Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Do you want a career in healthcare where you play a vital role in helping doctors diagnose and monitor a range of health conditions — from heart disease to pregnancy to cancer? A sonographer, or ultrasound tech, provides care essential to diagnostic ultrasound imaging by operating equipment and performing examinations for medical diagnosis. Upon completion of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program, you will be qualified to work as a diagnostic sonographer or cardiovascular technologist or technician in various healthcare settings such as hospitals, clinics, doctors’ offices, and mobile imaging centers. Alternatively, this program will prepare you to work in research, applications, teaching, and marketing roles in business or other industries.

Our program’s experienced instructors will teach you the essentials in sonography — you’ll learn how to collect and interpret diagnostic information from ultrasound exams, how to obtain, review, and record pertinent patient history and supporting clinical data to facilitate optimal diagnostic results, and how to exercise professional and ethical behavior in a healthcare setting. Our program will help you develop lifelong skills in the practice of sonography and healthcare, and so much more!

If you want to begin a new journey as a sonographer in the healthcare sector or would like to become certified by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS), enroll in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program and make it happen today.

Students at any Maricopa Community College may need to complete courses at more than one of our colleges.

Associate Degrees and University Transfer
Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) is a specialized area in the healthcare field that uses ultrasonic imaging to collect data and detect medical issues in the human body. If you attend GateWay, you will be part of one of the top Diagnostic Medical Sonography schools for student retention and credentialing success in the country, as well as the state. GateWay is the only community college of the 10 Maricopa Community Colleges that offers the program.

Sonographers must possess patient-care skills in order to explain the imaging procedure, position them correctly and perform the sonographic examination. Additionally, sonographers must be knowledgeable about disease processes and the care and maintenance of ultrasound equipment.

Special Requirement

All students interested in any of our Healthcare programs will be required to attend an Information/Advising session, which will provide in-depth information and enrollment guidance.

Virtual Information Sessions

Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Mondays at 5:00 p.m.
Thursdays at 12:30 p.m.

Click Here To Get Your Virtual Meeting Link

Program Location

Washington Campus

Program Cost Estimates*

Associate in Applied Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography: $10,184 - $12,291
Certificate of Completion in Diagnostic Medical Sonography: $9,569 - $12,540
Certificate of Completion in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): $1,593

*Please note that these are only estimates. These estimates may change based on increases to tuition, course fees and book costs. Estimates are based on the current tuition rates for in-county students. Additional fees may apply.

Continuing Education 

Certificate of Completion in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

For information on the Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences at Northern Arizona University, call (602) 286-8194.

Choosing Sonography as a Profession

For more information on choosing sonography as a profession, browse the website of the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers at https://www.sdms.org/resources/careers. You will find information and support for sonographers and students.

Accreditation

Accreditation is a process used to measure and certify the credibility and quality of services offered by an organization.

GateWay Community College is a Maricopa Community College, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For the latest information on programs, graduation rates, and consumer information, visit gatewaycc.edu.  

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. Students are eligible to sit for the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) examination for Abdomen. They may also sit the ARDMS exam in vascular technology and earn the Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT) credential.  

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program provides a full OB/Gyn curriculum of study. Students may be eligible to take the registry exam for OB/Gyn registry immediately after graduation by completing the clinical requirements for the ARDMS and pass either the ARDMS Abdomen or Vascular exam first. 

Students completing the program may also sit the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) examination for general sonography and earn the Radiography Technologist Sonography RT(S) credential or the Radiography Technologist Vascular Sonography RT(VS). 

imageThe Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), working through the Joint Review Commission of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRCDMS), accredits the GateWay Community College Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program.

CAAHEP
9355-113th N. #7709
Seminole, FL 33775  |  P:727-210-2350, E: mail@caahep.org

JRC-DMS
6021 University Blvd. Suite 500
Ellicott City, MD 21043

Students completing the program are eligible to sit for the national registry exam given by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) in Abdomen and Vascular.

GateWay is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Why should you choose an accredited school?

Although many schools offer seemingly similar degree and certification options, not all schools are accredited. In many instances, accreditation of the degree or program you complete may be required in order to become certified to work in the field.

Program Effectiveness Data

Advisory Committee

The Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound Advisory Committee for GateWay is comprised of knowledgeable and dedicated professionals who represent the best of the best, and are an integral part of your learning experience in this field. These members include:

Banner Health

  • Elizabeth Westfall, MD – Banner University

Community Members

  • Michelle Olshan

GateWay Community College

  • Amy Diaz, Interim President 
  • Lora Timmons, Dean of Nursing and Healthcare 
  • Sandra Hinski, Division Chair 
  • Bryan Dodd, Program Director
  • Tabatha Hatfield, Faculty
  • Barbara Leaver, Adjunct Faculty 
  • Danielle Terveen, Clinical Coordinator 
  • Shannon Willie, MICaps Administrative Assistant 
  • Laurie Schaefer – HUG Clinic 
  • Jamie South – GWCC Student
  • Marcus Henry – GWCC Student
  • Courtney Calhoun – GWCC Student 

HonorHealth 

  • Jerry Valdez – Deer Valley Medical Center

Mayo Clinic

  • Charles Utecht