Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the program and when does it begin?

The program is 7 trimesters (27 months). Students selected to the program begin sonography courses in January every year.

What degree will I receive when I graduate from the program?

Graduates receive a Bachelor of Health Sciences degree with a major in Diagnostic Medical Sonography.

Am I secured a job upon graduation?

There is no guarantee that students will be hired upon graduation. However, our program’s 3-year job placement rate is 100%.

What does a sonographer do?

A diagnostic medical sonographer is a highly skilled professional who creates diagnostic images of structures inside the body using sound waves. Sonographers are responsible for:

• Operating sonographic equipment.
• Performing medical sonograms.
• Critically analyzing information.
• Communicating examination findings to physicians.

What are the different types of sonograms that a sonographer can perform?

Sonographers perform the following sonograms:

• Organs in the abdomen.
• Blood vessels in the extremities, neck, brain, and abdomen.
• Structures such as the thyroid, breast, uterus, ovaries, prostate, and testicles.
• Obstetrical imaging including high-risk pregnancies.
• The heart and great vessels.

Is the program accredited?

The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) on recommendation by the Joint Review Committee on Education Programs in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS). The program at Baptist University is accredited in the abdominal sonography – extended, obstetrics and gynecology sonography, and vascular sonography concentrations.

How are students selected to the DMS program?

The student selection process for the DMS program is outlined in the Baptist University Catalog. Prior to being considered for selection to the DMS Program, students must be accepted into Baptist University, carry or complete at least a four-credit hour course load during an academic term at Baptist, complete specific program prerequisite coursework, and submit an Allied Health Intent to Apply Form. After review of the Intent to Apply Form and student academic records, students being considered for selection to the program will be invited to participate in a selection interview. Selection to the DMS program is based on the interview score and academic record. Past failures affecting cumulative college GPA and program prerequisite GPA may impact selection to the program. Each file is considered individually. Preference may be given to qualified applicants completing courses at Baptist University.

Is an interview required in the program selection process?

Yes, students will be evaluated on academic and personal strengths as well as knowledge of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program and profession.  

Are all program prerequisite courses required to be completed prior to submitting the Intent to Apply Form?

No, only 24 credit hours of program prerequisite coursework, as specified by the DMS program, are required to be completed with a C or better prior to submitting the Intent to Apply Form. Courses marked with an asterisk on the sample curriculum plan must be completed prior to applying to the program. Select the following link to view the DMS Sample Curriculum Plan: Degree Requirements

After selection to the program, students are required to successfully complete additional program prerequisite courses prior to enrolling in DMS 392 Introduction to Clinical Practice.

When can I apply to the DMS Program?

The DMS program accepts the Intent to Apply Form between March 1st - June 1st from qualified students.

What is the timeline for earning a Bachelor of Health Science Degree with a major in Diagnostic Medical Sonography at Baptist University?

The timeline for completing the DMS program at Baptist University will vary depending on when the student meets the minimum criteria to apply to the program. The recommended timeline is included below, as this will provide the fastest opportunity to earn a BHS Degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography from Baptist University. Details about applying to the program and the program selection process can be found in the Baptist University Catalog.

Freshman Year:

• The DMS curriculum is designed so that students who follow the DMS degree plan and meet the minimum criteria can apply to the DMS program at the end of their freshman college year, prior to the June 1^st deadline. The DMS Selection Committee will evaluate applications during the summer term, and students will be notified of the Selection Committee’s decision before the start of their sophomore year.

Sophomore Year:

• Students who are accepted to the DMS program will start the program during the spring term of their sophomore year and will transition to clinical practicum courses during the summer term of their sophomore year.

Junior and Senior Years:

• Students will complete the remaining DMS courses as outlined in the DMS degree plan with an expected graduation date during the spring term of their senior year.

Why should I start my education at Baptist University?

First time college students are encouraged to begin their college education at Baptist University. Students who start their education at Baptist University will receive academic guidance and support throughout the university experience by a DMS program faculty member. The DMS advisor will guide each student in his/her academic progress until graduation. Students who start their education at another higher education institution may take three years to progress to graduation after transferring to Baptist University, depending on the term the student transfers to Baptist University and when the student meets the minimum criteria to apply to the DMS program.

How many applications do you receive for each class? Of those, how many are accepted into the program? Is there an alternate list?

On average, we receive approximately 35 - 45 valid applications for each sonography cohort. Of those, we accept approximately 14 - 16 per cohort. An alternate list is considered for each class.

What grades must I have to qualify to apply to the program?

