Diagnostic Medical Sonography - General and Cardiac

Diploma

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Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (DMS) are highly trained, in-demand professionals who use ultrasound to produce high-quality images of the body’s internal structures and organs. As a student in the DMS – General and Cardiac program, you will become proficient in both general and cardiac ultrasound and will learn how to examine and evaluate structures and organs in the body. Led by expert instructors, our comprehensive curriculum blends theoretical knowledge with hands-on training, covering anatomy, physiology, patient care, ultrasound physics, imaging techniques, pathology, and much more. Students gain practical experience through simulation labs, industry-standard equipment, and clinical placements under the guidance of experienced sonographers. Graduates are eligible to challenge the Sonography Canada Core, Generalist, and Cardiac certification exams to become registered diagnostic medical sonographers in both general and cardiac ultrasound.

Unlock your potential, gain specialized knowledge, and make a difference in patient care. Enroll today and take the first step towards an inspiring career in medical imaging.

Upcoming Intakes

Select your preferred intake to see relevant program information. Program details, including tuition and course information, may vary by intake.

Selection	Start Date	Delivery Mode	Time	Campus	Length	Domestic Status	International Status
	Sep. 02, 2025 (Fall)	Hybrid	Weekdays - Daytime	Main	2.5 Years (Full-time)	Closed	Closed

Swipe table to view more information for each intake.

Hands-on, industry-relevant training

By the end of the Sonography program, you’ll be confident with ultrasound imaging and skilled in obstetrics and gynecology, abdomen and superficial structure scanning and cardiac sonography and vascular studies.

Due to practicum placements, you can expect much of the program to be completed off campus, and may involve working evening and weekend shifts in hospitals and community care clinics.

The Sonography program has a heavy course load – you should expect 54 hours per week of in-class and out-of-class learning.Your clinical rotation will be comprised of 40-hour work weeks. Students receive theoretical and clinical training in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program. A number of course hours are completed off campus and may involve working evenings and weekends. In addition to the more traditional lecture and laboratory settings, students also gain clinical experience in a variety of locations both on and off campus. Selected seminars and labs may be scheduled in the evenings and on weekends.

Students in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program work in labs equipped with state-of-the-art ultrasound equipment, including:

2D ultrasound systems with Doppler
3D/4D ultrasound systems
dedicated echocardiography scanning systems
portable point of care (emergency response) systems
physiological peripheral arterial testing systems
simulators that can be programmed to display normal or abnormal cases for abdomen, obstetrics, gynecology,and cardiac
picture archiving computer systems

Program goals:

Foster an environment of clinical and academic excellence that prepares students to be competent, active members or leaders in the healthcare community.
Graduate students who possess competencies and behaviours required for entry-level sonographers in accordance with the prevailing competency profiles of Sonography Canada.
Provide an education experience that promotes a graduate's commitment for continued professional development.
Develop students' communication, critical thinking, problem solving and leadership skills.
Graduate students who demonstrate compassion and ethical, safe, quality health care to a diverse population.
Provide a learning experience in which graduates will be highly satisfied.
Graduate students with whom employers will be highly satisfied.

Students will have the opportunity to attain all the required skills in the Sonography Canada National Competency Profile (NCP). and complete the Sonography Canada Canadian Clinical Skills Assessments (CCSA) for the Generalist and Cardiac Sonographer during the program.

Career Outcomes

Please refer to the Sonography Canada website to learn more about requirements for licensing/mandatory registration and declaration of conduct, which may include disclosure of information related to criminal convictions and professional misconduct or incompetence as well as any personal factors that could impact the ability to practice safely.

Continuing Education is mandatory for this profession. Competence is maintained by taking a minimum number of continuing education credits every three years.

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View Work Integrated Learning

Work Experience Placements

Students in this program gain valuable work experience with Work Integrated Learning (WIL). WIL is a form of experiential learning that integrates academic studies with relevant work-based learning. The WIL placement in this program is a Clinical Placement.

Clinical Placement

A Clinical Placement involves work experience under the supervision of an experienced registered or licensed professional (e.g. preceptor) in any discipline that requires practice-based work experience for professional licensure or certification. Practica are generally unpaid and the work is done in a supervised setting.

Duration	48 Weeks
Compensation	No
International Students	Co-op Work Permit required
Placement Identified By	Program Staff - Students are placed with employers by the program.
Student Interview Required	No

Non-academic requirements

Immunization - General
Once accepted into the program, students must ensure their immunizations are current to the Alberta Health Services Immunization Standards. The program will contact you with specific instructions for completing the immunization requirements. If you do not meet the immunization requirements, your work-integrated learning experience (clinical training) may be refused by a clinical site, and there may be restrictions to campus lab and clinic experience, which may ultimately impede your progression in the program.

