Best Universities for Masters certificate program in Medical Sonography

A woman using an ultrasound wand on a man who is looking at the monitor.

Hamad Ghazle, Department Head of Clinical Health Professions.

The diagnostic medical sonography certificate is an 18-month program that includes a clinical internship. It was created to produce competent, compassionate, and responsible ultrasound professionals and leaders. The program includes lectures and course work integrated with a clinical internship. Required prerequisite courses include one year of anatomy and physiology with laboratories and one year of college or general physics with laboratories.

Be prepared as competent entry-level general sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains .

Gain a thorough working knowledge of ultrasound scanning techniques .

Be skilled in the operation of ultrasound instrumentation and laboratory equipment .

During the first academic year, students complete all the prerequisite courses required to enter the clinical internship phase of the program. Students also apply, polish, and test their clinical skills and techniques in the on-campus ultrasound scanning suite, which is equipped with a variety of ultrasound equipment. Following a required two-week pre-clinical internship orientation session, students begin their training at the first of two assigned clinical training sites.

The one-year clinical internship provides hands-on experience at two or approved medical facilities. After completing the pre-internship course work, all students begin the internship by attending an intensive two-week experience on campus. During this time they enhance and polish the skills they previously learned, prepare to perform complete sonographic examinations as performed in real clinical settings, and advance their knowledge in recognizing anatomy and disease states using a variety of equipment in the Ultrasound Scanning Suite. Students also learn hospital, departmental, and administrative operations. After completing these requirements, candidates are assigned to a medical training site for their clinical experience. At these facilities, students work side-by-side with sonographers, physicians, and other health care professionals to learn, develop, apply, and sharpen the necessary skills to perform general ultrasound examinations. Additionally, students return to campus each month for three days of lectures, presentations, projects, and testing.

The course provides students with hands-on experience by performing basic and general abdominal, small parts, obstetrical and gynecological ultrasound examinations. Sonographic examination protocols and techniques, review and recognition of normal anatomic structures, high quality image production, and image interpretation are stressed. (Prerequisites: DMSO-BS or DMSO-CT and YR 3) Lec Lab 6 (Fall).

The course is a continuation of Sonographic Scanning Skills and Techniques I (DMSO 301). The course provides students with further hands-on opportunities to perform advanced abdominal and OB GYN, peripheral vascular (upper and lower) and carotid Doppler examinations including color flow. Ultrasound examination protocols and techniques, review and recognition of normal anatomic structures, high quality image production, Doppler and color flow optimization and image interpretation are stressed. (Prerequisites: DMSO-301 or equivalent course.) Lec Lab 6 (Spring).

This course addresses how the principles of ultrasound physics are directly applied to the use of ultrasound instrumentation in medical imaging. Transducers, signal production, memory systems, data display, manipulation of controls, and artifacts, are discussed. Throughout the course, the student will integrate previous knowledge of anatomy with ultrasound physics and instrumentation. (Prerequisites: PHYS-112 or equivalent course and student standing in DMSO-CT, DMSO-BS or ECHO-CT.) Lec Lab 6 (Fall).

This course is a continuation of Sonography Physics and Instrumentation I (DMSO-309). It provides a foundation of the basic physical principles of ultrasound and the fundamentals of fluid dynamics, Doppler physics including color, power, and spectral Doppler, quality control, Doppler artifacts, and biological effects. Students will learn to integrate previous knowledge of anatomy, ultrasound physics and instrumentation with Doppler skills and techniques. Development of scanning techniques, use of instrument controls, and production of high quality diagnostic images utilizing laboratory equipment are stressed. (Prerequisites: DMSO-309 or equivalent course.) Lec Lab 6 (Spring).

This course covers basic sectional anatomy of the abdomen, pelvis, fetus and small parts, building on the basic knowledge of anatomy. This course prepares the student to recognize sectional anatomy of major human structures, especially as they relate to medical imaging techniques. Lectures are augmented with exercises using prepared human sections, organ modeling, and diagnostic imaging units. (Prerequisites: DMSO-BS or DMSO-CT and YR 3) Lecture 3 (Fall).

This course provides knowledge of general vascular evaluation with an emphasis on the Sonographic approach. Two-dimensional real-time imaging and Doppler techniques are presented as well as a discussion of other imaging modalities and their use in vascular evaluation. Performance of examinations on laboratory equipment is stressed. (Prerequisites: DMSO-BS or DMSO-CT and YR 4) Lec Lab 3 (Spring).

This course provides the ultrasound candidate with the knowledge necessary to perform obstetrical examinations. High-quality image production, recognition of normal structures, and basic pathologic states are stressed. Examination protocols, review of specific anatomy and pathology, film reading, and use of other imaging techniques are also addressed. (Prerequisites: DMSO-BS or DMSO-CT and YR 4) Lec Lab 3 (Fall).

This course provides the information necessary to perform basic and advanced gynecologic Sonographic examinations. Examination strategies for various procedures are explored, as well as the integration of ultrasound into established clinical practices. (Prerequisites: DMSO-BS or DMSO-CT and YR 4) Lec Lab 4 (Fall).

