Health Sciences Major - Diagnostic Medical Sonography Emphasis

Carroll University offers an opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Sciences with an emphasis in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) through unique partnerships with Advocate Aurora Health in Milwaukee and the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics (UWHC) in Madison. This B.S. degree affords students additional career choices over earning the certificate alone. Students receive the benefits of close, personal attention during their first years at Carroll followed by two years of clinical experiences in each hospital partner’s School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography and associated clinical sites. Once admitted to the hospital phase of the program, students complete coursework in a specialized track (general/vascular or cardiac/vascular) and rotate through diverse clinical placements in a small cohort of classmates.

Diagnostic medical sonographers enjoy employment in varied settings, including hospitals, medical and diagnostic laboratories, diagnostic imaging centers and outpatient care centers. Additional opportunities are available in education, management and medical equipment sales related to sonography. Long-term employment prospects in this area are forecast to be excellent.

The DMS partnership program provides the approved education needed for students to be eligible to sit for their required national exam.  Passing the exam is required in order to practice.  While many students complete their registry exams while in the program, they must seek licensure (if required) individually.  Currently, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, and Oregon (NOT WI) are the only states with approved legislation mandating the licensure of sonographers.

For more information on DMS licensure: https://www.ardms.org/discover-ardms/about-ardms/legislation/

ARDMS certification: https://www.ardms.org/discover-ardms/examinations-and-credentials/

Entry into each hospitals’ professional phase is highly competitive. Acceptance of students into the professional phase of the program is determined solely by the admissions committee at each hospital’s independent School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the hospital phase and there are typically more applicants than seats available in the program. It is strongly recommended that students enrolled in this program have a parallel plan in the event clinical phase admission is not attained. This program requires students to attend class year-round. Courses completed in summer or winter terms will incur additional tuition fees. See the Admissions section  of the catalog or contact the Health and Medical Sciences Advisor for more details.

Accepted students transitioning into the clinical phase of the program must adhere to all policies and maintain all progression standards outlined and provided by their cooperating hospital partner. See the College of Health Science Progression Standards  section of the catalog for more details. Students in the partnership program for Diagnostic Medical Sonography must adhere to the policies and requirements outlined by both Carroll University and their hospital program.