Diagnostic Medical Sonography

What Degree Will I Receive?

• Degree Program Information (AAS) | Overview

  The Associate in Applied Science degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (AAS) program is designed to prepare individuals to enter the diagnostic medical sonography profession upon graduation. This degree is a seven-semester full-time day program that provides both theoretical and clinical instruction in sonography at JJC's Main Campus, and at hospitals and other health care organizations in the surrounding area. Up to 20 students are accepted into the program every fall. Most classes are offered face-to-face with the exception of two online courses (DMS 113 and DMS 120).

  Diagnostic medical sonographers are highly skilled professionals who provide patient services using diagnostic techniques under the supervision of a licensed doctor of medicine. Diagnostic medical sonographers use specialized equipment to create images of structures inside the human body and perform a variety of diagnostic sonographic examinations of the abdomen, pelvis, small parts, pregnancy, superficial structures, vascular studies and other procedures. Diagnostic medical sonographers assist physicians in collecting patient diagnosis data necessary to reach diagnostic decisions. This profession requires the sonographer to use critical judgment and the ability to provide appropriate health care services.

  The Diagnostic Medical Imaging Sonography Program at Joliet Junior College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS).

  NOTE: Diagnostic Medical Sonography students of the AAS program must achieve a minimum grade of "C" in each of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography courses and all of the general education courses before they are eligible for graduation.
  
  Loading...

• Degree Program Information (AAS) | Admissions Process

  The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program has special admission criteria and limited enrollment. Applications for the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program are accepted by the Admissions Office in February for the following fall semester. Applicants are responsible for ensuring the requirements are met and all necessary documentation is on file. Only complete files will be considered. The application can be found online only in the month of February at www.jjc.edu under "Campus News & Events". All students must meet the following prerequisites prior to application. Please read carefully to ensure all steps have been completed.

  1. Current application to the college. Must reapply each year.
  2. Must meet residency requirements as defined by Joliet Junior College
  3. High School transcript or GED on file with the Admissions Office verifying completion.
  4. All college transcripts (other than JJC) must be evaluated and placed on record. Transcripts must be submitted by January 15th. Official college transcripts should be mailed to Joliet Junior College, Academic Credentials Office, 1215 Houbolt Road, Joliet, IL 60431-8938. Students must complete the online Transcript Credit Evaluation Request form available at https://www.jjc.edu/student-resources/registrars-office in order to have their transcripts evaluated. Once transcripts have been evaluated, students will receive notification via their JJC email. This process can take 4 to 6 weeks. Students will also receive notification when transcripts have been received via their JJC email. Students should go to the My JJC portal and check for updates under Self-Service Menu. Students are advised to call the Academic Credentials Office at 815-280-2389 if transfer credits are not posted within 3 weeks.
  5. Completion of BIO 250, MATH 131 (or MATH 128) and PHYS 110 (or PHYS 100) with a grade of C or better by the end of the fall semester prior to the application year.
  6. Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above.
  7. Completed the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS), current version. TEAS must be completed at JJC in person by the last day of February, end of day. Please select TEAS Nursing when scheduling the exam. 
     • All JJC students are required to have the TEAS (Version 7) scores on file. The TEAS 7 exam must be taken on the JJC campus.
     • Only TEAS score 60% or higher are eligible.
     • Students who meet all prerequisite course deadlines and earn a TEAS Composite score of 86% or higher on the first attempt will be eligible for guaranteed admission consideration. Healthcare experience will receive additional consideration. Guaranteed admission consideration does not guarantee acceptance. Final admission is determined by applicant ranking and available program seats.
     • Applicants with a TEAS score of 86% or higher on the first attempt are ranked first by residency, with in-district applicants ranked before out-of-district applicants.
     • Applicants with a TEAS score of 86% or higher on a second or third attempt, or applicants with a score below 86%, are ranked by residency, GPA, TEAS score, and healthcare experience.
     • Applicants who have not completed the mandatory coursework or who have a TEAS score lower than 60% are not eligible to apply.
  8. All students are required to attend a mandatory information session prior to applying to the program (online or in-person). This will be verified with the online verification form and the correct entry of the newest 3 secret words (these change yearly). This must be completed with every new application. Once the current application closes, all information will be cleared and resubmission is required with the new application. Your application will not be valid without current recorded attendance.
  9. Applications for the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program will be open for the month of February.
  10. Compliance with the technical standards of the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS). Students must be able to complete the following: lift more than 50 pounds routinely; push and pull; bend and stoop routinely; have full use of both hands, wrists, and shoulders; distinguish variations of audible sounds; adequately view sonograms, including color distinctions; work standing on their feet 80% of the time; interact compassionately and effectively with the sick or injured; assist patients on and off examining tables; communicate effectively with patients and other health care professionals; organize and perform the individual steps in the proper sequence. For more information, visit https://www.sdms.org/resources/careers. 

