Diagnostic Medical Sonography (A)
Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) is a multi-specialty profession which utilizes high frequency sound waves to image the human body. Sonographers use their knowledge of anatomy, physiology and applied critical thinking to assess function and the presence of disease processes. Sonographers work under the guidance of an interpreting physician in a variety of health care settings. Concordia University Ann Arbor (CUAA) offers a Bachelor of Science Degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. The degree includes four or more semesters of pre-professional course work to prepare and qualify the student to apply for the two-year professional DMS didactic and clinical training.
All DMS students who successfully meet DMS program requirements will graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree from Concordia University and are qualified to apply for national certification exams. Within the DMS program, students obtain the necessary preparation for their career through academic coursework and professional experience in a hospital and clinic settings.
Accreditation
The professional Diagnostic Medical Sonography programs affiliated with CUAA are accredited, upon recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRCDMS), by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
Admission Requirement
Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) students are accepted at CUAA under the general admissions requirement for the pre-professional component. Students are encouraged to seek advising as soon as they are considering DMS as a major. They will be required to complete all the pre-professional coursework and activities to apply to the professional program. Placement is not guaranteed. Since the requirements are rigorous, students interested in the DMS program are strongly encouraged to meet with advising to outline a completion plan.
Pre-Professional Requirements
Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) students complete the general CUAA core courses. In addition, students are required to take additional courses required for the major (see required course list). Students must maintain a 3.0 overall GPA to qualify for application to the professional program. Students must maintain a B or higher grade in the following coursework: Anatomy & Physiology, Pathophysiology, Math, Med Terms, Communication and Medical Law & Ethics. Students will only be allowed to retake a required courses one time. Acceptance into the professional phase is not guaranteed. Students must also complete required patient care and shadowing experiences. These are specific to the professional programs. Students are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with the professional program entrance requirements as soon as possible.
Professional Program Acceptance - Student Selection
The Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) program is competitive and students are not guaranteed acceptance into the program(s). Students who satisfactorily complete their pre-professional requirements will apply for DMS program placement. Placement into the program is based on pre-professional course GPA, specific course grades (see pre-professional requirements above), face to face interview, previous work experience, letters of recommendations, and documentation of required patient care and shadowing experiences. Requirements are determined by each professional accredited programs. Students are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with the professional program entrance requirements as soon as deciding on the major. Requirements and application forms are available in the Advising Office and students are encouraged to seek advising as soon as they are considering this major. Upon application, interviews will be scheduled as part of the selection process. Interview preparation is strongly encouraged as the interviews along with academic performance comprise a significant portion of the candidate's application score for selection. If accepted, the professional component of the program(s) is up to 24 consecutive months long.
The Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) program is competitive and students are not guaranteed acceptance into the program(s). Students who complete their pre-professional requirements will apply for DMS program placement. In addition to the pre-professional course/grade requirements, applicants to the DMS program will be considered based on personal letter, letters of recommendations, hours worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), hours shadowing in sonography and an interview with the selection committee. Requirement and application forms are available in the Advising Office and students are encouraged to consult with advising as soon as they are considering this major. Qualified applicants will be invited to interview. Interview preparation is strongly encouraged as the interviews along with academic performance comprise a significant portion of the candidate's placement score. Students applying for the General/Vascular program are required to interview with the CUW DMS program first. If they are not selected into the CUW program, their applications will be forwarded to our local, hospital-based accredited DMS affiliate program. Students applying for the Cardiac/Vascular program will have their applications forwarded to our local, hospital-based affiliate program. If accepted, the professional component of the program is approximately 21 consecutive months long, full time.
Other Program Requirements
Health Status
Accepted students must demonstrate compliance of all the following:
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Annual physical examination and updated health history
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Negative test for tuberculosis, as shown by a negative Mantoux test, a negative QuantiFERON-TB test (annually)
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Immunity to rubeola, mumps and rubella as shown by a positive titer or documented vaccine
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Immunity to varicella as shown by a positive titer, or evidence of two vaccinations
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Seasonal influenza vaccine (annually)
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Covid-19 vaccine (annually)
Medical Insurance
Background Check & Drug Screen
Technical Standards
All applicants to the School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography are notified of the minimum requirements appropriate to the profession of sonography. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) technical standards for the profession of diagnostic medical sonography include the ability to perform all of the following with reasonable accommodations:
- Lift more than 50 pound routinely
- Push and pull routinely
- Bend and stoop routinely
- Have full use of both hands, wrists and shoulders
- Distinguish audible sounds
- Adequately view sonograms, including color distinctions
- Work standing on their feet 80% of the time
- Interact compassionately and effectively with the sick or injured
- Assist patients on and off examining tables
- Organize and accurately perform the individual steps in a sonographic procedure in the proper sequence
Students must be able to perform the essential functions of the profession and meet the academic and clinical standards of the curriculum. To seek exceptions to these standards or reasonable accommodations, you should initiate a request with the program director.
