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Diagnostic Medical Sonography with General/Vascular program

Undergrad major

Use ultrasound to identify and diagnose diseases

Sonographers use ultrasound, or high-frequency sound waves, to identify and diagnose diseases in body organs and tissues. If you are interested in helping physicians understand problems in various parts of the body including the heart and blood vessels, abdominal organs, pelvic organs or providing images of the pregnant uterus, this may be the career for you.

UWL students in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program can choose the General/Vascular emphasis if they would like to diagnose issues in various areas of the body instead of specifically the heart. Diagnostic Medical Sonography is an undergraduate major that is nationally accredited and offers hands-on experiences with clinical rotations at reputable, regional healthcare centers including UW Health and Mayo Clinic Health System.

photos courtesy of Mayo Clinic Health System

Time to complete

The program takes four years to complete including two years of general education and pre-requisite courses at UWL, followed by two years at UW Health in Madison, WI or Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.

Career opportunities

Sonographers work independently while also serving on a team with radiologists and nurses. They work in the Radiology Departments of hospitals and clinics, emergency rooms, surgery suites, medical laboratories, industry, public health and other locations.

Medical diagnostic sonographers work full or part time during the day, evenings or weekends (depending on shift assigned) and earn approximately $80,000/year.

What distinguishes UWL’s program?

Hands-on experiences in clinical setting

After students complete their pre-professional and general education courses at UWL, they attend UW Health or Mayo Clinic for a 21-month program of specific didactic courses and clinical experiences.

Eligibility for certification

Graduates of the program are eligible for certification through the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).

Strong foundational curriculum

The general sonography curriculum stresses anatomy, physiology, hemodynamics, and pathology. In addition to anatomy, the knowledge of ultrasound physics is also critical to the performance of ultrasound examinations and the generation of diagnostic medical images.

Benefit of earning a bachelor’s degree

While associate degrees are also available for Diagnostic Medical Sonography, a bachelor’s degree offers more opportunity for career advancement because of the rigorous and broad foundational courses.

Sample courses

DMS 301 Introduction to Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound In this course students will prepare for the new and challenging demands of sonography training in a hospital. Clinical policies and procedures are emphasized. Course content includes materials emphasizing personal adaptation skills and staff development issues, nursing procedures, ethics, and skills to become a better student. An overview of basic sonographic terminology, technique, and equipment form the framework for future study. Students will have the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge of sterile technique. Lect. 2, Lab 2. Prerequisite: admission to Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program. Offered Fall.

DMS 331 OB/GYN Sonography II The student will gain an understanding of embryology, sonographic evaluation, and complications during the first trimester. Labor, fetal presentation, and fetal anomalies as visualized on ultrasound during the second and third trimester will also be discussed. Students will become familiar with central nervous system anomalies, GI anomalies, GU anomalies, musculoskeletal anomalies, anomalies associated with multiple gestations, and placental pathology as they appear on ultrasound exams. Students will have the opportunity to practice biometric measurements on an obstetrical phantom during this course. Lect. 2, Lab 2. Prerequisite: admission to Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program. Offered Spring.

DMS 410 General/Vascular Clinical Education IV Students are scheduled for clinical practicum at participating clinical education centers. Clinical experience rotations for Practicum IV include abdominal imaging, OB/GYN imaging, and vascular technology. During this practicum, students will be assigned clinical competencies and objectives to complete. Prerequisite: admission to Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program. Offered Fall.