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Diagnostic Medical Sonography

CHART YOUR COURSE

BECOME A SONOGRAPHER

Get a degree in sonography from Mercy College of Health Sciences! As a sonographer, you'll obtain diagnostic images of internal organs and blood flow using sound waves to observe fetal growth or study body organs. Image-producing echoes are collected, and these reflections of high-frequency sound waves – sonograms – are used to construct an image of a body organ. Once you have completed your degree, you will be able to take and present images to a physician for interpretation and diagnosis. Our program offers general and cardiovascular tracks.

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$67,080

Median Wage1

95%

Placement Rate²

89%

Graduation Rate

5

Semester Program (1.5 Years)

14%

Projected Job Growth from 2018 - 20281

OUR BODY OF WORK

ABOUT OUR DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL SONOGRAPHY MAJOR

Our five-semester, fall-start only associate degree curriculum includes classroom instruction, practice in a skills lab, and clinical experience in a variety of healthcare settings. This major is divided into two tracks: General and Cardiovascular sonography. You’ll learn both the art and the science of diagnostic imaging. We teach you to be a technically skilled and caring individual, excellent at critical thinking and problem solving. Our educational opportunities facilitate personal and professional development to contribute to your long-term success.

Once you have completed your degree, you’ll have the knowledge and the clinical exposure you need to become a registered sonographer. Your career opportunities will abound! Our DMS graduates have found great jobs across the United States. This area of healthcare is expected to continue to grow as sonography becomes an increasingly preferred alternative to radiologic procedures.

Application Deadline: January 1
Transcript Deadline: January 15
Placement Test & Written Interview Deadline: March 31
 


 
Accreditation

ACCREDITED BY THE COMMISSION ON ACCREDITATION OF ALLIED HEALTH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS (CAAHEP)

The associate degree in diagnostic medical sonography at Mercy College of Health Sciences is accredited by Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Educational Programs (CAAHEP). 

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program at Mercy College of Health Sciences is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
Faculty

Our dedicated team includes a program chair, a DMS instructor, and a clinical coordinator. Additionally, you'll work with many medical professionals in your clinical settings. Our full-time liberal arts and science faculty members are PhD-prepared and adept at integrating their subject matters into a comprehensive health science curriculum. As a student, you will receive an exceptional level of personalized instruction from experienced educators dedicated to your success.

Meet Your Faculty

Students

English isn't my parents' first language, but everyone at Mercy College went above and beyond to make sure we understood the admissions and financial aid processes. The hands-on learning opportunities in my classes have been a huge help in preparing me for my licensure exams and setting me on my path to a successful career.

Irma S., Diagnostic Medical Sonography and Healthcare Administration Candidate, 2021

STEP ONE: COLLEGE ADMISSION
To be considered for admission to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography major, you must first be admitted to Mercy College of Health Sciences. Learn more about admission to Mercy College. Complete our FREE online Mercy College application. Early application is encouraged. Once admitted to Mercy College of Health Sciences, you may enroll in Core requirements prior to your admission to any academic major. If you are transferring credits, please visit our transfer page to learn more.

STEP TWO: PROGRAM ADMISSION 
We accept between 12-16 DMS students at the beginning of each fall semester. This major is divided into two tracks: 1) General and 2) Cardiovascular sonography.

To be considered for admission to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography major, you must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale and achieve a C or higher (not C-) in the following college level courses:

  • BIO 180 - Human Anatomy (with lab)
  • ENG 101 - English Composition I
  • MAT 120 - College Algebra
  • MED 101 - Medical Terminology
  • 100-Level College Physics (with lab)

Applicants will also be required to take the Ultrasound Student Assessment Program through Pegasus Lectures. 

All admission requirements listed above must be completed, or course work in progress by Spring semester, including documentation of the eight-hour observation and the written interview with the Selection Committee by March 31st. Admission into the major is on a competitive basis. Applicants are evaluated on academic achievement and written interview components such as:

  1. Understanding of the profession
  2. Articulation of academic and personal qualifications
  3. Personal motivation
  4. A written interview section. 
Students admitted to the DMS program will be announced starting April 1st for the following fall term.

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The following courses are required to earn your Associate of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography in the General concentration.

