Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Overview

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers play a vital role in patient care, using advanced imaging technology to help diagnose and monitor medical conditions. Olympic College’s comprehensive seven-quarter program prepares you for this essential career with hands-on training and the skills employers need.

This program is located at Olympic College’s Poulsbo campus in our modern, brand-new healthcare facility.

What Does a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Do?

Using advanced ultrasound imaging tools, Diagnostic Medical Sonographers help doctors diagnose and monitor health conditions. It’s a fast-paced role with both technical and patient-focused responsibilities.

Attend an Info Session View Program in Catalog DROP-IN ADVISING THURSDAYS

Contact Us

Healthcare Division staff can help you in person and online. Do not hesitate to contact our office for assistance.

Healthcare Student Success Coaches

Email

Office Hours

Mon - Fri: 8am - 12pm, 1pm - 4pm

Complete a short form and a member of our team will follow up with you right away.

Request Info

Applications for Fall 2025 have closed.

Applications for Fall 2025 have closed.

Make an appointment with a Student Success Coach to review your prerequisite courses and make an academic plan so you are ready to apply for 2026.

A Supportive, Affordable Program, Designed for Your Success

Fast-Track Your Career: Complete the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program and be ready to sit for national certification exams in just 7-Quarters.

Local, High-Paying Jobs: Healthcare employers on the Kitsap Peninsula and across the U.S. are actively hiring trained sonographers.

Foundation for Career Growth: Sonography is a launching point for long-term advancement in the healthcare field.

Learn Close to Home: Classes and labs are held at our Poulsbo campus with expert faculty who know your name and care about your success.

Ready to learn more? Connect with our advisors at an info session or complete a form for more information today!

ATTEND AN INFO SESSION

Prerequisites and HELPFUL INFORMATION

Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program Mission

Prerequisites, Support and Optional Courses and Clinical Documentation Requirements

Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program Costs

2025-26 Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) Program Cost Estimate: Tuition for this program is currently based on the 2024-25 school year. See the Tuition and Fees webpage for more information.

Costs are estimates and may be subject to change while in program.
Tuition and fees (Technology Fee (college), Student Services Fee, and Security Enhancement Fees) listed below apply to the 2025-2026 academic year beginning Summer Quarter 2026 and may be changed without notice by the Washington State Legislature and/or Board of Trustees.
All book costs listed are estimates.
Uniform costs are estimated.
Clinical placement may require a drug screen prior to clinical dependent upon clinical agency and will require an additional fee.
Please note: payment of clinical fee does not guarantee clinical placement

First Year Fall Quarter	Cost
Tuition (15 Credits)	see OC Tuition & Fees
Technology Fee	$50
Student Services Fee	$50
Security Enhancement Fee	$20
Other Fee (E-Learning)	$90
Lab Fee (DMS 102, 103, 104, 141)	$203
Malpractice and Liability Insurance (DMS 102 & 235)	$22
ExamSoft (DMS 110, DMS 213)	$74.92
CPR American Heart Association (AHA) Course (Initial)	$80
Text Books*estimate	$424
Name Tag (each)	$10.00
Professional Associate membership and dues (SDMS) (DMS 101)	$45
Laptop*Estimate	$1,500
DMS SPI Physics Exam (DMS 222)	$250
Uniform, Incl. Shoes	$100

First Year Winter Quarter	Cost
Tuition (16 credits)	see OC Tuition & Fees
Technology Fee	$50
Student Services Fee	$50
Security Enhancement Fee	$20
Other Fee (E-Learning)	$96.00
Lab Fee (DMS 102, 103, 104, 141)	$203

First Year Spring Quarter	Cost
Tuition (16 credits)	see OC Tuition & Fees
Technology Fee	$50
Student Services Fee	$50
Security Enhancement Fee	$20
Other Fee (E-Learning)	$96.00
Lab Fee (DMS 102, 103, 104, 141)	$343
Complio (DMS 150) (includes National and WSP background Check)	$73

