Coming Soon!
In 2026, the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program 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 facilities.
A Growing Industry With High Pay
The 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.
Is Ultrasound Sonography Right For Me
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.
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- Strong Communication: Effective verbal and written communication skills are essential for interacting with
patients and healthcare teams.
- Emotional Maturity: The ability to remain calm under pressure, respect patient privacy, and demonstrate
empathy is crucial in a fast-paced healthcare environment.
- Self-Motivation: Proactive learners with strong time management and problem-solving skills will thrive
in this demanding program.
- Dedication: A commitment to academic excellence and a willingness to balance coursework with
clinical responsibilities is required.
- Physical Fitness: Good physical health, including strength, stamina, and hand-eye coordination, is
essential for performing sonography procedures.
What You Need to Be Successful in the DMS Program
To succeed in OCC’s DMS program you need to meet our program’s technical standards:
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- Academic: Master medical terminology, analyze patient data, conduct research.
- Interpersonal: Collaborate, communicate clearly, build rapport with diverse patient populations,
classmates, and instructors.
- Clinical: Perform vital signs, phlebotomy, lab tests, make rapid decisions, and apply theory
to practice.
- Physical: Ability to transport equipment and patients, perform CPR, interpret orders, observe
patients, move quickly within workspace, and respond to verbal and nonverbal cues.
- Technical: Computer proficiency, documentation, and adherence to HIPAA.
OCC’s Ultrasound Tech Program Basics
The DMS program is highly competitive and admits only 12-15 students each year.
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- Full-time commitment: The curriculum requires 15–20 hours a week of study time and 40 hours of classroom
and clinical practice three to five days per week.
- Face-to-face learning community: DMS classes meet in-person at the Southfield campus. You’ll have clinicals in medical centers across metro Detroit. In fall of 2026 our
Health Sciences programs will be moving to the Orchard Ridge campus at our new state-of-the-art learning facility. Learn more.
Classroom & Coursework to Prepare You for the Future
As a sonographer, you'll be at the forefront of patient care, using advanced technology
to diagnose and monitor medical conditions.
Your coursework blends foundational courses in humanities and sciences with specialized
training in sonography.
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- Sonography Theory
- Sonography Practice
- Fundamentals of Sonography
- Cross-Sectional Anatomy
- Abdominal and OB/GYN Pathological Imaging
- Sonography Principles and Instrumentation
These courses prepare for practical application in the following areas:
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- Patient Care: Obtaining patient history, preparing patients for exams, and ensuring
patient comfort and safety.
- Image Acquisition: Operating ultrasound equipment, optimizing image quality, and document
findings.
- Clinical Judgment: Analyzing images, determining exam scope, and communicating results
to physicians.
Hands-on Experience at Local Area Hospitals
After you have been selected for the program, you will have clinical assignments in the last year of the program.
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- Clinical sites are within a 70-mile radius and assigned by the program.
- Day/evening didactic classes and clinicals
- Professional attire required with no visible piercings or tattoos.
- Strict academic and attendance policies apply.
Your clinical assignment will be held at one of our affiliated hospital partners:
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- Ascension Providence
- Corewell
- DMC
- Trinity Health Oakland
Join The Network of Sonographers
After admission into the DMS program, you can obtain a student membership to the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS). With this membership, you will have access to:
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- Grants/Scholarships
- Career Resources
- Annual Conference
- Journal/articles
Earn Your Registry Credentials
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.
Did you know that the OCC DMS students have a 100% Registry and Exams pass rate?
A Career With Endless Possibilities
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:
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- Applied Health Sciences
- Diagnostic Medical Sonography
- Public Health
- Radiologic Technology
- And more!
Begin Your DMS Journey: Attend a Program Info Session
Register for a required information session. You will learn about:
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- Program requirements
- Theory classes
- Labs
- Clinical phases
- How to succeed
Becoming a Diagnostic Sonographer at OCC
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.)
Degree – Program
Program Plan
Prerequisites, Preparation & Applying
Before acceptance into the OCC DMS program, you will have to complete the following
requirements in your first two years:
Step 1: Completing a DMS Program information Session
Register for a required DMS information session. Find a session that works best for
you. |
Step 2: Prerequisites to set you up for success
The time it takes to become eligible for the DMS program varies for each student.
Most students complete their prerequisites in one year.
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- Aim for a 4.0 GPA: You must earn at least a “B” in the required prerequisites courses. Our application
pool is competitive, so the higher your GPA, the more likely you are to be admitted.
- Your prerequisites count: Our admissions committee uses a weighted scale that favors the grades you earn in
these courses:
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- Trigonometry (MAT 1560)
- Medical Terminology (MDA 1103)
- Anatomy & Physiology (BIO 2630 & 2640)
- Composition II (English 1520) OR Professional Communication (English 2200)
- The weighted scale also considers the number of times you repeat a course to achieve
an A grade.
|
Step 3: Diagnostic Sonographer Volunteering
Diagnostic medical sonography is a rewarding career that demands precision, compassion,
and a strong stomach. You are highly recommended to complete 40 hours of volunteer
work in a healthcare setting of your choice. DMS is not for everyone—find out early
if it’s the right career for you. |
Step 4: Take the HESI Entrance Exam
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:
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- Reading: 75th percentile or higher (includes grammar and vocabulary sections)
- Anatomy & Physiology: 75th percentile
- Do both in the same testing session.
- You get two retakes: If you need a third retake, you must wait six months after your
second retake date to attempt the exam for a final time.
|
Step 5: Applying to the Program & Acceptance
Applications are due every December, admission selections are revealed on March 31. After successful completion of the prerequisites above. You will:
Meet with DMS Counselor: At the end of the fall semester (year two) you will meet with your counselor to complete the official DMS application for admission.
|
Step 6: Reviews Records Session
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.
|
Other Eligibility Requirements
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.
Criminal Background Check
You must pass a criminal background check to be admitted to the sonography program.
Felonies within the past 15 years or misdemeanors within the past 10 years may disqualify
you from the program. |
Drug Screening
You must pass a drug test to be admitted to the DMS program. Drug use is prohibited
on campus and in clinical settings. Details about the drug testing process will be
provided to admitted students. |
Health Insurance
You are highly recommended to have health insurance, as the college does not cover
accidents or illnesses. |
Health & Immunizations
Physical exams and immunizations are required before starting clinicals, including TB tests or chest x-rays.
- Annual TB screening: Mandatory for all students.
- Required vaccines: Measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, Tdap, Hepatitis B (or declination),
and annual influenza, Covid-19 (or waiver).
|
Basic life support certification
You must have a current BLS Healthcare Provider Certification before starting clinicals.
Certification must be maintained.
|
Credentials Received & Accreditation
The program prepares selected individuals through theory and clinical experiences
to practice as a Sonographer in a variety of health care settings. 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).
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
9355- 113th Street N #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
727-210-2350 | caahep.org |
Joint Review Committee for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS)
6021 University Boulevard, Suite 500
Ellicott City, MD 21043
443-973-3251 | jrcdms.org |
Program Effectiveness Data
Enroll Now
Begin your studies with these steps:
