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Extern-ultrasound technologist education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become an extern-ultrasound technologist. Extern-ultrasound technologists usually study medical technician, liberal arts, or psychology. 47% of extern-ultrasound technologists hold a associate degree, and 34% hold an bachelor's degree. We analyzed 1,521 real extern-ultrasound technologist resumes to see exactly what extern-ultrasound technologist education sections show.

The most common colleges for extern-ultrasound technologists are the West Coast Ultrasound Institute and the West Coast Ultrasound Institute.

There are also many online extern-ultrasound technologist courses to help get the education required to be an extern-ultrasound technologist.

There are certain extern-ultrasound technologist certifications that you should consider. These extern-ultrasound technologist certifications include Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer - Abdomen (RDMS) and Registered Vascular Technologist - Vascular Technology.

What education do you need to become an extern-ultrasound technologist?

What degree do you need to be an extern-ultrasound technologist?

The most common degree for extern-ultrasound technologists is associate degree, with 47% of extern-ultrasound technologists earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are bachelor's degree degree at 34% and bachelor's degree degree at 7%.
  • Associate, 47%
  • Bachelor's, 34%
  • Diploma, 7%
  • High School Diploma, 4%
  • Other Degrees, 8%

What should I major in to become an extern-ultrasound technologist?

You should major in medical technician to become an extern-ultrasound technologist. 60% of extern-ultrasound technologists major in medical technician. Other common majors for an extern-ultrasound technologist include liberal arts and psychology.

Most common colleges for extern-ultrasound technologists

Extern-ultrasound technologists often get their degrees at West Coast Ultrasound Institute, Platt College-Ontario, and Eastern International College. Here are the most common colleges for extern-ultrasound technologists in the US based on their resumes.
Extern-ultrasound technologist common collegePercentages
West Coast Ultrasound Institute31.43%
Platt College-Ontario7.14%
Eastern International College6.43%
Ferris State University5.71%
Argosy University4.29%

Best majors for extern-ultrasound technologists

RankMajorPercentages
1Medical Technician59.9%
2Liberal Arts4.7%
3Psychology4.4%
4Business4.1%
5Biology3.8%

Best colleges for extern-ultrasound technologists

The best colleges for extern-ultrasound technologists are Northwestern University, Vanderbilt University, and University of Tulsa.

An extern-ultrasound technologist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for extern-ultrasound technologists. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become extern-ultrasound technologists.

1. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,695

Enrollment

6,596

2. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

3. Yale University

New Haven, CT • Private

In-state tuition

$53,430

Enrollment

5,963

4. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$55,188

Enrollment

15,105

5. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Enrollment

18,946

6. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

7. Georgetown University

Washington, DC • Private

In-state tuition

$54,104

Enrollment

7,089

8. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

In-state tuition

$49,816

Enrollment

6,840

9. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Enrollment

34,564

10. Tufts University

Medford, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,382

Enrollment

5,597

20 best online courses for extern-ultrasound technologists

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1. Visualizing the Living Body: Diagnostic Imaging

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This course teaches learners the underlying principles behind conventional radiography, computerized axial tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ultrasound. The radiology of chest, abdomen, pelvis, extremities, spine and brain are taught in this course using a combination of lectures and extensive practical activities and assessments. By the end of the course you will be able to: Describe the principles of conventional radiography, CT MRI and ultrasound Describe systematic...

2. Trauma Emergencies and Care

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Welcome to Trauma Emergencies and Care. In this course, you will learn about some of the mechanics and physics of trauma on the human body, and how this can cause injury. You will continue to expand your new vocabulary with medical terminology, and learn how to describe the different injuries you may see. You will also learn about the trauma system itself- and when it is important to transport patients to a trauma center. Then we will dive into specific injuries based on what part of the body...

3. Introduction to Medical Imaging

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Your guide to the history, science, math, and economics of medical imaging systems (e.g., X-ray, CT, MRI, Ultrasound)...

4. Become an External Auditor - External Audit Process Level 1

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External Audit Process : Financial Statement Accounting : Business Valuation Methods : Certified Public Accountant (CPA)...

5. Prehospital care of acute stroke and patient selection for endovascular treatment using the RACE scale

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Acute stroke is a time-dependent medical emergency. In acute ischemic stroke, the first objective is to restore brain flow using sistemic thrombolytic treatment and, in patients with large vessel occlusion, by endovascular treatment. In hemorrhagic stroke there are also specific treatments that can improve the clinical outcome. The sooner the initiation of all these therapies the higher the clinical benefit. Thus, the organization of Stroke Code systems coordinated between emergency medical...

6. Health After Cancer: Cancer Survivorship for Primary Care

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This course presents basic principles of cancer survivorship to primary-care physicians. Developed by a team of experts in caring for cancer survivors, and narrated by a primary-care physician, this course provides practical tips and tools that can be easily integrated into medical practice. You will learn about the complex physical and psychosocial needs and concerns of the growing number of cancer survivors, along with the key role that primary care physicians have in guiding these patients...

7. CFD of External Aerodynamics and Turbomachinery

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External aerodynamics and turbo-machinery CFD in Ansys Fluent, ICEMCFD, Space Claim & Design Modeler...

8. Salesforce Integration With External Systems

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Learn about Salesforce integration API (SOAP REST Batch Streaming Outbound Messaging Callouts) to connect...

9. Operations and Patient Safety for Healthcare IT Staff

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Now that you've been introduced to the world of Health IT and the important role played by electronic health records (EHRs), we'll focus on other technologies that play a role in maintaining ongoing operations in healthcare. Telemedicine, patient portals, barcode scanners, printers, and medical devices are just some of the technologies that impact providers and patients. As an IT support specialist, you’ll be asked to troubleshoot issues with a wide variety of tools. You'll see a scenario with...