First Year Summer Quarter	Cost
Tuition (12 credits)	see OC Tuition & Fees
Technology Fee	$50
Student Services Fee	$50
Security Enhancement Fee	$20
Other Fee (E-Learning)	$72.00
Malpractice and Liability Insurance (DMS 102 & 235)	$22
Clinical Placement (DMS 235)	$39.50
Trajecsys (DMS 235) 6-12 month access	$100.00

Second Year Fall Quarter	Cost
Tuition (15 credits)	see OC Tuition & Fees
Technology Fee	$50
Student Services Fee	$50
Security Enhancement Fee	$20
Other Fee (E-Learning)	$96.00
ExamSoft (DMS 110, DMS 213)	$74.92
Professional Associate membership and dues (SDMS) (DMS 101)	$45

Second Year Winter Quarter	Cost
Tuition (14 credits)	see OC Tuition & Fees
Technology Fee	$50
Student Services Fee	$50
Security Enhancement Fee	$20
Other Fee (E-Learning)	$84.00
Background Check	$20

Second Year Spring Quarter	Spring (16 credits)
Tuition (16 credits)	see OC Tuition & Fees
Technology Fee	$50
Student Services Fee	$50
Security Enhancement Fee	$20
Other Fee (E-Learning)	$96.00
Graduation Application Fee	$20
OC Transcript Fee	$5
Color Blindness Test* Varies per site

Accreditation

PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE DISCLOSURE

Military & Veteran Programs (MVP)

Application and Application Instructions

Diagnostic Medical Sonography Application

Office of Admissions Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) PROGRAM Application Instructions

Summary

Application to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) Program is a separate procedure in addition to the application to Olympic College. If you have not applied to Olympic College, you will find admission steps and instructions to apply online on the Admissions webpage before proceeding with this application. The Welcome Center's Virtual Office may be helpful in speeding the application process.

After admission to Olympic College, activate your student accounts (ctclink, email, and Canvas accounts) before proceeding with the OC Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) Program Application. For this application, you will need to gather your OC student ctclink ID#, OC student email account, and password. For help, visit the Student Accounts webpage.

Complete the online application.

To access the form, you must sign into your Olympic College Microsoft 365 account.
Save the unique URL in your web browser when you access the form. You may return to this form at any time during the process by copying the unique URL in the address bar. Information on the page will only be saved when you click "next". To return to your application, paste the URL into your browser.

Healthcare Pathways Success Coach Contact Information:
Phone: 360-475-7748, extensions 1 or 5
Email: @email

A print application packet may be requested from the Healthcare Division Office:
1600 Chester Ave.
Bremerton, WA 98337
Building 5, Room 341, Bremerton Campus
Main office phone: 360-475-7748
Main office email: @email

Print application must be submitted by email to @email or in person at:
Olympic College
Office of Admissions, 1st floor Building 4
Welcome Center
1600 Chester Ave.
Bremerton, WA 98337

Or submit by US mail to:
Olympic College
Attn: Office of Admissions, 1st floor Bldg. 4 1600 Chester Ave.
Bremerton, WA 98337

Student Disability Services
Olympic College is committed to providing access to higher education for students with disabilities. Any student with a permanent or temporary disability is encouraged to contact Student Disability Services at 360-475-7540 or email @email to discuss appropriate accommodations.

Part 1: Application Timeline

Part 2: Application Checklist

All new applicants will have a non-refundable $37 application fee added to their account after the application is received. Applications will not be reviewed until after this fee is paid. Cashier checks, money orders, personal checks, credit or debit Visa and MasterCard are accepted through the Cashier’s Office on the first floor of Bldg. 4. (Cash payments can only be made through the Cashier’s Office). Please contact the Cashier’s Office at 360-475-7181 for hours of operation or @email.  