You must have a program prerequisite Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher (on a four-point scale) to qualify to apply to the program.

What is the tuition and is financial assistance (loans, grants, scholarships, etc.) available?

There are scholarships as well as federal and state-funded financial assistance programs. Information related to tuition and financial assistance can be found at https://www.baptistu.edu/tuition-financial-aid.  

Is there a separate application process for the DMS program?

Yes, once accepted into Baptist University, students are required to complete a separate Intent to Apply Form for the DMS program to be considered for selection into a DMS class. Requirements to apply include: meet all Baptist University admission requirements and be accepted to the university, carry or complete at least a four-credit hour course load during an academic term at Baptist University, complete at least 24 credit hours of program prerequisite course work with a grade of C or better, earn a minimum program prerequisite GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale, review DMS technical standards, and complete the Intent to Apply Form by June 1st.

What is the classroom, laboratory, and clinical experience time commitment for students in the DMS program?

In the spring of their sophomore year, students enrolled in the introductory sonography course will participate in classroom and laboratory experiences one day a week for up to 5 hours a day. Students can expect to participate in sonography and other courses up to 24 hours per week during the sophomore year.

During the junior year, students enrolled in sonography courses participate in classroom and laboratory experiences two days a week for up to 10 hours a day. During the junior year summer term, students participate in a sonography clinical course two days a week for up to 16 hours per week. During the junior year fall and spring terms, students participate in sonography clinical courses three days a week for up to 24 hours per week.

During the senior year summer and fall terms, students enrolled in sonography courses participate in classroom and laboratory experiences two days a week for up to 6 hours a day and in sonography clinical courses three days a week for up to 24 hours per week. During the senior year spring term, students enrolled in sonography courses participate in classroom and laboratory experiences one day a week for up to 6 hours a day and in a sonography clinical course four days a week for up to 32 hours per week.

How far away are the clinical sites?

Students may be assigned to clinical sites up to approximately a 90-mile radius from the University.

Are classes online or in the evening?

Program prerequisite courses may be offered online or in the evening. Most sonography didactic courses require in-person educational experiences with some online delivery of course content. In-person classroom instruction and laboratory experiences are not offered in the evening. However, synchronous virtual class meetings may be scheduled in the evening.

Can I work while in the program?

The DMS faculty discourage students from working while taking sonography courses due to the rigorous nature of the program requirements.

Where do students obtain clinical experience?  

Students gain clinical experience throughout the tristate area of Mississippi, Tennessee, and Arkansas. Experiences include large and small hospital facilities such as all affiliates of Baptist Memorial Healthcare Corporation, St. Francis Bartlett and Memphis, and Regional One Health (Level 1 Trauma Center). Students also obtain experiences in high-risk maternal fetal medicine offices such as Regional One Maternal Fetal Medicine and Mid-South Maternal Fetal Medicine. Additionally, vascular and cardiac specialty rotations at outpatient facilities as well as facilities with a primary focus on women and children are available.

Do students select their clinical sites?

No, the clinical coordinator for the program determines clinical site placement for each student.

How are clinical rotations assigned?

Clinical rotations are assigned to correlate with the student’s current didactic learning.  Students will receive clinical rotation schedules at the beginning of each term. Students will be assigned to 3 to 4 clinical rotations during each term. The clinical rotations are scheduled each term to ensure that each student receives equity in hands-on learning experience regarding overall number of examinations, types of examinations, and pathologies seen. In order to provide students with a variety of clinical settings and procedures, students will be required to travel to assigned clinical affiliates, which may be up to a 90-mile radius from the University campus.

What types of credentials can I earn after graduating from the DMS program?

Upon successful completion of degree requirements, students can become candidates to earn the RDMS, RDCS, and RVT credentials awarded by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) under the ARDMS 3B Prerequisite. Credentials are awarded upon successful completion of the Sonography Principles and Instrumentation examination and successful completion of applicable specialty examinations:

• Abdomen
• Obstetrics & Gynecology
• Vascular Technology
• Adult Echocardiography

What are the credentialing agencies that offer National Board Examinations in sonography?

• The American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) allows sonographers to earn credentials such as:
  • Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS)
  • Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT)
  • Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS)

• Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) allows sonographers to earn credentials such as:
  • Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS)
  • Registered Vascular Specialist (RVS)

• The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) allows sonographers to earn credentials such as:
  • Sonography [R.T.(S)]
  • Breast Sonography [R.T.(BS)]
  • Vascular Sonography [R.T.(VS)]