Which Is Better: A Medical Sonography Degree or Certificate?

If you’re looking to be an active part of patient treatment, why not consider the unique and rewarding career of medical sonography? From tracking the progress of a pregnancy to checking for breast cancer, the possibilities are just about limitless.

For prospective medical sonographers (often referred to as ultrasound techs), there are a couple ways to break into this field. You can either study through ultrasound technician certificate programs or professional diagnostic medical sonography degree programs. Whichever you choose, both are excellent paths to a lucrative career in the allied health industry.

So what’s the right way for you to become an ultrasound tech?

First Of All, What’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography?

The responsibilities and educational requirements for medical sonographers and ultrasound technicians are essentially the same. These professionals identify patients’ ailments by “playing detective” and searching the body for signs of illness or injury via sonograms and ultrasounds.

Ultrasounds are the vibrations and sounds used to create a medical image. Sonograms are the actual medical image that is created from ultrasounds.

These elements are used for everything from checking a baby’s health during pregnancy to searching for kidney stones. You’ll see them performed everywhere from hospitals to physician’s offices to medical labs.

Are DMS Certificates and Degrees the Same?

There are various types of sonography programs, and the job duties will be a little different, depending on the one you decide to pursue.

Diagnostic medical sonography differs from other types of sonography (like vascular technology or echocardiography). While these tests harness the same technology, they require different education and experience. It’s possible to specialize in these areas, but workers need to start with the same basic education and testing.

There are different types of diagnostic medical sonographer schooling. You can attend a sonography certificate program that lasts 2 years or longer. Alternatively, you might choose a two- or four-year sonography degree program.

Each of these offers distinct (and abundant) job opportunities and the chance to be a part of the medical treatment team. There are, however, distinct advantages and disadvantages to each.  The steps to becoming a diagnostic medical sonographer start with education and depend on what works best for you.

Attending an Ultrasound Tech Certificate Program

Certificate programs generally take place at a technical or vocational school, rather than a college or university.

An accredited diagnostic medical sonography certificate usually involves 2-3 years of study and typically includes an extensive clinical internship (which can last as long as 8 months). Students who graduate from a CAAHEP-accredited program are eligible to take certification exams offered by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).

Certification testing includes exams on physics, Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI), and specialty testing.

Graduates are able to focus on abdominal, breast, fetal echocardiography, obstetrics/ gynecology (OBGYN), as well as pediatric sonography*. These individual certifications will give you the ability to choose your future career path within the medical sonography world. 

*Specialty eligibility depends on the type of program students have graduated from.

A Fast Track to the Job Market

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, this field is set to grow by a staggering 23% from 2016 to 2026 – and there’s no sign of it slowing down. 

Pursuing sonography education is a great choice for current allied healthcare professionals (like medical assistants) who are already working in the medical field. Gaining additional training and certification in diagnostic medical sonography can significantly increase job opportunities and salaries.

For those who aren’t in the healthcare field yet, this is an excellent way to start an exciting new career. With a certificate, you can start work and continue your education later on. This makes it much easier to continue moving onward and upward.

Pros of Ultrasound Technologist Certificate Programs

What are the benefits of joining a sonography certificate program?

Some sonography certificate programs may be shorter and allow you to start working more quickly than if you studied for a sonography degree. However, accredited certificate and degree programs are often comparable in length.

Cons of Sonographer Certification Programs

Generally, most employers hire diagnostic medical sonographers based on their knowledge, technical skills, and certification. Having a sonography degree may offer a competitive advantage to sonographers seeking employment.

How Is a Sonography Degree Different Than a Certificate?

Having an associate degree may offer advantages in this highly competitive field. It also opens up the possibility of pursuing higher education in the future.

Spending time at a college or university offers students more time to practice their skills before taking their certification exams, and they may also have the opportunity to study multiple specialties. These classes allow students to qualify for additional certifications and broaden their employment possibilities.

The Cons of a Sonography Degree

The downside of pursuing a 4-year sonography degree is how time-consuming and expensive it can be. A 2-year associate degree, however, offers a nice balance between getting a sonography degree and completing your training in a short period of time.

What Is a Typical Sonographer Salary?