Police Check
Students are required to provide a current Police Information Check (also referred to as a Security Clearance or Criminal Record Check) which must include a Vulnerable Sector Search. Please do not proceed with the Police Information Check until an offer of acceptance and follow-up instructions have been issued by the program. The Police Information Check is only considered valid when reviewed by a NAIT official within 90 days of completion. If you do not meet the police information check requirements, your work-integrated learning experience (clinical training) may be refused by a clinical site, which may ultimately impede your progress in the program.

CPR (Basic Life Support - BLS)
Students must provide evidence of current BLS certification prior to commencing clinical training. BLS certification must remain current throughout clinical training, therefore, it is recommended that certification be obtained just prior to clinical training. The BLS certification course that meets this requirement must be designed for individuals who will be health care providers. The NAIT Continuing Education Course that meets this requirement is CPRS100 - Basic Life Support | NAIT.

IV Certification
Students will be required to provide proof of successful completion of an IV Certification course prior to enrolling in the clinical training. The NAIT PHAE504 - Introduction to Intravenous (IV) Insertions course meets this requirement. All cost associated with obtaining IV Certification is the responsibility of the student and are not included in the program tuition or fees. If you have previously obtained IV Certification within your profession (e.g. Nuclear Medicine), please provide a copy of your transcript to program staff at your earliest convenience.

N95 Testing
It is a program requirement to fit test students to an N95 respirator prior to their clinical placement to ensure proper PPE safety. For an effective N95 respirator seal, you must be clean-shaven during your fit testing session and clinical rotation. You will be required to be fit tested every two years or sooner depending on the policies of your work site. If there is a change in facial features due to weight gain/loss, pregnancy, dental work, etc. you will also need to be refitted to ensure an effective respirator seal.

Any prospective students with back, arm, shoulder, wrist or neck problems or significant health challenges should consider their options carefully before applying and are advised to consult with the program.

Benefits of a Clinical Placement

Understand more about career opportunities, expectations and requirements of the professional field
Gain the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in a real-world environment
Create networking opportunities in your chosen industry
Develop and improve communication, interpersonal and employment skills
Gain confidence in your professional skills
Practice job placement skills including job search, resume preparation, interviewing
Explore career options and program specialization within the industry
Improve application for future positions by gaining industry experience and increasing your employability
Possibility of employment after graduation
Potential financial benefits if the placement is paid

What you can expect during your Clinical Placement

The Work Integrated Learning (WIL) experience is comprised of four consecutive clinical courses totalling 48 weeks. Students will rotate through various clinical environments in different urban and/or rural locations, from hospitals to outpatient clinics, to provide learners with a robust practical training experience. Students should expect to attend their placements an average of 8 hours per day, five days per week, and will be scheduled for a variety of daytime, evening, and weekend shifts. Placement sites are located mostly throughout Alberta, with some potential rotations in British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Northwest Territories; all costs associated with relocation for WIL placements are the student's responsibility.

Additionally, review and application of the theoretical material learnt during the didactic portion of the program is an expectation. This will be implemented using various theory assignments. These will accompany the 40-hour/week clinical rotations outlined above.

Contact

Courses and Advanced Credit

Current and recently admitted students can find information and updates about their program on their My Program page in the MyNAIT Portal. To monitor your course progress and the courses still needed to graduate, visit your Academic Progress Report.

Advanced Credit

You may apply for advanced credit once you have been accepted into the program. Advanced credit can be Transfer Credit (for completed post-secondary courses) or PLAR (Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition).

Transfer Credit

In addition to the common guidelines outlined on the Transfer and Credit Options section, your program has other advanced credit requirements that are applied to each request including:

You must have completed the course or program no more than 5 year(s) ago unless a formalized articulation agreement is in place
You must have a minimum mark of C- in the course(s) or program

Read more about advanced credit or contact us about applying for credit for this program.

Scholarships & Awards

NAIT awards over $6 million in scholarships and bursaries to more than 4,000 students each year, with the support of donors and the government. A variety of awards are available, including ones for academics, community involvement, equity/diversity grants, bursaries for financial need, program-specific awards and more!

Learn how to apply for awards

Admission Requirements

This content is specific to the selected Sep 02, 2025 intake.

Minimum entrance requirements

The specific academic requirements you must meet to be considered for admission. Where applicable, the minimum accepted Alberta high school courses are listed in round brackets ( ). Equivalent or higher-level courses are also accepted.

