Can I work while studying for my bachelors degree in sonography?
Pursuing a bachelors in sonography requires a significant time commitment, but this does not necessarily preclude you from working while you study. Before you decide whether or not you will work while completing a degree, talk to current or former sonography students to get an idea of the time required for classes and homework, and keep in mind that most degree programs require significant clinical hours. If you do decide to work, the best jobs to seek would be those in the medical field, ideally at a hospital or clinic where you could complete your clinical hours as well.
An accredited sonography bachelors degree can be quite expensive, and working while studying could offset some of the costs. However, working full time could make it necessary to reduce your course load, which could lead to even more expenses if it takes longer for you to complete your degree.
Another option for students interested in working while studying is to pursue an online bachelor degree in sonography. Online classes are much more flexible in scheduling, which means you could study in the evenings and on weekends if you work during the day and still complete your degree in 4 years.
Are there any brick-and-mortar colleges that offer an online sonography bachelors degree program?
In addition to specialized sonography schools, there are several brick-and-mortar colleges that also offer a bachelor in sonography online. With a top online bachelor degree in sonography from these certified programs, students will be prepared to find work as sonographers in a variety of settings.
The Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences is a school certified by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) that offers a Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. The program is designed with working adults in mind and is flexible about scheduling courses around your career. The online BSDMS degree requires six 14-week trimesters and can be completed in as few as 2 years.
University of Oklahoma’s College of Allied Health offers a BS in Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences – Sonography. The extensive program consists of 68 semester hours of classroom and clinical courses.
Are there any scholarships for traditional or online bachelors degree students in sonography?
Students pursuing a bachelor in sonography online or in a traditional college should consider applying for scholarships.
In general, it is easier to find scholarships to traditional universities and colleges that offer bachelors degrees in sonography, especially if you can demonstrate a financial need. However, the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS) offers the SDMS Foundation Scholarship Program for students who are enrolled in any CAAHEP-accredited sonography degree program. The scholarship is for $2,500 toward the costs of tuition.
There are also government scholarships that vary by state, like the Allied Healthcare Scholarship for California students studying in a variety of medical fields, including diagnostic medical sonography. This scholarship provides up to $4,000 per year.
If you are interested in pursing an online degree, several colleges offering online bachelors in sonography also offer scholarship programs for eligible students, such as these scholarships from the Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences. For online degrees, it is best to search for scholarships from the school or institution itself rather than general scholarships, which are more likely to be offered to students studying at brick-and-mortar universities.
Can I study abroad during my on-campus or online bachelors degree program in sonography?
In general, students completing a degree in the medical field like the sonography bachelors degree have fewer options when it comes to study abroad programs, as medical regulations and practices can vary greatly across borders. If you are interested in studying abroad, it is best to do so in your first 2 years of study when completing the core curriculum, which is much more likely to transfer between different institutions.
If you are interested in getting the best bachelors degree in sonography, whether online or at a traditional university, you will need to focus on completing a significant number of clinical hours. The last 2 years of study for a bachelors in sonography usually require clinical hours, which must be completed in a designated clinic or hospital. Therefore, study abroad opportunities are much more limited during that time. It is best to check with the study abroad office at your school for details regarding requirements and costs.
Study abroad opportunities are even more limited for students pursuing online bachelors in sonography. However, if your online degree is from a traditional university, it may be possible to study abroad through the university’s study abroad program.