Diagnostic Medical Sonography (AAS)

An ultrasound technician prepping a wand during a sonography session

Become a medical sonographer in seven semesters at USF’s hybrid associate degree program.

Why Study Sonography?

Perhaps most associated with monitoring fetal development via ultrasound technology, medical sonographers play an incredibly important role in helping doctors evaluate all areas of the body, providing imaging that is pertinent to diagnosing and treating patients of all ages and backgrounds.

Demand for diagnostic medical sonographers is growing at a faster-than-average rate in Indiana, Illinois and Ohio. An associate of science degree in diagnostic medical sonography equips you with the knowledge and technical skills needed for entry-level general sonography positions — and gives you the credentials you need to pursue industry certification.

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Career Outlook & Success

#1

Healthcare Support Job, U.S. News & World Report (2021)

14%

expected growth in demand through 2030 (BLS.gov)

$70,380

median annual salary for medical sonographers in Indiana (BLS.gov, 2022)

Program Details: At-a-Glance

Format: Hybrid (online courses; on-site labs and clinicals)
Length: 7 semesters (22 months)
Clinical cohorts begin each fall

Expand Your Education & Career Opportunities

As a medical sonography student at USF, you have the chance to expand your career opportunities by earning a bachelor’s degree. Choose to enroll simultaneously in our Health Services degree program.

If you are already a credentialed sonographer looking to increase your skills, learn more about USF’s Echo Academy.

Why USF for Your Sonography Degree?

The University of Saint Francis is proud to be the region’s premier health science educator. Our sonography program, launched in 2021 in both Fort Wayne and Crown Point, builds on the strengths of our long-standing, highly successful nursing and allied health programs.

Through a mix of asynchronous online courses and on-the-ground labs and clinical rotations, you’ll receive sonography training in general, vascular, and obstetric/gynecologic imaging. In this blended program, you’ll learn from an expert faculty of active healthcare practitioners.

With a strong liberal arts foundation and an education rooted in Franciscan values, you will leave USF ready to serve others as a compassionate, ethical healthcare professional.

High-Tech, High-Touch Learning

You’ll put your classroom learning into action as you practice skills and participate in real-world learning scenarios in state-of-the-art, professionally designed facilities, like our simulation lab.

Hands-on learning experiences, whether on campus or during a clinical experience, also allow you to practice compassionate patient care, develop communication skills and gain an understanding of overall healthcare operations.

Hands-On Healthcare Experience

As part of the sonography degree program you’ll venture into real-world healthcare settings to further develop your technical and patient care skills, as well as gain experience collaborating with various members of a healthcare team.

Previous USF allied healthcare students completed clinical hours at places such as:

  • Adams Memorial Hospital
  • Parkview DeKalb Health
  • Direct Care Imaging
  • Dupont Hospital
  • Franciscan Health Network
  • The Imaging Center
  • Lutheran Hospital Medical Imaging
  • Ortho Northeast
  • Parkview Whitley Hospital
  • Parkview Huntington Hospital
  • RediMed
  • VA Northern Indiana Health Care System

Where Can You Go with a Medical Sonography Degree?

Sonography positions are in-demand in all kinds of healthcare facilities. Here are a few places where you might find employment:

  • Hospitals
  • Physicians offices
  • Outpatient imaging centers
  • Specialty hospitals and care centers

During our program you will learn in areas of general and vascular sonography.

We are committed to bringing the Fort Wayne and Crown Point healthcare communities knowledgeable, competent and compassionate sonographers. Students will study in the 3-year program General and Vascular curriculums to obtain a broad skillset that is desirable to area employers.

Audra Koldyke
Program Director

Credentialing

The credentialing organizations for sonographers are the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS), the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT), and the Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI).

Specialty Accreditation

Specialty Accreditation is an assessment of a specific program within an institution. Accreditation ensures standards of education. Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) offers accreditation for Sonography programs through the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRCDMS).

