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Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Program Description

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program at WVU Hospitals is an 18-month certificate program specializing in abdominal, obstetrical, and gynecological sonography. The 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 (JRCDMS). Upon successful completion of the program, students are eligible to sit for the Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) examination, administered by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). Successful completion of the SPI examination qualifies graduates to sit for the ARDMS Abdominal, Obstetrical, and Gynecological Sonography specialty certification examinations.

Admission / Enrollment

The 18-month program enrolls up to three new students each July. The deadline for completed applications is February 1 of each year, and the program begins during the first week of July each year. Student selection for enrollment is competitive and is based upon academic qualifications, personal interview, previous healthcare and/or work experience, and the individual’s projected ability to make a significant contribution to the healthcare profession. For information regarding the admission process and requirements, please select the following links:

Tuition and Fees

Tuition is $1,500 per semester ($4,500 for the 18-month program). Additional costs include books, uniforms, graduation fees, certification exam fees, electronic clinical handbook fees, and conference registration and travel expenses. Students are informed of required textbook and uniform purchases upon admission to the program. Upon acceptance into the program, students are assessed a nonrefundable $50 admission fee. All tuition and fees are subject to change without notice. The program is not eligible for federal financial aid, but private student loan options may be available. In addition, the program is approved for Montgomery GI Bill benefits for eligible enrolled veterans.

The Trajecsys Report System™ has been implemented into our sonography program for the purpose of clinical tracking. This electronic record has taken the place of the traditional paper clinical handbook that contained all student evaluations, including, but not limited to, the evaluations and competency examinations. Each enrolled student will be required to pay a one-time fee of $150 for use of this system during the 18-month program. Fees are subject to change without notice.

Facilities

WVU Hospitals utilizes state-of-the-art GE™ equipment. Our machines have the most recent technological software packages available, including 3D/4D imaging. A caseload of approximately 19,000 examinations per year provides students with an excellent comprehensive clinical education in ultrasound, which includes exposure to pediatric exams, breast imaging, high-risk obstetrics, and vascular technology.