B.S. VS A.S.

wchangasie87 · Joined: 10 Sep 2009 Posts: 2 Location: Raleigh, NC

I'm interested in Medical imaging and I'm looking into schools in my area. Across the search I see a two year degree for radiography and a four year degree for medical imaging. Can someone simply explain the difference besides a more comprehensive look into Medical Imaging? Is this a different career or is it the same as a B.S. VS A.S. in Nursing?
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954heat · Joined: 29 Sep 2007 Posts: 73 Location: south florida

i myself am just finishing my 2 year degree in a few weeks, but then im going to do 2 more years for a BS, so you can always do that. but their is no major difference i think you dont even need a 2 year degree, you only require to be ARRT registered to be a tech, because some programs only offer a certificate not a degree. a BS is just if you want to get into teaching or management i think. i dont know if i want to do either of those but if you have a BS you have more doors open i would think, also i read that a tech makes 30% more with a BS than someone without one. but if you want to be a radiographer a 2 year degree will do just fine, i myself want a BS just to have it.

hjhogle · Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 7:59 am Post subject:

From the ARRT website (It makes more sense to get your questions answered there than in an anonymous forum)

(SEPTEMBER 25, 2008) — Eligibility requirements for ARRT certification in Radiography, Nuclear Medicine Technology, and Radiation Therapy will — effective January 1, 2015 — call for candidates to have earned an associate degree (or more advanced degree) from an appropriately accredited institution. ARRT President Dr. Jordan Renner notes that, “The Board of Trustees believes that adding the degree requirement is consistent with ARRT’s mission of promoting high standards of patient care by recognizing qualified individuals

I've never heard of there being a difference between the wages offered to an entry-level Radiographer based on degree. That's not to say it can't happen or won't happen in the future.

And, with the changes already in place for the requirement of an associate degree, it won't surprise me when a BS/BA becomes the requirement.

hjh, RT

CigarPete · Power User Joined: 21 May 2007 Posts: 118

You can practice with an AS the same as you can be an RN with an associate's degree. The benefit of a BS over an AS would be for future possibilities on career advancement. If you want to remain a technologist all your life then an AS would be okay.. However if you wish to advance while you don't NEED a BS to get into administration it is very helpful.

After doing the bottom rung to the management arena if i were starting over I wouldn't get a Bachelors in imaging. If I were going to get one I think I would do the AS in radiography route then get a general degree in either business management or healthcare management. Imaging BS' are too specific to get a job out of the field if you so desire and the other degrees will allow you to hook the same job as if you had the BS in imaging.

Anyway.. good luck
Pete

wchangasie87 · Joined: 10 Sep 2009 Posts: 2 Location: Raleigh, NC

Insight very helpful, I see as in all other degrees it is just to open more doors along the way.
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MNBrett · Joined: 18 Nov 2009 Posts: 12

I have an associates in Radiologic Technology. That is most common in my area but there are some who have their BS.

There is no difference in your employability, however you get a broader education with a Bachelors and more exposure to alternate modalities. If you think you might be interested in CT or MR it might be wise to go the BS route. One thing that is not often talked about is that some programs have prerequisites for a 2 year degree that can take you longer than 2 years to accomplish, especially if you are working at the same time. I had to wait to get into the program that I graduated from. It was one year, and I was working in the medical field, so it did not bother me, but for some that could be a dream killer.
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B.J. RT(R)
Minneapolis Minnesota