Diagnostic Medical Sonography (M)
Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) is a multi-specialty profession utilizing high frequency sound waves (ultrasound) 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 Wisconsin (CUW) offers a Bachelor’s 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 academic (didactic) and clinical education (training). Qualified candidates must apply to the DMS program(s). The following learning tracks/concentrations are available to CUW students: 1) Abdomen Extended, Ob/Gyn, and Vascular Sonography and 2) Cardiac and Vascular Sonography. Students who choose to apply to the Abdomen Extended, Ob/Gyn, and Vascular Sonography concentrations are first considered by the CUW DMS program. Qualified candidates not selected by the CUW DMS program may be considered for placement with our accredited partner program. Students that choose the Cardiac and Vascular concentrations will apply through our accredited partner program.
All DMS students who successfully meet DMS program requirements will graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree from CUW 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 clinical experience in hospital and clinic settings.
Accreditation
The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program at CUW and the Aurora School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography are both 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).
Pre-Professional Requirements
Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) students complete the general CUW core courses. In addition, students are required to take additional courses required for the major (see required course list). Acceptance into the professional phase is not guaranteed. Requirements to apply for the DMS program include:
- Course Grade of B- (2.7) or above required in the following courses: Communications, Math, Anatomy & Physiology, Medical Law & Ethics, Medical Terminology, and Pathophysiology.
- Course Grade of C (2.0) or higher in Physics I.
- Overall required course average must be 3.0 or better
- ALL science courses will be averaged. Students are required to have a 3.0 Science GPA (Anatomy & Physiology, Pathophysiology, Biology, Chemistry)
- Retaking a course: students are allowed to retake each required course one additional time.
- Each student is required to complete a minimum of 100 hours of patient care experience by December 31 of application year. Patient care experience can be met by one of the following:
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) *this is the best options for students without previous education/training in the below areas.
- Certified Medical Assistant (MA)
- Radiologic Technologist (RT)
- Surgical Technologist
- Respiratory Therapist
- Paramedic
- Nurse (LPN/RN/NP)
- 8 hours of Job Shadowing before applying: 4 hours in General Sonography, 4 hours in Echocardiography
- Upon acceptance into DMS program: CPR for Healthcare Providers. Classes are occasionally offered on campus for a fee
- AP Scores: only scores of 4 or higher will be accepted as credit for all required science courses in this program, a score of 3 or higher is accepted for all other transfer-eligible coursework
DMS Program Acceptance - Student Selection
The Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) program is competitive and students are not guaranteed acceptance into the program(s). Students are encouraged to seek advising as soon as they are considering DMS as a major. Students who complete their pre-professional requirements will apply for DMS program placement. In addition to the pre-professional course/grade requirements, DMS applicants will be considered based on a variety of application requirements including but not limited to: a personal essay, letters of recommendation, number of patient care hours, hours shadowing in sonography, and an interview(s). 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 and academic performance comprise a significant portion of the candidate's placement score.
Other Program Requirements
Health Status
Accepted students must demonstrate compliance of all the following:
-
Annual physical examination and updated health history
-
Negative test for tuberculosis, as shown by a negative Mantoux test, a negative QuantiFERON-TB test (annually)
-
Immunity to rubeola, mumps and rubella as shown by a positive titer or documented vaccine
-
Immunity to varicella as shown by a positive titer, or evidence of two vaccinations
-
Seasonal influenza vaccine (annually)
-
Covid-19 vaccine *check with department chair/advising for the most up to date information
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.
- 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. Students seekingreasonable accommodations to the professional technical standards should initiate a request with advising, department chair and/or program director.
Tuition
Students in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program will pay CUW tuition during the pre-professional and professional aspects of the major. Students in the professional aspect of the major pay for 4 semesters and do not pay for summer, or any overload tuition charges. If the student is attending an affiliate hospital-based program, a percentage of the tuition will be given to that program. Students will be charged CUW undergraduate tuition for the full program and receive all eligible institutional aid as long as the student is in enrolled in 12 or more credits. Only one student per year will be eligible to utilize the Concordia tuition waiver or tuition exchange. No more than one student per site may be on tuition waiver and/or tuition exchange at a time. Students receiving tuition benefits who are interested in the CUW DMS program are encouraged to discuss options with advising and the imaging department chair.
Program Learning Outcomes
- DMS students will apply Christian ethics to patient interactions. (GLO 1)
- DMS students will effectively provide patient care that recognizes and serves a diverse patient community. (GLO 2)
- DMS students will record, analyze, and process diagnostic data and other pertinent observations to provide high quality information for interpreting physicians. (GLO 3)
- DMS students will demonstrate critical thinking and judgment in the performance of sonographic and/or related diagnostic services. (GLO 4)
- DMS students will demonstrate strong interpersonal skills with patients, supervising staff, team members and interpreting physicians to improve patient outcomes and experience. (GLO 5)
- DMS students will integrate pertinent patient history and supporting clinical data to facilitate optimum diagnostic results to improve patient outcomes. (GLO 6)
CUW Diagnostic Medical Sonography program
The CUW Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) Program is a Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredited program. The program is full time conducted over 2 fall semesters, 2 spring semester, and 1 summer. Students in the CUW DMS program will receive academic coursework and lab instruction by CUW faculty and participate in clinical rotations and experiential learning through affiliated hospitals and clinics. The CUW DMS program curriculum and course descriptions can be found in the catalog. Grades will be issued for each course in all academic and clinical portions of the program. Course grades and credits will be included in the student's CUW overall GPA.
Link to CUW DMS Program Outcomes
Advocate Aurora St Luke's DMS Program
The Aurora St Luke's Medical Center Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) Program is a Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredited program. CUW students attending this program will receive academic coursework and lab instruction by Aurora-employed instructors and participate in clinical rotations through Aurora affiliated hospitals and clinics. Students attending this affiliate program will remain CUW students and pay CUW tuition for 2 fall and 2 spring semesters. The program director and instructors at the Aurora DMS program will determine assessments, standards and grades for CUW students enrolled in their program. CUW students successfully completing all requirements for the semester will be identified as passing on the CUW 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 CUW transcript. Students are encouraged to work with advising to outline their academic roadmap and review credit distribution.
Program Goals Link to Goals
Program Outcomes Link to Outcomes
Curriculum
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements 1 | 45 | |
| Pre-Professional Requirements | 18-19 | |
| Electives | ||
Minor: Optional | ||
| Program Specific: | 57-70 | |
CUW DMS Program 4 | ||
Aurora DMS Program 5 | ||
| Total Hours | 120-134 | |
- 1
For transfer students, please see the Advanced Transfer Core.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Concordia Common Core (18 credits required) | ||
| REL 1000 | The Bible | 3 |
| REL 1100 | Christian Faith | 3 |
| CCE 1020 | Western Culture & Worldview | 3 |
| CCE 1030 | Western Thought & Worldview | 3 |
| CCE 1010 | Christian Citizen | 3 |
| CCE 1040 | Science & Humanity | 3 |
| Liberal Arts Dimensions (27 credits) | ||
| Faith & Life (3 credits) | ||
| Religion Elective REL above 204 | 3 | |
| Society & Culture (3 credits) | ||
| COMM 4100 | Cross-Cultural Communication | 3 |
| or GEOG 2200 | Cultural Geography | |
| or HIST 1600 | Non-Western World | |
| Natural World (7 credits) | ||
| BIO 1401 | General Biology I | 4 |
| MATH 1280 | College Algebra 1 | 3 |
| Communication & Language (6 credits) | ||
| COMM 1100 | Public Speaking 1 | 3 |
| or COMM 2100 | Interpersonal Communication | |
| ENG 1040 | Introduction to Writing | 3 |
| Human Beings & Being Human (5 credits) | ||
| HHP 1100 | Stewardship of the Body | 1 |
| HHP Activity (range 104-169) | 1 | |
| PSY 1010 | General Psychology | 3 |
| Human Creativity and Expression | ||
| Choice of Elective | 3 | |
| Pre-Professional Requirements (18-19 credits) | ||
| PHYS 1514 | General Physics I (minimum 3 credits) 2,3 | 4 |
| BIO 1801 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I 1 | 4 |
| BIO 1802 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II 1 | 4 |
| BIO 2800 | Pathophysiology 1 | 3 |
| RT 3120 | Medical Terminology 1 | 1 |
| DMS 2000 | Medical Law & Ethics 1 | 3 |
| Total Hours | 64 | |
- 1
A grade of B (3.0) or above is required
- 2
A grade of C (2.0) or above is required
- 3
Students may request substitution and/or transfer of a pre-approved college level physics course (minimum of 3 credits).
- 4
- 5
Students attending the Aurora DMS program may need an additional 3-4 elective credits. Students should discuss their individual academic plan with advising. Aurora DMS curriculum overview.
Additional Requirements
- Course Grade of B (3.0) or above required in the following courses: Communications, Math, Anatomy & Physiology, Medical Law & Ethics, Medical Terminology, and Pathophysiology.
- Course Grade of C (2.0) or higher in Physics I.
- Overall required course average must be 3.0 or better
- ALL science courses will be averaged. Students are required to have a 3.0 Science GPA (Anatomy & Physiology, Pathophysiology, Biology, Chemistry)
- Retaking a course: students are allowed to retake each required course one additional time.
- Each student is required to complete a minimum of 100 hours of patient care experience by December 31 of application year. Patient care experience can be met by one of the following:
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) *this is the best options for students without previous education/training in the below areas.