   

  DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL SONOGRAPHY RANKING SYSTEM

  Admission to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program is determined by a point ranking system. Each eligible applicant is given a number for anonymity by the Admissions Office. Applications are sent to the Admissions Committee to be scored and ranked by the following criteria:

  1. GPA (calculated on all program prerequisite courses) - weighted 60% total. 
     • If a class was taken more than once, the better grade will be used.
  2. TEAS – weighted 35% total. 
     • The TEAS Composite score is weighted 25%, the TEAS English sub-score is weighted 5%, and the TEAS Reading sub-score is weighted 5%. Qualified applicants are required to take the ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS). The ATI TEAS test must be completed by the last day of February. Please refer to the Testing Services webpage for more information regarding the ATI-TEAS test. This must be taken on a JJC campus. While scheduling the exam, please choose the Nursing TEAS exam category.
     • Only TEAS exam results that meet JJC guidelines are used for program ranking. Students are allowed a maximum of three TEAS attempts within a five-year period at Joliet Junior College. A score of 60% or higher is required for eligibility.
     • Only the first attempt in any given semester can be valid.
     • No attempts beyond the third will be considered valid.
     • If a student has multiple valid scores, the highest score will be used for ranking.
  3. Courses needed for the JJC Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program must be passed with C grades or higher.
     • Possible Additional Prerequisites:

       • ENG 020, 021, 022
         ENG 098, 099
         MATH 075, 094, 095, 098
         
         BIO 104, or 125 (if no HS Chem/Bio credit)

         This is dependent on college placement testing

     • General Education Courses- REQUIRED
       • MATH 131 or 128
         PHYS 100 or 110
         BIO 250
         
         BIO 251*
         ENG 101*
         PSYC 101*
         
         See * below
          
     • Additional points toward admission
       • BIO 251 - 15%
         ENG 101 - 5%
         PSYC 101 - 5%
         
         Healthcare Experience:
         Highest active license only
         RN - 5%
         Respiratory Therapist - 5%
         Paramedic - 3.3%
         LPN / EMT - 2.8%
         MA / PCT - 1.5%
         CNA - 0.8%
         
         Additional 25%: RADT/DMS or qualifying AAS completion plus mandatory advising
          
     • Completion of general education classes from the above list are required. For the asterisk (*) courses please see below for additional information.
       • These additional general education courses are not required to be considered for admission but are required for completion of the AAS degree and must be completed by end of summer semester the application year.
       • If courses with asterisk (*) are completed with a C or better prior to application, additional points will be awarded.
       • Additional ranking considerations for DMS: healthcare experience points are awarded based on documented direct patient-care roles, using only the highest active license held. Applicants who are RDMS, RT, or who provide proof of successful completion of an AAS Diagnostic Medical Sonography or AAS Radiologic Technology program may receive an additional 25% toward ranking when official transcripts are provided and a mandatory advising session with the Program Coordinator is completed.
          

  TUITION: For tuition information, please go to Pay for College.

  ACCREDITATION: The JJC Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program in the Abdominal-Extended, OB/GYN and Vascular learning concentrations 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 (JRC-DMS).

