B.Sc. in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS)

The diagnostic medical sonographer provides patient services by using sonographic equipment to provide physicians with important diagnostic information. The sonographer assists the physician by providing pertinent anatomical, physiological, and/or pathological sonographic data and images necessary to diagnose various medical conditions and diseases.

Sonographers must demonstrate a high degree of motivation and good judgment and are expected to work independently. Also, sonographers work well with other health care professionals in providing quality service to the patient. DMS professionals must demonstrate empathy, compassion, and ethical behaviour in the practice of the profession.

Allen College graduates are encouraged to take a national registry exam administered by one of several organizations. Graduates may be eligible to apply to the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) to sit for the certification exam. In most states, a national exam in sonography is voluntary, but obtaining this credential does enhance employment opportunities and may be required by some facilities for employment. Prerequisite eligibility for specific national registry exams varies by organization.

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography track of the Bachelor of Health Sciences program aims to provide an excellent educational program for men and women seeking careers in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography profession. This mission complements the Allen College and the Bachelor of Health Sciences program.

The Allen College Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program is a 5 semester (21 months) full-time diagnostic or general concentration ultrasound program designed to prepare students for entry-level positions in the field.

The program provides students with the didactic and clinical training necessary to become professionals in diagnostic ultrasound. General or diagnostic ultrasound includes abdominal, pelvic, gynaecological, obstetrical, and special parts imaging.

Students will complete classroom and laboratory work on campus during the first two semesters of the DMS program. Students will be assigned by program faculty to affiliated ultrasound departments for the clinical education practicums for the program's final three semesters.

Course work includes effective communication and patient skills combined with physics, instrumentation, human anatomy and physiology, and pathology. All sonography courses relate to each other, are offered only once during the program, and must be taken in sequence.

Program enrollment is limited and based upon the availability of clinical affiliates. Because there may be more applicants to the program than available positions, completion of prerequisites classes and the BHS application does NOT guarantee admission into the DMS program.

The clinical experience is an essential component in the education of a sonographer. This time allows the student to integrate the knowledge acquired in the classroom and lab to the clinical environment and acquire the skills necessary to become a qualified sonographer and thus constitutes a large portion of the program curriculum. Students will experience a variety of ultrasound exams, equipment, protocols, and pathology.

The Program Faculty will assign students to one or more clinical facilities. The clinical facilities vary in location and distance. The clinical assignments may be located 1 to 5 hours or 300 + miles from the Allen College campus. Students are responsible for their own transportation and living accommodations during the clinical practicums. Relocation to the assigned clinical site may be required.

Students can expect to be at clinical practicums during the weekdays; weekend hours are not available. Clinical practicums are based upon 40 hours per week.

Allen College has a tradition of more than 90 years of excellence in healthcare education. Allen College is a private, co-educational regionally accredited post-secondary institution categorized by the Carnegie Foundation as a “Special Focus” institution. Allen College is organized into two schools: Health Sciences and Nursing.

Allen College challenges students with dynamic learning opportunities. Its academic degree programs thrive in an environment that will facilitate student achievement of academic excellence and clinical competence, emphasizing the art of human caring.

The fundamental commitment of Allen College to professional excellence, personal growth, and awareness of the joy of caring remain steadfast. There is always a commitment to the student as an individual with a unique ability and potential and a continual commitment to caring and educational excellence.