Radiologist School: Top 15 US Programs to Obtain the Desired Degree

To be a professional radiologist means being a highly responsible and knowledgeable person. If the first feature is something you must have, then the second one is something you can gain. If knowing how to become a radiologist is one of your current priorities, we will gladly help you out. Let's find out more about radiologist education, including radiologist schools, faculties, institutes and programs.

Degrees in Radiology

Radiologist education takes time, regardless of the degree you are about to work for. Patience and will are the features you are going to need as well, as there is a great number of terms and knowledge you are to learn and gain.

If getting an Associate degree is the way you've chosen, keep in mind that this is the commonest way to get prepared for certification exams and receive a job in the medical field.

Certificate programs (or diplomas, as they are frequently referred to) are always available for students, looking for the quickest way to get into the field of radiology. During months of studying they gain skills in such areas as CT (Computed Tomography), MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and Mammography.

The majority of programs last from 6 months to 1 year and can be easily completed online. Acquiring the radiology Associate's degree you get a stable position in this field.

There are different types of associate degrees:

1. AAS (Associate of Applied Science) in Radiologic Technology
2. AAS in Ultrasound
3. AS in Radiation Therapy
4. AS in Nuclear Medicine

Bachelor's degree is another level to aim at. During years of studying students develop their skills in specific branches like finance, science, medical technology, management and instructional theory.

Those who apply for Bachelor's degree are first to obtain an Associate's degree from any accredited program or are to pass an exam before applying. As a rule, such programs have the right to choose the strongest students with backgrounds in Chemistry, Science, Statistics and Mathematics. The commonest degree programs are MRI Physics, Public Health, Medical Ethics, Physiology and Medical Imaging.

How much does a radiologist make? Speaking about a specialist with the Bachelor's degree, his salary equals $70,000 - $79,000 (average), but here things also depend on the type of the degree he obtained:

• BS, Radiography
• BS (Bachelor of Science), Ultrasound
• BS, Radiology Management
• BS, Radiography (Advanced Clinical Modalities)
• BS in Radiologic Sciences (Online Fast Track Program)
• BS, Healthcare Administration

But to get the degree is not enough... Graduates are to get re-certified every year. What for? The thing is that every year the field of radiology has lots of changes and a real professional has to follow them.

Today AART (the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists) offers advanced registration. Though the certification is usually not required, some employers request their radiology professionals gain the certification after they gain supervised experience.

The lowest paid radiologist technician salary is $35,000 a year. Years of experience and additional courses can raise the mark up to $75,000 in a few years.

An M.D. (Doctor of Medicine) is the degree that covers 4-year residency programs in diagnostic radiology or radiation oncology. Doctors study radiology, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound and get basic knowledge in radiologist school residencies: pediatric (pediatric radiologist), vascular and Neuroradiology.

If you are about to enroll in M.D. programs, keep in mind that you are to have a Bachelor's degree, as well as experience in pre-medicine subjects (biology and chemistry). The coursework combines patient care and clinical training. The covered technologies usually include: x-ray, fluoroscopy, ultrasound, arteriogram, mammography, nuclear medicine and myelogram.

Between 2012 and 2022 the job growth for radiologists with the M.D. degree is about to increase by 22%. Radiologists are expected to have really great job prospects. Thus, the middle annual compensation will grow as well.

Radiologist salary in this case has pretty nice perspectives, as 3 years ago the median annual compensation reached the point of $340,000. Interventional radiology salary is lower, but it has perspectives in the nearest future.

Speaking about radiologist assistant salary and that of a nurse, it should be noted it is lower, but is worth the time spent on professional training.

Top 15 Best Radiologist Schools to Choose Programs At:

1. Stanford University - www.stanford.edu
2. University of the District of Columbia - www.udc.edu
3. California State University - www.csulb.edu
4. Johns Hopkins University - www.jhu.edu
5. MedVance Institute - www.medvance.edu
6. University of Missouri - www.missouri.edu
7. Argosy University - mycampus.argosy.edu
8. Cabrillo College - www.cabrillo.edu
9. University of Pennsylvania - www.upenn.edu
10. University of Iowa Hospital - www.uihealthcare.org
11. Emory University School of Medicine - www.emory.edu
12. University of Chicago - www.uchicago.edu
13. University of Florida - www.ufl.edu
14. Medical College of Georgia - georgiahealth.edu
15. Washington University School of Medicine - medschool.wustl.edu

Choosing any of these schools you get the best education and choose among a great number of programs to improve your basic skills and get new ones through specialized trainings. Plus, there exist additional certifications for those, who'd like to sub-specialize, as well as fellowships that offer extra training.