Semester 1 (Fall)
BIO 185 - Human Physiology w/Lab (4 cr)
DMS 101 - Foundations of Ultrasound (3 cr)
DMS 103 - Ultrasound Physics I (2 cr)
DMS 111 - General Lab I (1 cr)
DMS 112 - General Clinical I (1 cr)
DMS 116 - Applied General I (4 cr)
 
Semester 2 (Spring)
DMS 118 - Applied General II (3 cr)
DMS 125 - Ultrasound Physics II (2 cr)
DMS 126 - General Lab II (2 cr)
DMS 127 - General Clinical II (2 cr)
PSY 101 - General Psychology (3 cr)
SPE 105 - Small Group Communication (1 cr)
 
Semester 3 (Summer)
BIO 225 OR 302 - Principles of Pathophysiology or Pathophysiology (3 cr)
ENG 102 - English Composition II (3 cr)
DMS 137 - General Clinical III (1 cr)
DMS 138 - General Lab III (2 cr)
DMS 216 - Applied General III (4 cr)
 
Semester 4 (Fall)
DMS 207 - General Lab IV (2 cr)
DMS 211 - General Clinical IV (3 cr)
DMS 226 - Applied General IV (3 cr)
SVL 285 - Servant Leadership (3 cr)
 
Semester 5 (Spring)
DMS 231 - General Clinical V (3 cr)
DMS 234 - General Seminar (2 cr)
PHI 320 - Bioethics (3 cr)
DMS 235 - Career Preparation (1 cr)
 
TOTAL: 76 CREDITS FOR ASSOCIATE DEGREE

The following courses are required to earn your Associate of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography in the Cardiac concentration.

Semester 1 (Fall)
BIO 185 - Human Physiology w/Lab (4 cr)
DMS 101 - Foundations of Ultrasound (3 cr)
DMS 103 - Ultrasound Physics I (2 cr)
DMS 107 - Cardiac Lab I (1 cr)
DMS 108 - Cardiac Clinical I (1 cr)
DMS 115 - Applied Cardiac I (4 cr)
 
Semester 2 (Spring)
DMS 117 - Applied Cardiac II (3 cr)
DMS 125 - Ultrasound Physics II (2 cr)
DMS 122 - Cardiac Lab II (2 cr)
DMS 123 - Cardiac Clinical II (2 cr)
PSY 101 - General Psychology (3 cr)
SPE 105 - Small Group Communication (1 cr)
 
Semester 3 (Summer)
BIO 225 OR 302 - Principles of Pathophysiology or Pathophysiology (3 cr)
ENG 102 - English Composition II (3 cr)
DMS 133 - Cardiac Clinical III (1 cr)
DMS 134 - General Lab III (2 cr)
DMS 215 - Applied Cardiac III (4 cr)
 
Semester 4 (Fall)
DMS 204 - Cardiac Lab IV (2 cr)
DMS 209 - Cardiac Clinical IV (3 cr)
DMS 225 - Applied Cardiac IV (3 cr)
SVL 285 - Servant Leadership (3 cr)
 
Semester 5 (Spring)
DMS 230 - Cardiac Clinical V (3 cr)
DMS 233 - Cardiac Seminar (2 cr)
PHI 320 - Bioethics (3 cr)
DMS 235 - Career Preparation (1 cr)
 
TOTAL: 76 CREDITS FOR ASSOCIATE DEGREE
 
 

The Associate of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography major has one start date per year in the fall. View our View our full academic calendar for exact semester start dates. Pre-requisites and Core requirements may be completed at Mercy College of Health Sciences year-round.

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Outcomes

  Board Pass Rate Job Placement Program Attrition
2020-2022 Totals 96% 87% 15%
General Concentration 2022 AB 85% / OB 100% 85% 0%
Cardiac Concentration 2022 100% 100% 28%

 

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1Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Diagnostic Medical Sonographers and Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians, Including Vascular Technologists

² Rates are based upon the 2018-2020 academic years.

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Next step before transforming into a life-saving hero: complete the form below. Our admissions team will get you all the info you need to know.

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EMAIL
Admissions: admissions@mchs.edu

PHONE
Admissions: (515) 635-1133
General: (515) 643-3180

About Us

Mercy College of Health Sciences has been transforming students into healthcare professionals since 1899. Located in downtown Des Moines, Iowa, we offer master's degrees, bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, certificate programs, and continuing education courses.

Mercy College is the only private Catholic college in central Iowa and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), in addition to numerous programmatic accreditors.

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Mercy College is a Catholic, accredited, nonprofit institution of higher learning.

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