With an A.A.S. in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, you can work as a diagnostic medical sonographer in hospitals, outpatient clinics, physician offices, and imaging centers. Sonographers specialize in areas such as abdominal, obstetric and gynecologic, vascular, or cardiac imaging, depending on training and certification. This career offers strong job demand, competitive pay, and the chance to work directly with patients while using advanced technology to help doctors diagnose and monitor medical conditions.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers use ultrasound technology to create images of organs, tissues, and blood flow inside the body. Instead of radiation, they rely on sound waves to help physicians diagnose and monitor medical conditions. In this role, you will explain procedures to patients, position them correctly, and operate specialized ultrasound equipment to capture clear, accurate images. Sonographers need a strong eye for detail, solid technical skills, and the ability to make patients feel comfortable during exams that can sometimes be stressful or unfamiliar.
The Diagnostic Medical Sonography A.A.S. program prepares you for a hands-on health care career in a growing field. The program combines classroom instruction with extensive clinical experience, so you graduate ready to work in real medical settings. Training includes ultrasound physics, cross-sectional anatomy, patient care, and supervised clinical practice. Graduates are prepared to work in hospitals, clinics, and imaging centers, building a career that blends technology, patient interaction, and meaningful impact in health care.
$42.95
Hourly Pay
$89,340
Median Pay
Employment of diagnostic medical sonographers is projected to grow 13 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 5,800 openings for diagnostic medical sonographers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics
The Diagnostic Medical Sonography A.A.S. program is set to start in the Fall of 2026 and has special admission requirements and limited enrollment. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all admission requirements are met and all documents and scores are submitted on time. Only complete application files will be reviewed for admission.
Documents to be Submitted for a Complete File
- Moraine Valley application for admission if not currently enrolled in college credit courses at Moraine Valley.
- A completed Diagnostic Medical Sonography Admission Application with all required documentation. must be submitted to the Records Department in S111 by the application deadline of April 1.
Minimum Academic Requirements
- Math requirement is met by one of the following:
- Qualify for MTH-109 through completion of Moraine Valley’s placement test
- ACT score in Math of 20 or higher OR SAT score of 520 or higher
- Completion of MTH-095 or MTH-096 with a grade of “C” or higher at Moraine Valley
- Previous college-level math credit with a grade of “C” or higher.
- English requirement is met by one of the following:
- Test into college-level for English and Reading determined by Moraine Valley placement test.
- ACT score in English and Reading of 20 or higher OR SAT score of 480 or higher
- Completion of all developmental levels in both English and Reading at Moraine Valley
- Previous college-level English composition credit with a grade of “C” or higher.
- Completion of PHY-106 and PHY-107 with a grade of “C” or higher by the end of the semester. This course may be in progress at the application deadline and has a five-year expiration date.
- Attend a Diagnostic Medical Sonography Information Session
- Minimum GPA of 2.0 is required for all courses (general education and career) related to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
- Submit official sealed high school or High School Equivalency transcripts– current transcript must show either the graduation date or the ongoing student status.
- Submit official sealed college transcripts (if applicable).
- Transcripts must be accompanied by a transfer evaluation request.
- Copy of Illinois state-issued ID. Qualified residents of the district and residents of districts engaged in cooperative agreements are given priority over out-of-district students for program admission.
This schedule reflects the most current information as of Jan. 30. 2026
Pre-Admission Coursework
Must be completed prior to application or in progress during the semester of application.
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BIO-180 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I | 4 |
| MRT-110 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| PHY-108 | Fundamentals of Physics | 4 |
| MTH-109 | Math for Allied Health | 2 |
| OR | ||
| MTH-139 | Probability and Statistics | 4 |
| OR | Higher-level math | Varies |
Summer 2026
Total Credit Hours: 13
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BIO-180 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I | 4 |
| MRT-110 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| PHY-108 | Fundamentals of Physics | 4 |
| MTH-109 | Math for Allied Health | 2 |
| OR | ||
| MTH-139 | Probability and Statistics | 4 |
Semester 1 – Fall 2026
Total Credit Hours: 15
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| DMS-101 | Fundamentals of Ultrasound | 1 | First 8 weeks |
| DMS-102 | Patient Care and Procedures | 2 | Second 8 weeks |
| DMS-103 | Abdominal Sonography I | 3 | |
| DMS-109 | Principles and Instrumentation I | 3 | |
| DMS-116 | Imaging and Cross-Sectional Anatomy | 3 | |
| COM-101 | Composition | 3 |
Semester 2 – Spring 2027
Total Credit Hours: 14
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BIO-181 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 |
| DMS-105 | Abdominal Sonography II | 3 |
| DMS-111 | Principles and Instrumentation II | 3 |
| DMS-107 | DMS Clinical Practicum I | 1 |
| DMS-104 | OB/GYN I | 3 |
Summer 2027
Total Credit Hours: 3
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| DMS-110 | DMS Clinical Practicum II | 1 |
| DMS-114 | Sonography Applications | 2 |
Semester 3 – Fall 2027
Total Credit Hours: 12
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| DMS-206 | OB/GYN Sonography II | 3 |
| DMS-208 | Legal and Ethical Procedures | 2 |
| DMS-213 | DMS Clinical Practicum III | 4 |
| COM-103 | Speech Fundamentals | 3 |
| OR | SOC-215 – Sociology of Sex and Gender | 3 |
Semester 4 – Spring 2028
Total Credit Hours: 7
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| DMS-215 | DMS Clinical Practicum IV | 4 |
| DMS-212 | Fundamentals of Vascular Sonography | 2 |
| DMS-217 | DMS Capstone | 1 |
Moraine Valley’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) program will seek accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS).
As a new program, accreditation is not granted immediately. The accreditation process begins after students have completed clinical coursework and sufficient program outcome data is available for review.
Moraine Valley is committed to pursuing accreditation and will provide updates to students as the process progresses.
Stay Up to Date on the Program
The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is set to launch in the Fall of 2026. Sign up here to stay up-to-date on application deadlines and program information.
