Pre-Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program

Explore the Pre-Diagnostic Medical Sonography program

Diagnostic medical sonography (DMS) is a form of radiography. A diagnostic medical sonographer, often called an ultrasound technician or ultrasound tech, uses ultrasound machines to examine areas like the abdomen, heart, blood vessels, and reproductive organs, helping doctors diagnose medical conditions. Sonographers interpret the images they capture, report findings, and ensure patient comfort and safety during the procedure. They often work in hospitals, clinics, or diagnostic imaging centers, and they may specialize in areas like obstetric, vascular, or cardiac sonography. Their work plays a critical role in non-invasive medical diagnostics.

Graduates of the UNMC Sonography program are highly recruited by local, regional, and national employers. Career opportunities available to sonographers and ultrasound technicians include clinics, hospitals, research institutes, educational facilities, or equipment application and sales. Professionals in diagnostic medical sonography are required to take certification exams to become licensed or certified.

If you're wondering how to become an ultrasound technician, you can start your journey here at Wayne State College in Pre-Diagnostic Medical Sonography. The Pre-Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is not an academic major, but instead a pathway to prepare you for admission into the DMS program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center or a similar DMS program at another accredited institution. The Pre-Diagnostic Medical Sonography track at WSC is also part of the Rural Health Opportunities Program (RHOP).

Acceptance into UNMC's Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is competitive. Participation in this Pre-DMS program at WSC does not guarantee acceptance at UNMC or elsewhere, but it does provide the prerequisite coursework, advising, and the guidance you need to submit an application to the radiography school of your choice.

View program courses Download program fact sheet (PDF)

Prepare for your future

Your path to becoming a sonographer

Rural Health Opportunities Program (RHOP)

The Pre-DMS pathway is eligible for RHOP, a program designed for rural Nebraska students interested in returning to rural areas to practice sonography. In this program, you’ll complete three years at Wayne State before entering a DMS program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC). Participants in RHOP receive a full-tuition scholarship at WSC, guaranteed admission to UNMC, job shadowing and internship experiences, one-on-one advising, and early registration privileges.

Rural Health Opportunities Program

Pre-DMS internships and job shadowing

Our outstanding Academic and Career Success Center is available to help you find internships and career opportunities. Students have previously completed internships at the following locations:

Faith Regional Health Services (Norfolk, Neb.)
Franciscan Healthcare (West Point, Neb.)
MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center (Sioux City, Iowa)
Providence Medical Center (Wayne, Neb.)
Sidney Regional Medical Center (Sidney, Neb.)

Career services and internships

Topics covered in the Pre-DMS program

Human anatomy and physiology
Biological systems and structures
General chemistry and physics
Research, data collection, and analysis
Modern lab techniques

The DMS pathway prepares students to become a sonographer.

To become a sonographer, students must complete a three-step process:

Complete a preparatory undergraduate course of study.
Earn a bachelor's degree in a sonography from an approved graduate program.
Pass the national certification exam.

In this pathway, you will attend Wayne State and then enter UNMC’s (or another school's) sonography program. Be sure to consult with your advisor to learn about the options available for you.

Graduates of the Pre-DMS program work in their field or continue their studies using the skills they learned while at Wayne State College.

Career possibilities:

Diagnostic medical sonographer
Sonographer / ultrasound technician
Radiology technologist
Computed tomography technologist
Radiation therapist
MRI technologist
Nuclear medicine technologist

job or grad school placement rate
within six months of graduation
Data based on most recent
employment outcomes survey

Cost of attendance

Least Expensive College in Nebraska

- CollegeTuitionCompare, 2025

Wayne State College is ranked the No. 1 least expensive four-year college in Nebraska and is recognized among the Top 10 most affordable colleges in the nation for out-of-state students. With the same tuition rates for in- and out-of-state students, a tuition guarantee, and generous scholarship opportunities, WSC makes earning a degree both accessible and affordable. In fact, the average remaining annual cost of attendance for 2024–25 is just $2,268 for undergraduate students after financial aid and scholarships.

Pre-Diagnostic Medical Sonography program of study

You will take at least 77 hours of prerequisite courses at WSC and then go on to UNMC for additional education and training in sonography. This will complete your education, and you will earn your B.S. from UNMC.

Sample prerequisites for diagnostic medical sonography

In addition to our General Studies program, students may be advised to take the following courses before transferring to UNMC's DMS program. Please consult with your advisor to draft a complete plan of study, and be sure to check with UNMC to make sure you're meeting all prerequisite course requirements.

