sonography schools based on:

• The school's name and status
• The school's history
• Teacher credentials
• Alumni network

In choosing the best online sonography school for you, you should consider the following factors:

• Admission requirements
• Residency requirements
• Class and teaching style
• Testing methods used
• Course content and presentation
• Program length
• Class size
• Student-teacher interaction
• Technology use
• Tuition and financial aid
• Transferability of credits
• Availability of a dedicated administration team and resources

What levels of online sonography programs are available?

The following levels of sonography degree online programs are available:

• Online Sonographer Certificate Programs
• Online Associates in Sonography
• Online Bachelor in Sonography

How long does it take to get an online sonography degree?

The amount of time it takes a student to earn an accredited online sonography degree depends on the level of sonographer degree being pursued and the pace of the student.

Typically, the breakdown is as follows:

• Online Sonographer Certification Programs - 6 months to 1 year
• Online Sonographer Associates Degree - 2 years
• Online Sonographer Bachelor Degree - 4 years

What are some examples of online sonography courses?

Some of the best career-oriented courses you could take in an accredited online sonography program include:

• Sonographic Imaging
  A cornerstone to online sonography schools, this class discusses the factors and approaches in producing quality ultrasound images.
• Medical Terminology
  As an introductory class for any medical field, this online sonographic technology course provides medical terms, their meaning, pronunciation, and use, so that students and professors can communicate effectively in courses to follow.
• Ultrasound Physics
  This course is required by top online sonographic technology programs to teach students about the physical science behind acoustics, sonar, and audio-recording. Often this class will include a lab element or at least require students to follow interactive videos and lessons.
• Anatomy and Physiology
  An essential requirement in good online sonographic technology programs, this course provides information about human anatomy and physiology involving skeletal, muscular, cardiovascular, lymphatic, and nervous systems.
• Mathematics in Radiography
  This online sonographic technology course walks students through grid procedures, methods of measuring not only length, width and depth, but density with an understanding magnification, angle, and logarithmic analysis.

What specializations are available for sonography?

Because sonographic technology is already such a specialized field within radiological technology, very few focuses exist within it. The following specialized fields are largely application-based and are dictated by the way the ultrasound is being used:

• Biomedical Applied Ultrasound
• Diagnostic Sonography
• Industrial Ultrasound

Within the medical field, the specializations are based on the part of the body or the system of organs the sonographers study. These areas include:

• Abdomen
• Breast
• Obstetrics/Gynecology
• Echocardiography
• Vascular Technology
• Neurosonology
• Ophthamology

What can I do with a sonography degree?

Students graduating from accredited online sonography programs can look for work as radiology technologists specializing as sonographers.

• Diagnostic/Medical Sonographer
• Ultrasonic Research Scientist
• Industrial Ultrasonic Technician
• Veterinary Diagnostic Sonographer

The individual duties, position titles, and programs vary for the diagnostic sonographer, depending on the sonographer's specialization.

What is a sonographer?

Sonographers are professionals who operate ultrasonic technology to take images which cannot be seen by normal means and interpret findings for doctors and patients.

What does a sonographer do?

The most common responsibility of a sonographer is to take ultrasonic images of developing fetuses in pregnant women, but they can use ultrasound to inspect any soft tissue which could not be observed using X-rays. An understanding of the math and science behind ultrasonic technology will help the sonographer interpret and record data accurately.

How much does a sonographer earn?

Sonographers most often find work as diagnostic sonographers, who earn a mean annual wage of $63,640. The employment is projected to grow an estimated 18% in the next ten years. The expected increase is due to increased life expectancy, and a need to take medical images of older patients to monitor the status of bones, joints, and other organs.

How do I become a sonographer?

After obtaining a degree at an accredited and often specialized school, sonographers are usually required to be licensed or certified by the state. Most sonographers find employment in hospitals and work under physicians. Advancement becomes easier for sonographers who can boast multiple specializations or credentials and who have credible experience on their résumés.