Radiology Degrees

If you are technically minded and have a desire to work in the health care industry, a career in radiology may be suited to you. Radiologists use x-rays to diagnose illness and injury in patients. They also inject radioactive material into the bloodstream to allow radiological technology to pinpoint problems hidden within the body. The number of techniques and technologies available to radiologists is expanding. Common procedures include Computed Tomography (CT scans), Ultrasound, Mammography, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).

Associate's degrees are available in radiological technologies. An associate's degree will allow you to be hired as an assistant radiological technologist. The competitiveness of the field and the ever-changing nature of the technology require an ever-increasing amount of education to keep up. To become a licensed radiologist capable of performing multiple tests on a patient necessitates an advanced degree. Many university medical schools offer masters and doctoral degrees in radiology that cover all aspects of the job from the administration of tests to diagnosis to treatment.

Although radiologists are in demand, the number of applicants seeking jobs may actually outstrip the number of positions in the near future according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. An advanced degree will make it more likely that you are hired in this competitive field. In addition, knowledge of multiple radiographic technologies will help you find a desirable position at a hospital or laboratory. Radiologists make an above average wage, with the median reported as $48,170 in 2006.