Overview of Diagnostic Medical Sonography Programs
Published - May 7, 2025
Are you interested in supporting patient care but not sure you are ready to take blood and help a doctor during surgery? You can still play an important role in patient care without medical procedures and intimate patient care. Consider becoming a diagnostic medical sonographer. Whether you’re interested in working in hospitals, clinics, imaging center or private practices, a sonography program will help you join a medical team that helps others and gets satisfaction from seeing patients thrive.
What is an Associate Degree in Sonography?
This degree prepares you to use special imaging tools to help doctors diagnose and treat medical diseases and disorders. Plus, prepare to take certification exams like the ARDMS. Certification shows you meet national standards and become ready to work as a diagnostic medical sonographer.
Prerequisites for a Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program
Before starting a Diagnostic Medical Sonography program, you need to complete high school biology and algebra. The program at CBD College also expects a basic knowledge of human anatomy. Having healthcare experience can also help. This experience builds your confidence in clinical settings and while working with patients.
To prepare, review basic anatomy and practice study habits before the program begins. Get used to reading medical terms, strengthen time management by following a study schedule, and talk to current or former sonography students to learn what to expect during the program.
What Do You Learn During a Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program?
A Diagnostic Medical Sonography program teaches you how to use ultrasound equipment to assist doctors in diagnosing medical conditions. This program combines healthcare knowledge and general education to help you become a diagnostic medical sonographer.
Core Healthcare Courses
You begin the program with essential healthcare subjects like anatomy and physiology. These courses help you understand how the human body works. You will also study medical terminology to describe body systems and procedures using the right medical terminology.
Specialized Sonography Training
Once you understand the basics, training moves into focused sonography subjects. These include abdominal sonography, obstetric and gynecologic imaging, and vascular technology. Each of these areas uses an ultrasound to examine specific parts of the body. You will also study ultrasound physics to understand how sound waves create images and how machine settings affect what you see. Understanding imaging principles is key to producing clear, accurate scans that doctors can use for better health outcomes.
General Education Courses
The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program at CBD College includes general education courses like English, math, composition, and social science to improve your communication and reasoning skills. These classes help you explain results to patients and work with many different types of patients.
Strong reading and writing skills are important when documenting scans or discussing findings with doctors, Math helps calculate measurements during scans, and social science offers insight into patient behavior and ethics in care.
Why Critical Thinking and Teamwork Matter
Sonographers must think fast and solve problems because they may need to adjust their technique or identify abnormal findings. Plus, critical thinking and attention to detail can affect patient outcomes. Teamwork is essential because sonographers work closely with doctors and other medical staff, and clear communication and cooperation help everything run smoothly and keep patients safe.
General Education Builds a Strong Foundation
General education builds real-life skills that help build your confidence. Courses in communication help you explain complex ideas to patients, Math and writing skills allow you to keep accurate records, and social science strengthens your understanding and connection with people from different backgrounds.
Why CBD College?
CBD College offers The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program stands out because:
Accredited by CAAHEP
CBD College’s program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). CAAHEP accreditation is required to sit for the ARDMS certification exams, the final step to becoming a certified sonographer. Accreditation also confirms that the program meets high national standards for training and faculty.
High-Quality Curriculum and Clinical Training
The curriculum at CBD College covers anatomy, physiology, ultrasound physics, patient care, and advanced scanning techniques. You receive abdominal, obstetrics, gynecology, and vascular imaging training.
Expert Faculty and Student Support
CBD College’s industry experienced instructors know what students need to succeed. They bring clinical experience to the classroom, helping you understand what to expect when you start your new career. CBD College provides academic advising and job placement help to find a job after graduation. These services make a big difference in your ability to create a healthy school/life balance.
Certification Exam Prep
The program includes help preparing for the ARDMS certification exams. This support provides practice tests, review sessions, and faculty guidance that prepare you for the exam.
Final Thoughts
With an associate degree, you can qualify for entry-level jobs in hospitals, medical facilities, imaging centers, and specialty clinics. CBD College gives you the skills to enter the healthcare workforce quickly and confidently.
Whether you want to start working immediately or continue your education in a Bachelor’s degree program, this Associate degree program lays a strong foundation that you can build upon throughout your career.
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program
As you master scanning protocols and imaging techniques with our hybrid Diagnostic Medical Sonography program, you’ll gain the skills and potential clinical experience to be a valuable member of healthcare teams. You’ll learn how to take sonograms, identify anatomy within these scans, adapt techniques to identify pathology, interpret findings, and more. In 20 months, our interactive program prepares students to confidently take vital signs, sterilize examination rooms, and provide patient-focused care.
Contact us now to learn more.