Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Preparing you with hands-on, clinical training to help others

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 offers a Bachelor’s Degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. The degree includes two years of core requirements and prerequisite classes specific to the major. Qualified candidates must then apply to the DMS program. Two learning tracks/concentrations are available to CUW students: 1) General/Vascular and 2) Cardiac/Vascular. Students that choose to apply to the General/Vascular concentration are first considered by the CUW DMS program. Applicants not selected by the CUW DMS program are then forwarded to our partner program, Advocate Aurora Health (Aurora St Luke’s Medical Center). Students that choose the Cardiac Vascular concentration will apply through our partner program, Advocate Aurora Health (Aurora St Luke’s Medical Center).

Quick Facts

Credits 126

Cost Per Credit ^$497

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Financial Aid

The average undergraduate student award is $16,603.

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Program Overview

Why Choose Sonography?

Interested in human anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, technology, and patient care
Being a key member of a healthcare team
Providing one on one care to a variety of people
Using high tech instrumentation to create images of the human body to assist in medical diagnosis
Commitment to lifelong learning in a rapidly growing healthcare profession
Projected job growth for sonographers is 17% (much faster than average) between 2016-2026
according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Designed 4 year completion in a growing market with a competitive salary. 2017 median wage level for a diagnostic medical sonographer according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is reported to be $71,410 with a range between $50,000 and $99,840.

CUW Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program

The didactic portion of the program is conducted within CUW at the Miller Park Way location and the clinical coursework is conducted at our clinical affiliates in southeastern Wisconsin. The program offers education and learning concentrations in General/Vascular Sonography.

As a student, you will receive a strong liberal arts education in a Christian setting. You will obtain the necessary preparation for your career through clinical experience in a medical setting. Students who graduate with a bachelor's degree in diagnostic medical sonography have an opportunity to specialize in the following areas of sonography: obstetric and gynecologic, abdominal sonography, breast sonography, and vascular technology.

At Concordia, you will experience:

Small class sizes enrich learning and professional growth
Integrated didactic, hands-on and clinical training to enhance learning
On-campus ultrasound lab dedicated to training sonography students
Diverse clinical rotations encompassing all specialties
100% program completion rate
100% of our graduates successfully obtain credentialing within one year
100% positive job placement rate within 6 months of graduation
See more of our program outcomes here.

Our Instructors

Lisa Reimer, MS, RDMS, RVT, RT(R)
Chair – Imaging Department
Program Director - Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program

Amanda Stippich, BS, RDMS, RVT
Clinical Coordinator/Instructor
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program

Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography

This program offers learning concentrations in both General Vascular and Cardiac Vascular Sonography. The didactic coursework is conducted by this program and the clinical coursework is conducted by Aurora clinical affiliates. If the student chooses to apply for the Cardiac/Vascular concentration, their application will be forwarded to this program. If the student chooses to apply to the General/Vascular concentration, their application will first be considered for the CUW General/Vascular program before it is forwarded to this program. Regardless of concentration or program, students that successfully complete all DMS program requirements will be granted a bachelor’s of science degree from Concordia University Wisconsin in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. To learn more about the DMS program through Aurora St Luke’s click here.

What to Expect

Through our DMS program you will learn how to:

Analyze technical information
Identify sonographic anatomy and pathology
Operate high tech ultrasound systems
Provide quality patient care
Collaborate with other healthcare service providers

Licensure / Certifications

Sonographers are required to pass a national certification board. There are several to choose from depending on specialization. The program prepares the student for certifying boards in Abdomen, OB/Gyn, Vascular Sonography, and Cardiac (available through Aurora St. Luke's).

Requirements

The pre-professional curriculum can be completed in 4 semesters. Students are strongly encouraged to work with their academic advisor when scheduling courses during this time. The professional program will include clinical and didactic curriculum and be conducted during a 2 year period. At the start, the students will spend more time in the classroom and scan laboratory, but will still be involved in clinical training at local hospitals and clinics. As the student gains more clinical skills, classroom time is reduced and the clinical component is increased. To graduate, the student will have attained at least 1680 hours of clinical experience and been involved in 1,200 sonography exams. Students must maintain all academic and clinical standards set by the DMS program.

