UMBC offers a diagnostic medical sonography program in Catonsville, Maryland. This page outlines the program’s credential pathway and how it connects to work in diagnostic imaging.
Program at a glance
- Institution: UMBC, Catonsville, Maryland
- Format: on campus
Program details
It runs an accelerated, full-time daytime program of about 13.5 months. Students complete classroom instruction with supervised clinical education at partner hospitals and outpatient centers in the Baltimore metropolitan area, including a minimum of about 1,070 clinical hours at affiliated clinical sites. Graduates receive a non-degree professional certificate. Clinical training covers abdomen-extended, obstetrics, gynecology, adult cardiac, and vascular sonography. Students specialize in one of three tracks: General (Abdomen-Extended/OB-GYN), Cardiac, or Vascular. Completers are eligible to sit for the national registry credentialing examinations. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS). These details are drawn from the program’s website.
Credential pathway
Graduates can pursue professional certification such as the Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS). These credentials are offered by national registries, including the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). Certification is separate from completing the program; each credential sets its own education, clinical-experience, and examination requirements. See Licensing and Certification for how the process works.
About this occupation
Diagnostic medical sonographers operate ultrasound equipment to create images that physicians use to assess and diagnose medical conditions. National wage and employment-outlook figures are summarized on the Diagnostic Medical Sonographer page, with more context in Career Opportunities and Salary and Compensation.
Program details, requirements, and availability change. Verify current information directly with the program and with the relevant certification body or licensing board. Inclusion in this directory does not constitute endorsement.
Related pages
Last verified: June 2026.