What are the Different Kinds of Radiology Technician Degrees?

Depending on your level of health care experience and immediate career goals, you can get your radiology technician degree or certificate in one to four years. Students have many options
when enrolling in a radiology technician program. They can earn a one-year certificate, which is offered mainly to experienced radiology technicians or individuals from other health occupations, who want to switch fields. Students can also earn a two-year associate’s degree, which is the most common degree plan. The two-year track provides students with the basic knowledge and skills in patient care, equipment usage and radiation protection. Most employers will accept graduates with a two-year associate’s degree. Lastly, there are four-year bachelor’s degrees offered to students in radiography. This degree track is mainly for students who want immediate jobs as supervisors, administrators and instructors in a radiology department.

Along with the different degree levels, there are numerous concentrations within the field of radiography. After a reasonable amount of work experience and training, students may be eligible to specialize in more advanced imaging modalities, such as CT, MRI, mammography, angiography, nuclear medicine and ultrasound. Some of these modalities are combined with additional college level courses during a bachelor’s degree program. For a more complete list of medical imaging concentrations, check out the American Society of Radiologic Technologists’ directory of specialities for radiology technicians. Having
experience in another imaging specialty will give you more employment opportunities and responsibilities because you are multi-credentialed. Many hospitals, medical imaging centers and
outpatient care centers are looking for radiology technicians with more experience that they can use in their practice.

Students who want to get their prerequisites over with before they enter a radiology clinical program can turn to online education programs. Many of the online degree programs teach students essential radiology skills, such as anatomy, physiology, medical terminology and medical ethics. Many of these degree programs pave the way for students to enter management and administrative positions within radiography or another health care field.