Frequently Asked Questions

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

A. Upon completion of our 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 exam.

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

A. 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.

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

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

Q. Can I use online classes to fulfill the program prerequisites?

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

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

A. No, not under any circumstances.

Q. Can I use classes completed in another country to fulfill the program prerequisites

A. 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 degree or higher.

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

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

Q. Which types of Physics classes will fulfill the prerequisite?

A. 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.

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

A. Yes. At the time of application, you must provide a transcript with all prerequisite classes included.

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

A. For the 2024-2026 class, the application deadline is May 31, 2024. Applications must be mailed or hand-delivered, with appropriate documents included.

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

A. A personal interview is a required step in the application process. For the 2024-26 class, interviews will be conducted in the summer of 2024 at the Henry Ford Hospital main campus. Candidates will be assigned a date and time for their interview, which cannot be adjusted or changed. The interview process takes about 6 hours.

Q. Will I be guaranteed an interview?

A. Assuming all requirements are met, and there are not an extremely high number of applicants, an interview is likely.

Q. Will travel and lodging expenses be paid?

A. All expenses for the interview are the responsibility of the candidate.

Q. How are applicants selected?

A. Candidates must first meet our minimum requirements. The principle criteria in which candidates are evaluated on are (in no particular order of importance) academic standings, clinical/patient care experience, and the personal interview with the admission selection committee.

Additionally, all candidates selected for a program interview will be required to complete the Ultrasound Student Assessment Admission Exam on premises at Henry Ford Hospital. It will be scheduled and administered by program officials prior to the interview. The Ultrasound Student Assessment Admission Exam will test your knowledge in physics, algebra, anatomy, pathophysiology, your ability to solve different problems as well as hand-eye coordination.

Q. What grades must I have to qualify for the program?

A. You must have a college cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.8 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 no lower than 2.8.

Q. What are the school hours?

A. The program requires 40 hours per week. School hours can be from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, or 7:00am to 3:30pm, Monday-Friday.

Q. Do you have part-time or evening classes?

A. No.

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

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

Q. Do you mail out school catalogs containing program information?

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

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

A. There is no waiting list. Typically, up to 6 students are accepted. The Admission Committee may also select alternates.

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

A. We do not keep an applicant’s folder. Candidates must apply each year and compete against the field of candidates for that year.

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

A. It is advised that all applicants have observed sonographic procedures in an ultrasound department. A suggestion is to serve as a volunteer for several weeks in a hospital radiology 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 Ultrasound department. Contact the Program Clinical Coordinator Courtney Neithamer, RDMS courtneyk@rad.hfh.edu to arrange observation hours.

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

A. Graduates from our hospital-based program receive a certificate from the Henry Ford Health System. Diagnostic Medical Sonography graduates take the international credentialing examinations given by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). These are the same credentialing exams taken by graduates of other CAAHEP-accredited programs. Only colleges are accredited to award a degree. Hospital-based programs are only accredited to award of Certificate of Completion.

Q. How much will I make when I graduate?

A. National salary information may be obtained in the following source:

www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/diagnostic-medical-sonographers.htm

Q. Does the school offer job placement?

A. No. Job placement rates vary with the current job market.

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

A. The 2024-2026 program tuition is $8,000 plus a $150 lab fee and $60 application fee. The first $2,000 for tuition, plus a $150 lab fee, is due with the Letter of Agreement, on the first day of class.

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

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

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

Required textbooks must be purchased by students and are NOT included in the tuition amount (textbook costs are approximately $800).

All application fees and tuition payments are nonrefundable after payment is received. All tuition fees are due at designated payment dates and would constitute program dismissal if not paid by these deadlines.

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

A. No. We do not participate in any financial assistance programs.

Q. Is the program licensed and accredited?

A. Yes. The HFH DMS Program has full accreditation through 2024 in Abdomen-Extended, and Obstetrics and Gynecology. For more information, visit: https://www.caahep.org/students/find-an-accredited-program

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

A. 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 which/who is willing to mentor them to meet the 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 world-wide require applicants to be RDMS credentialed within 1 year of hire.