Diagnostic Medical Sonography (Ultrasound)

Imagine the possibilities that can result from attending a nationally-ranked ultrasound program that houses a modern, state-of-the-art scanning suite where classes are taught by outstanding faculty who are leaders in their field. The outcome is a first-rate educational experience, complete with one year of on-site clinical training, that sets you a path for success in a dynamic health care field.

What is Diagnostic Medical Sonography?

Diagnostic medical sonography, also referred to as ultrasound, has revolutionized the field of medicine. It offers a unique opportunity in the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of medical diseases and conditions without the use of surgery, injection of dyes, or radiation. Diagnostic medical sonography is a noninvasive, nontoxic diagnostic medical imaging tool in which high-frequency sound waves are used to produce images of the human body. Ultrasound is readily used to image the heart, blood flow, and abdominal organs as well as the developing fetus and male/female reproductive organs. But ultrasound has found itself to be a critical health care tool beyond radiology, OB/GYN, vascular, and cardiology. It is now used in areas such as emergency medicine, orthopedics, sports medicine, ophthalmology, rheumatology, pain medicine, intensive care, and more. The profession has grown rapidly in the last 20 years and careers in diagnostic medical sonography are expected to continue to grow over the next several decades. Evaluation of the job market, advancements in medical technology, and a survey of current employers all indicate a strong demand for well-trained sonographers.

How to Become a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

Our diagnostic medical sonography degree is a four-year program that includes a one year clinical internship. RIT is one of very few colleges with ultrasound programs in the U.S. that lead to a bachelor of science in diagnostic medical sonography.

RIT's ultrasound program provides comprehensive sonography education. The program begins with a solid foundation in biology, human anatomy and physiology, and human cross-sectional anatomy. Sonography courses include extensive didactic lectures with full immersion ultrasound scanning in our state-of-the-art Ultrasound Scanning Suite, where students have hands-on instruction in sonography instrumentation and sonographic scanning skills and techniques for vascular evaluation, obstetrics, gynecology, and abdominal and small parts sonography. These courses occur before a one-year clinical internship, where students work in a range of health care settings (hospitals, outpatient centers, physician offices, etc.) where they complete their sonography education with mentors, physicians, and other medical professionals. Courses in patient care and the liberal arts round out your studies. In addition to the development of scanning and diagnostic abilities that focus on relevancy to clinical practice, the program also emphasizes skills in administration, leadership, and research. You will be prepared for careers in diagnostic medical sonography and related medical fields, as well as for medical school and graduate programs in the health sciences. This is a program that provides a high-quality, comprehensive diagnostic medical sonography education. You will graduate well-prepared, well-trained, and sought-after in the workplace.

Apply Your Knowledge

With a rigorous hands-on approach, coupled with an emphasis placed on experiential learning, you will gain a wealth of experience applying what you've learned in classroom lectures and lab experiences to a variety of real-life situations. A dedicated faculty is both engaged and passionate about your education and is fully committed to the development of exceptional sonographers and leaders.

Graduates are prepared to pursue a variety of careers in diagnostic medical sonography, nationally and internationally, in medical, industrial, and educational settings. Graduates can be found in a wide range of supervisory and administrative positions in hospitals, clinics, private physicians' offices, teaching, research, sales, and industry. Graduates also can work as freelance sonographers or for mobile services.

Medical Community Support

Our diagnostic medical sonography degree benefits from a comprehensive, supportive medical community comprised of highly-trained radiologists, physicians, sonologists, sonographers, and echocardiographers that guide, educate, and train our students. Many of these professionals are involved in teaching our students both on-campus and at off-campus clinical sites. Our partner clinical sites also employ many of our graduates. Through these interactions, you are exposed to generous and dedicated health care professionals who will enhance your education through professional development, increase your awareness of community needs, and share a sense of cooperative spirit in which medicine is practiced. In addition, many of our clinical instructors, echocardiographers, and sonographers are alumni of our program and are familiar with the standards, expectations, and rigor of the ultrasound program. Learn more about the program's affiliated faculty.

Ultrasound Program Outcomes and Attrition Rate

RIT's diagnostic medical sonography degree has exceptional passing rates on the national examinations:

• OB/GYN: 100%
• Abdomen: 95%
• Cardiac: 100%

The program has a very low attrition rate (0%) and a retention rate of 100%. Job placement is also 100%.

Additional Sonography Education Opportunities

In addition to the bachelor of science in diagnostic medical sonography, RIT also offers two diagnostic medical sonography certificate programs: a certificate in diagnostic medical sonography and a certificate in echocardiography (cardiac ultrasound). Both of these options are not only designed to meet the growing needs of the national and international medical communities but also the needs of individuals who:

• Hold a degree in the life sciences and other closely related degrees who are interested in that may be approved by the program director. Additional pre-requisite course work may be required for any type and level of degree.
• Have a current, active license or registry in an area of medical or allied health sciences, some examples of medical or allied health sciences areas include respiratory therapy, nuclear medicine, physical therapy, radiography (x-rays), nursing, and more. Any of the more than 200 medical or allied health sciences fields also will be considered.

Sonography as a Pre-Med Option

Being accepted into a medical graduate program requires certain qualifications, including completing prerequisite courses, a strong academic record, acquiring pertinent experiences in the field, and developing key intrapersonal and interpersonal qualities. The Premedical and Health Professions Advisory Program works with all students on an individual basis to help them become competitive candidates for admission to graduate programs in the medical and health professions.

The diagnostic medical sonography degree has assisted students in entering the worlds of medicine and dentistry. With the addition of a few courses, and without extending your time at RIT, the ultrasound program can prepare you for medical, dental, or other graduate school programs in the medical or health sciences. Graduates of the ultrasound program have gone on to become physicians, dentists, chiropractors, and more. Learn more about how a diagnostic medical sonography degree can be used as a pre-med option.

Sonography Education Resources

Program Policy and Procedures Handbook/Technical Standards
Please refer to these two documents for more information:

• Program Policy and Procedures Handbook 
• Technical Standards
• Program Goals, Objectives, and Outcomes

Prospective students are invited to view the diagnostic medical sonography program brochure.

Combined Accelerated Bachelor's/Master's Degrees

Today's careers require advanced degrees grounded in real-world experience. RIT's Combined Accelerated Bachelor's/Master's Degrees enable you to earn both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years of study, all while gaining the valuable hands-on experience that comes from co-ops, internships, research, study abroad, and more.

+1 MBA: Students who enroll in a qualifying undergraduate degree have the opportunity to add an MBA to their bachelor's degree after their first year of study, depending on their program. Learn how the +1 MBA can accelerate your learning and position you for success.

Typical Job Titles