General Sonography

Overview

This specialty certificate trains students to become skilled dual board-registered abdominal and OB/GYN diagnostic medical sonographers. Dual registries can provide more job opportunities to graduates, and a higher pay rate.

Students receive training in abdominal, OBGYN, high-risk OB, and vascular ultrasound. Students will learn to perform a variety of exams which include abdominal, pelvic, neurology, gynecological and obstetrical ultrasounds, and venous and arterial ultrasounds. Students attend didactic lecture courses and scan lab courses for the full 15 months of the program; they attend classes and clinical rotations together for 12 months of the program. Students attend clinical rotations across S.C. and train in facilities including inpatient and outpatient facilities, Trauma I hospital systems, outreach hospitals and offices, high-risk OB offices, maternal fetal medicine offices, and vascular offices.

The diagnostic medical sonographer is a skilled member of the imaging health care team. The sonographer must possess in-depth knowledge of ultrasonographic physics, human anatomy, physiology, and pathology. The sonographer's primary job is direct patient care, which necessitates excellent interpersonal skills. As there are several specialties within the realm of ultrasound, our graduates are able to work in a variety of settings after graduation because of the diverse training provided.

Procedures are performed with real-time B-mode, M-mode, and Doppler instrumentation, utilizing a transducer assembly against the anatomical part of the interest and recording the images with ancillary devices.

This is a 15-month program. There is one program start date each year, which is in June, and the program is completed the following year in September.

All courses in the curriculum must be passed with a grade of “C” or higher in order to proceed to the next Session.

Program Outline – Year 1

First Year

Summer  – Session I Contact Hours CEUS
Introduction to DMS      26 2.6
Introduction to DMS Scan Lab 26 2.6
DMS Vascular Sonography 26 2.6
DMS Vascular Scan Lab 26 2.6
Professional/Medical Ethics 26 2.6
DMS Sonography Physics 52 5.2
Fall  – Session II Contact Hours CEUS
Gyn and OB Sonography      26 2.6
Abdominal Sonography I 26 2.6
DMS Scan Lab I 26 2.6
Clinicals I  369 36.9
Program Outline – Year 2

Second Year

Spring  – Session Iii Contact Hours CEUS
Obstetrical Sonography  52 5.2
Abdominal Sonography II     26 2.6
DMS Scan Lab II 26 2.6
Clinicals II 477 47.7
summer  – Session Iv Contact Hours CEUS
Obstetrical Sonography II     26 2.6
Small Parts Sonography 26 2.6
Registry Review 26 2.6
Clinicals III 486 48.6
Admissions Requirements

Changes to Admissions Policy

Our admissions procedure has changed from previous years. We no longer have rolling admissions and will no longer transfer offers of acceptance from year to year. Students must provide the $25 application fee should they decide to reapply for the next year.

Eligibility

To be eligible for consideration into the program the student must have successfully completed at least one of the following:

An Associate Degree (60 Hours) - two-year Allied Health Care program with direct patient contact (must include a clinical internship/externship). Allied Health occupations include, but are not limited to, radiologic technologist, respiratory therapist, paramedic, occupational therapist, physical therapist and registered nurse.

OR

A Bachelor's Degree (B.A. or B.S.) - any major.

Successful completion of three prerequisite courses (listed below) before the program start date in June. Courses must be completed with a minimum grade of “C” or higher. These three courses must be less than three years old from the year of the program start date. If they were taken more than three years prior, students must retake these courses.

Prerequisite Courses

  • Human Anatomy and Physiology I – 4 credit hours
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology II – 4 credit hours
  • Medical Terminology – 3 credit hours

Students can be interviewed/accepted on a probationary status if they are completing their degree and/or prerequisite courses the spring semester before the program start date. Full acceptance will be pending on all completion of all required coursework.

