About the Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program

The mission of the Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program parallels and complements that of UAMS and the College of Health Professions. That mission is to provide progressive, quality education to its students through review, development and applied research. In turn, the department provides the community and the state with graduates prepared to join health care services in advancing levels of responsibility. As a dynamic program, the department promotes continued and advanced education for its faculty and the professional community.

The UAMS Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program will lead the state in sonography education through comprehensive curriculum and high-quality clinical experiences, while ensuring graduates embrace collaborative, inclusive and patient-and-family centered health care for all. 

Our program is designed to develop competent and compassionate sonographers who provide the highest quality of care to diverse patients. We achieve this through the following:

• Broad Clinical Rotations: Providing students clinical education in a variety of settings and facilities, preparing them for diverse patient populations.
• Small Class Sizes: Personalized attention fosters deep learning and strong bonds between classmates.
• Student-Centered Approach: Faculty dedicated to helping students excel in the classroom and clinical settings through individualized approaches to teaching and learning.

Our program’s educational objectives are detailed in our program goal statements. Learn more about them on our Goals page.

Our program is dedicated to achieving all our student success goals. Learn more about them on our Goals page.

The department has two program sites: the main UAMS campus in Little Rock, Arkansas, and the UAMS Northwest Regional Campus in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

All students complete education and clinical training in the areas of abdominal and obstetrical and gynecologic sonography.

Following this, students will select either the adult cardiac sonography track or the vascular sonography track to complete their degree.

The UAMS Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program is a continuous 22-month, full-time program consisting of four fall and spring semesters, with one intervening summer session. This cohort-based program follows a lock-step curriculum, requiring students to complete all courses each semester and maintain good standing to progress.

The curriculum is delivered in a hybrid format, combining online courses and in-person lectures. The first 13 months consist of didactic instruction and clinical training in the areas of abdominal, superficial parts, and obstetric and gynecologic sonography. The remaining nine months concentrate on didactic instruction and clinical training in either adult cardiac sonography or vascular sonography, along with certification exam preparation and current health care issues.

This program is unique as it offers the only Bachelor of Science specific to sonography in Arkansas. Faculty employ a student-centered approach in the classroom, scanning laboratories and clinical settings to ensure an exceptional educational experience.

Sonographers with a bachelor’s degree enjoy more career advancement opportunities and are eligible for advanced educational programs, including master’s and doctoral degrees.

The Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program is dedicated to providing students with robust and effective clinical training. Through established partnerships with leading medical facilities across Arkansas, students receive comprehensive clinical education. Clinical rotations will be conducted at UAMS and various other program partners throughout the state. These partners include the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Baptist Health Care, CHI St. Vincent Health System, Washington Regional Medical Center, and Mercy Health System, among many others.

The Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program adheres to a rigorous schedule, with classes and/or clinical rotations taking place Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This structure ensures ample classroom and clinical time, allowing students to develop a comprehensive understanding of the knowledge and skills necessary for their future roles as diagnostic medical sonographers.

Each fall semester, the Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program admits a cohort of 13 to 14 students at the main UAMS campus in Little Rock, Arkansas, and a cohort of five students at the UAMS Northwest Regional Campus in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Upon successful completion of all requirements for the UAMS Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program, students are awarded a Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. This achievement qualifies them to apply for state, regional and national licensure examinations.

Graduates are eligible to sit for national certification examinations through the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography. They are eligible for the Sonography Principles and Instrumentation examination, as well as the following specialty examinations:

• Abdomen
• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Adult Echocardiography or Vascular Technology

Please note that successful completion of the program does not automatically ensure registration. It is the student’s responsibility to be familiar with the applicable registration requirements. For more information, visit the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography website.