How long is the program? Two academic years; four semesters which are 15 weeks long and one 8-week summer session between the junior and senior years.
How many students are in each class? Each class consists of 12-13 students in Little Rock on the Main Campus and 3-5 students in Northwest Arkansas on the NW Campus.
Can out-of-state students apply and be accepted? Yes, exceptionally qualified nonresidents may apply to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) program.
When can I come for a tour of the campus? A good time to come to the campus and learn about the program is to attend an Academic Advising session. These sessions are scheduled for applicants to the DMS program each spring. Interested individuals can also call (501-686-6848) and set up a meeting with program faculty any time during the year.
Can I work while going to diagnostic medical sonography school? We recommend that students not work, if at all possible, due to the heavy academic and clinical demands of the DMS program.
What hours will be in attendance at school while enrolled in the DMS program? Normal classroom and clinical hours are from 8:00am – 4:30pm (with a 30-minute lunch break) Monday through Friday.
What is the deadline for admission applications? March 15
When do classes begin? Students are admitted once a year for the fall semester; classes usually begin in mid August.
Is it “hard” to get accepted into the program? Admission to the program is very competitive with the advantage going to those students with higher cumulative and prerequisite GPAs.
Should I send an official college transcript for all college coursework? Yes, it is a requirement for admission. In addition, completion and submission of the Professional Observation Form (available at the DMS program’s Web site) before the deadline is also a requirement for admission.
Is financial aid available? Yes. Interested individuals may contact the UAMS Student Financial Services office (telephone 501-686-5451) for information concerning available grants, loans and scholarships.
Do I have to have every prerequisite course completed before I can apply for admission? No, at the time of application, all prerequisite course work does not have to be completed. The DMS program requires 47 semester credits (SC) of prerequisite course work to be completed prior to enrolling in the program in August. Applicants may not have more than nine semester credits of remaining prerequisite courses that will be completed during the summer semester prior to registration in the fall. The Science prerequisites (Physics, Algebra, and A & P I and II) for the Bachelor of Science degree will not be included in these summer semester courses; these courses must be completed during the preceding fall or spring semesters.
What courses are recommended as electives? Consult the CHP admissions officer at 501-686-5730.
If I am past the traditional college age, am I too old to enter diagnostic medical sonography? Certainly not. Student ages in the program range from 20 to 50.
Is diagnostic medical sonography a field for females only? The majority of sonographers (approximately 85%) are female. However, due to the wide range of sonographic examinations performed on males and females, the profession does encourage males to become sonographers.
Are sonographers at risk for Infectious diseases? Sonographers are at no greater risk than any other health care professional. Policies and procedures for immunization, testing, and post-exposure incidents have been developed to comply with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Society for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (SDMS), American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM), and extramural site recommendations or policies. Sonography students, in the course of their clinical responsibilities, experience exposure to blood, blood products, tissue, secretions, or body fluids of patients potentially containing hepatitis B (HBV) and are at risk for HBV, as well as other infectious diseases.