Tuition
Students in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program will pay CUAA tuition during the pre-professional and professional aspects of the program. Students in the professional aspect of the program pay for 4 semesters and do not pay for summer, winterim or any overload tuition charges. If the student is attending an affiliated, hospital-based, program, a percentage of the tuition will be given to that program. Thus, students who are receiving the Emeritus (full) Scholarship or are full time CU employees (tuition-free) will need to pay tuition during the professional aspect of the program.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Obtain, review, and integrate pertinent patient history and supporting clinical data to facilitate optimum diagnostic results
- Perform appropriate procedures and record anatomic, pathologic, and/or physiologic data for interpretation by a physician
- Record, analyze, and process diagnostic data and other pertinent observations made during the procedure for presentation to the interpreting physician
- Exercise discretion and judgment in the performance of sonographic and/or other diagnostic services
- Demonstrate appropriate communication skills with patients and colleagues
- Act in a professional and ethical manner
- Provide patient education related to medical ultrasound and/or other diagnostic vascular techniques, and promote principles of good health.
Concordia University (CU) students will apply to affiliated accredited programs in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS). Students attending an accredited DMS program will receive academic coursework and clinical education from instructors employed by the program and will participate in clinical rotations through their affiliated hospitals and clinics. The following affiliated DMS programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) in cooperation with the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRCDMS):
Henry Ford Health System DMS Program
This is a 24-month accredited program in a hospital setting, specializing in Abdominal, Obstetrical & Gynecological and Musculoskeletal Sonography. Link to Program information, curriculum and outcomes.
Ascension | Providence Hospital, Southfield Campus DMS Program
This is a 21-month accredited program in a hospital setting, specializing in Abdominal, Obstetrical & Gynecological, and Vascular Sonography. Link to Program information, curriculum and outcomes.
Pre-Professional Course Curriculum - DMS Major
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements 1 | 45 | |
| Major Requirements (Pre-Professional) | 22 | |
| Electives | ||
Minor: Optional | ||
| Program Specific: (see professional curriculum) | 60 | |
Henry Ford Health DMS Program | ||
Ascension Providence Southfield Campus DMS Program | ||
| Total Hours | 127 | |
- 1
For transfer students, please see the Advanced Transfer Core.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Concordia Common Core (18 credits needed) | ||
| REL 100 | The Bible (Bible Content) | 3 |
| REL 110 | Christian Faith (Christian Doctrine) | 3 |
| CCE 110 | Western Culture & Worldview | 3 |
| CCE 120 | Western Thought & Worldview | 3 |
| CCE 130 | Christian Citizen | 3 |
| CCE 140 | Science & Humanity | 3 |
| Liberal Arts Dimensions (27 credits required) | ||
| Faith & Life (3 credits) | 3 | |
Religion Elective REL above 204 | ||
| Society & Culture (3 credits) | ||
| COMM 460 | Cross-Cultural Communication | 3 |
| or GEOG 220 | Cultural Geography | |
| or HIST 163 | Non-Western World | |
| Natural World (7 credits) | ||
| BIO 151 | Functional Human Biology I | 4 |
| MATH 128 | College Algebra (or higher mathematics) 1 | 3 |
| Communication & Language (6 credits) | ||
| COMM 105 | Public Speaking 1 | 3 |
| ENG 104 | Introduction to Writing (Writing) | 3 |
| Human Beings & Being Human (5 credits) | ||
| HHP 100 | Stewardship of the Body (Physical Development) | 1 |
| HHP Activity (range 104-169) | 1 | |
| PSY 101 | General Psychology | 3 |
| Human Creativity & Expression (3 credits) | 3 | |
Choice of Core elective (see Core Options) | ||
| Required Courses for Major (22 credits) | ||
| PHYS 151 | General Physics I (W Lab) 1 | 4 |
| BIO 191 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I 1 | 4 |
| BIO 192 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II 1 | 4 |
| RT 312 | Medical Terminology 1 | 1 |
| BIO 285 | Pathophysiology 1 | 3 |
| Math elective - any Math above 128 1 | 3 | |
| DMS 200 | Medical Law & Ethics 1 | 3 |
| Total Hours | 67 | |
- 1
A grade of B (3.0) or above is required
Additional Requirements
- 3.0 cumulative GPA required when clinical program applications are due
- Grade of B (3.0) required in following courses: Communications, Math x2, Anatomy & Physiology x2, Medical Law & Ethics, Medical Terminology, Physics and Pathophysiology (see footnotes). Students only allowed to retake each science course one time.
- Henry Ford: 40 hours of signed documented sonography observation, at least 20 of those hours done in Henry Ford Hospital
- Ascension Providence: 80 hours clinical medical experience (volunteer observation or employment) completed within 12 months prior to application deadline
- CPR for Healthcare Providers by the time program starts
- Students are encouraged to review requirements on affiliated program websites for additional information. Patient care or customer service experience is a plus.
Professional Curriculum
Henry Ford Health System DMS program
This is a 24-month accredited program in a hospital setting, specializing in Abdominal, Obstetrical & Gynecological Sonography with additional coursework in Musculoskeletal Sonongraphy.
The Henry Ford Health System Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) Program is a Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredited program at the approval of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRCDMS). Concordia University (CU) students attending this program will receive academic coursework and clinical education by Henry Ford Health System (HFHS) employed instructors and participate in clinical rotations through their affiliated hospitals and clinics. Students attending this affiliate program will remain CU students for the program length (24 months) and pay CU tuition for a total of 2 spring and 2 fall semesters. The program director and staff at HFHS will determine assessments and grades for CU students enrolled in their program. CU students successfully completing all requirements for the semester will be identified as passing on the CU transcript and be issued a pre-determined amount of credits based on semester. Students that do not successfully complete all requirements as indicated by the program will be issued "no credit" on their CU transcript. CU courses/credits earned will not impact overall GPA and are as follows:
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Clinical Education 1 (Spring semester) 12 credits
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Clinical Education 2 (Summer semester) 6 credits
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Clinical Education 3 (Fall semester) 12 credits
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Clinical Education 4 (Spring semester) 12 credits
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Clinical Education 5 (Summer semester) 6 credits
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Clinical Education 6 (Fall semester) 12 credits
Curriculum: Henry Ford Health System DMS - Link to course descriptions
Ascension | Providence Hospital, Southfield Campus DMS Program
This is a 21-month accredited program in a hospital setting, specializing in Abdominal, Obstetrical & Gynecological, and Vascular Sonography.
The Ascension Providence Southfield Campus Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) Program is a Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredited program at the approval of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRCDMS). Concordia University (CU) students attending this program will receive academic coursework and clinical education by Ascension Providence Southfield Campus (APHSC) employed instructors and participate in clinical rotations through their affiliated hospitals and clinics. Students attending this affiliate program will remain CU students for the program length (24 months) and pay CU tuition for a total of 2 spring and 2 fall semesters. The program director and staff at APHSC will determine assessments and grades for CU students enrolled in their program. CU students successfully completing all requirements for the semester will be identified as passing on the CU transcript and be issued a pre-determined amount of credits based on semester. Students that do not successfully complete all requirements as indicated by the program will be issued "no credit" on their CU transcript. CU courses/credits earned will not impact overall GPA and are as follows:
Even Year Start (January)
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Clinical Education 1 (Spring semester) 12 credits
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Clinical Education 2 (Summer semester) 6 credits
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Clinical Education 3 (Fall semester) 12 credits
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Clinical Education 4 ( Spring semester) 12 credits
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Clinical Education 5 (Summer semester) 6 credits
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Clinical Education 6 (Fall semester) 12 credits
Odd Year Start (June)
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Clinical Education 1 (Summer semester) 6 credits
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Clinical Education 2 (Fall semester) 12 credits
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Clinical Education 3 (Spring semester) 12 credits
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Clinical Education 4 (Summer semester) 6 credits
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Clinical Education 5 (Fall semester) 12 credits
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Clinical Education 6 ( Spring semester) 12 credits
Curriculum: Ascension | Providence Hospital DMS - Link to course descriptions