I love how much hands-on experience we get in this program. A majority of the learning through the program comes from practicing within the clinic and hospitals, which truly prepares students for their future careers. The clinical experience is like job training and being at Mayo Clinic allows us to see some of the most rare and interesting pathologies.
- Kaylee, UMR Alumna
The Bachelor of Science in Health Professions (BSHP) Sonography Program
The BSHP Sonography program delivers an upper-division curriculum designed to prepare students to become competent, entry-level sonographers in an environment based on teamwork and mutual respect.
Students will have the opportunity to train in the following specialties: abdomen, obstetrics, gynecology and peripheral vascular. The program provides an exceptional educational experience through high-quality didactic and clinical experiences that prepare students to:
- Perform patient assessments
- Acquire and analyze data obtained using ultrasound and related diagnostic technologies
- Provide a summary of findings to the physician to aid in patient diagnosis and management
- Use independent judgment and systematic problem-solving methods to produce high-quality diagnostic information and optimize patient care
Careers
Sonographers use ultrasound technology to diagnose, monitor and treat a variety of medical conditions. More doctors are turning to sonographers for images because they do not expose patients to radiation the way x-rays do. The types of images that sonographers will be able to take are expected to evolve rapidly.
As imaging technology evolves, medical facilities will continue to use ultrasound to replace more invasive, costly procedures. Ultrasound is often less expensive than other imaging technologies and is often used as a first-line tool for diagnosis.
Employment
Hospitals will continue to be the main employers of sonographers. However, employment is expected to grow rapidly in doctors' offices. New jobs will also be created in medical labs, including diagnostic imaging centers. Facilities such as these are expected to grow rapidly because of the shift to outpatient care.
Job Outlook
Employment opportunities for diagnostic medical sonographers are projected to grow 11 percent from 2023 to 2033, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. As the population grows and ages, demand for diagnostic imaging is expected to increase.
Salary
Sonographers in Minnesota earn an average annual salary of $86,631 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.