Diagnostic Medical Sonography Certificate

Saint Joseph’s University’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography Certificate is designed for students with a college degree who want to start a career in the fast-growing field of sonography. During this program, you'll perform a variety of real-life exams and invasive procedures, from obstetrics and gynecology to vascular and trauma.

Once you've completed the program, you'll be eligible to take the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) examinations in sonographic physics, abdomen and obstetrics/gynecology. 

If you have an associate degree or higher than this is the program for you. If you don't have an associate degree or higher and haven’t completed a two-year, post-secondary allied health program, we invite you to explore our Associate Degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography.

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What is Diagnostic Medical Sonography?

Diagnostic medical sonography is a non-invasive medical imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to create real-time images, or sonograms, inside the body. These images help diagnose and monitor various medical conditions, including fetal development during pregnancy, abdominal and pelvic organ evaluation, cardiac and vascular assessments and musculoskeletal imaging. 

Diagnostic medical sonographers operate ultrasound equipment using a handheld transducer to send and receive sound waves, which are then processed by a computer to produce detailed images. This imaging modality is widely employed in healthcare due to its safety, absence of ionizing radiation and versatility in diagnosing and tracking a range of medical issues.

What Sets Our Diagnostic Medical Sonography Certificate Program Apart

Opportunity to Practice Your Scanning Skills in Our Ultrasound Suite
Saint Joseph’s is home to the Center for Excellence in Practice, the first and only learning space of its kind in the Lancaster area. This 20,000-square-foot facility is made up of 24 rooms, including an ultrasound suite where you can practice your obstetric scanning skills on live patients. You’ll have the opportunity to work with students from other programs in realistic sonography simulations that mirror real-life healthcare settings.

Small Group Classes
Students take clinical courses along with programmatic courses in a small classroom setting, offering 1:1 learning opportunities with faculty.

Guaranteed Clinical Placements
During the final semester of the program, students embark on their externship, immersing themselves in hands-on clinical experiences and fully embracing the transition into their professional careers as sonographers.

Taught by Experienced Diagnostic Medical Sonography Faculty
You'll learn from and work alongside faculty who have a breadth of experience working in diagnostic medical sonography, ranging from abdomen and OB/GYN to vascular imaging. All faculty members are diagnostic medical sonographers who are currently working or held former positions in the field.

Why Study this Program in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania is home to top-tier hospitals, diagnostic centers and outpatient facilities seeking ultrasound technologists and diagnostic medical sonographers, including:

  • Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health
  • WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital Lebanon
  • Penn Medicine Chester County
  • Tower Health Phoenixville Hospital
  • Mainline Health Paoli Hospital

Program Details

  • View required courses for this program in the academic catalog. Please contact us if you have any questions about the program curriculum.

  • The Abdomen-extended and Obstetric and Gynecology certificate 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 (JRC-DMS).

    CAAHEP
    9355 – 113th St. N, #7709
    Seminole, FL 33775
    727-210-2350

    JRC-DMS
    P.O. Box 2050
    Ellicott City, MD 21041
    443-973-3251

  • Saint Joseph's University – Lancaster’s tuition structure includes both per-credit tuition and program-specific fees.

    PER-CREDIT TUITION:

    The cost of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Certificate is $697 per credit for the 2025-2026 academic year.

    PROGRAM-SPECIFIC FEES:

    In addition to the per-credit rate, there are also program-specific fees for the following courses:

    • When a student enrolls in DMS 224, they will be responsible for paying a fee totaling $5,575
    • When a student enrolls in DMS 233, they will be responsible for paying a fee totaling $5,575

    For a detailed breakdown and additional information, visit our Tuition & Fees page.

Program Effectiveness Data

View Program Effectiveness Data (PDF)

Curriculum 

View sample curriculum information for this program in the academic catalog.

View Academic Catalog 

What is the Average Salary Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Can Expect to Earn?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary of a diagnostic medical sonographer in 2024 is $89,340 

Admission Information

  • You can enroll in this certificate with any bachelor’s degree. No medical background or related experience is required. 

    The GMAT is not required for Saint Joseph’s University certificates. To learn more about the admission process and required materials or ask any questions, please email the admission office.

    1. Apply online.
    2. Submit official college transcripts from all colleges attended.


    Visit our admission information page to learn more about admission requirements, key deadlines and how to submit your application.

  • Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. New students may enroll in courses during the fall, spring or summer semesters.

    Start Terms:

    1. Fall: August and October
    2. Spring: January and March
    3. Summer: May

  • If you are not a United States citizen, you must show proof of permanent resident visa status. Students educated in another country may be admitted if they:

    • Satisfy general admission requirements
    • Earn a minimum of 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based) or 79 (internet-based) on the Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) administered by the Educational Testing Service of Princeton, New Jersey

    Students from English-speaking countries may choose to take the SAT or ACT as an option to the TOEFL exam. An evaluation of foreign transcripts by the World Education Service or other approved agency is required.

  • Saint Joseph’s is a military-friendly institution and offers assistance and services to veterans and their dependents who are utilizing educational benefits. Benefits include:

    • Chapter 30 Montgomery GI Bill®
    • Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation
    • Chapter 33 Post 911 GI Bill®
    • Chapter 35 Survivors and Dependents Assistance
    • Chapter 1606 National Guard or Reserves
    • Chapter 1607 National Guard or Reserves (REAP) (*if eligible, must be utilized by November 25, 2019)
    • Pennsylvania National Guard Educational Assistance Program (EAP)
    • Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA)

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