All Applicants Should:

Review the Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) website.
Attend an Information Session (dates and times available on the website).
Meet with a Healthcare Student Success Coach if you need assistance with planning or have more questions (this can be scheduled with @email).
Complete Accuplacer placement assessment if needed for Math and English. The Reading Comprehension section is still required of all applicants, even If you have already completed math and English classes. Visit the OC Placement website for testing information or contact the Assessment and Testing Center at 360-475-7238.
Complete Online Application Form.
Submit the following documents with your online application:
- Official Accuplacer Reading Comprehension Proficiency Test scores. Reading scores from any other placement exams will not be accepted.
- Reflective Statement describing how your unique experiences and attributes (background, identity, culture, beliefs, values, or experiences) will contribute to your success in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) Program and align with the Olympic College DMS Program Mission. The reflective statement should be no more than two pages, double-spaced, size 12 font (Arial or Times New Roman) with 1-inch margins.
- Current resume describing the specific activities and responsibilities of your professional and academic experiences. Include any activities, certifications, and skills relevant to healthcare. Please indicate any languages spoken and proficiency on the resume if seeking cultural wealth points for being multilingual. The resume should be no more than two pages, size 12 font (Arial or Times New Roman), with 1-inch margins.
- Verification of Washington State healthcare professional licensure, if applicable.
- Submit DD214 and DD215 (if applicable) to verify military service.
- Letter(s) documenting qualification for the following state or federally awarded financial aid programs (if applicable): Basic Food Employment and Training (BFET) Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Opportunity Grant, Worker Retraining, Pell Grant, Washington College Grant, Free and Reduced Lunches. Award letters must be dated within 12 months of the application deadline.

Applicants who have attended any institution other than Olympic College

Complete the course review process for biology or physics courses (courses from other colleges/universities may not be equivalent) if applicable.
Submit official transcripts from ALL colleges other than Olympic College.
- Electronic official transcripts can be sent to @email. Sealed official transcripts can be mailed to: Olympic College, Registration & Records, 1600 Chester Ave., Bremerton, WA 98337.
- You must provide an official transcript from each school you have attended, even if the course(s) was from a non-accredited school, was taken for “no credit,” or is not applicable to the DMS program. Showing transferred courses on one transcript will not be considered.
- If courses are in-progress in the spring quarter, and you are attending a school other than Olympic College, you will be required to submit official transcripts as soon as spring grades are posted.
- Official transcripts must be received no later than May 30th. Failure to do so will make your application ineligible.
- If you took Advanced Placement courses in high school, you must submit a copy of your scores from the College Board.
Submit a Transcript Evaluation Request.

Part 3: Application Process

Admission Procedure

The program is open to all qualified candidates and is a full-time program. The program admits up to 20 students during Fall quarter only. Acceptance is based on a factoring system that includes academic and non-academic metrics.

Application to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) Program is a separate process from the application to Olympic College. Enrollment in the (DMS) Program is limited; therefore, admission to Olympic College does not guarantee admission to the program. Formal application to the DMS Program should be made when the applicant has completed or is registered for their last prerequisite course. To be considered for priority admission, the DMS Application MUST be received NO LATER THAN May 30th.

Admission Requirements

Fluency in the English language (reading comprehension and writing); a necessary requirement for licensure as a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer.
Achieve at 260 on the Accuplacer Next Generation Reading Assessment. Contact the Assessment and Testing Center to schedule. The Reading Comprehension Test is required for ALL applicants regardless of background or previous degrees.
Completion of the following prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of 2.0 in each course:
- ENGL& 101- English Composition I or ENGL& 102 – English Composition II
- PHYS 110 – Intro to Physics or PHYS 114 - General Physics I
- BIOL& 241 – Anatomy and Physiology I*
- BIOL& 242 - Anatomy and Physiology II
- MATH& 141 - Precalculus I: Algebra or MATH& 146 - Statistics
- MEDA 162 - Medical Terminology
- Communication Course Options: must complete one:
  - CMST& 101 - Intro to Communication
  - CMST& 210 - Interpersonal Communication
  - CMST& 220 - Public Speaking
  - CMST& 240 - Intercultural Communications
  - CMST 242 - Intro Communication in Organizations

*CHEM& 121 and BIOL& 160 are required prerequisites for BIOL& 241 at Olympic College.

