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Diagnostic Medical Sonography, B.S.
Diagnostic medical sonography (DMS) is commonly known as "ultrasound." Sonographers are healthcare professionals who utilize imaging technology to assist in the process of medical diagnosis. Sonographers have skills that are utilized by many specialties, including emergency medicine, pediatrics, fertility, oncology, musculoskeletal and general medicine.
Since the foundation of DMS is as an imaging modality, the field is dynamically and constantly advancing as technology becomes more sophisticated. Sonographers are an integral part of a multidisciplinary team of medical professionals, while at the same time interacting directly with patients.
Program Overview
The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is a 21-month long cohort program, which begin in the fall each year.
Admittance is selectively granted to students who have completed 2 years of required general education and prerequisite courses. Student applications for placement in the fall cohort are due by February 1 every year. Applications are available online.
Why Study Diagnostic Medical Sonography at Grand Valley?
- A commitment to quality is demonstrated through continuous accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) in association with the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRCDMS).
- Students in the program are qualified to take national board registries through the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) before graduation, which allows them to become board-registered sonographers immediately upon graduation. GVSU's sonography programs are the only programs in the state of Michigan with this distinction.
- Strong curriculum and knowledgeable, clinically practicing faculty prepare students for leadership within the field.
- Students enjoy small class sizes, a cohort educational experience, and clinical education at multiple physician offices and hospitals.
- Rotation of clinical site placements exposes students to diverse experiences, allowing students to network across multiple health systems and develop broad skill sets.
- Laboratory facilities utilize state-of-the-art sonographic equipment to prepare students for current and emerging techniques and protocols.
Location & Format
All undergraduate students begin their academic career on the Allendale Campus. Students in this major continue their upper division studies on the GVSU Health Campus, near the Grand Rapids Medical Mile.
Format:- Face To Face
Coursework
Classes are tailored to prepare students to be successful professionals through lecture, lab and clinical courses:
- Anatomy, physiology & pathophysiology
- Sonographic specialties
- Medical ethics and law
- Research
- Patient care
- Ultrasound physics and instrumentation
Career Options
The United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Statistics projects that the ultrasound field will grow 24% in the next decade, much faster than average growth. Sonographers are currently in demand for clinics, physician offices, traveling ultrasound services, research institutions, and hospitals.
Combined Degree Programs
This undergraduate degree can be combined with a master's degree to save you time and money, and get you into the workforce sooner. On average, students save $8,500 in our combined degree programs and take up to four fewer classes than if earning the degrees separately.
You can even build your own combined degree from programs in different disciplines to further personalize your education and meet specific career goals.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the diagnostic medical sonography program is a competitive process that requires a secondary application. Please contact the College of Health Professions for the secondary application package, which can also be found at www.gvsu.edu/dms/.
Helpful Links
For More Information
College of Health Professions Department of Diagnostic & Treatment Sciences Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program
gvsu.edu/dms
500 Lafayette Ave.
NE, Suite 106
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 331-5444