Education and Training

In order to earn an ultrasound and sonography degree, you will need to complete coursework in areas such as physiology, anatomy, basic physics, instrumentation, medical ethics and patient care. Good interpersonal skills and solid communication skills are also necessary to be successful in the field. Although no state requires licensure in order to be employed as a sonographer, many employers require their sonographers to be certified through the America Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).
Employment Opportunities

After completing your ultrasound and sonography degree, there are several different career paths you may pursue. These include:

• Obstetric and gynecologic sonography
• Abdominal sonography
• Neurosonography
• Breast sonography

An obstetric and gynecologic sonographer specializes in imaging the female reproductive system as well as for examining the fetus of a pregnant woman in order to track the health and growth of the baby.

Abdominal sonographers inspects the abdominal cavity of the patient in order to help diagnose and treat conditions involving the pancreas, bile ducts, gallbladder, kidneys, spleen, liver an male reproductive system.

Neurosonographers are responsible for inspect parts of the nervous system, including the brain. They may also scan blood vessels in order to check for abnormalities indicating a stroke or other conditions.

A breast sonographer aids in the detection of breast cancer as well as in the tracking of tumors and blood supply conditions. Breast sonographers may also assist with completing a biopsy of the breast tissue.

Job Outlook and Salary

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for individuals with an ultrasound and sonography degree are expected to grow faster than the average occupation. This is largely because the demand for diagnostic services will continue to grow as the population increases and grows older. The Bureau reports that the median annual earnings for sonographers in May 2006 was $57,160.