Diagnostic Medical Sonography

This program is comprised of 882 hours of online classes, 412 hours of in school classes, and 1,176 hours of clinical externship.

This is done through a combination of (1) synchronous learning (online or distance education that happens in real-time with your instructor), (2) traditional, in-class, face-to-face training to successfully learn and complete all required lab skills and other hands-on competencies, and (3) clinical externship required for employment within the medical community.

DMS courses that are didactic will be taught in a synchronous format fully online. Lab courses or lab components of a didactic course will require students be onsite and in class working with their instructors and classmates learning and practicing their scanning skills and hands-on competencies.

To supplement the classroom and lab work, a substantial portion of the program is also devoted to placements at various clinical affiliates (which could be in Nassau, Suffolk, Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and The Bronx) for a range of scanning opportunities and experiences. According to current American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) prerequisites, upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be immediately eligible to apply to sit for the registry exams given by ARDMS.

There is exceptional potential for career growth and advancement for skilled Sonographers within the traditional clinical setting as well as the non-clinical avenues of ultrasound. Opportunities are available for part-time & full-time employment.

• CAAHEP accreditation in three concentrations. The Hunter Business School Abdomen-Extended, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Adult Cardiac Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
• Registry eligibility. Our students are eligible to sit for registry credential exams from the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS)® 60 days prior to graduation.
• Placement Assistance. Hunter Business School offers personal, ongoing career assistance to its students and graduates to obtain full-time positions that are best suited to their educational specialty, interests, and abilities. Personalized job placement assistance is available for all graduates.
• Relevant and Innovative Programs. Our professional, career-focused programs, developed with industry input and adapted to the 21st century workplace, provide students with the technical skills and abilities they need in the health care, business, and technical professions.
• Small Classes. Hunter Business School’s small classes mean a high faculty-to-student ratio that provides more one-on-one time for each student.
• Instructors Experienced in the Fields They Teach. Committed faculty, with years of work experience in the fields students are looking to enter, bring their professional knowledge and skills into the classroom.
• Practical, Hands-on Training. Students receive valuable and practical training in the school’s well equipped skills labs. Medical Assistant, Practical Nursing, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, and Radiologic Technology students are exposed to supervised, real-world working experience during clinical rotations.
• Financial Aid for Those Who Qualify. If paying for school is a concern, Hunter Business School’s Financial Aid counselors will meet with students one-on-one to review all their options.
• SUNY Empire transfer credit. Hunter Business School students and alumni who enroll at SUNY Empire and have completed any of the certifications listed in the Hunter and SUNY Empire Transfer Guide will be eligible to apply the recommended credits to their degree program at SUNY Empire.

Since admission to the DMS program is competitive, meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admittance. Candidates must have at the minimum, an Associate Degree or the equivalent number of college credits (60+ credits); a Bachelor’s Degree is preferred. Applicants placed on the program waitlist are welcome to submit one additional application in a future admissions cycle, up to a maximum of two total attempts; applicants who receive an official decision of nonacceptance are not eligible to reapply.

We suggest all DMS applicants spend at least one day of observation in a Sonography Dept. in a local Hospital or other Clinical Facility shadowing a Sonographer.

Diploma Day Program - 2470 Hrs. (23 mos./82 wks.): 882 hrs. of online classes, 412 hrs. of in school classes and 1,176 hrs. of Clinical Externship.

Day Classes: Classes are from 8:50 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. - Monday through Friday, 6 hours a day, for a total of 30 hours per week. Clinical rotations run two to three days per week depending on the module, and at least one clinical site’s schedule requires late evenings and/or Saturday.

Applications are accepted throughout the year; the school does not publish class start dates online.

Tuition and fees. Effective for students enrolled January 1st, 2026, or later: 2470 hours at $17.87 per hour; tuition $44,150, registration fee $100, books/supplies $2,850, total cost $47,100.

Additional expenses. Students enrolled in Hunter Business School’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography program should expect to incur additional out-of-pocket expenses throughout their 23-month program. This includes, but is not limited to, travel to externship sites, two medical examinations, any necessary required blood work and immunizations, and fees to apply for the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography national certification and registry exams.

Cost of attendance (off campus). Hybrid Diagnostic Medical Sonography: first 900 hours (8 months) total $42,074; second 900 hours (8 months) total $42,084; final 670 hours (7 months) total $35,092, including licensing/certification cost of $525 (budgets include tuition, registration, books and supplies, living expenses, transportation, personal expenses and loan fees).

Payment of tuition and fees. Tuition and fees can be paid using cash, check, credit/debit card or financial aid (for students who qualify). All payments must be made according to a prearranged schedule. A 5% late fee applies when a payment is over one week late.

Financial aid. Financial Aid is available for those who qualify. Students who would like to apply for federal aid must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). Hunter participates in the Federal Pell Grant Program, the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) and the U.S. Department of Education’s Direct Loan Program; parents of dependent students may apply for a PLUS Loan. Hunter Business School’s Federal School Code is 015599.

Veterans’ benefits. Veterans who apply for Veteran’s benefits are only eligible to attend on-campus programs. Hybrid & online programs are not included.

Net Price Calculator. Estimate your net price with Hunter Business School’s net price calculator: https://hunterbusinessschool.edu/NetPriceCalculator/net-price-calculator.html

Examples of job titles.

• Medical Sonographer
• Ultrasonographer
• Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
• Ultrasound Technologist
• Ultrasound Sonographer

Career opportunities. Diagnostic Medical Sonographers may find career options in various hospital departments, private physicians’ offices, mobile ultrasound companies, medical research, veterinary ultrasound, ultrasound education, ultrasound manufacturing, and corporations as an applications specialist or salesperson.

Program effectiveness (CAAHEP/JRC-DMS, 3-year average 2023–2025). Student retention 97%; job placement 97%; credential success: Abdomen-Extended (RDMS(AB) or RT(S)) 92%, OB/GYN (RDMS(OB/GYN) or RT(S)) 87%, Adult Cardiac (RDCS(AE) or RCS) 93%.

Retention and placement. Retention & Placement Rates for 07/01/23 - 06/30/24 (Medford campus, Hybrid Diagnostic Medical Sonography): retention rate 99%, placement rate 100%. The information provided in the Occupational Educational Data Survey (OEDS) is self-reported data by the licensed career school.