Mission and Goal Statement

To prepare competent entry-level sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills) and affective (behavior) learning domains for abdominal extended, obstetrics and gynecology, and vascular sonography concentrations. The program will provide high-quality didactic, lab and clinical atmospheres for transformative learning. Student sonographers will be able to think critically and compassionately. Understanding the complexities of healthcare will be a focus of the program, including areas of professionalism, ethical behaviors, and skilled and quality care. Through these goals, the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program complements the mission of the University of Saint Francis—cultivating individual personal growth through applied healthcare education that results in impactful professionals.

Program Goal Minimum Expectations:

  1. Provide high-quality education in didactic, lab and clinicals.
  2. Grow individuals to think critically, compassionately and ethically.
  3. Deliver professionals with entry level, but quality, skills who are impactful to healthcare and society.

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. First Student Learning Outcome: Obtain, review and integrate pertinent patient history and supporting clinical data to facilitate optimum diagnostic results.
  2. Second Student Learning Outcome: Perform procedures in areas of abdominal, obstetrical, gynecological, small parts, superficial and vascular sonography; record anatomic, pathologic and/or physiologic data for interpretation by a physician.
  3. Third Student Learning Outcome: Exercise discretion and judgment in the performance of sonography diagnostic services.
  4. Fourth Student Learning Outcome: Demonstrate appropriate communication skills with patients and colleagues.
  5. Fifth Student Learning Outcome: Act in a professional and ethical manner.
  6. Sixth Student Learning Outcome: Provide patient education related to medical ultrasound and promote principles of good health.

Grievance Policy

The University of Saint Francis has set policies and procedures regarding various student grievances that apply to all students.

All students are encouraged to resolve concerns or complaints directly with the appropriate faculty, staff, program directors, division directors or deans in an informal manner unless a formal university policy or procedure exists (such as formal policies for Financial Aid Appeal Procedure; Grade Appeal Policy and Procedure; Request for Review of Academic Policy; Appeal Review Procedures).

If the informal communication does not adequately address a student’s concerns, the student may contact the Vice President for Academic Affairs for academic concerns and the Vice President of Catholic Culture and Student Life for all other complaints or concerns. The Vice President will review the situation with the appropriate area and will either respond personally to the complaint or will direct the appropriate member of the institution to do so within 10 business days of receipt of the written complaint.

If a student feels that the USF grievance procedures have not adequately addressed their concerns and/or circumstances related to alleged violations of state consumer protection laws, they may wish to file complaints outside of USF.

Detailed complaint processes can be found here: University of Saint Francis Student Complaint Process

General Student Complaints

  1. The student discusses the concern with the faculty or staff member whom the student believes has taken improper action.
  2. If resolution is not achieved, the student discusses the problem with the appropriate director or dean in an informal manner unless a formal university policy or procedure exists.
  3. The student is to follow any process for which a formal policy exists.
    1. Financial Aid Appeal Procedure
    2. Grade Appeal, Request for Review
  4. If no formal policy exists, and the informal communication does not adequately address a student’s concern, the student may contact the following Vice Presidents:
    1. For any academic concerns, contact the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
    2. For all other complaints, contact the Vice President of Catholic Culture and Student Life.
  5. The Vice President will review the concern with the appropriate area and either respond personally to the student or will direct the appropriate personnel to do so within 10 days of receipt of the written complaint.

Discrimination, Harassment, Sexual Misconduct/Violence Complaints

  1. Complaints are filed with the USF Title IX Coordinator
    1. Email: [email protected]
    2. Phone: 260-399-7700, ext. 6745
    3. Office: FW Campus, Trinity Hall, room 105

Graduation Requirements

  1. Cumulative minimum GPA of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale
  2. Completion of 74 credit hours, as set by the DMS Academic Plan
  3. Completion of all required DMS Clinical Competencies
  4. Meet all graduation requirements of the University of Saint Francis

Retention, Job Placement, Credentialing Outcomes

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Academic Plan

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