  PROGRAM ADVISING: For your first steps call the Student Advising Center at 815-280-2673 to make an appointment to assist you with your individual educational planning. The next steps are to apply to JJC, complete a college placement exam and watch the mandatory information session. Then only once all the above is complete please schedule a 30-minute advising appointment with Bonnie Oleksy, Sonography Program Coordinator/Advisor, or Ingrid Brown, GAP advisor by emailing ultrasound@jjc.edu.

  ADMISSION INFO: For all general questions about the Sonography program please email ultrasound@jjc.edu.

Important: Mandatory Information Sessions

Info sessions are a mandatory first step for all sonography students. This is a yearly requirement with a new link posted every March. Please be sure to submit an updated attendance verification yearly. Please open the link below for the updated information session and attendance verification.

• Recorded Information Session

  View Here: DMS Mandatory Information Session for 2/2027 and attendance verification

   

  The information and attendance verification are required before applying to the program.

  Click on the link above. Watch the mandatory information session, and within the video will be 3 secret words and instructions on how to submit the attendance verification form. 

   The below information is needed when completing the form.

  • Your first and last name
  • Your student ID number
  • Three secret words

  If you have any questions after the information session, please email ultrasound@jjc.edu.

  Please view the frequently asked questions and the list of contact information with the video session.

Program Requirements

Joliet Junior College partners with healthcare facilities to provide clinical experiences for its students. These facilities prescribe various health requirements for all students who are placed at their clinical sites. Students who intend to participate in the clinical component of any program must submit documentation reflecting their compliance with the following clinical health requirements prior to the deadline established by their program coordinator. Please open the link below for more information.

• Program-Clinical Requirements

  Students applying to the program will need to ensure they follow the criteria below:

  Pre-Application Requirements:

  1. Completion of Mandatory Information Session (yearly)
  2. Completion of prerequisites and transfer credits prior to application
  3. Completion of the most recent TEAS examination (on JJC campus) prior to application
  4. Completion of program application (open in the month of February)

   

  Physical Requirements:

  • Sit, stand, walk, lift, squat, bend, and twist throughout the workday
  • Lift more than 50 lbs. from the floor to the waist
  • Lift up to 20 lbs. over the head
  • Carry up to 40 lbs. a reasonable distance
  • Push and pull with 30 lbs. of force
  • Perform a sliding transfer of 150 lbs. with a second person present
  • Visual acuity to assess image quality and observe physical changes in the patient's condition during routine sonographic procedures
  • Ability to discern color distinctions on the sonographic image
  • Speech and hearing to give instructions to and receive communication from patients, as well as distinguish audible Doppler signals while performing the sonographic examination
  • Manual dexterity to adjust machine controls, attach and adjust supportive devices, and assist patients into position for the sonographic procedure

   

  Mental Requirements:

  • Work under stress and maintain self-control
  • Have patience and tact in dealing with others
  • Organize and plan work in a logical sequence
  • Use sound judgment in making decisions
  • Adapt to new situations
  • Demonstrate problem-solving and critical thinking skills

   

  Personal Requirements:

  • Willing to accept responsibility
  • Positive attitude
  • Accountability
  • Desire to help others
  • Empathy for patients
  • Able to follow instructions
  • Service-oriented

   

  Pre-Placement Screening Requirements:
  All accepted applicants must comply with the program's policy and successfully complete a criminal background check, drug screen, and physical examination.

  • Measles (Rubeola) Titer
  • Mumps Titer
  • Rubella Titer
  • Varicella (Chicken Pox) Titer
  • Hepatitis B Titer
  • 2-step TB skin test or QuantiFERON-TB Gold Blood Test Annually
  • Tdap Vaccine every 10 years
  • Influenza (Flu) Vaccine Annually
  • COVID-19 Vaccination (encouraged)
  • Physical Exam by Healthcare Professional
  • American Heart Association BLS CPR for Healthcare Professionals every 2 years
  • Background Check
  • Drug Screen
  • Medical Health Insurance – Upload Card Annually
     

  Unless otherwise indicated in writing by a student's assigned clinical site, all of the above health requirements must be met before the student may participate in a clinical rotation. If a student is accepted into the program and fails the criminal background check, physical, drug screen, and/or does not have the mandatory vaccinations, the student will be removed from the program.

