Diagnostic Medical Sonography & Vascular Technology

Associate Degree

69 Credits

Central Campus (Janesville)

Flexible Learning Options

At Blackhawk, we understand our students have busy lives and hectic schedules which is why the college offers a variety of flexible learning options to best serve you. Learn more about all of our flexible class options here.

Several classes in this program are offered in one or more of the following formats:

What You’ll Learn

Diagnostic medical sonography, more commonly known as ultrasound, is a diagnostic medical procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce medical images of organs, tissues, or blood flow inside the body. A career in diagnostic medical sonography is never boring — in fact, it’s an exciting opportunity where every day is different and the work you do plays a critical role in assisting physicians with patient diagnoses. It’s a growing field too, as the demand for sonographers continues to increase as our population ages. In fact, we typically see a 100 percent placement rate for graduates from our program – our students go on to work in hospital-based medical imaging departments where they perform abdominal, pelvic, and vascular examinations. Sonographers are also employed in dedicated vascular departments or obstetric departments, and many sonographers work in outpatient clinics or mobile imaging services.

As a student in the BTC Diagnostic Medical Sonography & Vascular Technology program, you’ll be trained in Abdominal-Extended, OB/GYN, and Vascular Technology. You’ll also learn other skills that are needed to be successful in this field – critical thinking, good judgment, and excellent communication. The program is full-time and includes online and face-to-face classes with one-on-one student clinical instructor learning.

View Class List

Estimated Program Costs & Potential Earnings

69 Credits

$10,809

Paying For College

View Scholarships Here

Median Wage

$88,400

*based on EMSI Occupational Employment Statistics

Potential Careers

Sonographer/Vascular Technologist
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
Student Ultrasonographer

Career Pathway

Previous education and work experience could qualify for Credit for Prior Learning saving you time and money. Find out more about what may apply to this program.

Diagnostic Medical Sonography & Vascular Technology

Blackhawk has more than 70 college and university transfer agreements. Learn more.

Additional Program Information

Accreditation

Blackhawk Technical College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, Illinois 60604-1411, (312) 263-0456.

The Blackhawk Technical College Associate Degree Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Vascular Technology Program is accredited in Abdominal-Extend, OB/GYN, and Vascular Technology by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), 9355 - 113th St. N, #7709, Seminole, FL 33775, Phone (727) 210-2350, www.caahep.org upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS), 6021 University Boulevard, Suite 500 Ellicott City, MD 21043, (443) 973-3251, www.jrcdms.org.

All graduates of the Blackhawk Technical College Associate Degree Diagnostic Medical Sonography & Vascular Technology Program are eligible to apply for the national credentialing examinations for Diagnostic Medical Sonography, in Abdominal-Extended, OB/GYN, Vascular Technology, and SPI, prepared by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).

Admission/Petition Requirements

Petition for Entry
In order to be eligible to petition this program for entry, you must apply to the college and meet all program-specific eligibility requirements. For more information about the petitioning process, visit the Petition Information page.

Health Insurance
Students must have proof of health insurance.

Background Check
If your petition into the program has been accepted, you will be required to complete a criminal background check, complete the health requirements, and perform drug testing before starting clinical courses. Wisconsin law requires background checks of persons who provide care for others or have access to people who receive care. This law applies to Blackhawk Technical College Health Sciences Division students. For more information about the background check, view the Criminal Background Check Information (PDF).

In accordance with Wisconsin Caregiver Background law, applicants with a criminal history may be denied placement by clinical affiliates or ineligible for national certification examinations. Applicants with any criminal background are strongly advised to meet with the program faculty and/or program advisor.

Program Mission and Goals

Program Mission
The mission of the Blackhawk Technical College Associate Degree Diagnostic Medical Sonography & Vascular Technology Program is to prepare competent entry-level general sonographers and entry-level vascular technologists in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains. The didactic and clinical education, as well as the critical thinking framework presented to the students, will prepare them to apply for the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography examinations in Abdominal-Extended, Obstetrical/Gynecological, and Vascular Technology, as well as their SPI examination.

Program Goal
The Goal of the Blackhawk Technical College Associate Degree Diagnostic Medical Sonography & Vascular Technology Program is to fulfill the program mission through the achievement of the Program Outcomes which are defined and method of assessment in the DMS program handbook.