Diagnostic Medical Sonography (AAS)
Become a medical sonographer in seven semesters, including pre-requisite courses, in our hybrid associate degree program.
- Degrees/Options
- Associate of Applied Science
- Length
- 22 months
- Locations
- Fort Wayne, Crown Point, Hybrid
Why Study Sonography?
Perhaps most associated with monitoring fetal development via ultrasound technology, medical sonographers play an incredibly important role in helping doctors evaluate all areas of the body, providing imaging that is pertinent to diagnosing and treating patients of all ages and backgrounds.
Demand for diagnostic medical sonographers is growing at a faster-than-average rate in Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio. An associate of science degree in diagnostic medical sonography equips you with the knowledge and technical skills needed for entry-level sonography positions — and gives you the credentials you need to pursue industry certification.
Expand Your Education and Career Opportunities
As a medical sonography student at Saint Francis, you have the chance to expand your career opportunities by earning a bachelor’s degree. Choose to enroll simultaneously in our Health Services degree program.
If you are already a credentialed sonographer looking to increase your skills, learn more about Saint Francis’ Echo Academy.
9,600
Number of openings for diagnostic medical sonographers projected each year, on average, through 2032
BLS.gov
10%
Projected growth in employment opportunities for diagnostic medical sonographers through 2032 (much faster than average)
BLS.gov
$81,350
Median annual salary for diagnostic medical sonographers
BLS.gov
Why Saint Francis for Your Sonography Degree?
The University of Saint Francis is proud to be the region’s premier health science educator. Our sonography program, launched in 2021 in both Fort Wayne and Crown Point, builds on the strengths of our long-standing, highly successful nursing and allied health programs.
Through a mix of asynchronous online courses and on-the-ground labs and clinical rotations, you’ll receive training in abdomen extended, obstetrics/gynecology and vascular imaging. In this blended program, you’ll learn from an expert faculty of active healthcare practitioners.
With a strong liberal arts foundation and an education rooted in Franciscan values, you will leave Saint Francis ready to serve others as a compassionate, ethical healthcare professional.
High-Tech, High-Touch Learning
You’ll put your classroom learning into action as you practice skills and participate in real-world learning scenarios in state-of-the-art, professionally designed facilities like our simulation lab.
Hands-on learning experiences, whether on campus or during a clinical experience, also allow you to practice compassionate patient care, develop communication skills, and gain an understanding of overall healthcare operations.
Hands-On Healthcare Experience
As part of the sonography degree program, you’ll venture into real-world healthcare settings to further develop your technical and patient care skills, as well as gain experience collaborating with various members of a healthcare team.
Sonography students complete clinical hours at places such as:
- Parkview Health Network
- Lutheran Health Network
- Dupont Hospital
- Franciscan Health Network and Alliance Facilities
- Community Healthcare System
- Adams Memorial Hospital
- Cameron Memorial Community Hospital
“We are committed to bringing the Fort Wayne and Crown Point healthcare communities knowledgeable, competent and compassionate sonographers. Students will study in the 3-year program Abdomen Extended, Obstetrics/Gynecology, and Vascular curriculums to obtain a broad skillset that is desirable to area employers.”
Audra Koldyke Program Director
“My Diagnostic Medical Sonography professors have helped me reach my goals in so many ways. They are so caring, kind and passionate about our future careers and want nothing but the best for us. They strive to provide us with the best skills and I have never had better teachers. We are like a family and I will never forget how much they have been here for me through this entire process. I would recommend this program to anyone who has a caring heart for others and want to make a difference in healthcare.”
Ellie Tyler ’24 Diagnostic Medical Sonography major
Where Can You Go with a Medical Sonography Degree?
Sonography positions are in-demand in all kinds of healthcare facilities. Here are a few places where you might find employment:
- Hospitals
- Physicians offices
- Outpatient imaging centers
- Specialty hospitals and care centers
During our program you will learn in areas of Abdomen Extended, Obstetrics/Gynecology, and Vascular sonography.
Learn more about what makes life at Saint Francis so special.
