Qualified applicants must meet one of the following criteria and pass prerequisite courses listed below.

Program Options

Upon successful completion of the program, students are awarded a certificate of program completion for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) and will be eligible to be certified through examination by the national certifying agency, American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography. Graduates of the School may take the Sonography Principles and Instrumentation, Abdomen and OB/GYN examinations.

The Northwestern Memorial School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography offers an 18-month certificate program. There are three options for students to become a diagnostic medical sonographer:

• Bachelor's Degree Program (3+1.5)
  This is for applicants who want to earn a bachelor's degree. Students enroll in an affiliated academic University or College for three years of pre-requisites, apply to the program and, if accepted, participate in an 18-month clinical-based internship at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. The affiliated academia, Benedictine University, Lewis University and Elmhurst College provide competitive and required prerequisite and non-clinical professional courses. A grade point average of 2.5 or higher for undergraduate courses (cumulative and DMS Program prerequisite courses) is required.
• Certificate Program for Students with a Bachelor's Degree
  This option is for applicants who have completed a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree from an accredited college or university with a Grade Point Average of 2.5 or higher for undergraduate courses (cumulative and DMS program prerequisite courses).
• Certificate Program for Students Registered in a Healthcare-Related field
  This option is for applicants who are graduates of an accredited two-year patient care-related program. Applicants shall be nationally certified and in good standing in disciplines such as nursing (RN), radiologic technology (ARRT), or respiratory therapy and have a Grade Point Average of 2.5 or higher for undergraduate courses (cumulative and prerequisite courses). Applicants must be registered prior to the start of the DMS program.

Prerequisite Courses

All applicants must demonstrate successful completion of the following prerequisite college-level courses by May 31 prior to the start of the program. A grade of “C” or higher in each course and a GPA of 2.5 or higher is required for these prerequisite courses. Transfer credits are not accepted from other Diagnostic Medical Sonography programs. No remedial level or introductory level coursework will be accepted for prerequisite course credit.

• Anatomy and Physiology - 2 semesters required (8 semester hours preferred)
• College Algebra - 3 semester hours
• General Physics - 3 semester hours
• English Composition - 3 semester hours
• Medical Terminology - 2 semester hours

Selection Criteria:

Students will be evaluated according to the following criteria as part of the competitive selection process:

1. GPA: cumulative and for prerequisite courses
2. Application and essay
3. References
4. Work and educational backgrounds
5. Medical experience (if applicable)
6. Panel interview scores (interviews are offered to the best qualified candidates)