Overview
Edgewood College students interested in becoming a diagnostic medical sonographer may want to consider majoring in medical sciences.
Diagnostic medical sonographers perform diagnostic ultrasound examinations and work under the guidance of physicians. They use ultrasound, or high-frequency sound waves, to detect and diagnose diseases in body organs and tissues.
The UW Hospital and Clinics School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography offers professional training in two specializations: general diagnostic medical sonography and echocardiography (cardiac) ultrasound.
According to UW Health, "Qualified diagnostic medical sonographers are needed in hospitals, clinics, physicians' offices, medical laboratories, industry and public health. Teachers, managers and researchers in diagnostic ultrasound are also in demand."
Coursework
For Edgewood College's medical sciences major with one of two medical sonography concentrations (general/vascular sonography or echocardiography/vascular sonography), students complete three years of undergraduate academic study at Edgewood, including the completion of general education requirements. Students apply to the School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography in the fall semester of their junior year. If admitted to this highly competitive program, students then complete two additional years at the University of Wisconsin's Hospitals and Clinics (UWHC). Upon completion of the UWHC program, students earn a B.S. in medical sciences and are eligible to become certified medical sonographers.
Click for the CURRICULUM FOR THE MEDICAL SCIENCE MAJOR WITH A SONOGRAPHY CONCENTRATION.
Students must complete the following courses at Edgewood prior to taking clinical coursework at UWHC:
Biology
- BIO 155 – Will accept BIO 151-152, 181-182, and a mix of 1X1-1X2
- BIO 210 and 211 Anatomy and Physiology I and Anatomy and Physiology II
- BIO 410 Pathology
- BIO 202 Medical Terminology
- BIO 251 Introduction to Biology Research I
Chemistry
- CHEM 120 and 121 General Chemistry I & General Chemistry II – Will accept CHEM 110-121, and 110-111
- CHEM 400 – Will accept any COR 3 class
Math
- MATH 114A Precalculus A: Algebra – Will accept any 3-credit math course, but need MATH 114A for CHEM & PHYS
Physics
- PHYS 130 and 131 General Physic I & General Physics II
Psychology
- PSY 101 General Psychology – Intro psychology class for PSY 345
- PSY 345 Lifespan Development
Medical Law
- PHIL 442 Health Care Ethics or RS 442 Moral Responsibility and Ethics of Health – Absolutely no substitutions
Encouraged electives:
- BIO 312 Microbiology
- BIO 402 Cell & Molecular Biology
Medical sciences majors can consult with their academic advisors about completing general education requirements and alternative routes to graduation if they are not accepted into UWHC's program.
Relevant Tests
In order to be eligible for application to the UWHC program, students are required to be a certified nursing assistant (CNA) and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certified. CPR certification MUST be for Healthcare Providers/ Rescuers and active for the entirety of your 2-year internship at UWHC.
You can obtain CNA certification through Edgewood College’s Center for Healthcare Education and Simulation (CHES). This CNA course allows you to become a Wisconsin-certified nursing assistant in a 3-week accelerated format, and to obtain your clinical education at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, WI. Most other CNA courses in the state are 6 weeks long and clinical rotations are typically in nursing homes.
Graduates of diagnostic medical sonography programs receive granted eligibility to write the certification examinations given by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS)