Frequently Asked Questions

What certificate or degree will I receive when I graduate from the program?

Upon completion of the HFH DMS program, you will receive a Diagnostic Medical Sonography Certificate, which will fully qualify you to take the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) licensing examinations. If you are an enrolled student of one of our affiliated universities (Oakland University and Concordia University), you will also receive a Bachelor's degree from that institution.

Is there a limit to how much time can pass since a particular prerequisite was completed?

Yes. All required math and science courses - Algebra/Trigonometry, Physics, Human Anatomy and Physiology I & II with Lab and Pathophysiology - must have been completed within the past ten (10) years, from the time of application to the DMS program.

Which college majors would best prepare me for working in the field of Diagnostic Medical Sonography?

A major in Biological Science or Health Science is optimal. Please note that completing one of these majors does not ensure acceptance into our program.

Can I use online classes to fulfill the program's prerequisites?

Our Anatomy and Physiology course requirements must include live, in-person labs, and cannot be taken online. All other courses can be taken online if the college or university offering them is accredited.

Can I use classes completed in high school or adult school to fulfill the program's prerequisites?

No, not under any circumstances.

Can I use classes completed in another country to fulfill the program's prerequisites?

Maybe. Foreign graduates must have a course-by-course evaluation completed by a facility that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (www.ece.org or www.wes.org) and qualified to evaluate and verify foreign educational credentials equivalent to a U.S. Bachelor's degree or higher.

Do the Anatomy and Physiology classes I take have to include labs? Can I take them as a combined class?

Yes, they must include labs. Typically, these are offered as a combined class.

Which types of Physics classes will fulfill the prerequisite?

You can take General Physics, Conceptual Physics, Algebra-based Physics, or Calculus-based Physics. We will not accept Astronomy. If you have any questions, contact us for course approval.

Must all prerequisites be completed before I apply for the program?

Yes. At the time of application, you must provide a transcript that includes all prerequisite classes. If prerequisite classes are in progress at the time of application, you must provide proof of enrollment and current grades. All prerequisite classes must be completed before the program start date.

When can I submit my application? How do I submit it?

The application deadline is May 31, yearly. Applications must be mailed or hand-delivered, with all required documents included. Hand-delivery is preferred. The program office is located at Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit Main Campus, 2799 W. Grand Blvd. Detroit, MI. 3rd floor Radiology – Ultrasound Department.

When and how do I take the Ultrasound Student Assessment (USA) Exam?

Candidates who turn in all application materials on time will be sent information on the USA exam via email by the Program Director. If you have turned in all required application documents and have not received a response within 14 business days, please contact the program director immediately. The USA exam is administered virtually and proctored by Pegasus. It is the responsibility of the candidate to schedule, pay for, and complete the USA exam before their personal interview.

Am I required to retake the USA exam if I have already taken it?

No. Please inform the Program Director if you have already taken the USA exam. If you are a reapplicant to the Henry Ford Detroit program, your USA exam results from prior application cycles will be reviewed. If you have taken the USA exam as an applicant to the Henry Ford Southfield Providence DMS program, your USA exam results can be transferred to the Henry Ford Detroit Program Director.

When and where will the interviews be held? Do I have to appear in person?

A personal interview is a required step in the application process. Interviews are conducted over the summer, typically in June or July, at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. Candidates will be assigned a date and time for their interview, which cannot be adjusted. If personal circumstances prevent the candidate from appearing for their interview, the program director must be contacted immediately.

Will I be guaranteed an interview?

An application submission does NOT guarantee an interview. Candidates are selected for an interview based on the completeness of their application and the results of the USA exam.

Will travel and lodging expenses be paid?

All expenses for the interview are the responsibility of the candidate. Enrolled students are responsible for their own travel and lodging during classes and clinical rotations.

How are applicants selected?

Candidates must first meet the program’s minimum prerequisite requirements. The principal criteria by which candidates are evaluated are, in no particular order of importance: academic standings, clinical/patient care experience, results of the USA exam, and a personal interview with the admission selection committee.

What grades qualify me for the program?

You must have a college cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher (on a four-point scale) to qualify for our program. In addition, each of the seven prerequisite courses must have been passed with a grade of at least 3.0 (C).

What are the school hours?

The program requires 40 hours per week. Classroom/lab hours are typically scheduled from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, or 7:00 am to 3:30 pm, Monday-Friday. Clinical rotation hours vary by site but are typically an 8-hour day shift.

Do you have part-time or evening classes?

No.

Am I able to work full-time and go to school at the same time?

The program occupies 40 hours per week, not including required independent time spent studying and homework. The faculty recommends that students limit their employment to part-time or casual hours, if possible.

Do you mail out school catalogs containing program information?

No. Applicants may view our admission requirements and application procedure on our school web site at www.henryford.com/DMS

Do you have a waiting list for enrollment? How many students do you accept?

There is no waiting list. Approximately 6 students are accepted per year. The Admission Committee may also select alternates.