This course provides information necessary to perform sophisticated obstetrical procedures utilizing ultrasound equipment. Examination strategies for various procedures are explored as well as the integration of ultrasound into established clinical practices. (Prerequisites: DMSO-BS or DMSO-CT and YR 4) Lec Lab 3 (Spring).

Laboratory simulation and classroom instruction are used to develop practical skills and clinical knowledge necessary to perform basic abdominal and small parts examinations utilizing ultrasound equipment. High-quality image production, recognition of normal abdominal structures and basic pathologic states are stressed. Examination protocols, review of anatomy, film reading, and use of other scanning techniques are addressed. (Prerequisites: DMSO-BS or DMSO-CT and YR 4) Lec Lab 4 (Fall).

This course is a continuation of Abdominal and Small Parts Sonography I (DMSO-456). Laboratory simulation and classroom instruction are used to develop the practical skills and clinical knowledge necessary to perform basic and advanced abdominal and small parts examinations utilizing ultrasound. High-quality image production, recognition of normal abdominal structures and basic and advanced pathologic states are stressed. Examination protocols, review of anatomy, film reading and use of other scanning techniques are addressed. (Prerequisites: DMSO-BS or DMSO-CT and YR 4) Lec Lab 4 (Spring).

Speaking, writing, and researching skills are explored. Methods of basic research, developing writing strategies, and oral presentations are stressed. Students develop or critique a research project and prepare a written document following common publishing guidelines in addition to making oral presentations. Additionally, candidates prepare a complete plan for an ultrasound department as if they had been hired to establish a new department in a hospital setting. The candidates work together to develop the physical facilities, administrative, and financial aspects of a department. (Prerequisites: DMSO-BS or DMSO-CT and YR 4) Lecture 3 (Spring).

This course prepares the student for application of classroom knowledge to the practice of ultrasound by means of a clinical internship. Performing basic general ultrasound examinations in the areas of abdomen, small parts, obstetrics, gynecology and basic peripheral vascular in both the laboratory and clinical settings is stressed. Nursing procedures, ethical issues, and medico-legal considerations are also discussed as they relate to the practice of ultrasound examinations. This is an internship course. (Prerequisites: DMSO-BS or DMSO-CT and YR 4) Lec Lab 7 (Fall).

This course provides the final development of ultrasound examination skills by means of clinical internship. The candidate is expected to perform basic and advanced general ultrasound examinations in the areas of abdomen, small parts, obstetrics, gynecology and peripheral ultrasound examinations with no assistance by the end of this course. This is an internship course. (Prerequisites: DMSO-570 or equivalent course.) Lec Lab 5 (Spring).

It is noteworthy to mention that the diagnostic medical sonography degree is institutionally accredited and programmatically accredited.

To remain a leader in educating technically sound sonographers, the diagnostic medical sonography program emphasizes not only on the didactic aspect of learning, but also the practical, hands-on, clinical aspect.

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Diagnostic medical sonography is a multi-specialty profession comprised of many diverse areas all using ultrasound as a primary technology. Doctors perform ultrasound examinations to gain advanced insights into the inner workings of the body. In fact, after x-ray exams, ultrasound is the most utilized form of diagnostic imaging available today.

You will have hands on experiences through the on-campus ultrasound lab as well as diverse clinical rotations encompassing all specialties.

Students applying for the certificate DMS award option are encouraged to discuss availability with admissions and need to submit an application for consideration no later than the last day of the fall semester.

Erica Brandt is a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer specializing in abdomen, obstetrics and gynecology, breast and vascular ultrasound.

BS Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Concordia University (2018).

Lisa Reimer is a registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer specializing in abdomen, obstetrics gynecology and vascular imaging.

MS Healthcare Administration, University of St. Francis (2017).

Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Aurora St Luke Medical Center School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (1998).

Radiologic Technology, Theda Clark Medical Center School of Radiologic Technology (1994).

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SONO) certificate program is designed to enhance the professional skills of individuals who are currently certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists or equivalent and have State of Connecticut licensure.

In this advanced certificate program, students gain eligibility to earn an additional credential in medical sonography- highly attractive to potential employers.

Our program offers flexible schedules and evening classes.

The SONO program accepts qualified individuals into a 14-month, 26-credit program. Students complete 15 credits of academic coursework and 11 clinical course credits. The academic courses are sequential and begin with a foundations course that prepares students for the clinical application of sonographic principles.

The academic coursework also helps prepare students for the Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) examination and Abdomen (AB) specialty exam offered by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).

Four clinical semesters comprise the course of study, which begin in the first summer of the program and end the following summer. During the final clinical courses (SONO 470 Clinical Externship I and SONO 480 Clinical Externship II), students are expected to perform as the primary sonographers during imaging studies.

Eligible students who successfully complete all of the SONO concentration courses receive a Diagnostic Medical Sonography certificate. The completion of the academic and clinical components of the SONO concentration also helps to prepare students for the certification examination in Diagnostic Medical Sonography as administered by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).

The SONO certificate program is not competency-based. To attain eligibility for credentialing in diagnostic medical sonography with the ARDMS, you must complete the minimum number of classroom and clinical hours included in the SONO certificate program. Accurate documentation of clinical hours is the responsibility of the technologist (student).