Program Information:
The program prepares students for the profession of diagnostic medical sonography. A diagnostic medical sonographer is a highly skilled professional qualified by education to provide patient care services. The sonographer uses specialized sonographic equipment to create images of structures within the human body. Sonographers have direct patient contact and may provide this service in a variety of medial settings where the physician is responsible for the use of and interpretation of appropriate procedures. The program prepares the student to secure their American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography credentials and entry-level work in the abdomen and obstetrics/gynecology specialty areas. An introduction to vascular sonography is also included in the coursework.
Program Information:
- This program prepares students for an occupation in the professional field of diagnostic medical sonography (ultrasound).
- The first semester of this program begins in August and this certificate program of study must be taken in its entirety to meet certificate of achievement requirements.
- Students are involved in approximately 1,216 contact hours of clinical experience during the 18 month program. National certification as a sonographer requires graduates to pass various specialty examinations administered by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
- Students must have a current physical, show proof of immunizations and pass a drug screen and fingerprint background check prior to the start of the program.
- Students must show proof of certification for health care providers from the American Heart Association.
- Career cluster includes registered diagnostic medical sonographers in hospitals, clinics or imaging centers.
- Medical Diagnostic Sonography students must earn a minimum grade of C or higher in all courses with a prefix of DMS.
- All science and math courses must have been completed with a minimum grade of C within the last five years.
- This program is conducted on a limited-enrollment basis. Admission to this program involves additional procedures.
For Program Information, contact:
Health Professions Department at 217-786-2408 or 217-786-2449 or see a Health Professions Student Success Coach.
Admission to the Program:
- Submit the LLCC admission application.
- Attend an information session given by the DMS Program Director. The DMS program has a limited enrollment and student selection criteria are covered in detail at the information session. Dates of information sessions may be obtained from the Records Office at 217-786-2296 or the Health Professions Office a 217-786-2449.
- Applicants to this program must currently possess a Bachelor degree or an Associate in Applied Science or an Associate in Science received from a two-year accredited allied health program that is patient-care related and required clinical education. Allied Health occupations include, but are not limited to, radiologic technologist, respiratory therapist, occupational therapist, physical therapist assistant, and registered nurse. If the Bachelor degree is not in a health-related field of study, the applicant will need to complete a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA or BNA) program prior to submitting an application.
- The following college-level curriculum requisites must be met prior to the beginning of the core curriculum of the diagnostic medical sonography educational program:1) Algebra, statistics, or higher mathematics course, 2) general college-level physics and/or radiographic physics, 3) communication skills, and 4) human anatomy and physiology. The communication skills requisite may be met by a variety of courses including English, speech, or composition. The science requirements must be completed within 5 years prior to applying to the program.
- Have college transcripts sent to the LLCC Records Office.
- Provide evidence of satisfactory physical health required of practitioners to carry out the tasks of this occupation.
- Submit the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program application with the assistance of a Health Professions Student Success Coach designated to assist prospective students with the field of study.
Application and admission to the program is a separate procedure from application and admission to LLCC. The DMS program uses a selective admission process. Prospective students’ applications are ranked based on several criteria such as grade point average, college science course grades and previous academic achievement. Applications will be accepted during specified time periods for the fall admission.