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.
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 $84,470 as of May 2023. 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.