- Certified Medical Assistant (MA)
- Radiologic Technologist (RT)
- Surgical Technologist
- Respiratory Therapist
- Paramedic
- Nurse (LPN/RN/NP)
- 8 hours of Job Shadowing before applying: 4 hours in General Sonography, 4 hours in Echocardiography
- Upon acceptance into DMS program: CPR for Healthcare Providers. Classes are occasionally offered on campus for a fee
- AP Scores: only scores of 4 or higher will be accepted as credit for all required science courses in this program, a score of 3 or higher is accepted for all other transfer-eligible coursework
Curriculum
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| DMS 3010 | Superficial Sonography | 2 |
| DMS 3120 | Sonographic Principles and Instrumentation II | 2 |
| DMS 3210 | Vascular Sonography I | 3 |
| DMS 3220 | Vascular Sonography II | 2 |
| DMS 3230 | Vascular Sonography III | 2 |
| DMS 3310 | Abdominal Sonography I | 4 |
| DMS 3320 | Abdominal Sonography II | 3 |
| DMS 3110 | Sonographic Principles and Instrumentation I | 2 |
| DMS 3330 | Abdominal Sonography III | 2 |
| DMS 3410 | Ob & Gyn Sonography I | 3 |
| DMS 3420 | Ob & Gyn Sonography II | 3 |
| DMS 3510 | Case Reports I | 1 |
| DMS 3520 | Case Reports II | 1 |
| DMS 3710 | DMS Clinical Education I | 3 |
| DMS 3720 | DMS Clinical Education II | 4 |
| DMS 3730 | DMS Clinical Education III | 3 |
| DMS 4740 | DMS Clinical Education IV | 6 |
| DMS 4030 | Musculoskeletal Sonography | 2 |
| DMS 4140 | Sonography Principles and Instrumentation Review | 1 |
| DMS 4240 | Pediatric Sonography | 2 |
| DMS 4430 | Ob & Gyn Sonography III | 3 |
| DMS 4440 | Ob & Gyn Sonography IV | 3 |
| DMS 4530 | Case Reports III | 1 |
| DMS 4540 | Case Reports IV | 1 |
| DMS 4600 | Professional Development in Sonography | 1 |
| DMS 4750 | DMS Clinical Education V | 7 |
| DMS 4800 | Registry Review | 3 |
Advocate Aurora St Luke's DMS Program
Course Descriptions Link to Course Descriptions
| Semester 1 | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| CCE 1010 | Christian Citizen | 3 |
| REL 1000 | The Bible | 3 |
| COMMUNICATION & LANGUAGE | 3 | |
| BIO 1401 | General Biology I | 4 |
| HHP 1100 | Stewardship of the Body | 1 |
| ENG 1040 | Introduction to Writing | 3 |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| MATH 1280 | College Algebra | 3 |
| REL 1100 | Christian Faith | 3 |
| RT 3120 | Medical Terminology | 1 |
| CCE 1040 | Science & Humanity | 3 |
| HHP ACTIVITY | 1 | |
| BIO 1801 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 3 | ||
| CREATIVE EXPRESSION | 3 | |
| BIO 1802 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| DMS 2000 | Medical Law & Ethics | 3 |
| CCE 1020 | Western Culture & Worldview | 3 |
| PHYS 1514 | General Physics I | 4 |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Semester 4 | ||
| COMM 4100 | Cross-Cultural Communication | 3 |
| FAITH & LIFE | 3 | |
| CCE 1030 | Western Thought & Worldview | 3 |
| BIO 2800 | Pathophysiology | 3 |
| PSY 1010 | General Psychology | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 5 | ||
| DMS 3110 | Sonographic Principles and Instrumentation I | 2 |
| DMS 3210 | Vascular Sonography I | 3 |
| DMS 3310 | Abdominal Sonography I | 4 |
| DMS 3410 | Ob & Gyn Sonography I | 3 |
| DMS 3710 | DMS Clinical Education I | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 6 | ||
| DMS 3120 | Sonographic Principles and Instrumentation II | 2 |
| DMS 3220 | Vascular Sonography II | 2 |
| DMS 3320 | Abdominal Sonography II | 3 |
| DMS 3420 | Ob & Gyn Sonography II | 3 |
| DMS 3510 | Case Reports I | 1 |
| DMS 3720 | DMS Clinical Education II | 4 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 7 | ||
| DMS 3230 | Vascular Sonography III | 2 |
| DMS 3330 | Abdominal Sonography III | 2 |
| DMS 3520 | Case Reports II | 1 |
| DMS 3730 | DMS Clinical Education III | 3 |
| DMS 4140 | Sonography Principles and Instrumentation Review | 1 |
| DMS 4430 | Ob & Gyn Sonography III | 3 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Semester 8 | ||
| DMS 3010 | Superficial Sonography | 2 |
| DMS 4240 | Pediatric Sonography | 2 |
| DMS 4440 | Ob & Gyn Sonography IV | 3 |
| DMS 4530 | Case Reports III | 1 |
| DMS 4740 | DMS Clinical Education IV | 6 |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Semester 9 | ||
| DMS 4030 | Musculoskeletal Sonography | 2 |
| DMS 4540 | Case Reports IV | 1 |
| DMS 4600 | Professional Development in Sonography | 1 |
| DMS 4750 | DMS Clinical Education V | 7 |
| DMS 4800 | Registry Review | 3 |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Total Hours | 134 | |
Course options and schedule are subject to change.