Diagnostic Medical Sonography Programs - Sonographer Schools (2024)

While the average person may immediately associate diagnostic medical sonography—or ultrasound technology—with images of babies growing inside the womb, the field extends beyond obstetrics and gynecology to cardiac sonography, vascular sonography, and even pediatric sonography. Many sonographers focus on general sonography to keep their employment options open, but the specialization possibilities are extensive.

Sonographers (i.e., ultrasound technicians) work closely with trained physicians in capturing and interpreting sonographic images. The Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS) adds that practitioners get deeper insights into whether a person’s body functions properly by using high-frequency sound waves to elucidate structures such as organs or blood flow patterns.

In granular terms, sonographers take diagnostic scans; ensure patient safety with proper methods and equipment; maintain detailed patient records (e.g., anatomical or pathological abnormalities); and educate patients on sonographic devices.

Schools across the country offer diagnostic medical sonography (DMS) programs, with distance learning options becoming increasingly prevalent. In addition to coursework, students are expected to complete a supervised clinical practicum to garner real experience working in a professional environment. This hands-on, practical training must be completed before certification.

While many national organizations offer credentials, no single licensing requirement is recognized by the federal government. While certification and licensure may be voluntary, employers typically prefer registered sonographers. Certification, such as that offered through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT), can be accomplished following the completion of an accredited diagnostic medical sonography program and exam.

It’s important to note that beginning January 1, 2015, the ARRT began requiring candidates to have at least an associate degree before seeking credentialing, although this degree need not be in DMS.

Attending one of many reputable diagnostic medical sonography schools may be the perfect option for those interested in a relatively lucrative and fast-growing career in the medical field.

Meet the Expert: Liz Palmer, BS, RDMS, RVT

Sonography Degree & Certification Programs

Training programs throughout the country allow students to earn either a certificate of completion, an associate degree, or a bachelor’s degree in diagnostic medical sonography. However, it should be noted that to qualify for certification through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT)—one of the predominant credentials in the field—students must earn, at minimum, an associate degree.

Before enrolling in any diagnostic medical sonography courses, students should familiarize themselves with the educational and licensing requirements in the state where they wish to practice.

Those seeking to specialize in a certain type of sonography—areas such as obstetric and gynecological (OB/GYN), vascular, cardiac, or pediatric—should look for programs that offer either direct specialization tracks or clinical practicum options in those fields.

Each program on the following list has, at minimum, earned accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). The list provides a general cross-section of programs offering training at hospitals, universities, and colleges running the spectrum from certificate to four-year bachelor of science (BS) degrees.

Ascension Providence Hospital

At this hospital in Southfield, Michigan, students can complete a 21-month certificate course in diagnostic medical sonography under the direct supervision of trained professionals in the School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography.

In order to be eligible for this program, applicants must be certified as radiologic technologists and/or have a minimum of an associate degree (healthcare fields preferred but not required). Several prerequisite courses (e.g., physics, algebra, anatomy) must be completed prior to admission. A full list is available on the program website.

The program includes classroom learning and clinical instruction on obstetrics, abdominal, gynecology, superficial anatomy, vascular ultrasound examinations, and sonographic physics and instrumentation.

• Location: Southfield, MI
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP); Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS); Joint Commission of American Hospital Organizations (JCAHO)
• Expected Time to Completion: 21 months

The University of Colorado at Denver

The Department of Radiology at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Denver offers a highly selective diagnostic medical sonography certificate program. Approximately six to seven students are selected each year from a pool of 40 to 60 applicants to complete the 13-month program, which includes classroom and clinical training.

Before admission, students must have an associate degree from a two-year allied health program or a bachelor’s degree in a science or medical field. Direct patient care experience and documented observation within the ultrasound field are also highly valued in the application process.

The program’s curriculum focuses on obstetric and gynecologic ultrasound, ultrasound physics, the abdomen, and superficial parts. Additional topics include pediatric, vascular, and fetal echocardiography, as well as breast and musculoskeletal ultrasound.

• Location: Denver, CO
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
• Expected Time to Completion: 13 months

Harper College

Located in Palatine, Illinois, the Harper College diagnostic medical sonography associate degree program is appropriate for those students who do not have the prerequisites necessary to qualify for the above certificate programs.