About Our Program

Joliet Junior College prepares students to become entry-level sonographers within three (3) separate learning concentrations since we are a CAAHEP-accredited program in three (3) learning concentrations. Please open the link below for more information.

• Accreditation

  The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program in the Abdominal-Extended, OB/GYN and Vascular learning concentrations at JJC is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS).

  Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) 9355 - 113th St. N, #7709 Seminole, FL 33775   Website: https://www.caahep.org   Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography P.O. Box 2050 Ellicott City, MD 21041

  Upon successful completion of the program, students will be qualified to take the abdomen, obstetrics/gynecology, Vascular Technology, and Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) examinations given by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS).

• Program Effectiveness Data

  Program Effectiveness Data (PDF)

  Program Effectiveness Data is statistical information that is updated annually to provide performance information about the JJC DMS Program. 

  

   

   

   

   

• TEAS 7 Exam

  Please Note: TEAS Testing is offered on-campus only.

  Who Needs to Take the TEAS Exam?

  Students applying for admission into the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program need to complete their TEAS 7 exam by the last day of February of each calendar year to be considered qualified for the admission process for the following Fall semester. 

  TEAS Testing Locations

  ATI TEAS exams will take place only at the following locations:

  • Main Campus
  • Romeoville Campus
  • City Center Campus
  • *Any outside TEAS scores will not be eligible and accepted for program admission. 
     

  About the TEAS Exam

  The TEAS exam is a timed, computer-based exam conducted by the Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI). "TEAS" stands for the Test of Essential Academic Skills. This three-and-a-half-hour exam includes 170 questions.

  Cost & Fees

  • The cost of the TEAS test is $97 plus tax.
  • TEAS Exam fees are subject to change.

   

  How to Register for the TEAS Exam at JJC

  1. If you need testing accommodations, contact JJC's Disability Services department ahead of time at disabilityservices@jjc.edu or call 815.280.2613.
  2. Purchase and schedule the TEAS test through ATI to test at JJC Testing Services. Choose the TEAS test for Nursing Students "In-Person, Proctored at an Institution" when registering.
  3. Follow on-campus appointment rules and safety guidelines (listed above).
  4. Watch our On-Campus Safety video to prepare for your testing appointment.
  5. Arrive at your scheduled location 10 minutes before your exam with your photo ID.

  
  Photo IDs Required: Please bring a current, government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license or passport to your testing appointment.

  Can I Take the TEAS More Than Once?

  You are only allowed three attempts at taking the TEAS exam within a five-year period.

  Program Specific Information: Review the TEAS Interpretation Guide for information about your TEAS scores, program advisor, retesting, and next steps. 

  We only use the highest valid TEAS exam score for ranking. Only the first score of any given semester is valid. Additional attempts during a single semester are not valid and are counted against your total allowed attempts in 5 years.

  Students should only take the TEAS exam once per semester. A semester begins on the first day of classes for a given semester (Fall, Spring, and Summer) and ends on the day before the first day of classes for the next semester. Visit our Academic Calendar for reference and view our chart below.

  Please Note: With the new version of the TEAS (7) in June of 2022, the counter will be reset. Students who had taken TEAS (6) 3-times will now be able to take TEAS (7) 3-times in 5 years.

  JJC Semesters	The Semester Begins on...	The Semester Ends on...
  Fall	The first day of Fall semester classes	The day before first day of Spring semester classes
  Spring	The first day of Spring semester classes	The day before first day of Summer I semester classes
  Summer	The first day of Summer I semester classes	The day before first day of Fall Semester classes

  
  Your TEAS Score

  ATI (Assessment Technologies Institute) will provide you with your TEAS score. After the test is completed, results are available within a few hours. Scores may be accessed on the “My Results” page found in your personal ATI online student account.

  Ranking System

  Admissions to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program will be determined by a point ranking system. Each eligible applicant will be given a number for anonymity by the admissions office. 

   

  Contact Information

  Questions? Email testingservices@jjc.edu or call 815.280.2261.