Diagnostic Medical Sonography is a multi-specialty profession comprised of abdominal, breast, cardiac, musculoskeletal, obstetrics and gynecology, vascular, and other emerging areas. All these diverse specialties use ultrasound as the primary technology to obtain the images needed. The individual that uses and controls the ultrasound machine is called the diagnostic medical sonographer.
The role of the Diagnostic Medical Sonographer is to:
- Obtain, review, and integrate pertinent patient data to facilitate diagnostic results
- Perform procedures and record anatomy, pathology, and/or physiologic data for interpretation by a physician
- Record, analyze, and process diagnostic data and observations
- Exercise discretion and judgement
- Demonstrate communication skills with patients and colleagues
- Act in a professional and ethical manner
- Facilitate communication and education to patients
Undergraduate Program
Bellin College’s Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (BSDMS) program will provide excellent opportunities, resources, and state-of-the-art facilities for students — including a fully operational sonography lab. Students will gain clinical, educational, and laboratory training that will help provide the skills needed to be confident in their career.
Students in the BSDMS program will choose one of two concentrations: General Vascular or Cardiovascular. Both concentrations have a shared focus on vascular technology, ergonomics while scanning to reduce injury rates, and practice opportunities in the sonography lab. The remaining courses will focus on specialties specific to the chosen concentration. Students will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography after three consecutive years.
General Vascular Concentration*
• Abdomen
• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Vascular Technology
• Ability to earn a minor in adult echocardiography
Cardiovascular Concentration
• Adult Echocardiography
• Pediatric Echocardiography
• Vascular Technology
In association with the mission of Bellin College, it is the intention of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography to educate medical imaging students who will function as proficient health care professionals and team members possessing a constant concern for quality patient care and technical competency. It is the school’s intention to maintain the highest program standards, thus insuring accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission guaranteeing graduates their eligibility for examination by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). Our program will provide you with excellent opportunities, resources, and state of the art facilities to excel your academic and clinical experience. In addition, our unique program will offer you: There are only 4 programs in Wisconsin that offer a Bachelor program for general vascular and 1 of 2 programs in Wisconsin that offers a bachelors degree for Cardiovascular. There are currently no bachelor programs in the United States that offer Pediatric Echo!* *Information provided by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) website.
Post-Graduate Certificate
Sonographers registered in vascular technology: take your career to the next level!
Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography Certificate program
The Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography Certificate program (DCS) is a fast-track adult echocardiography program designed for working sonographers registered in vascular technology (RVT) through the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). This two semester program teaches all didactic courses online with one mandatory weekend clinical intensive (in-person) requirement in the Fall semester. DCS students will only have to come to the Bellin College campus for their one weekend intensive. Clinical requirements of 400 hours are met at the sonographer’s current employer or with placement assistance from Bellin College faculty.
Learn more about the DCS certificate
Questions?
Please contact Bellin College Admissions at Admissions@bellincollege.edu,
(920) 433-6650, or use our online contact form.