Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound

Bachelor’s degree

Ultrasonography, commonly called sonography, is a diagnostic medical procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce dynamic visual images of organs, tissues, or blood flow inside the body. This type of procedure is often referred to as a sonogram or ultrasound scan.

The Bachelor Health Science in Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences with an emphasis in Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound prepares you to become a certified sonographer or ultrasound technologist.

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Ultrasound has become one of the most widely used diagnostic exams in modern medicine and is increasingly being used in the detection and diagnosis of various diseases and illnesses throughout the body including the abdomen, female reproductive system, superficial structures, heart, and blood vessels.

The professionals who perform these procedures are known as sonographers or ultrasound technologists. Students at Mizzou may specialize in areas including Abdomen, Obstetrics/Gynecology, Echocardiography, and Vascular Technology.

The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) has accredited the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS).

Careers in diagnostic medical ultrasound

Overall employment of diagnostic medical sonographers is growing faster than the average for all occupations. Estimated median annual earnings of diagnostic medical sonographers were $77,740 as of May 2021. The middle 50 percent earned between $62,560 and $95,360 a year. Salaries vary depending on years of experience, number of specialties practiced, as well as geographic location.

U.S. News and World Report ranked diagnostic medical sonographer No. 1 on its list of best health care support jobs.

Course work

The Ultrasound program is divided into two phases and generally takes a minimum of four years to complete.

Pre-professional phase

Estimated 2 years to complete general education requirements of MU and program prerequisites

In the pre-professional phase students enroll in the University of Missouri’s required general education courses and complete the Ultrasound program’s required prerequisite courses.

Professional phase

The University of Missouri (MU) Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound (DMU) program is a seven semester (27 month) competitive admission professional program. Students apply by February 1 (typically in their sophomore year) for a position in the cohort beginning in June of that year. All MU DMU students learn to perform Abdominal, OB/GYN, Vascular, and Cardiac ultrasound examinations.  During the final four semesters of the professional phase students complete clinical rotations at medical facilities throughout the state of Missouri.

Once admitted to the DMU program, students should anticipate participating in academic, laboratory, or clinical course work 40+ hours per week, 52 weeks per year for the duration of the 7 semester DMU program.  DMU program clinical courses do not follow the MU academic calendar and students will be required to attend clinical rotations on dates outside of the standard semester.

Curriculum requirements

Learn more about required courses and other program requirements, including a sample semester-by-semester plan of study.

Advising worksheet

Students may use the DMU advising worksheet as a guide, but advising through the College of Health Sciences Student Services is highly recommended

Clinical education

Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound students begin clinical training on Day 1. Students complete clinical rotations at more than 25 sites across the state. Learn more about fieldwork and rotations.

Admission

Students typically apply for acceptance into the Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound program their sophomore year. Applications are due Feb. 1.

High school seniors and first-semester MU freshmen may be eligible to apply for early admission to the Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound program.

Admission and application

Get admission requirements and application instructions.

Cost and financial aid

Learn about costs and aid.