I applied last year but was not selected for that class. I would like to reapply to the next class. How long do you keep an applicant folder on file, and what is the process to reapply?

We do not keep an applicant’s folder on file. Candidates must apply each year and compete against the field of candidates for that year. All application requirements must be updated and resubmitted. Patient care observation hours do NOT need to be repeated.

If I have no patient care or healthcare experience what recommendations can you make that would allow me to obtain some patient care contact?

It is advised that all applicants have observed sonographic procedures within an ultrasound department. A suggestion is to volunteer for several days in a hospital or an outpatient ultrasound department.

HFH Main Hospital Volunteer Services can be reached at 313-916-7495 or 313-916-1876. Information is available online. All candidates must have at least 40 hours of documented patient care experience (observation) in sonography, with at least 20 of those hours done in Henry Ford Hospital Detroit Ultrasound department. Contact the Program Clinical Coordinator Elyse Martinez-Cobb, RDMS, RVT elysem@rad.hfh.edu to arrange observation hours.

What is the difference between a hospital-based program and a college-based program?

Graduates from our hospital-based program receive a certificate from Henry Ford Health System. Graduates from college-based Diagnostic Medical Sonography programs receive a degree from their institution. Both hospital- and college-based graduates are eligible to take the international credentialing examinations given by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). These are the same credentialing exams that graduates from other CAAHEP-accredited DMS programs take. Only colleges are accredited to award a degree. Hospital-based programs are accredited to receive a Certificate of Completion. If you would prefer a degree upon graduation, please consider applying through one of our affiliated universities (Oakland, Concordia).

What is the entry-level salary for a Sonographer?

National salary information may be obtained in the following source: www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/diagnostic-medical-sonographers.htm

Does the Henry Ford program offer job placement?

No. Job placement rates vary with the current job market. The Henry Ford Detroit DMS program has a 100% graduate employment rate to date.

How much does tuition cost and what is the payment schedule?

If you are an Oakland University or Concordia University student, all payments will be made directly to your institution. The University sets tuition rates by credit hours. DO NOT PAY YOUR TUITION DIRECTLY TO HENRY FORD HEALTH.

If you are NOT an Oakland or Concordia University student, and you are applying outside of a university affiliation, the 2027-2029 program tuition for non-university students is $9,000 plus a $150 lab fee and a $60 application fee.

THIS PAYMENT SCHEDULE APPLIES ONLY TO STUDENTS WHO ARE NOT ENROLLED IN OAKLAND UNIVERSITY OR CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY.

The first $2,000 for tuition, plus a $150 lab fee, is due on the first day of class.

The second $2,000 payment is due on the first day of the second semester.

The next $2,000 payment is due on the first day of the third semester.

The next balance of $2,000 is due on the first day of the fourth semester.

Any remaining unpaid balance ($1,000) must be paid on the first day of the fifth semester. If any enrolled student has an unpaid balance at the end of the program, the Program Director reserves the right to hold the student’s graduation date until all balances are paid.

All application fees and tuition payments are nonrefundable after payment is received.

Where do I purchase textbooks for the program?

Information on the required textbooks will be distributed during the first week of classes. Textbooks must be purchased by students and are NOT included in the tuition amount (textbook costs are approximately $800).

Is there any financial assistance (loans, grants, scholarships, etc.) available to help cover program expenses?

No. The Henry Ford Hospital DMS Program does not participate in any financial assistance programs. Past students have obtained personal loans as needed and/or worked with their affiliated university for financial assistance.

Is the program licensed and accredited?

Yes. The HFH DMS Program has full accreditation through 2034 in Abdominal-Extended, and Obstetrics & Gynecology, and through 2029 in Musculoskeletal sonography. For more information, visit: https://www.caahep.org/students/find-an-accredited-program

What are the benefits of graduating from a CAAHEP accredited program?

Our accrediting body, the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs (CAAHEP) regularly assesses the quality of institutions, programs and services, measuring them against agreed-upon standards and thereby assuring that they meet those standards. Accreditation helps to assure potential students that our school is a sound institution and has met certain minimum standards in terms of administration, resources, faculty, and facilities. The standards by which our program is measured have generally been developed by the professionals involved in Diagnostic Medical Sonography and are intended to reflect what a person needs to know and be able to do to function successfully within our profession. Graduating from an accredited program which includes the required clinical experience offers the best and fastest way to credentialing by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). Students who have completed both their classroom and clinical requirements are eligible to take their ARDMS exam 60 days before graduation.

Non-CAAHEP accredited programs may have students who have completed only their classroom requirements. They must then find a hospital, clinic, or physician that is willing to mentor them to meet the clinical requirements for credentialing. It is becoming increasingly difficult to find a hospital, clinic, or doctor who is willing to dedicate the resources required to provide that comprehensive clinical experience.

Many hospitals, clinics, physicians, etc., hire only applicants who have graduated from a CAAHEP-accredited institution. Additionally, most sonography departments worldwide require applicants to be RDMS credentialed within 1 year of hire.