Diagnostic Medical Sonography Technical Certificate

For more information, contact the Health Sciences division at 615-230-3330.

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography technical certificate program is designed to prepare the student to become a diagnostic medical sonographer. Sonographers are skilled professionals who provide patient services using diagnostic ultrasound under the supervision of a physician. Upon completion of this competency based program, the student will be eligible to take multiple American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography certification board examinations. The program of study includes didactic, laboratory, and clinical training in the fields of acoustic principles and safety, as well as abdominal, obstetrical, gynecological, vascular, breast, and small parts sonography.

Admission to the program is limited and the deadline for applications, which can be found on the Diagnostic Medical Sonography website at https://www.volstate.edu/academics/health-sciences/dms, is May 1. The four-semester program begins in August. A personal interview is required and screening of applicants will take place in late May, early June. Applicants seeking admission to the program must meet admission requirements for the College based on the admission or readmission status the applicant is seeking and meet one of the following qualifications:

Successful completion of a regionally accredited AMA recognized two-year program that is patient-care related (i.e., Radiologic Technology, Respiratory Care Technology, Nursing, Occupational/Physical Therapist Assistant, Ophthalmic Medical Technician, Sleep Diagnostics Technology) inclusive of the following prerequisites:  Human Anatomy and Physiology I, Anatomy and Physiology II, Medical Terminology, General Physics and College Algebra.

OR

Successful completion of any bachelor degree from an accredited program with the following prerequisites:  Human Anatomy and Physiology I, Anatomy and Physiology II, Medical Terminology, General Physics and College Algebra.

OR

Successful completion of Middle Tennessee State University’s 3+1 pre-Diagnostic Medical Sonography program inclusive of the following prerequisites:  Human Anatomy and Physiology I, Anatomy and Physiology II, Medical Terminology, General Physics, and College Algebra.

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Technical Certificate is embedded within the Associate of Applied Science in Health Sciences, Diagnostic Medical Sonography concentration and within the Associate of Arts and the Associate of Science, General Studies areas of emphasis.  Courses in this certificate may be used to award these degrees.

Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Demonstrate knowledge in appropriate didactic areas.
  2. Integrate knowledge into competency-based clinical experiences.
  3. Apply skills to meet the standards of the profession.
  4. Analyze clinical data.
  5. Write effectively in more than one format as part of the writing across the professional curriculum initiative.
  6. Provide excellent quality care to enrich and support the community through active engagement.
  7. Engage and maintain personal professional relationships.

CIP Code: (31) 51.0910.00     SOC Code: 29-2032

Certificate Requirements - Credits (52)


  • SONO 2000 - *Introduction to Sonography and Patient Care Credits: (2)
  • SONO 2001 - *Physics and Instrumentation I Credits: (2)
  • SONO 2002 - *Obstetrics and Gynecology I Credits: (3)
  • SONO 2003 - *Abdomen and Small Parts I Credits: (3)
  • SONO 2004 - *Vascular I Credits: (4)
  • SONO 2006C - *Clinical Education I Credits: (4)
  • SONO 2010 - *Professional Research Inquiry Credits: (2)
  • SONO 2011 - *Physics and Instrumentation II Credits: (2)
  • SONO 2012 - *Obstetrics and Gynecology II Credits: (4)
  • SONO 2013 - *Abdomen and Small Parts II Credits: (4)
  • SONO 2014 - *Vascular II Credits: (4)
  • SONO 2016C - *Clinical Education II Credits: (4)
  • SONO 2020 - *Sonography Seminar Credits: (2)
  • SONO 2021 - *Physics and Instrumentation III Credits: (2)
  • SONO 2026C - *Clinical Education III Credits: (4)
  • SONO 2033 - *Breast Sonography Credits: (2)
  • SONO 2036C - *Clinical Education IV Credits: (4)

Total Certificate Requirements - Credits (52)


Recommended Schedule


This is a recommended schedule. Learning support, pre-requisites, and other academic factors may impact this schedule.  See your advisor to create a degree plan.

DegreeWorks, along with the correct catalog, should be utilized by students for all of their educational planning.  Students can monitor their progress toward a degree or certificate and view missing requirements with the DegreeWorks audit, which is accessible through My Volstate.

First Year - Fall Semester - Credits (14)


  • SONO 2000 - *Introduction to Sonography and Patient Care Credits: (2)
  • SONO 2001 - *Physics and Instrumentation I Credits: (2)
  • SONO 2002 - *Obstetrics and Gynecology I Credits: (3)
  • SONO 2003 - *Abdomen and Small Parts I Credits: (3)
  • SONO 2006C - *Clinical Education I Credits: (4)

First Year - Spring Semester - Credits (14)


  • SONO 2011 - *Physics and Instrumentation II Credits: (2)
  • SONO 2012 - *Obstetrics and Gynecology II Credits: (4)
  • SONO 2013 - *Abdomen and Small Parts II Credits: (4)
  • SONO 2016C - *Clinical Education II Credits: (4)

First Year - Summer Semester - Credits (12)


  • SONO 2004 - *Vascular I Credits: (4)
  • SONO 2021 - *Physics and Instrumentation III Credits: (2)
  • SONO 2026C - *Clinical Education III Credits: (4)
  • SONO 2033 - *Breast Sonography Credits: (2)

Second Year - Fall Semester - Credits (12)


  • SONO 2010 - *Professional Research Inquiry Credits: (2)
  • SONO 2014 - *Vascular II Credits: (4)
  • SONO 2020 - *Sonography Seminar Credits: (2)
  • SONO 2036C - *Clinical Education IV Credits: (4)