The credentialing organizations for sonographers are the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS), the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT), and the Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI).
Specialty Accreditation is an assessment of a specific program within an institution. Accreditation ensures standards of education. Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) offers accreditation for Sonography programs through the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRCDMS).
To prepare competent entry-level sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills) and affective (behavior) learning domains for abdominal extended, obstetrics and gynecology, and vascular sonography concentrations. The program will provide high-quality didactic, lab and clinical atmospheres for transformative learning. Student sonographers will be able to think critically and compassionately. Understanding the complexities of healthcare will be a focus of the program, including areas of professionalism, ethical behaviors, and skilled and quality care. Through these goals, the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program complements the mission of the University of Saint Francis—cultivating individual personal growth through applied healthcare education that results in impactful professionals.
Program Goal Minimum Expectations:
- Provide high-quality education in didactic, lab and clinicals.
- Grow individuals to think critically, compassionately and ethically.
- Deliver professionals with entry level, but quality, skills who are impactful to healthcare and society.
- First Student Learning Outcome: Obtain, review and integrate pertinent patient history and supporting clinical data to facilitate optimum diagnostic results.
- Second Student Learning Outcome: Perform procedures in areas of abdominal, obstetrical, gynecological, small parts, superficial and vascular sonography; record anatomic, pathologic and/or physiologic data for interpretation by a physician.
- Third Student Learning Outcome: Exercise discretion and judgment in the performance of sonography diagnostic services.
- Fourth Student Learning Outcome: Demonstrate appropriate communication skills with patients and colleagues.
- Fifth Student Learning Outcome: Act in a professional and ethical manner.
- Sixth Student Learning Outcome: Provide patient education related to medical ultrasound and promote principles of good health.
Take a closer look at the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program handbook, your reference for program requirements, policies, student support, and the curriculum.
The University of Saint Francis has set policies and procedures regarding various student grievances that apply to all students.
All students are encouraged to resolve concerns or complaints directly with the appropriate faculty, staff, program directors, division directors or deans in an informal manner unless a formal university policy or procedure exists (such as formal policies for Financial Aid Appeal Procedure; Grade Appeal Policy and Procedure; Request for Review of Academic Policy; Appeal Review Procedures).
If the informal communication does not adequately address a student’s concerns, the student may contact the Vice President for Academic Affairs for academic concerns and the Vice President of Catholic Culture and Student Life for all other complaints or concerns. The Vice President will review the situation with the appropriate area and will either respond personally to the complaint or will direct the appropriate member of the institution to do so within 10 business days of receipt of the written complaint.
If a student feels that the USF grievance procedures have not adequately addressed their concerns and/or circumstances related to alleged violations of state consumer protection laws, they may wish to file complaints outside of USF.
Detailed complaint processes can be found here: University of Saint Francis Student Complaint Process
General Student Complaints
- The student discusses the concern with the faculty or staff member whom the student believes has taken improper action.
- If resolution is not achieved, the student discusses the problem with the appropriate director or dean in an informal manner unless a formal university policy or procedure exists.
- The student is to follow any process for which a formal policy exists.
- Financial Aid Appeal Procedure
- Grade Appeal, Request for Review
- If no formal policy exists, and the informal communication does not adequately address a student’s concern, the student may contact the following Vice Presidents:
- For any academic concerns, contact the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
- For all other complaints, contact the Vice President of Catholic Culture and Student Life.
- The Vice President will review the concern with the appropriate area and either respond personally to the student or will direct the appropriate personnel to do so within 10 days of receipt of the written complaint.
Discrimination, Harassment, Sexual Misconduct/Violence Complaints
- Complaints are filed with the USF Title IX Coordinator
Email: msalyer@sf.edu
Phone: 260-399-7700, ext. 6745
Office: FW Campus, Trinity Hall, room 105
- Cumulative minimum GPA of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale
- Completion of 74 credit hours, as set by the DMS Academic Plan
- Completion of all required DMS Clinical Competencies
- Meet all graduation requirements of the University of Saint Francis