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School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography - Program Options & Prerequisites
Qualified applicants must meet one of the following criteria and pass prerequisite courses listed below.
Program Options
Upon successful completion of the
program, students are awarded a certificate of program completion for
Diagnostic Medical Sonography and will be eligible to be certified
through examination by the national certifying agency, American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography. Graduates of the School may take the Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation, Abdomen and OB/GYN examinations.
The
Northwestern Memorial School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography offers an
18 month certificate program. There are three options for students to
become a diagnostic medical sonographer:
- Bachelor's Degree Program (3+1.5)
This
is for applicants who want to earn a bachelor's degree. Students enroll
in an affiliated academic University or College for three years of
pre-requisites, apply to the program and if accepted, participate in an
18-month clinical-based internship at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
The affiliated academia, Benedictine University, Lewis University and Elmhurst College
provide competitive and required prerequisite and non-clinical
professional courses. A grade point average of 2.5 or higher for
undergraduate courses (cumulative and DMS Program prerequisite courses) is
required.
- Certificate Program for Students with a Bachelor's Degree
This
option is for applicants who have completed a Bachelor of Science or
Bachelor of Arts degree from an accredited college or university with a
Grade Point Average of 2.5 or higher for undergraduate courses
(cumulative and DMS program prerequisite courses).
- Certificate Program for Students Registered in a Healthcare-Related field
This option is for applicants who are graduates of an accredited
two-year patient care related program. Applicants shall be nationally
certified and in good standing in disciplines such as nursing (RN),
radiologic technology (ARRT), or respiratory therapy and have a Grade
Point Average of 2.5 or higher for undergraduate courses (cumulative
and prerequisite courses). Applicants must be registered prior to the
start of the DMS program.
Prerequisite Courses
All applicants must demonstrate successful completion of the following
prerequisite college-level courses prior to the start of the program. A grade of “C” or higher in
each course and a GPA of 2.5 or higher is required for these prerequisite courses:
- Biology - 12 semester hours ( 8 hours of Anatomy and Physiology are required)
- College Algebra - 3 semester hours
- General Physics - 3 semester hours
- Oral Communication - 3 semester hours
- English Composition - 3 semester hours
- Medical Terminology - 2 semester hours
