Diagnostic Sonography program requirements
Contact usYou are required to meet ONE of our three prerequisite educational pathways to be eligible to apply to our program. In addition, all applicants must meet the patient care experience requirements specific to their pathway, and all applicants must complete a job shadow prior to applying.
Allied health professional
Allied health professionals include dental hygienists, diagnostic medical sonographers, dietitians, medical technologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, radiographers, respiratory therapists and speech language pathologists.
Pathway 1 requirements
Graduate of or student currently enrolled in an accredited allied health program that includes direct patient care.
The allied health program must be a minimum of two years. Enrolled students must successfully complete their program to be eligible for application.
Required coursework
- Algebra, statistics, or higher mathematical course
- 1 semester course (3-4 credits)
- Communication
- 1 semester course (3-4 credits) acceptable courses include English, speech, or composition
- Physics
- 1 semester course (3-4 credits)
- Human anatomy and physiology
- 2 semester courses (3-4 credits)
- Medical ethics and law
- 1 semester course (3-4 credits)
- Medical terminology
- 1 semester course (3-4 credits)
- Pathophysiology
- 1 semester course (3-4 credits)
For each course listed above, a minimum letter grade of C in each course is required.
A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better is required for the combined courses listed above.
Bachelor's degree
Pathway 2 requirements
Degree must be conferred by the start of the program. Minimum overall 3.0 GPA.
Required coursework
- Algebra, statistics, or higher mathematical course
- 1 semester course (3-4 credits)
- Communication
- 1 semester course (3-4 credits) acceptable courses include English, speech, or composition
- Physics
- 1 semester course (3-4 credits)
- Human anatomy and physiology
- 2 semester courses (3-4 credits)
- Medical ethics and law
- 1 semester course (3-4 credits)
- Medical terminology
- 1 semester course (3-4 credits)
- Pathophysiology
- 1 semester course (3-4 credits)
For each course listed above, a minimum letter grade of C in each course is required.
A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better is required for the combined courses listed above.
University partner students
Prerequisite curriculum is managed by each university affiliate. Specific coursework may vary from one affiliate to another.
If you would like to learn more about the coursework required before beginning clinical training, please contact the admissions department at whichever institution(s) you may be interested in attending:
- Carroll University
- Concordia University of Wisconsin
- Marian University
- University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
- Wisconsin Lutheran College
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM)
Pathway 3 requirements
Applicants must be in good standing with the university and have completed the educational requirements of the university prior to application.
Applicants enrolled with university partners are required to comply with admission criteria as defined by both the university and Aurora St. Luke’s School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography admission departments. Application materials and deadlines are available from the health science advisors at each respective university.
Required coursework
- Algebra, statistics, or higher mathematical course
- 1 semester course (3-4 credits)
- Communication
- 1 semester course (3-4 credits) acceptable courses include English, speech, or composition
- Physics
- 1 semester course (3-4 credits)
- Human anatomy and physiology
- 2 semester courses (3-4 credits)
- Medical ethics and law
- 1 semester course (3-4 credits)
- Medical terminology
- 1 semester course (3-4 credits)
- Pathophysiology
- 1 semester course (3-4 credits)
For each course listed above, a minimum letter grade of C in each course is required.
A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better is required for the combined courses listed above.
Basic patient care experience
Applicants must demonstrate health care experience sufficient for developing an understanding of the sonographer role, the health care environment, and their own aptitude for the sonography profession.
Direct patient care experience is necessary to ensure a level of proficiency needed to be successful in the sonography program. Applicants should be able to demonstrate knowledge and application of the following:
- Anticipate and respond to the needs of the patient
- Demonstrate age-related and cultural competence
- Demonstrate appropriate patient care in settings outside the sonography department
- Transport and transfer patients with support equipment; oxygen, IV lines/pumps, urinary catheters, drainage tubes
- Vital signs
- Color, skin integrity
- Clinical history
- Proper patient positioning and draping
- Comfort
- Privacy
- Life threatening situations and implementation of emergency care as permitted by institutional policy
- Reporting and documentation of incidents and/or adverse reactions
All applicants must have the verification of patient care form completed by their current employer and return the form with their application materials. Failure to submit this form will result in an incomplete application.
Job shadowing
Job shadowing is required prior to applying to the sonography program. Shadow candidates must be 18 or older, and applicants must document their shadowing experience.
Learn about job shadowing experiences
Personal characteristics
In addition to a completed pathway, all applicants must meet certain physical, mental, emotional and personal characteristics.
Apply to the program
Learn how to apply to the School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography at Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center in Milwaukee and get information about the application process and requirements.