Diagnostic Medical Sonography
The Bachelor of Science program in Diagnostic Medical Sonography offers a course of study that will prepare students for careers as Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (DMS). DMS combines biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, computer technology, with medicine in the application of ultrasound as a diagnostic tool. Students have three options.
Students may elect to enter the program for the B.S. in Diagnostic Medical Sonography in which the first three years of classes would be at Lewis University with the remaining professional classes at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Admission to the professional phase of the program is based upon successful application to the program at NMH after the second semester of the junior year. Student applicants are considered and evaluated solely by the faculty and staff at NMH and COD. Student admission to the program is not guaranteed.
Another option is for students to complete the four-year B.S. in Biology and then apply for admission to Northwestern Memorial Hospital for a certificate program in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. Students must obtain/maintain health insurance and submit to a criminal background check as requirements of the program.
Students may also double major in Biology and Diagnostic Medical Sonography. This would take five years with the first four years spent taking classes at Lewis University and the last year at NMH. Students would apply for the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program in the spring of their fourth year with the understanding that NMH determines acceptance into this program.
Students must have a composite ACT score of 23 to be accepted into the DMS program. Transfer students must have a cumulative and biology GPA of 3.25. If a transfer student does not have the minimum GPA, students may become a DMS major once their GPA is raised to 3.25 and mathematics through Calculus I or Calculus for the Life Sciences has been completed with a minimum grade of a “C”. Students currently attending Lewis University, who wish to declare DMS as a major must meet the same requirements as transfer students. Transfer students must complete a minimum of three semesters of the program before they can apply as an affiliated student for the DMS program.