Program Overview

Program Overview

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography (Cardiac 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 is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to produce dynamic visual images of the human body using high-frequency sound waves.

Program Description

The program is offered by the School of Allied Health Professions and is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. Students who complete the program may choose between two emphases: General & Vascular or Cardiac.

Program Length

The program is 24 months in length.

Possible Careers

Graduates of the program may pursue careers as Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographers (RDCS).

Application Deadlines

The application deadlines for the program are as follows:

• Quarter: Autumn 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 meet the following requirements:

• Previously completed courses that meet the domain requirements of the bachelor's degree
• GPA of 3.0 or better (a higher GPA is more competitive)
• Eight hours of observation in Medical Sonography (preferably at LLUMC) prior to interview
• Attend a program information session before the interview
• 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)
  • Choose a minimum of three areas from: history, literature, philosophy, foreign language, art/music appreciation/history
• Natural Sciences (minimum 12 quarter/8 semester units)
  • Must be completed within the past 5 years
  • Required courses: General/Intro to Physics (no lab required), Human Anatomy & Physiology with lab (complete sequence), and College Algebra
• Social Sciences (12 quarter/8 semester units minimum)
  • Choose two areas from the categories of Psychology, Sociology, Lifespan Development, Anthropology, Economics, Geography
• Communication (minimum 9 quarter/6 semester units)
  • Freshman Composition (complete sequence), Oral Communication
• Health and Wellness (minimum 3 quarter/2 semester units)
  • Must include Physical Education (2 activity courses) and Personal Health or Nutrition
• Electives (to meet minimum total of 96 quarter/64 semester units)
  • Note: "C minus" grades are not transferable for credit

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.

Accreditation

The program is accredited 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 as follows:

Required Program Costs

• Year 1: $35,010 (tuition and fees) + $2,450 (books, materials, supplies, and equipment allowance)
• Year 2: $32,370 (tuition and fees) + $2,976 (books, materials, supplies, and equipment allowance)
• Year 3: $6,270 (tuition and fees) + $100 (books, materials, supplies, and equipment allowance)

Other Educational Costs

• Living Expense (Food and Housing Allowance):
  • On Campus Dorm: $12,447 (Year 1), $16,596 (Year 2), $4,149 (Year 3)
  • LLU Owned Rental Property: $21,942 (Year 1), $29,256 (Year 2), $7,314 (Year 3)
  • LLU Owned Rental with Dependents: $22,437 (Year 1), $29,916 (Year 2), $7,479 (Year 3)
  • Undergraduate Dependent with Parents: $7,650 (Year 1), $10,200 (Year 2), $2,550 (Year 3)
  • Off Campus: $21,942 (Year 1), $29,256 (Year 2), $7,314 (Year 3)
• Transportation Allowance: $3,150 (Year 1), $4,200 (Year 2), $1,050 (Year 3)
• Miscellaneous Personal Expenses: $3,285 (Year 1), $4,380 (Year 2), $1,095 (Year 3)
• Federal Student Loan Fees: $69 (Year 1), $79 (Year 2), $26 (Year 3)
• Cost of Obtaining Professional License: $0 (Year 1), $0 (Year 2), $525 (Year 3)

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.