Why Pursue Diagnostic Medical Sonography (Ultrasound)?
The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is offered in partnershipwith City College MSU-Billings through OneMSU. First, you complete prerequisite courses at Great Falls College before applying to the competitive entry program through City College. If accepted to the City College program, it follows a hybrid format with online lectures, virtual meetings and digital assignments. It also includes required on-campus labs in Billings and clinical rotations at approved medical facilities.
Sonography uses high-frequency sound waves to “see” inside the body with specialized equipment. Many professionals choose to focus on areas like obstetrics/gynecology, abdominal imaging, cardiac sonography or vascular technology. Graduates earn an associate of applied science degree and become eligible to sit for the national registry exams through the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
Graduates are prepared to:
Sit for the national certification exams in abdominal and obstetric/gynecologic sonography.
Use high-frequency sound waves to create diagnostic images of internal organs.
Assist physicians in diagnosing medical conditions through non-invasive imaging.
Work in hospitals, outpatient clinics and specialty practices.
Communicate effectively with patients and healthcare teams.
Master both the technical and patient care aspects of sonography.
Perform ultrasound procedures in real-time clinical environments.
Adapt to evolving technologies and industry standards.
Pursue a rewarding career in a fast-growing healthcare field.
Types of courses
Pre-requisites taken at Great Falls College
WRIT 101 or WRIT 121/122
COMX 115 or COMX 111
PSYX 100
SOCI 101 or COMX 106
PHSX 105 or PHSX 103
Core courses taken through City College-MSU Billings through OneMSU
As a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer, you will find employment in a variety of settings, such as:
Hospitals
Clinics
Physicians’ offices
Surgical centers
Mobile services
Other specialized medical facilities
Median Wage (MT)* $74,590 yearly, $35.86 per hour
Median Wage (US)* $71,410 yearly, $34.33 per hour
*Bureau of Labor Statistics, Office of Employment Projections; MT Dept. of Labor and Industry, Research and Analysis Bureau; (projections through 2024)