Courses completed in the Spring quarter with the minimum required GPA will be included in the student's file for summer admission consideration.

Prospective students must meet the following additional requirements to be admitted to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program:

a. Must be 18 years old upon entrance, and

b. Must have proof of high school graduation (high school diploma, GED, or high school transcripts) or post-secondary degree (AA, BA, etc.).

The application and supporting documents must be received no later than May 30th for priority consideration (i.e., late applications will only be considered based on DMS Program discretion). Olympic College is not responsible for errors in submitting applications. The applicant is responsible for verifying that all required documentation is received by the Office of Admissions. Applications and transcripts received after May 30 may not be considered for admission to the program for that year. Applications will be reviewed in the order they are received. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. All application materials become the property of Olympic College.

Part 4: Additional Admissions Information

Important Note About Retaking Classes

Students can take a prerequisite course up to three times. If an applicant has retaken a required course multiple times, the grade for the most recent attempt will be considered. If the grade for the final attempt for a required class is below the minimum GPA required, the student will be considered ineligible for application to the Olympic College Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) program.

Students with Previous Diagnostic Medical Sonography Education

Students who have completed some formal DMS education at Olympic College or any higher education institution must complete prerequisite coursework, meet grade requirements, and are required to enter the applicant pool. If a student started a DMS program outside of Olympic College but did not complete it for any reason. In that case, the student must provide a letter from the previous school’s Dean or DMS program director stating that they are in good standing. If accepted to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) Program, previous coursework may be reviewed to determine advanced standing.

Past Disciplinary Action Petition Letter

Students with official disciplinary action or warning or deemed “not in good standing” at Olympic College or any previous higher education institution must include an admission petition letter as part of their application materials. The petition letter must address the disciplinary action, contributing factors, and a mitigation plan to promote future success. DMS Program entry is NOT an option if the student was disciplined due to a critical safety element.

Background Inquiry

Students who have any previous legal charge or conviction must include a letter indicating the nature of the charge and final disposition with their application. For all students accepted to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) program, a national background inquiry completed by a Certified Background check service is required to disclose any history of criminal record or abusive behavior (Child/Adult Abuse Information Act, RCW; 43.43.830 through 43.43.840). If the results of this information cause any clinical agency to deny you privileges to rotate through that agency, withdrawal from the Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) Program will be required.

The WA State Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF) hopes to help individuals who have a founded finding of child abuse or neglect in their past that is preventing them from gaining employment. By applying for and gaining a Certificate of Parental Improvement (CPI), DSHS will no longer automatically disqualify you from working in a Long-Term Care facility and the facility must do a suitability review.

Re-entering Olympic College Diagnostic Medical Sonography Students

Reentering Olympic College Diagnostic Medical Sonography, students must submit a Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) Admissions Application and credential requirements to be eligible to re-enroll. The deadline is two weeks after the final re-entry petition decision.

Part 5: Course Review Process

Part 6: Selection of Applicants

Acceptance into the Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) Program is based on a factoring system that includes academic and non-academic metrics. Once applications and supporting documents are received, an admission score is determined according to a factoring system and applicants are ranked according to the total number of factor points. 

Factor points are only awarded if courses/requirements are completed by the application deadline. If a student retakes a course, the most recent attempt is used for assigning factor points.

