Appointment dates for the Fall 2026 cohort in the AAS in Diagnostic Medical Sonography will be taken the week of May 11–15, 2026 and are first come, first served. Call during this week to obtain your appointment. Appointments and applications will then be held the following week May 18–22.
Midwestern Career College’s Associate of Applied Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is designed to prepare students with the general education, applied knowledge, technical skills, and work habits required for entry-level positions in the diagnostic medical sonography field.
Diagnostic medical sonography utilizes high-frequency sound waves that produce images of organs, tissues and blood flow inside the body that help doctors diagnose patient illness. Sonographers typically work closely with patients and radiologists in health-care settings, including hospitals, diagnostic medical centers, mobile ultrasound companies, medical clinics, and physician’s offices.
The diagnostic medical sonographer utilizes medical ultrasound techniques to gather sonographic data used to diagnose a variety of conditions and diseases. Typical tasks include registering patients, setting up appointments, operating the systems and performing ultrasound procedures.
Coursework includes routine clinical procedures, patient care, equipment handling and operation, as well as a clinical externship needed to train students for entry-level sonographer positions.
Take the Midwestern Career College Diagnostic Medical Sonography (AAS) Readiness Quiz
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| Campus: | Study format: | Start date: |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL Main Campus | Hybrid | 8/31/2026 |
Diagnostic medical sonographers typically do the following:
What else does a diagnostic medical sonographer do? Find out more about this career in the video below.
The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) recognizes Midwestern Career College’s Associate of Applied Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography program as an approved educational program for ARRT’s sonography certification and registration.
ARRT certification is also a recognized prerequisite for ARDMS examination.
For detailed prerequisite information students should refer to ARDMS.org.
The Associate of Applied Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program is designed to prepare competent entry-level sonographers in the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective learning domains for the abdominal-extended sonography concentration.
380 hours of externship are required for program completion.
Students complete externship training to gain hands-on experience in real healthcare settings. MCC’s dedicated Externship Coordinator works directly with students to secure clinical placements and provide guidance throughout the externship process, helping ensure a structured and successful transition into the field.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment growth of 13% is projected from 2024–2034.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Diagnostic medical sonography is part of a broader field of diagnostic imaging careers. Students interested in medical imaging may also consider the following programs at MCC, each focused on different technologies and clinical specialties.
The curriculum follows recommendations from ASRT, AEIRS, ARDMS, and ACR.
Curriculum is subject to change; please refer to the current Academic Catalog for the most up-to-date program information.
Explore more about diagnostic medical sonography, including what sonographers do, training requirements, certifications, and career outlook.
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