10. Medical Emergencies: Airway, Breathing, and Circulation

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In this course, you will develop the knowledge and skills to assess and stabilize certain types of patients for transport. By the end of this course, you will be able to: 1) assess a basic medical patient 2) describe general pharmacologic principles and the skills associated with medication administration, 3) explain airway physiology, the assessment of the airway and available interventions for airway management, 4) identify, assess and formulate a plan to stabilize a patient with a...

11. Medical Coding: ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code Training

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Learn medical coding and prepare yourself for today's healthcare workplace...

12. Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) Part 1 - Full Study Course

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Full study course and instructor support for the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) Part 1...

13. Value-Based Care: Managing Processes to Improve Outcomes

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COURSE 3 of 7. This course is designed to introduce you to critical office-based processes that a value-based practice must manage in the drive towards improved patient outcomes. In Module 2, we’ll focus on office-based and clinical patient-based supporting functions. At every level in healthcare, guidelines, processes, and functions exist to improve outcomes, and following a consistent process will return the best effect. Refine your understanding of value and learn strategies to provide real...

14. Emergency Care: Pregnancy, Infants, and Children

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Welcome to the final course of lectures in your quest to master EMT basics. In this course, we will cover some of the highest-stress patient populations: pregnant patients and kids, also known as pediatrics. To wrap up your EMT knowledge we will end this course with information about hazmat situations, extricating patients from tight spots and finally how you write a note about your patient care. You will learn to ensure it communicates what your assessment of the patient was, what...

15. A Specialty Approach to Learning Medical Billing and Coding

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Volume One: Medical Hematology...

16. Internal audit on Medical Device QMS - ISO 13485:2016

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Successfully conduct an internal audit based on requirements of ISO 13485:2016 for Medical Device Development and QMS...

17. Traditional herbal medicine in supportive cancer care: From alternative to integrative

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Please join us for an exciting and innovative journey, examining one of the most important and often overlooked aspects of the oncology setting: Traditional Herbal Medicine in Supportive Cancer Care. This course is presented with short lectures offering a wide range of issues related to the principles and practice of herbal medicine in cancer care. The course includes interviews with leading world experts from the field of Integrative Oncology, from the U.S. and Canada, as well as Europe, the...

18. Palliative Care Always Capstone Course

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The Palliative Care Always Capstone course is designed to let you test your knowledge about palliative and help others understand the value of palliative care, while showing your creative side. In this course, you will impact community awareness about palliative care, promote self-care and wellness, show-off your communication skills in a virtual environment, and finish the course off by proving your thoughts on ways to offer psychosocial support to a patient and family...

19. ICD 10 & 11 Medical Coding and Billing

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20. Addiction Treatment: Clinical Skills for Healthcare Providers

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This course is designed with a singular goal: to improve the care you provide to your patients with substance use disorders. By delving into a model case performed by actors, seven Yale instructors from various fields provide techniques to screen your patients for substance use disorder risk, diagnose patients to gauge the severity of their use, directly manage treatment plans, refer out to treatment services, and navigate the various conditions that may limit your patient’s access to treatment...

Top 10 most affordable universities for extern-ultrasound technologists

The most affordable schools for extern-ultrasound technologists are Brigham Young University, minot state university, and florida international university.

If the best universities for extern-ultrasound technologists are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for extern-ultrasound technologists.

1. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

2. Minot State University

Minot, ND • Private

In-state tuition

$7,064

Cost of attendance

15,576

3. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

4. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

5. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

6. Augusta University

Augusta, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$8,604

Cost of attendance

20,618

7. University of Colorado Denver

Denver, CO • Private

In-state tuition

$9,283

Cost of attendance

22,243

8. Maine College of Health Professions

Lewiston, ME • Private

In-state tuition

$12,245

Cost of attendance

18,826

9. SUNY Stony Brook

Stony Brook, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,625

Cost of attendance

24,718

10. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Arecibo

Arecibo, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,872

Cost of attendance

13,476

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for extern-ultrasound technologists

The hardest universities for extern-ultrasound technologists to get into are Northwestern University, Vanderbilt University, and University of Tulsa.

Some great schools for extern-ultrasound technologists are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for extern-ultrasound technologists based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

2. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

3. University of Tulsa

Tulsa, OK • Private

Admissions rate

41%

SAT average

1,321

4. Tufts University

Medford, MA • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,461

5. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

6. Saint Louis University

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

58%

SAT average

1,304

7. University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

59%

SAT average

1,367

8. SUNY Stony Brook

Stony Brook, NY • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,326

9. Yale University

New Haven, CT • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,517

10. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for extern-ultrasound technologists

The easiest schools for extern-ultrasound technologists to get into are AdventHealth University, life university, and d'youville college.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an extern-ultrasound technologist without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for extern-ultrasound technologists.

1. AdventHealth University

Orlando, FL • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,016

2. Life University

Marietta, GA • Private

Admissions rate

94%

SAT average

979

3. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

4. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

5. Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Standish, ME • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,069

6. La Roche College

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

99%

SAT average

1,008

7. Aultman College of Nursing and Health Sciences

Canton, OH • Private

Admissions rate

75%

SAT average

1,085

8. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

9. Thomas More University

Crestview Hills, KY • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

1,099

10. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

Average extern-ultrasound technologist salary by education level

According to our data, extern-ultrasound technologists with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $86,507 annually. Extern-ultrasound technologists with a Bachelor's degree earn an average annual salary of $74,359.
Extern-ultrasound technologist education levelExtern-ultrasound technologist salary
Master's Degree$86,507
Bachelor's Degree$74,359
Some College/ Associate Degree$65,811

Extern-ultrasound technologist education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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