ACADEMIC METRICS: PREREQUISITE & SUPPORT COURSES (weighted at 60%)

Category	Course	1 point	2 points	3 points	Total Possible
Prerequisite	ENGL& 101 or ENGL& 102	2.00-2.89	2.9-3.49	3.50-4.00	3
Prerequisite	PHYS 110 or PHYS 114	2.00-2.89	2.9-3.49	3.50-4.00	3
Prerequisite	BIOL& 241	2.00-2.89	2.9-3.49	3.50-4.00	3
Prerequisite	BIOL& 242	2.00-2.89	2.9-3.49	3.50-4.00	3
Prerequisite	MATH& 141 or MATH& 146	2.00-2.89	2.90-3.49	3.50-4.00	3
Prerequisite	MEDA 162	2.00-2.89	2.90-3.49	3.50-4.00	3
Prerequisite	One of the following: CMST& 101 , CMST& 210 CMST& 220 , CMST& 240 CMST 242	2.00-2.89	2.90-3.49	3.50-4.00	3

NON-ACADEMIC METRICS: APPLICATION MATERIALS (weighted at 30%)

Category	Criterion	1 point	2 points	3 points	Total Possible
Reflective Statement	Experiences & Attributes	See rubric	See rubric	See rubric	3x2 = 6
Reflective Statement	Formatting	See rubric	See rubric	See rubric	3
Resume	Education, employment, experience	See rubric	See rubric	See rubric	3
Resume	Activities, certifications, skills	See rubric	See rubric	See rubric	3
Resume	Formatting	See rubric	See rubric	See rubric	3
Healthcare Experience	None = 0 points	<1 year	1-2 years	> 2 years	3

CULTURAL WEALTH & BONUS POINTS (weighted at 10%)

Category	Description	Total Possible
Financial Need	Award letter verifying qualification for the following state or federally awarded financial aid programs: BFET, TANF, Opportunity Grant, Worker Retraining, Pell Grant, Washington College Grant, Free and Reduced Lunches.	1
Military/Veteran	Military/Veteran (Must include DD214 or DD215 with application materials to receive point.)	1
Multilingual	Multilingual (Languages must be noted on resume to receive point. Also accepted are Certified Medical Interpreter and ASL Certification.)	1
First Generation	First Generation College Student. First-generation college students are students whose parent(s) did not complete a 4-year college or university degree, regardless of other family member’s level of education.	1
Rollover	Rollover (for applicants who are eligible but not accepted on their first attempt). Awarded one time only per qualified applicant.	1
OC Graduate	Graduate of an Olympic College Healthcare Program	1

Reflective Statement

The Reflective Statement should be no more than two double-spaced pages in size 12 font (Arial or Times New Roman) with 1-inch margins. Reflective Statements will be reviewed and scored by Olympic College DMS Program faculty and staff. Olympic College DMS Program reserves the right to process submissions through a plagiarism checker.

Provide three or more samples of how your unique experiences and attributes (background, identity, culture, beliefs, values, or experiences) will contribute to your success in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) Program and align with the Olympic College DMS Program Mission:

We are committed to:

Providing a comprehensive education that develops students’ knowledge, technical skills, and clinical proficiency for performing high-quality sonographic procedures.

Fostering an interactive learning environment that promotes critical thinking, ethical standards, and respect for diverse patient populations.

Challenging students to become healthcare professionals who demonstrate professionalism, uphold ethical principles, and take accountability for their responsibilities within the healthcare system.

Encouraging lifelong learning and continuous professional development to ensure ongoing contributions to medical imaging and patient care.

Criteria	1 point	2 points	3 points	Points Awarded	Total Possible
Description of Experiences and Attributes	Includes adequate description, analysis, and reflection of experiences and attributes, but does not make connections to the Olympic College (OC) DMS Program Mission	Includes adequate description, analysis, and reflection of experiences and attributes, but gives 1-2 examples that align with the OC DMS Program Mission	Includes comprehensive description, analysis, and reflection of experiences and attributes, providing 3 or more examples that align to the OC DMS Program Mission	x2 =	6
Formatting, Grammar, and Spelling	Missing 2 or more of the formatting criteria Many spelling or grammar errors	Missing 1 or more of the formatting criteria Some spelling or grammar errors	Followed formatting guidelines: No more than 2 pages, double-spaced, 12 size font (Arial/Times New Roman), 1-inch margins No spelling or grammar errors		3

Resume

The resume should be no more than two pages in size 12 font (Arial or Times New Roman) with 1-inch margins. The resume should describe the specific activities and responsibilities of your professional, volunteer, and academic experiences. Include any activities, certifications, and skills relevant to healthcare. Please indicate any languages spoken and fluency on the resume if seeking cultural wealth points for being multilingual. Olympic College DMS Program faculty and staff will review, and score resumes.