The curriculum of this 71-credit program includes courses such as ultrasound physics and instrumentation; sonography theory; healthcare technology and informatics; legal and ethical issues in health care; introduction to the medical sonography clinical; abdominal and small parts sonography; and obstetrical and gynecological sonography. This coursework helps prepare students for the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) certification exams in general or cardiac sonography, depending on their chosen path.

• Location: Palatine, IL
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
• Expected Time to Completion: Four semesters

University of Nebraska Medical Center

The College of Allied Health Professions, located at the Medical Center campus of the University of Nebraska in Omaha offers students the opportunity to earn either a post-baccalaureate professional certificate in diagnostic medical sonography or a BS degree in medical imaging & therapeutic sciences upon completion of the program. Graduates can also take the ARDMS credentialing exams specific to their field of study. The program offers two specialty track options: general or cardiovascular.

The BS program requires a minimum of 120 credits, while the certificate comprises 40 semester-hours. The curriculum includes courses such as ultrasound physics; vascular anatomy and physiology; orientation to cardiovascular sonography; cardiac anatomy and physiology; cardiac pathology and hemodynamics; high-resolution sonography; genitourinary ultrasound; and gynecological ultrasound.

• Location: Omaha, NE
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
• Expected Time to Completion: 12 months

Mayo Clinic

At both their Rochester, MN and Jacksonville, FL campuses, the internationally acclaimed Mayo Clinic offers training in diagnostic medical sonography. The program takes 21 months to complete. Students may receive a certificate of completion from the Mayo School of Health Sciences or pursue a BS in health professions (BSHP) in collaboration with the University of Minnesota, Rochester. Class sizes are limited to 12 students and this program boasts a 100 percent first-time pass rate on the board exam.

As part of the program, students will delve into the foundations of sonography; abdomen sonography; cross-sectional abdominal anatomy; gynecologic sonography; vascular technology; fetal anomalies; superficial sonography; ultrasound physics; and pediatric sonography.

• Location: Rochester, MN; Jacksonville, FL
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
• Expected Time to Completion: 21 months

Seattle University

Seattle University is one of the few programs offering a BS degree in diagnostic ultrasound. The program’s curriculum provides students with the clinical experience and academic foundation necessary for pursuing rewarding careers in diagnostic medical sonography. The program offers three curriculum tracks, which include general, cardiac, and vascular, allowing students to personalize their program experience.

This four-year program is made up of 180 credits including coursework in anatomy & physiology; ultrasound physics; ultrasound instrumentation; pathophysiology; vascular sonography; cardiac sonography; clinical experience in ultrasound; and leadership for health equity.

Applicants may enter the program as freshmen with a high school diploma or GED, or may choose to transfer in later in their academic career. Students in this program benefit from a student-to-faculty ratio of 8:1 and the university also offers more than 100 clinical internship settings nationwide for students to gain hands-on experience.

• Location: Seattle, WA
• Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities; Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
• Expected Time to Completion: 48 months

List of Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Schools

'20-'21 School Data from IPEDS (Sourced in September, 2023)

Hybrid & Online Sonography Programs

Online training programs for diagnostic medical sonography are rare. As of July 2024, there are few online programs that have received accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs (CAAHEP).

While these programs offer didactic courses online, there is still an essential clinical piece of ultrasound technician training that requires hands-on experience. Students will not be able to earn the sonography certification necessary to obtain top employment without clinical practice in addition to classroom or online courses. Here is a sampling of online certificate, associate, and bachelor’s programs for aspiring diagnostic medical sonographers:

Washburn University

With its main campus in Topeka, Kansas, Washburn University has offered online diagnostic medical sonography training for over a decade. All didactic courses are offered online, while clinical training can be arranged close to the student’s home for maximum flexibility and convenience. Graduating students are eligible for the ARDMS and CCI certification examinations. The program offers a general sonography certification program as well as specialized tracks in cardiac and vascular sonography.

The general program is 40 credits long, while the cardiac and vascular tracks each comprise 34 credits. Some of the courses in the curriculum include introduction to diagnostic medical sonography, sonography principles and instrumentation, abdomen sonography procedures, cardiac sonography procedures, and vascular sonography procedures.

• Location: Topeka, KS
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
• Expected Time to Completion: 12 months

Jackson College

As part of Jackson College’s allied health program, this Michigan-based college offers training in general, cardiac, and vascular sonography. Like Washburn, Jackson College offers its sonography didactic courses online but still requires students to complete an in-person clinical practicum. Students can expect to spend between 24 and 32 hours a week over the course of approximately one year at an approved clinical site near their home to successfully complete the program.

The general and cardiac sonography options have an associate in applied science degree, while the vascular sonography specialty has both an AAS and a certificate option. The general sonography AAS degree requires 80 credits, while the cardiac sonography program comprises 73 credits. The vascular sonography AAS degree requires 79 credits, and the certificate consists of 59 credits.

Some of the courses in the curriculum are human anatomy and physiology; introduction to diagnostic imaging; introduction to sonographic instrumentation; medical terminology; sonographic techniques; abdomen and small parts sonography; obstetric and gynecologic sonography; cardiovascular principles; and cerebrovascular procedures, among others.

• Location: Jackson, MI
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
• Expected Time to Completion: 24 months

Oregon Institute of Technology

Headquartered in Klamath Falls, Oregon Tech Online provides an online bachelor of science (BS) degree-completion program in diagnostic medical sonography. Open to registered diagnostic sonographers, Oregon Tech’s courses include obstetrical sonography; applications of abdominal sonography; pelvic sonography; physics of medical imaging; sonographic pathology; breast sonography; neonatal & pediatric sonography; and musculoskeletal sonography.

Additionally, students complete a DMS externship at an approved clinical facility located close to their homes. Supervisors sign off on a DMS skills checklist as employment-ready skills are acquired.

• Location: Klamath Falls, OR
• Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
• Expected Time to Completion: 24 to 48 months

Institute of Ultrasound Diagnostics

Students at the Institute of Ultrasound Diagnostics will have the opportunity to complete an online accelerated sonography program which can be completed in just one year. The program provides students with the training, skills, and knowledge necessary for successfully gaining employment as entry-level ultrasound technicians.

As part of the program, students must participate in a mandatory three-week “Sonography Boot Camp” that includes dedicated time for clinical rotations and in-class instruction. The curriculum includes abdominal sonography; physics & instrumentation; and obstetrical and gynecologic sonography. The program consists of 1,982 total contact hours.

• Location: Daphne, AL
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
• Expected Time to Completion: 12 months

Labette Community College

Labette Community College’s online diagnostic medical sonography program has two concentration options: general sonography and vascular sonography. Both concentrations require students to complete clinical rotations (1024 clinical hours) at a site near them. Students will also be prepared to take the ARDMS registry exams.

The general concentration comprises 38 credits, while the vascular concentration consists of 32 credits. The curriculum includes courses such as introduction to sonography; sonography physics & instrumentation; sonography pathology of abdomen and small parts; vascular sonography; and OB/GYN for sonography.

• Location: Parsons, KS
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
• Expected Time to Completion: 12 months

Core & Elective Courses in Medical Sonography Programs

To establish a standard curriculum across the many diagnostic medical sonography schools in the US, the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRCDMS) has made available a common core curriculum list of courses, as well as those specialty courses that should be taken for specialization in the field.

The core curriculum of an accredited program typically includes:

• Anatomy & physiology
• Mathematics
• Physics
• Communications
• Psychology & human behavior
• Statistics
• Information technology
• Superficial structures
• Vascular & neuro sonographic imaging
• Patient care
• Medical ethics & law
• Medical terminology
• Pathophysiology
• Sonography principles & instrumentation
• Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSD)

Full descriptions of each of these requirements are available on the JRCDMS website in a PDF. Students who wish to specialize in abdominal sonography should expect to find courses that include each of the following areas:

• Biliary
• Liver
• Pancreas
• Renal & lower urinary tract
• Spleen
• Adrenal
• Abdominal vasculature
• Gastrointestinal tract
• Abdominopelvic wall & cavities
• Interventional
• Organ transplant
• Breast
• Neck
• Prostate
• Scrotum
• Musculoskeletal sonography
• Pediatric hip
• Neonatal brain
• Neonatal spine

For students who wish to specialize in obstetrics and gynecology, the following elective courses are generally required:

• Clinical assessment of obstetrical patients
• Fetal assessment
• High-risk obstetrics
• Fetal structural abnormalities
• Interventional procedures
• Postpartum complications
• Performance standards & documentation

There may be other elective possibilities for those students pursuing a four-year degree that is outside of the sonography curriculum.

Diagnostic Sonography School & Program Accreditation

Generally, accreditation means that a particular educational program has been evaluated and approved by a nationally recognized body of experts. Both programmatic and institutional accreditation is important to consider.

Programmatic Accreditation

Programmatic accreditation refers to evaluating a specific program, in this case, a sonography program. Before seeking professional certification through a body such as the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) or the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT), aspiring ultrasound technicians must complete a program at an accredited school.

For many branches of medical technology, including diagnostic medical sonography, the gold standard of programmatic accreditation is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs (CAAHEP), a group that has established ultrasound technician program standards in conjunction with the Joint Review Commission on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRCDMS).

Accreditation will consider faculty, facilities, curriculum, and other factors to determine whether a program meets the accrediting body’s standards. CAAHEP maintains a list of accredited sonography programs.

Institutional Accreditation

Additionally, there are six regional institutional accrediting organizations that have been recognized by the US Department of Education’s Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA):

• Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges for the (SACSCOC)
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)

Each agency has its own process, but accreditation typically consists of a thorough application, self-study, and site visit by the accrediting agency. Typical criteria used in the program-approval process are curriculum standards, quality of facilities, program finance management, availability of institutional resources, and student outcome measures.

Prior to enrolling in a program, students should ensure that their school has the proper accreditation, which can vary by region, place of employment, or desired credential.

Licensing & Certification in Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Two main bodies offer national certification exams for careers in sonography. More diverse, specialty-focused credentials are available from the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS), while a generalized sonography certification is available from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).

The ARDMS offers five specialized exams, which result in the credential of Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS). The exams are:

• Abdomen (AB)
• Breast (BR)
• Fetal Echocardiography (FE)
• Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN)
• Pediatric Sonography (PS)

Additionally, the ARDMS has three credentials for subfields of diagnostic sonography: Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS), Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT), and Registered Musculoskeletal Sonographer (RMSKS). The ARDMS has minimum education and/or experience levels in order to sit for any certification exam. To obtain certification, students must pass the basic Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) exam as well as at least one specialty examination.

Applicants can visit the Prerequisite and Requirement Eligibility Program (PREP) portion of the ARDMS site to determine eligibility for their intended certification exam. This credential is valid for one year.

The ARRT provides a generalized sonography certification. To be eligible for the ARRT exam, students must have completed an ARRT-approved sonography program within the last three years and earned an academic degree. Accredited agency lists are available on the ARRT website.

Additionally, candidates must have fulfilled the didactic and clinical competence requirements, including proof of having completed seven mandatory patient care procedures, four mandatory scanning techniques, 22 imaging procedures, and five elective imaging procedures. This registration must be renewed annually.

As of June 2024, the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) reports that there are four states which regulate sonographers: New Hampshire, New Mexico, Oregon, and North Dakota. Additional states may pass licensure laws for sonographers, so interested students would be wise to check with their local state organizations to determine whether licensing is required.

The ARRT and ARDMS certifications require continuing education (CE) units to maintain the credentials. The ARRT requires 24 CE credits biennially as well as continuing qualifications requirements (CQR) to be fulfilled every 10 years. The ARDMS requires 30 continuing medical education (CME) units every three years. Please reference the links above for details about what types of CE qualify.

Finally, the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS) provides a wealth of CE and CME opportunities through annual conferences, events, meetings, online coursework, and other offerings.

Salary & Career Outlook for Medical Sonographers

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS May 2023), diagnostic medical sonographers make an average annual salary of $80,850.

Annual salary percentiles for diagnostic medical sonographers is as follows (BLS May 2023):

• 10th percentile: $63,680
• 25th percentile: $75,640
• 50th percentile (median): $84,470
• 75th percentile: $100,580
• 90th percentile: $116,300

Not surprisingly, wages and employment figures in this field also vary based on region. The BLS (May 2023) found that the top-employing states for diagnostic medical sonographers correlated roughly with population size:

• California: 8,600 employed ($122,670 annual average salary)
• Hawaii: 280 employed ($111,690 annual avg.)
• Oregon: 1,050 employed ($104,260 annual avg.)
• Massachusetts: 2,200 employed ($101,420 annual avg.)
• Connecticut: 990 employed ($99,610 annual avg.)

Additionally, the BLS (2024) projected that openings in this field will swell 10 percent between 2022 and 2032, an astonishing rate considering that the average growth for all occupations is a modest 3 percent. The addition of 14,200 jobs nationwide will continue to impact opportunities in this field for years to come.

To increase employment opportunities, diagnostic medical sonographers can earn specializations in cardiology, which is projected to grow 4 percent in the same decade.