Diagnostic Medical Sonography Technical Certificate

Department: Sonography
CIP Code: (31) 51.0910.00     
SOC Code: 29-2032

For more information, visit the Diagnostic Medical Sonography webpage or contact the Health Sciences division at 615-230-3330.

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Technical Certificate program is designed to prepare students for careers as Sonographers. Sonographers are skilled professionals who provide patient services using diagnostic ultrasound under the supervision of a physician playing a vital role in patient care.  This competency-based program combines didactic instruction, hands-on laboratory practice, and clinical training. Areas of study include acoustic principles and safety, as well as abdominal, obstetrical, gynecological, vascular, breast, and small parts sonography.

Upon successful completion of the program, students are eligible to take multiple certification examinations offered by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).

Program Duration and Application Process
Admission to the program is competitive and limited  Applications must be submitted by May 1 and can be found on the Diagnostic Medical Sonography webpage. A personal interview is required and screening of applicants will take place in late May or early June. The four-semester program begins each August.

Admission Requirements
Applicants must meet general college admission or readmission requirements and posses one of the following qualifications:

• An Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in a Health Sciences field, such as Dental Assisting, Health Information Management, Nursing, Occupational or Physical Therapist Assisting, Ophthalmic Medical Technology, Paramedic Science, Radiologic Technology, Respiratory Care Technology, or Sleep Diagnostics Technology.
  OR
• Successful completion of Middle Tennessee State University’s 3+1 pre-Diagnostic Medical Sonography program.
  OR
• A bachelor’s degree of any kind from an accredited institution. 

Additionally, the following prerequisite courses must be completed with a letter grade of a C or better before program acceptance:

• Fundamentals of Communication or Public Speaking
• Human Anatomy and Physiology I
• Human Anatomy and Physiology II
• Medical Terminology
• Survey of Physics or Principles of Radiation Physics.
• Fundamentals of Algebra and Statistics (or a higher-level math course)

Embedded Certificate
Courses in this certificate may be used to award the following:

• Associate of Applied Science in Health Sciences, Diagnostic Medical Sonography Concentration
• Associate of Arts, General Studies
• Associate of Science, General Studies

Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completion, the graduate will have developed the skills, knowledge and abilities to accomplish the following:

1. Obtain, review, and integrate pertinent patient history and supporting clinical data to facilitate optimum diagnostic results.
2. Perform appropriate procedures and record anatomic, pathologic, and/or physiologic data for interpretation by a physician.
3. Record, analyze, and process diagnostic data and other pertinent observations made during the procedure for presentation to the interpreting physician.
4. Exercise discretion and judgment in the performance of sonographic and/or other diagnostic services.
5. Demonstrate appropriate communication skills with patients and colleagues.
6. Act in a professional and ethical manner.
7. Facilitates communication and education to elicit patient cooperation and understanding of expectations and responds to questions regarding the sonographic examination.