Associate degree in 
Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Now accepting applications for the Fall 2026 semester!

Students in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) program spend their first three semesters on campus building a strong academic and clinical foundation. During this time, they complete coursework in medical terminology, sonographic principles and instrumentation, and patient care, gain practical experience in the scanning laboratory, and learn directly from faculty with extensive experience across the profession. Before beginning off‑campus clinical education, students spend over 400 hours developing hands-on scanning skills in our on‑campus laboratories. Students also prepare for and take the SPI examination prior to entering their clinical rotations.

The DMS program at Monroe University offers four concentration options: Abdomen‑Extended, Obstetrics and Gynecology (Ob/Gyn), Vascular Sonography, and Adult Echocardiography. Before starting clinical rotations, students rank their concentration preferences and are placed at one or two clinical sites where they will focus on their selected area(s) of study.

The goal of the Monroe University Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is:

• To prepare competent entry-level abdominal sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains for Abdominal Sonography – Extended concentration
   
• To prepare competent entry-level sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains for Adult Cardiac Sonography concentration
   
• To prepare competent entry-level sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains for Obstetrics and Gynecology Sonography concentration
   
• To prepare competent entry-level sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains for Vascular Sonography concentration

Graduates who meet the published didactic, clinical, and ethics requirements for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) are eligible to sit for the Sonography and/or Vascular Sonography examinations.

Student Performance Outcomes for the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program:

2023-2025 DMS Program Effectiveness Data: Student Outcomes

Monroe University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (1007 North Orange Street, 4th Floor, MB #166  Wilmington, DE 19801 / 267-284-5011).  The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. All of our academic programs fall under this accreditation. Many of our programs also hold programmatic accreditation.

How Much Does a Sonography Degree Cost? 

At Monroe, it’s been our mission from the beginning to make quality education affordable for as many people as possible. That starts with our competitive tuition and fees and manageable payment plans. It continues throughout your education, with a dedicated financial aid office that works hard to find every student all the grants, scholarships, and loans for which they’re eligible. They’ll even help you explore any work-study employment opportunities that might be available. 

Learn more about financial aid opportunities.

In addition to the valuable field experience you’ll gain in your clinical externships, you’ll have many opportunities to build your professional network right here on campus. 

As a Diagnostic Medical Sonography major, you’ll be able to connect with both professionals and your peers in some of our many extracurricular organizations:

• Alpha Eta is the national honor society for the allied health professions. Every year at their annual meeting, Alpha Eta awards several $1000 honorariums to students who demonstrate outstanding research and scholarship.  
• The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) offers career development seminars and mentorship opportunities, as well as access to a large online member community.
• The Allied Health Club is devoted to reducing health disparities and improving people’s quality of life. Members work together to design, implement, and evaluate health education programs for both students and the surrounding community. 

View factsheet

Note: The University is no longer accepting applications for the DMS program from students wishing to study in the evening. The DMS program is a full-time day program only.