Diagnostic Medical Sonography (B.S., A.S., Certificate)
School of Health Sciences

Program Requirements FAQ Cost to Attend Financial Aid Request Information

DMS Department is now accepting applications for the DMS program starting in May and that the application deadline is March 16, 2009 at 5pm.

Why choose a career in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS)
Diagnostic Medical Sonography, or ultrasound, uses high frequency sound waves to create visual images of internal structures in the body for medical diagnosis. Sonography is used to examine many different areas of the body without making incisions or injecting radioactive material into a patient.

Sonographers need knowledge of human anatomy, physiology, pathology and physics in a clinical environment; a logical and precise mind is a plus. However, it’s also very important to have a good “bedside” manner and be empathetic to the anxiety a patient may have about the exam or any problems it may reveal.

Regional Accreditation — The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association. Affordable Tuition — Full-time financial aid availability and reasonable costs. Faculty — Academic credentials and real-world experience.

What can I study?
The DMS program offers an A.S. degree, a B.S. degree, and a certificate program (restricted to licensed medical professionals only). The associate degree concentration focuses on the abdomen, obstetrics and gynecology, and small parts sonography. The Bachelor's degree program of study adds echocardiography and vascular sonography to the skills learned in the associate degree. Certificates are available in general ultrasound (abdomen/obstetrics and gynecology/small parts) and cardiovascular ultrasound (vascular and echocardiography) for licensed medical professionals.

At MSU, the DMS program accepts students into the program after a variety of prerequisites are completed, including a GPA of 2.5 or better, volunteer hours in a hospital or clinical setting, and CPR certification. You do not need to be a practicing medical professional or a graduate with a medical degree in order to be admitted.

Career options
The MSU DMS program boasts a 100% job placement rate for its graduates. Graduates from our program work all over the country, including North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, California, and Maryland. We have current clinical affiliations with hospitals all over the United States. Career options include clinic, hospital or laboratory-based sonographers, and mobile sonographers, with additional opportunities in education, administration, or research.

DMS grew rapidly in the last 20 years and the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupation Outlook Handbook says DMS is expected to grow faster than average through 2012. According to the BLS, “median annual earning of diagnostic medical sonographers were $48,660” in 2002, with slightly higher earnings for sonographers working in physicians’ offices ($50,390) and hospitals ($47,530)."

Please note that you must speak with an advisor prior to registration for any DMS course. Please call 866.FOR.MSU1 and ask for the Student Services Center.