Diagnostic Medical Sonography SAU Tech
Train to Become a Certified Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
If you're passionate about healthcare, technology, and helping others, a career in diagnostic medical sonography may be the perfect fit. The Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) program at Southern Arkansas University Tech (SAU Tech) prepares students to become entry-level sonographers qualified to work in hospitals, clinics, and imaging centers across Arkansas and beyond.
This Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree is built to help you gain the skills and certification necessary to enter the fast-growing field of medical imaging with a specialization in abdominal, obstetric, and gynecologic sonography.
Career Outlook for Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Diagnostic medical sonographers are in high demand in hospitals, outpatient care centers, OB/GYN clinics, and mobile imaging services. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of diagnostic medical sonographers is expected to grow 10% or more over the next decade, offering strong job stability and competitive wages.
Graduates may pursue careers as:
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
- Abdominal Sonographers
- OB/GYN Sonographers
- Ultrasound Technicians
- Medical Imaging Specialists
Many sonographers also cross-train in additional imaging specialties for career advancement.
What You’ll Learn In The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program
Students enrolled in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program will develop both technical proficiency and professional judgment in the use of ultrasound imaging to diagnose medical conditions.
Key learning areas include:
- Human anatomy and physiology
- Medical terminology and patient care procedures
- Physics of ultrasound and instrumentation
- Image optimization and diagnostic quality assessment
- Abdominal, obstetric, and gynecologic scanning techniques
- Clinical experience in real healthcare settings
This program combines classroom instruction, lab training, and clinical rotations to prepare students for real-world employment and national certification.
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program Overview
- Degree Awarded: [AAS in Diagnostic Medical Sonography]
- Credit Hours: 71
- Certification Path: Prepares students for the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) exams
- Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI)
- Abdomen (AB)
- Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN)
- Admissions: Selective entry process
- Format: In-person classroom and clinical training
- Status: Core program temporarily paused; prerequisite courses still available (see note below)
Please Note: SAU Tech is currently in the process of hiring additional faculty. While the core sonography program is temporarily unavailable, prerequisite courses are still offered, and students are encouraged to begin preparing for enrollment. Please check the website regularly for updates.
Program Goal
The goal of SAU Tech’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is to prepare competent, entry-level general sonographers who demonstrate:
Cognitive (knowledge)
Psychomotor (technical skills)
Affective (professional behavior) competencies required in the field
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will:
Demonstrate critical thinking using sonographic knowledge to assess clinical history, optimize imaging, and present findings to interpreting physicians
Perform general sonographic procedures with proficiency and diagnostic accuracy
Provide ethical, compassionate care while communicating effectively and working collaboratively in clinical environments
