Ultrasound technician programs are required to be accomplished by students in order to qualify for the certification examination given out by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography to become a licensed or registered diagnostic medical sonographer.
Ultrasound programs can be availed by aspiring technicians by enrolling and studying in training institutes, schools and universities or simply enroll in accredited online programs. There are advantages and issues of studying degree programs online versus the traditional setting that the student attends class daily at school. Let us look on the different advantages and disadvantages of studying online versus studying offline.
Both online and offline sonography study have the same programs to offer. These include Diagnostic Medical Sonography Certificate, Associate of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography and Bachelor of Health Sciences in Medical Imaging. The time needed for the traditional classes are fixed while online classes will depend solely on the progress and the schedule of the students. For a traditional classroom, the certificate in DMS is accomplished for year or less, two years for the associate degrees and four years for the bachelor’s degree. For online degree programs, the completion of full training will depend on the schedule set by the student.
Clinical practicum or the hands on experience is normally done in a traditional classroom setting and there is no way for this to be completed online. Hands-on-experience is vital for the completion of a complete training in ultrasound sonography, thus, even online students are needed to undergo this for the completion of the degree.
Some of the subjects in sonography programs include Anatomy Identification wherein the students are introduced and being taught the skills needed for the recognition and identification of human organs and parts of the body that is vital to know whether it is in normal state. Ultrasound technology operation is another subject where students familiarize equipment, machine and other relevant instruments. These subjects are both accessed by the online ultrasound programs and those studying in the classroom settings. For online classes, graphical images scanned through ultrasound machines, several other pictures are sent to the students to familiarize and when clinical practicum is needed to be accomplished, they are ready to deal with the difficulties of the subject.
Accreditation are common problems with degree programs acquired online. There is a list of accredited online programs for ultrasound technician career while for traditional schools; accreditation is the common denominator among schools. To make sure that the online program is accredited, refer to the list of accredited programs from the Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.
Under the category diagnostic medical sonographer, in the list of the accredited schools are Washburn University, Jackson Community College, and Mountain State University Beckley.
Another advantage of online versus classroom setting ultrasound technician programs is the convenience the student to make his own pace and work over his own created schedule. Online programs are effective for adult professionals who have already had their own profession but would want to continue studying and to become ultrasound technician.
Ultrasound technician programs for both online and classroom setting have their own advantages and disadvantages. It depends upon the student to choose what appropriate means of education he will avail to complete the degree program. Sonography programs should be reviewed before the student to opt for online or offline classes.
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