MCC student performing liver scan during ultrasound lab. Photo: MCC.
What Does MCC’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program Include?
Midwestern Career College offers a two-year Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. The program prepares students for entry-level sonography positions through classroom instruction, hands-on ultrasound laboratory training, and clinical experience. Students study anatomy, sonographic physics, abdominal imaging, scanning techniques, patient care, and other diagnostic imaging procedures.
Is MCC’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program CAAHEP Accredited?
Yes. MCC’s Associate of Applied Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography program earned initial accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), effective July 15, 2026, upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS). The accreditation applies to the Abdomen-Extended sonography concentration.
Does MCC’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program Include Clinical Training?
Yes. Students must complete a minimum of 380 hours of clinical externship as part of the program. Clinical training provides supervised experience in healthcare settings, allowing students to apply ultrasound scanning techniques, patient-care procedures, and diagnostic imaging skills. MCC’s Externship Coordinator assists students with clinical placements and provides guidance throughout the externship process.
Does MCC’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program Prepare Students for Professional Certification?
Yes. MCC’s CAAHEP-accredited Diagnostic Medical Sonography program provides a pathway toward the Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS) credential in Abdomen through the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). The program is also recognized as an approved educational program for sonography certification and registration through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). Students must meet the applicable examination and eligibility requirements established by each credentialing organization.
🎉 MCC’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program Has Earned CAAHEP Accreditation!
Midwestern Career College’s Associate of Applied Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography has earned Initial Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), effective July 15, 2026. Learn what this milestone means for current and future students.
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The Fall 2026 cohort for the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program at the Chicago Main Campus is full.
Admissions for the AAS in Diagnostic Medical Sonography for the Spring 2027 cohort at the Naperville campus will open in January 2027.
What Does a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Do?
Diagnostic medical sonographers typically do the following:
Prepare patients for procedures by taking their medical history and answering any questions about the procedure
Prepare and maintain diagnostic imaging equipment
Operate equipment to obtain diagnostic images or to conduct tests
Review images or test results to check for quality and adequate coverage of the areas needed for diagnoses
Recognize the difference between normal and abnormal images, and identify other diagnostic information
Analyze diagnostic information to provide a summary of findings for physicians
Record findings and keep track of patients’ records
The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program – Abdomen Extended is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS). Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, 9355 113th St. N, #7709, Seminole, FL 33775, 727-210-2350.
Graduates of Midwestern Career College’s Associate of Applied Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography program may pursue professional sonography certification through two separate credentialing organizations: the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) and the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).
RDMS Certification Eligibility
Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (Abdomen) certification exam, RDMS (AB), through the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).
For prerequisite information, students should refer to ARDMS.org.
ARRT Sonography Certification Eligibility
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 sonography certification and registration.
Program Objectives
Provide knowledge and skills required for employment as entry-level sonographer
Deliver hands-on clinical and imaging training
Prepare students for ARDMS or ARRT certification
Develop skilled allied health professionals
Program Goals
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.
Clinical Externship Experience
A minimum of 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.
Career Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment growth of 14% is projected from 2025–2035, which is classified as much faster than average.
Projected Job Growth for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (2025–2035)
Career OneStop – Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Career Video
Related Diagnostic Imaging Programs at MCC
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.
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