Speaking about sub-specializations, you can choose the specialization you like the most. We offer you to pay special attention to:

1. Interventional Radiology: this is the use of various invasive techniques to treat problems like biopsy procedures, blood vessels, abscess drainage, angioplasty, etc.
2. Gastrointestinal Radiology: this sub-specialty images the digestive tract, intestines, abdominal region and stomach.
3. Cardiovascular Radiology is mainly connected with imaging, as well as diagnosis of blood vessels and heart.
4. Nuclear Radiology stands for the use of radioactive materials for imaging and treating the patients. The commonest types of imaging are PET, PET/CT scans and gamma imaging.
5. Pediatric Radiology diagnoses and treats problems with children.
6. Genitourinary Radiology focuses on the bladder, the urinary tract and the reproductive organs.
7. Neuroradiology uses radiologic imaging in order to diagnose possible problems with spinal areas and the brain using x-rays, MRI procedures and CT.
8. Breast Imaging & Mammography specializes on breast imaging and focuses on different issues, diseases and other conditions of the breast (ultrasound, mammography, MRIs and biopsies).
9. Head and Neck Radiology are primarily concerned about all the abnormalities that may occur in the neck and head regions. Its main task is to treat these abnormalities.
10. Emergency Radiology deals with emergency conditions like traumas of patients.
11. Radiation Oncology is focused on treatment of cancer with medical imaging techniques and radiation for effective cancer elimination.
12. Chest and Abdominal Radiology treats the area on the chest region (lungs and heart).
13. Muscoskeletal Radiology is based on imaging and diagnosis of muscles and the skeletal system.

2 Best US Radiology Programs

Though there are lots of radiology schools, it is not that easy to say which of them can be regarded to be the best one. According to the latest researches, University of Washington (the Seattle Campus) and University of California (in San Francisco) offer the best programs.

In the University of Washington students spend their practicum hours at the UW Medical Center in Seattle. Most students choose different programs and specialize in pediatric radiology, Neuroradiology, cardiac imaging, pediatric radiology and musculoskeletal radiology.

This university prepares the best professionals and takes the 12^th position among the US Best Hospitals and the 5^th place among cancer hospitals.

The University of California offers education in health professions. All the students can choose among 11 specialties. Speaking about radiology, the UCSF offers 2 residency programs to choose from. One of them prepares diagnostic radiologists, the second one offers to study nuclear medicine. According to the latest research, the University of California is the 7^th best hospital of America.

Online Radiology Schools

We all used to think that there are only campus radiology programs to seek for, BUT today's technologies offer a chance to gain the degree through an online program. An online degree program has one major benefit: it offers maximum flexibility.

The only possible problem is that if one does not have any medical imaging experience, he/she will definitely find it too difficult to qualify for any online program. In case, this is what bothers you a lot, you'd better start looking for radiologist schools in your local area/state. The Internet will help you a lot, as you can request the information and find out whether there are schools that offer suitable evening courses and various so-called "hybrid programs", which can be quite easily completed both on campus and online. Online healthcare programs are multiple. Your request is browse through some of them, and you find the one that suits you best.

Campus vs. Online Programs: Which Is Better?

A hybrid program or an online radiology school is mainly the option for those, who are limited in time and possibilities or are aiming at upgrading from a medical assistant or a limited license x-ray tech. In case you have no pre-medical experience, you won't meet the prerequisites simply because you won't clearly understand what you are going to cope with.

Campus programs are generally more profound and combine practical classes and theory, which is great for those students, who are new in this medical field.

Choose an appropriate radiologist school to gain the needed degree and open a whole new world as a professional radiologist. Good luck!