Additional Information

  • The 15-month program begins each summer and concludes in September of the following year. The priority registration deadline is January 1. Applications are accepted until January 30, pending space availability.
  • Those applicants who are currently completing their degree studies may apply and become accepted on a probationary status, pending proof of completion of the necessary courses prior to the June program start date. Those who do not provide this proof prior to the beginning of the first class will not be eligible to proceed. 
  • Foreign applicants must meet certain academic admission requirements and should contact the program manager's office to ensure eligibility for the program. Students who do not use English as their first language may have to demonstrate proficiency in the English language before being accepted into the program. 
  • As part of the admission requirement, all applicants must have their official transcripts forwarded to the program director's office.
  • The program may accept up to eight students per program year in each area, general Diagnostic Medical sonography and Cardiovascular sonography. 
  • Students in this program are involved in their professional course work and clinical education rotations for a minimum of 35 hours per week. Full-time work outside of the program requirements is strongly discouraged. 
  • Students will interact with sick and injured patients of all ages and conditions. Rotations will involve three or more affiliate hospitals and offices in order to provide the student with the most comprehensive clinical education and experience. This requires traveling throughout the state of South Carolina. All clinical schedules are made in advance, per semester, so students can schedule their outside activities accordingly. 
  • Students must be of a physical and emotional state that will allow them to meet all clinical objectives which involve the moving of patients, equipment, and communicating with patients and other medical staff. 
  • The students will adhere to a prescribed dress code while in the clinical rotations and classes, as well as follow policies and procedures set forth by the program to properly educate students to the hospital setting. Students must wear scrub uniforms during all classes and clinical rotations.
  • Attendance requirements for class and clinical rotations are much more stringent than the overall college's policy. More than two violations of dress, attendance, or professionalism policies will not be tolerated and are grounds for dismissal from the program.
  • Students must be certified in adult and infant BLS for Healthcare upon entering the program AND are responsible for maintaining certification during the program.
  • Students must submit a background check and clean drug screening prior to the start date of the program. The background check must be clean for the past 10 years.
  • Students are responsible for receiving all titers and vaccinations required by hospital clinical sites before they begin clinical rotations in the fall semester. These include, but are not limited to: MMR, Hep B titers, Quantiferon Gold (TB) test or chest X-ray if necessary, flu shot, TDAP, and COVID-19. Please note that these vaccinations are mandatory and cannot be declined to participate in the program. Instructions for completing vaccine requirements are given to the students AFTER they are accepted in to the program. It is not required to complete vaccines/titers before the program start date.

Application Process

Prospective students must apply for admission to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program by completing the steps below.

This is a 15-month program. There is one program start date each year, which is in June. The deadline for priority registration is January 1. After this date, applications will be accepted until January 30, pending space availability.

Step 1:

Download application and mail along with a $25 non-refundable application fee to:

Continuing Education Department
Attention: Sonography Program
Midlands Technical College
PO Box 2408
Columbia SC 29202 

Include with your application a copy of any professional certification for verification (ARRT card as an example), if you have been previously certified.

Step 2:

Official college transcripts showing a completed undergraduate degree and the three prerequisites are required. They must be mailed to the same address as above. Official e-transcripts are also accepted, and can be emailed to cantwellk@midlandstech.edu.

Step 3:

A minimum of 2 letters of reference are required with the application packet. Forward all letters of reference to the same mailing address or email address above.

After You Apply

Applicants will be placed on the qualified list to be interviewed once ALL required documentation listed above has been received. Applications received without the $25 fee will not be processed, and the applicant will not be contacted.

Once a student has met the preliminary admissions requirements he/she will be required to attend a mandatory Program Information Session and complete a job shadowing. These are conducted in the early spring term. Upon completion of those two requirements, the student will then be invited to interview with the committee in late spring. Job shadowing prior to the Information Session is strongly encouraged, if it possible for the applicant to complete on their own.

The student must pass the formal interview for acceptance. The interview score is averaged by the committee members and a minimum number of points must be achieved for acceptance. 

All students are required to have a clean background check for 10 years, and a clear drug screening. The forms will be distributed once the student has been accepted into the program.

Tuition and Financial Aid

The 2023-24 program cost is $11,865.00.

Don't delay a better future because you think you can't afford it. Invest in yourself. Learn more about our loans and payment plans for Training students and financial aid for veterans.

How to Enroll

To pursue this certificate, please click on the courses below to see availability. You can register for courses online, and you do not have to apply to the college!

Talk to us
Tuition Assistance
Training Resources

Questions?
Call 803.732.0432 to talk to us about this program, or email cce@midlandstech.edu

Careers

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

The Diagnostic Medical sonographer works to produce ultrasonic recordings of a variety of body parts/systems for use by physicians. The sonographer works in a hospital or clinic setting and interacts with patients directly to obtain images of tissues, organs, and obstetric systems.

Average Annual Salary

$59,703
According to EMSI data as of 2022

Where Can I Work?

  • Hospitals
  • Medical Clinics

What’s next after I complete this program?

Enter the Workforce

Sonographers can find employment opportunities in hospitals, clinics, and private offices.

Want more information?

Academic programs count as academic credit for a certificate, diploma or degree and may transfer toward future academic endeavors at four-year colleges and universities.
Training programs can be completed in a matter of weeks or months, are focused on career training, and provide credentials and certificates needed in the specific fields of study. Coursework does not transfer.
Not sure: Check out these resources to explore what fits your goals.

Get Email Updates

Get occasional updates on the programs we offer and the interesting careers that they lead to!

Talk to Us

If you requested a phone call, an admissions counselor will contact you within one business day.