What’s going on beneath the surface? Diagnostic medical sonography (DMS) uses science and technology to help patients and their healthcare teams make smart decisions about what to do next.
Sonography is a non-invasive, accurate tool used in medicine since 1956. While the basic principles remain the same, rapid advances in technology keep pushing the boundaries of how sonographers can help patients.
Your OCC instructors and mentors are experienced practitioners. Your hands-on labs and clinical training take you through a wide range of patient care experiences.
It’s a challenging, immersive program that demands the best you have. If you’re ready, we’re ready to teach and mentor you to reach your goals!
In 2027, the health sciences programs will move to the new state-of-the-art Health Sciences building on our Orchard Ridge Campus. Here, you will meet and work with expert caring faculty, staff, and students in all the healthcare disciplines – just as you’ll experience in the field.
Check out the New FacilitiesThe federal Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment of diagnostic medical sonographers and technologists will grow by 10% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.
To succeed as a sonographer, you need to have strong communication and interpersonal skills to interact with patients and healthcare teams. You should be self-motivated, with good physical health.
To succeed in OCC’s DMS program you need to meet our program’s technical standards.
The DMS program is highly competitive and admits up to 15 students each year.
Register for a required information session. You will learn about:
Information sessions are mandatory for any student who applies to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography...
As a sonographer, you'll be at the forefront of patient care, using advanced technology to assist physicians in the diagnosis of medical conditions.
Your coursework blends foundational courses in humanities and sciences with specialized training in sonography.
These courses prepare for practical application in the following areas:
After you have been selected for the program, you will have clinical assignments in the last year of the program.
Your clinical assignments will be held at our affiliated hospital partners, which currently include:
After admission into the DMS program, you may obtain a student membership to the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS). With this membership, you will have access to:
After successfully completing the program, you’ll be ready to take the national credential examination offered by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
This exam will qualify you to practice as a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonography (RDMS) in the United States.
Want to advance your career beyond a sonography degree? OCC has partnered with Concordia University, Oakland University, Wayne State University and more to offer seamless transfer options for a bachelor's degree in:
The DMS program leads to an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree. It’s an “Extended Degree Program,” which means you complete 89 credit hours for graduation. (Yes, your prerequisites count in this total.)
Before acceptance into the OCC DMS program, you will have to complete the following requirements in your first two years:
The time it takes to become eligible for the DMS program varies for each student. Most students complete their prerequisites in one year.
We use your results on the Health Education Systems Incorporated (HESI) Entrance Exam to weigh your application. Every year the HESI deadline is November 30. Your goals:
Applications are due before December 15, admission selections are revealed before March 31. After successful completion of the prerequisites above, you will:
Meet with DMS Counselor: you will meet with your counselor to complete the official DMS application for admission when you are nearing completion of all prerequisites.
Attend a Record Review Session: After submitting your application you will attend a “record review”. This is an hour-long session where you will meet with the DMS selection committee in person to talk through your academic preparation, your volunteer experiences, and your career goals.
After acceptance to the program all sonography students must maintain current health records, CPR certification, and TB clearance. For detailed program policies, contact the DMS program director.
Physical exams and immunizations, including Tuberculosis (TB) tests or chest X-rays, are required before starting clinical.
Required vaccines: Measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chickenpox), Tdap, Hepatitis
B (or declination of immunity), and annual influenza.
If you are placed at a clinical site that requires a specific vaccine or if the requirements
of your site change at any time, you will be required to provide proof of prior vaccination
or you will be required to get the vaccine. Otherwise, you will be dismissed from
the program. You will not be moved to a different site.
Remember, you may be at multiple clinical sites during the program, so there is a
very good chance that you will be required to get the necessary vaccines at some point.
**NOTE: This is subject to change at any time!
You must have a current BLS Healthcare Provider Certification before starting clinicals. Certification must be maintained.
The program prepares selected individuals through theory and clinical experiences to practice as a Sonographer in a variety of health care settings. The program prepares competent entry-level sonographers in cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills) and affective (behavior) learning domains for the following concentrations: Abdominal sonography- Extended and Obstetrics and Gynecology sonography.
Graduates must pass the national credential exam offered by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers to practice as a registered diagnostic medical sonographer, or RDMS.
The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program is accredited by The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS).
Begin your studies with these steps:
Rita Atikian
Phone: (248) 233-2708
Program Location
Southfield Campus
22322 Ruthland Dr.
Southfield, MI 48075-4793
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