Radiological Sciences Major: Should I Move Ahead in my Career?
Radiation technology is an exciting field in medical services that is growing and evolving quickly. The technologists who operate and maintain medical imaging and radiotherapy devices need to be well educated and trained in their use, and there’s only one way to get started: earning a college degree. Associate degrees have been the standard in the field for a long time.
However, bachelor’s degrees in the radiological sciences have become more and more popular with students and employers lately. While they’re not the norm at the moment, a bachelor degree could be a great idea for aspiring radiation technologists, especially those who want to reach their top professional and earning potential.
The Difference in Education
An associates degree generally includes 70 total credit hours, while a bachelor’s degree requires a greater time commitment: 120 credit hours. Both the associates and bachelor’s degrees provide ample practical, hands-on experience and classroom training for the proper operation of imaging and radiotherapy devices and both will adequately prepare you to start working as a rad tech.
With a bachelor’s degree you will arguably be better prepared
Why Go for the Bachelor’s Degree?
Although radiological technologists certainly can, and often do, start their professional careers right away with an associates degree, a Bachelor’s degree in the Radiological Sciences could very well be worth the effort, whether you’re just starting your education or currently working and looking for a way to advance your career.
Additionally, those with bachelor’s degrees traditionally command higher salaries than those with associates degrees. Your salary will be a combination of your education, certification, and skills, both hard and soft. Having more education on your side is always a good thing when it comes to looking for a job in your field.
Potential for Advancement
Possibly the most important advantage of a bachelor’s degree is that it involves a lot more education in the scientific theories, devices, and medical principles underpinning the field than you would get in an associates degree. This kind of education is very transferable; bachelor’s degree holders have the knowledge they need to learn quickly to use new devices and understand how they work.
They can be trusted to operate very complex radiologic devices and serve in leadership roles among groups of radiologic technologists that include both Bachelor’s and associates degree holder because of their expansive knowledge base – and the field is expected to grow by 12 percent over the next ten years, so there are going to be lots of opportunities for leadership!
Certification
Regardless of your education level, virtually every employer in the field requires that any aspiring member of the profession earn a professional certification from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. There is a wide variety of credential options up to and including certification as a registered radiologist assistant. Generally speaking, the more certifications that you hold, the better your earning and job placement prospects will be.
The Right Choice for Your School
Getting an education in the radiological sciences is the first and a necessary step towards becoming a radiologic technologist, and fortunately, you have excellent options for schools at your fingertips. If you want to earn a Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences (BSRS), consider ECPI University for the education you’ll need. This online program is designed with working students in mind. For more information, connect with a helpful admissions counselor today!
It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!
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Gainful Employment Information – Radiologic Sciences – Bachelor's
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