Credits: 1
Description: An introductory study of the prefixes, suffixes, and root words of medical terms commonly used by health professionals.
This course is required by UNMC. You must earn a "C" or better.
Credits: 4
Description: A study of the microscope, basic cell structure and function, DNA replication, mitosis, meiosis, genetics, evolution, population biology, and diversity.
Prerequisite: One year of high school biology, or BIO 102 Biology for General Studies.
Class fee: $30
Notes: 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab. The first course for biology majors. A grade of C- or better in this course is a prerequisite for all biology courses in the biology concentration.
Credits: 4
Description: Study of the anatomic structure of the human organism. The 11 organ systems of the human and representative quadrupeds will be examined in detail with lecture, dissection, and other laboratory exercises. Dissection is required of all students taking this course. An understanding of human anatomy is beneficial for students that will ultimately enroll in advanced courses of cell biology, histology, comparative vertebrate embryology and anatomy, and parasitology. Having training in human anatomy is also beneficial for students interested in health-related and biomedical careers.

Prerequisite: A “C-” or better in BIO 110.

Class fee: $30
Credits: 4
Description: A study of the fundamental physiological processes of the human body. Functions of the 11 organ systems will be studied.
Prerequisites: BIO 220 Human Anatomy, CHE 106 General Chemistry I, and a “C-” or better in BIO 110.

Class fee: $30
Credits: 4
Description: Topics of study detail the structure and physiology of microorganisms including mechanisms of pathogenesis. Beneficial aspects of microorganisms are also discussed with regard to both the human body and the
environment. Lab techniques include microbial identification, enumeration procedures and student designed research. Class is 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab. Class of fee of $30.
Prerequisites: C- or better in BIO 110 Biology Concepts, and CHE 106 General Chemistry I.
Credits: 3
Description: Study of animal parasites and the effects they have on their hosts. Studies in this course center on parasites of humans, other vertebrates, and invertebrates. Taxonomy, morphology, development, physiology, identification, epidemiology, and pathogenesis are emphasized. An understanding of human anatomy and histology would be beneficial to students taking this course. Parasitology is highly recommended for students interested in health-related, biomedical, and biological careers. Class is 2 hours lecture, 2 hours lab. Class fee of $30.
Prerequisite: BIO 110 Biology Concepts
Credits: 3
Description: The topics for this course will include the biological, physical and chemical properties of antigens and antibodies, host-antigen interaction, humoral and cellular response mechanisms, serologic reactions, mechanisms of
antibody formation, hypersensitivity and the role of the immune response in cancer and organ transplants.
Prerequisite: C- or better in BIO 110 Biology Concepts; BIO 320 Molecular Genetics is recommended.
Credits: 4
Description: Emphasis on nomenclature, atomic structure, bonding, gaseous and liquid states, equilibrium, and stoichiometry.

Prerequisite: High school chemistry or CHE 102 Chemistry for General Studies.

Class fee: $30
Credits: 4
Description: A continuation of CHE 106 General Chemistry I with emphasis on kinetics, redox reactions, molecular geometry, hydrolysis, electrochemistry, and solubility products. Qualitative analysis included. Class is 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab. Class fee of $30.
Prerequisite: C- or better in CHE 106 General Chemistry I or instructor approval.
Credits: 4
Description: Study of proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates with emphasis on their structure, function, and
metabolism. Class is 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab. Class fee of $30.
Prerequisite: C- or better in CHE 208 Introduction to Organic Chemistry or CHE 315 Organic Chemistry II.
These courses are required by UNMC. You must earn a "C" or better in each.
- PHY 201 General Physics I (3 credits) - An algebra-based general physics course intended primarily for health professions, life science and education students. Topics include vectors, kinematics and dynamics, equilibrium, rotational motion, energy, momentum, oscillations, fluids, and thermodynamics. Prerequisite: 2 years of algebra. Corequisite: PHY 321 Physical Laboratory I
- PHY 321 Physics Lab I (1 credit) - Experiments, appropriate to the level of lecture, include topics in mechanics, momentum, work and energy, and fluids. Corequisite: PHY 201 General Physics I. Class fee: $30
- PHY 202 General Physics II (3 credits) - A second semester algebra-based general physics course intended primarily for health professions, life science, and education students. Topics include electricity, magnetism, optics, and modern physics. Prerequisite: PHY 201 General Physics I or PHY 301 University Physics I. Corequisite: PHY 322 Physical Laboratory II.
- PHY 322 Physics Lab I (1 credit) - Experiments, appropriate to the level of lecture, include topics in electricity, magnetism, and basic optics.Class fee: $30. Corequisite: PHY 201 General Physics I.