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Do I have to study radiologic technology first to be a sonographer?

Our program has two pathways for admission: Option 1 is an associate degree in radiologic technology, followed by DMS courses. Option 2 is freshman entry, in which the student takes Kent Core and elective hours and does not require a medical background. Sonography is its own medical imaging discipline, and the technology is new even to students with a background in radiologic technology.

How long is the program?

The actual DMS program is 16 months of classroom and clinical education. Students must have junior college standing with 72 hours completed, to include completion of Kent Core, Anatomy and Physiology 1 & 2, Algebra, Physics, Medical Terminology, Introduction to Computers, General Psychology and elective hours. Junior college standing is achieved after 3 years of full-time coursework or equivalent. It takes the typical student at least 4 years full time to earn a bachelor degree. This time may be shorter for students who take CCP courses while in high school.

Can I study sonography as an associate degree?

There are various types of DMS programs. Our program results in a Bachelor of Radiologic Imaging Sciences Technology and is not available as an associate degree program.

Where can I find required pre-requisite courses?

Roadmaps for both Option 1 and Option 2 are available at

Is there a waiting list for the DMS program?

Our DMS program does not have a waiting list. We are a selective admission program with the top 10 applicants each year being admitted.

How are students selected?

Students are evaluated by their overall GPA, grades in math and science courses, previous employment experience and interviews. Students interested in applying to the program should seek advisement from the DMS program director regarding coursework to improve chances of selection.

Where are clinical education sites?

Students are assigned to clinical education sites and may be required to travel to any of our affiliated sites. Clinicals are held at hospitals and imaging centers throughout northeastern Ohio. Current clinical sites for the program include Aultman Alliance Community Hospital, Aultman Health Foundation, Cleveland Clinic Akron General Health System, Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital, East Liverpool City Hospital,  Mercy St. Elizabeth Boardman Hospital, Mercy St. Joseph Warren Hospital, Salem Regional Medical Center, Sharon Regional Medical Center, Trumbull Regional Medical Center, University Hospital Portage Medical Center and various affiliated sites for OB sonography clinical rotations.

When are classes held?

Classes and clinical education for the DMS program are held during daytime hours. Students are either in class on campus or at the clinical site five days a week (Monday through Friday).

Can I attend the program part-time?

Pre-requisites courses can be taken on a full time or part time basis and can be taken at any Kent campus or another university. Students in the sonography program progress as a cohort and are full time. Once accepted in the program, the students are either on campus or at clinical education five days per week.

Can I transfer in pre-requisites courses from other Universities or Colleges?

Students should apply to 91²Ö¿â and have official transcripts evaluated. Students can use the 91²Ö¿â transfer credit guide /credittransfer as a resource to view to potential transferability of courses.

What if I attended a hospital-based radiologic technology program?

Students who attended a hospital-based radiologic technology program will need to complete an associate in technical studies degree (ATS) in addition to completing Kent Core classes before applying to the sonography program.

Where can I find more information?

The program information packet is available at /columbiana/dms-or-ultrasound. Information such as required coursework and program effectiveness data are found within the packet.