By earning your Associate of Applied Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, you’re preparing yourself for a rewarding career in a rapidly growing field. Radiologists and physicians can’t diagnose every illness themselves — in fields as diverse as cardiology, oncology, and endocrinology, doctors depend on the technical skill of medical sonographers to identify and treat disease.
With a degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS), you can be the person that they (and their patients) depend on. At Monroe College’s School of Allied Health Professions, you’ll learn how to use ultrasound technology to its full potential, and put your skills to the test with real-world clinical experience.
Monroe College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (1007 North Orange Street, 4th Floor, MB #166 Wilmington, DE 19801 / 267-284-5011). The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. All of our academic programs fall under this accreditation. Many of our programs also hold programmatic accreditation.
Diagnostic medical sonography also offers a high level of job satisfaction: U.S. News and World Report ranks it as one of the best health care jobs in America. It’s a career that demands a lot of you — but the rewards are even greater.
Curriculum
As a DMS major, you’ll begin your studies with a foundation in human anatomy and physiology, the physics behind medical sonography, medical terminology, quantitative reasoning, and best practices in patient care.
Over the next several semesters, you’ll build on that foundation as you learn about:
How Long Does It Take to Get a Diagnostic Medical Sonography Degree?
As a full-time program, it takes five (5) semesters to earn an Associate Degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. That means you could complete your degree in less than two (2) years on our three (3)-semester academic calendar.
AAS Diagnostic Medical Sonography Requirements:
81 total credits
69 credits of major-related courses
12 credits of general education and related courses
Diagnostic ultrasound is commonly used to monitor the health of a fetus during pregnancy, but it has multiple other uses in the medical field. Medical professionals use diagnostic ultrasound toimage the heart, abdominal organs, blood vessels, and more. This course explores how ultrasound technology works — the physics behind it, how it works on soft tissues, and factors that can affect sound transmission. Students will explore the bioeffects of ultrasonography, safety considerations, and the fundamentals of ultrasound wave generation, so that they understand the science behind the technology.
Monroe College’s clinical admission committee holistically reviews each applicant’s admission materials and selects the most highly qualified candidates for a limited number of seats. Applicants to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Associate Degree program must fulfill the following admissions requirements:
Placement into college-level English or transfer credits for English with grade of C or higher
Applicants also participate in a pre-admission interview with DMS faculty or staff.
For students transferring from programs at other institutions, transfer credit for prior science classes will only be accepted with a minimum grade of C or better, and said classes must have been taken within the last three (3) years. Clinical classes from other institutions are not accepted for transfer credit.
At Monroe, it’s been our mission from the beginning to make quality education affordable for as many people as possible. That starts with our competitivetuition and fees and manageable payment plans. It continues throughout your education, with a dedicated financial aid office that works hard to find every student all the grants, scholarships, and loans for which they’re eligible. They’ll even help you explore any work-study employment opportunities that might be available.
Medical sonographers make a difference in people’s lives every single day. With an Associate in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, you’ll be able to choose how you make that difference. Diagnostic medical sonographers can specialize in a variety of fields that include:
Obstetrics & gynecology (including breast sonography)
Abdominal sonography
Cardiac sonography
Vascular sonography
Musculoskeletal sonography
You’ll also be able to work in a variety of healthcare environments, including hospitals, clinics, medical and diagnostic labs, and imaging centers. With required clinical field placements as part of your curriculum, you’ll get to experience those environments before you graduate.
Professional Opportunities
In addition to the valuable field experience you’ll gain in your clinical externships, you’ll have many opportunities to build your professional network right here on campus.
As a Diagnostic Medical Sonography major, you’ll be able to connect with both professionals and your peers in some of our many extracurricular organizations:
Alpha Eta is the national honor society for the allied health professions. Every year at theirannual meeting, Alpha Eta awards several $1000 honorariums to students who demonstrate outstanding research and scholarship.
The Allied Health Club is devoted to reducing health disparities and improving people’s quality of life. Members work together to design, implement, and evaluate health education programs for both students and the surrounding community.
Discover What You Can Achieve
With an Associate Degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, you’ll have the skills you need to launch a dynamic career in a growing field. Learn more about how ourSchool of Allied Health Professionscan help you shape a clearer image of your future.
Note: The College is no longer accepting applications for the DMS program from students wishing to study in the evening. The DMS program is a full-time day program only.
Featured Faculty
Estelita Menor
Professor, School of Allied Health Professions
Professor Menor brings her experience as a sonographer in the hospital, multiple clinics and imaging centers to the classroom daily.
