Program Overview

Program Overview

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography (General and Vascular Sonography) program at Loma Linda University is a Bachelor of Science degree that prepares students to become highly skilled professionals in the field of sonography. The program offers two emphases: General & Vascular or Cardiac.

Program Description

A sonographer is a highly skilled professional who uses high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to produce dynamic visual images of the human body. Students completing the Bachelor of Sciences in Diagnostic Medical Sonography may choose between two emphases: General & Vascular or Cardiac. The program is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to become competent sonographers.

National Credential & Program Accreditation

The LLU Sonography bachelor programs are fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Students may sit for the national boards prior to graduation or after.

Program Length

The program is 27 months in length.

Possible Careers

Graduates of the program may pursue careers as Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (RDMS) or Registered Vascular Technologists (RVT).

Application Deadlines

The application deadlines for the program are as follows:

• Summer of 2026:
  • Application Open: June 1, 2025
  • Priority Deadline: October 15, 2025
  • Final Deadline: January 11, 2026

Admissions Requirements

To be eligible for admission to the program, applicants must:

• Have previously completed courses that meet the domain requirements of the bachelor's degree
• Have a GPA of 3.0 or better (a higher GPA is more competitive)
• Complete 8 hours of observation in Medical Sonography (preferably at LLUMC) prior to the interview
• Attend a program information session before the interview
• Participate in an interview

Domain Requirements

Applicants must complete the following subjects at an accredited college or university prior to entering the program:

• Humanities: Minimum 16 quarter/11 semester units, choosing a minimum of three areas from history, literature, philosophy, foreign language, art/music appreciation/history
• Natural Sciences: Minimum of 12 quarter/8 semester units, completed within the past 5 years
• Social Sciences: 12 quarter/8 semester units, choosing two areas from psychology, sociology, lifespan development, anthropology, economics, geography
• Communication: Minimum of 9 quarter/6 semester units, including freshman composition and oral communication
• Health and Wellness: Minimum of 3 quarter/2 semester units, including physical education and personal health or nutrition
• Electives: To meet the minimum total of 102 quarter/68 semester units

Prerequisites

The prerequisites for the Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography include completing JRCDMS prerequisites and fulfilling the domain requirements for a Bachelor's degree.

Discipline Accrediting Agency

The University's medical sonography curricula in both general sonography and echocardiography have been accredited since 1983 by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography.

Expected Cost of Attendance

The estimated cost of attendance for the program is based on full-time attendance for the number of months enrolled per academic year. The costs include:

• Tuition & Fees:
  • Year 1: $36,572
  • Year 2: $33,228
  • Year 3: $8,934
• Books, Materials, Supplies & Equipment Allowance:
  • Year 1: $3,526
  • Year 2: $850
  • Year 3: $150
• Living Expense (Food & Housing Allowance): Varies based on living arrangements
• Transportation Allowance:
  • Year 1: $4,200
  • Year 2: $4,200
  • Year 3: $1,050
• Miscellaneous Personal Expenses:
  • Year 1: $4,380
  • Year 2: $4,380
  • Year 3: $1,095
• Federal Student Loan Fees:
  • Year 1: $69
  • Year 2: $79
  • Year 3: $33
• Cost of Obtaining Professional License:
  • Year 3: $1,075

Notes

• Estimated amounts are for the academic year specified only and are based on full-time attendance for the number of months enrolled per academic year.
• International students need to calculate 12 months of living expenses based on these amounts.
• Amounts are expected to increase each year consistent with inflation in the professional education sector.
• To qualify for financial aid, most students must be enrolled at least half-time in an aid-eligible program and be taking degree requirements. Half-time is 6 units in a quarter for undergraduate programs and 4 units in a quarter for graduate programs.