Criteria	1 point	2 points	3 points	Total Possible
Education AND Employment, Volunteer, Medical Imaging Observation and Relevant Healthcare Experience	Missing “education” or “relevant employment, volunteer, observation and experience” elements or nothing is listed for this criterion	Education is listed; employment, volunteer, observation and experience are listed, but not relevant to healthcare	Education is listed; employment, volunteer, observation and experience are listed and relevant to healthcare	3
Activities, Certifications, and/or Skills	Nothing listed for this criterion	Activities, certifications, and skills listed, not relevant to healthcare	Activities, certifications, and skills listed and relevant to healthcare	3
Formatting, Grammar, and Spelling	Missing 2 or more of the formatting criteria Many spelling or grammar errors	Missing 1 or more of the formatting criteria Some spelling or grammar errors	Followed formatting guidelines: No more than 2 pages, 12 size font (Arial/Times New Roman), 1-inch margins No spelling or grammar errors	3

Tie Breakers

In the event of a tie, the following tie breakers will be used in order (1-3) to determine ranking for admission: 

Combined GPA of prerequisite courses

Prerequisite courses completed by May 30th

Overall cumulative GPA for all colleges attended

Part 7: Post-Application: What to Expect

Office of Admissions Timelines

Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) Admissions Application and all supporting documents must be submitted to the Office of Admissions by May 30th.
1. Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) Admissions Applications received after May 30th may not be considered for the upcoming cohort.
2. All students whose application materials (prerequisites and required documentation) are not complete may need to apply for the following year's cohort.

Applicant files will be reviewed by the Office of Admissions. A letter will be sent to applicants advising them of any missing documents. Incomplete applications turned in within three weeks before the application deadline are not guaranteed to receive notification from the Admissions Office prior to the application deadline. Therefore, applicants are strongly encouraged to submit application materials as soon as they are eligible to apply. Any required documents missing from the application packet will make your application ineligible for the current year and ineligible to receive a rollover point.

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) Admissions Committee will meet after the deadline to determine admission to the fall cohort.

The admission letters for the Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) will be sent via email (listed on the application) by the Admissions Department (not the DMS Program). Students will be notified of their status before July 16th.
1. Please do not contact Admissions or DMS before July 16th regarding the status of acceptance letters.
2. After July 16th, if you have not received notification of your status, you may contact Selective Admissions at 360-475-7206.

Admissions are granted for a specific cohort year, as noted in the acceptance letter. Students who have been offered admission but do not enter the program for the specific cohort year must submit a new application to be considered for a future cohort year in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) Program by the established deadline.

Eligible applicants not admitted must submit a new application by the May 30th deadline for the next cohort year to be considered a rollover applicant. It is not necessary to resubmit official transcripts unless additional classes have been taken at institutions outside of Olympic College.

Students who have been offered admission will be required to attend mandatory Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) Program orientation sessions prior to the beginning of Fall quarter.

Part 8: Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS)Program Clinical Experiences

Student Achievement Data - Program Outcomes

Expected level of achievement (ELA)

American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) registry examination pass rate of 71% for Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI) for first time test takers. American Registry for Radiologic Technologist (ARRT) Sonography registry pass rate of 56% for first time test takers.

2027: program completion rate data pending Summer 2027

Program Completion

Expected level of achievement (ELA): American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) registry examination pass rate of 71% for Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI) for first time test takers. American Registry for Radiologic Technologist (ARRT) Sonography registry pass rate of 56% for first time test takers.

2027: program completion rate data pending Summer 2027