Curriculum

Pre-sonography students take a core of liberal arts education as well as classes in anatomy & physiology, biology, physics, medical terminology, medical ethics & law, and pathophysiology.

Learn more about the curriculum here.

The CUW Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program has established curriculum based on the recommendations of the CAAHEP Standards and Guidelines for the Accreditation of Education Programs in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. These standards are adopted by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS). For more information see the JRC-DMS webpage.

How to Apply

Students will apply their sophomore year to gain acceptance into the CUW DMS program or other clinical affiliate. The Sonography program is very competitive and students are not guaranteed placement. Interested applicants should review the CUW program catalog for additional program standards. Grades, prior health care experience, job shadow hours, recommendations, and a personal essay will be considered. Upon acceptance, the student will take a prescribed curriculum and begin clinical experiential work. During the professional program, the student is required to make a 40 hour a week commitment in classroom and clinical work. This does not include readings, homework, and other assignments.

Entry into the sonography program is dependent upon:

Completion of the pre-clinical required courses with a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative GPA
Completion of coursework in a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program with 100 documented hours of patient care work
Submission of a personal essay on why the applicant chose a career in sonography
Professional and/or academic references
A minimum of 8 hours of job shadowing, 4 in general ultrasound and 4 hours in echocardiography
Completion and submission of the application form
Please note: The time commitment for the CUW DMS program is 40 hours per week for didactic coursework and clinical hours. This does not include time for travel or study. Due to the demanding schedule, it is recommended that DMS students restrict or eliminate employment during their schooling to promote success in the program.

Once accepted you will need:

Background check
Drug screen
Physical exam
Health and auto insurance coverage
CPR certification up to date throughout program

Academic Advisor:

Questions regarding pre-clinical coursework and requirements for admission to the CUW DMS program, please contact the academic advisor

Rachel Dietrich
CUW Academic Advisor for BSRS, CSD, DMS, RT
12800 N Lake Shore Drive (Stuenkel 103), Mequon WI 53097
262-243-2709
rachel.dietrich@cuw.edu

Accreditation

The CUW Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is accredited upon recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS) by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

Lisa Reimer MS, RDMS, RVT, RT(R)

Program Director - Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Department Chair - Imaging Department, Adjunct Professor

Amanda Stippich BS, RDMS, RVT

Clinical Coordinator/Instructor- DMS Program, Adjunct Professor

Objectives & Outcomes

Goals

To prepare competent entry-level general, and vascular in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.
To meet the need for entry-level sonographers.
To further the mission of CUW by incorporation of our core values of Christ-Centered, Truth & Integrity, Excellence, and Service. This will be exhibited by our students being recognized for their superior knowledge, compassionate patient care, and clinical excellence.

Objectives

To monitor the community needs for sonographers and respond to those needs.
To monitor the practice of Sonography within our community and adjust our academic and clinical training to meet those needs.
Facilitate, monitor, and support the implementation of best practices in sonography education.
Develop an empathetic approach to the patient as a person, rather than a bearer of disease or injury.
Acquaint the student with the emotional and technical aspects of being a member of a health care team.
Incorporate meaningful relationships between didactic and clinical experiences.
Provide a personalized curriculum within the guidelines of school policies and procedures.
Foster an environment that enables students to master the skills necessary for functioning as a diagnostic medical sonographer.
To have 80% of our graduates, as measured on a rolling 3 graduating class average, take and pass the ARDMS boards that the school is accredited for.
To further the mission of our sponsoring institution, Concordia University of Wisconsin.

Program Outcomes

100% program completion rate
100% of our graduates successfully obtain credentialing within one year
100% positive job placement rate within 6 months of graduation
See more of our program outcomes here

Certification

Nearing successful completion of the General/Vascular program, students are eligible to apply for the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) certification examinations in: Sonographic Principles and Instrumentation, Abdomen, OB/GYN, and Vascular Technology and the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exams in General and Vascular Technology.

The program assumes no responsibility for the success of its students in obtaining professional certification or other types of professional licensure.

For information regarding the registry examinations, contact the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).

Additional Resources

For additional information regarding sonography, please see the following professional organizations

Affiliations and Facilities

The affiliating Diagnostic Medical Sonography clinical sites must be approved by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS).