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Pre-Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Alyse Mikolas '14 shadows her mother, Sandra, a nurse practitioner, at Aurora Health Center in Kenosha. A new program designed by Sandra ...

The pre-diagnostic medical sonography program prepares students for a thrilling career in diagnostic medical sonography. Sonographers use high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the body to diagnose and monitor various medical conditions without invasive procedures.

Carthage has numerous faculty/staff members to support your journey to professional school. Make sure you are working closely with your assigned faculty advisor to address any questions relating to your major or minor requirements. For questions regarding pre-diagnostic medical sonography program requirements and preparation, please contact a pre-health coordinator.

See the pre-diagnostic medical sonography timeline

Students enrolled in the 3 + 1.5 diagnostic medical sonography program with Northwestern Medicine must complete the following prerequisites by the end of their junior year. However, different schools may have different prerequisites on what classes you should take. Make sure to check your desired program’s website.

  • BIO 2010 Anatomy and Physiology for the Healthcare Professional I (in AHS major)
  • BIO 2020 Anatomy and Physiology for the Healthcare Professional II (in AHS major)
  • AHS 2000 Medical Terminology (in AHS major)
  • PHY 2100 Physics I (in AHS major)
  • ENG 2060 Expository Composition
  • MTH 1040 Principles of Modern Mathematics

The 3 + 1.5 diagnostic medical sonography program with Northwestern Medicine is for students who major in allied health science at Carthage. Learn more about the 3 + 1.5 program

School Applications
This is not a direct-entry program; students apply to the diagnostic medical sonography program through our clinical partner, Northwestern Medicine. Below is the list of application materials:

  • Shadowing hours
  • Personal statement
  • Resume/ CV
  • Three or more references
  • Transcripts (official copy)

Shadowing/Volunteering
All students are encouraged to shadow a sonographer in a general ultrasound department. There is not a specific amount of hours required for DMS school, but students should have enough experience to understand the profession thoroughly.

Required Entrance Exams
There are no required entrance exams.

Personal Statement
You may need to submit a personal statement with your application. To help craft your personal statement, attend our Personal Statement Workshop, typically held in the fall semester.

Letters of Recommendation
You will need several letters of recommendation for your application. You will need three references for the Northwestern Medicine application. These individuals are then contacted to complete an evaluation of you. Students need to give at least three to four weeks of notice. This way, references have adequate time to reflect upon their experience and write the best possible letter. If you are participating in an experiential role, it is suggested that you ask for a letter a month or two before the close of that experience.

Please note that different professions require different degrees and levels of education.

Abdominal Sonographer
Abdominal sonographers specialize in imaging the organs and structures of the abdomen, such as the liver, kidneys, and pancreas, to diagnose conditions like tumors or stones.

Cardiac Sonographer
Cardiac sonographers use ultrasound technology to create images of the heart, assessing its function and detecting abnormalities like valve problems or heart disease.

Neurosonographer
Neurosonographers focus on imaging the brain and nervous system, often using ultrasound to assess blood flow in the brain, diagnose strokes, or evaluate other neurological conditions.

Obstetric and Gynecologic Sonographer
Obstetric and gynecologic sonographers focus on imaging the female reproductive system, particularly for monitoring pregnancies, checking fetal development, and diagnosing gynecological issues.

Pediatric Sonographer
Pediatric sonographers specialize in imaging infants and children, often performing abdominal, cranial, or musculoskeletal scans to diagnose a range of pediatric conditions.