75% in each of:
- Grade 12 Language Arts (English 30-2)
- Grade 12 Mathematics (Math 30-2)
- Grade 12 Biology (Biology 30)
- Grade 12 Physics (Physics 30)
Proof of English Language Proficiency
Online Interview - See Competitive Entrance Requirements for details.
Medical Terminology: Completion of NAIT ITMS100 - Medical Terminology with a minimum final grade of 60% within the last 5 years. Limited Alberta only post-secondary Medical Terminology courses that are 1 or more credits and completed within 5 years of the application deadline with a final grade of 60% or greater may be considered for equivalency. Applicants must submit proof of meeting this requirement by July 31st. Early registration in the course is encouraged to ensure sufficient time to complete the course prior to the due date.
Human Anatomy and Physiology: Completion of NAIT ANPH100 Anatomy and Physiology with a minimum final grade of 60% within the last 5 years. Limited Alberta only post-secondary Human Anatomy and Physiology courses that are 3 or more credits and completed within 5 years of the application deadline with a final grade of 60% or greater may be considered for equivalency. Applicants must submit proof of meeting this requirement by July 31st. Early registration in the course is encouraged to ensure sufficient time to complete the course prior to the due date.

Seats in this program are reserved for applicants currently residing in Saskatchewan via an interprovincial health training agreement. Limited space is available, and applicants are encouraged to submit an applications as early as possible.

NOTE: Applicants admitted through an interprovincial health agreement may have Human Anatomy & Physiology along with Medical Terminology requirements completed in their home province submitted to NAIT for consideration. All other applicants must follow guidelines on Anatomy & Physiology, along with Medical Terminology as outlined in the “minimum entrance requirements” above.

Competitive entrance requirements

Admission for this program is not guaranteed by only meeting the minimum requirements, as the program has competitive entrance and/or an interview process. Learn more about competitive entrance or program interviews.

Applicants who meet the program’s minimum entrance requirements and submit all required documents will be invited to a program interview. After the interview, applicants with the highest interview score will be admitted first. Approximately 4 months after applications open, if additional seats are available, varying interview scores may be considered. The scores required for admission can vary by program and intake.

The 1st round of interviews is expected to occur mid October. The timing of your invitations will be based on when your completed application was submitted.

More information about the program interview process can be found on the program interview page.

Due to the high volume of interviews in the School of Health and Life Sciences, the program(s) is unable to provide applicants with feedback on their interview submissions.

Additional requirements & considerations

Post-admission requirements

Although not required for admission, you must meet the following requirement(s) in order to progress in your program.

Computer Literacy - Basic

Basic computer literacy is required for a successful progression in this course. This comprises, but is not limited to, possessing fluency in basic word processing, spreadsheet creation, and an understanding of email and web best practices.

Health Requirement - Physical Ailments

Any prospective students with back, arm, shoulder, wrist or neck problems or significant health challenges should consider their options carefully before applying and are advised to consult with the program.

Immunization – School of Health and Life Science:

For the 2024-25 academic year, NAIT has partnered with Verified by Synergy Gateway Inc. to provide support and clearance for the School of Health and Life Sciences clinical placement requirements. The Synergy Gateway platform allows you to digitally upload the documentation for your program and practicum requirements.

The program will contact you with specific instructions and information for completing the immunization requirements. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that all the necessary documents are obtained and submitted to Verified by the deadlines provided by the program.

If you do not meet the immunization requirements, your work-integrated learning experience (clinical training) may be refused by a clinical site, and there may be restrictions to campus lab and clinic experience, which may ultimately impede your progression in the program.

Any associated fees for Verified by Synergy Gateway Inc. to complete the pre-placement requirements are the sole responsibility of the student.

Police Check – School of Health and Life Science:

Students are required to provide a current Police Information Check (also referred to as a Security Clearance or Criminal Record Check) which must include a Vulnerable Sector Search. Please do not proceed with the Police Information Check until an offer of acceptance and follow-up instructions have been issued by the program. The Police Information Check is only considered valid when submitted within 90 days of the program start date. If you do not meet the police information check requirements, your work-integrated learning experience (clinical training) may be refused by a clinical site, which may ultimately impede your progress in the program. If you have concerns about the clearance status of your Police Information Check, contact SHLSWIL@nait.ca immediately upon acceptance to the program.

It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that all the necessary documents are obtained and submitted to Verified by the deadlines provided by the program. Any associated fees for Verified by Synergy Gateway Inc. to complete the pre-placement requirements are the sole responsibility of the student.

Program Exploration Activities: Applicants should fully investigate the profession, and are encouraged to complete the following activities to ensure an understanding of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program and profession:

Review the program website
Attend Open House
Attend Program Preview
Attend DMS Information Session (Click on links to register*)

Saturday, September 16, 2023 - 9:00am, or Thursday, February 8, 2024 - 6:00pm, or Saturday, April 13, 2024 - 9:00am

*The same information will be presented at each session, please only register for one session.

CPR (Basic Life Support - BLS) Students must provide evidence of current BLS certification prior to commencing clinical training. BLS certification must remain current throughout clinical training, therefore, it is recommended that certification be obtained just prior to clinical training. The BLS certification course that meets this requirement must be designed for individuals who will be health care providers. The NAIT Continuing Education Course that meets this requirement is CPRS100 - Basic Life Support | NAIT.
IV Certification Students will be required to provide proof of successful completion of an IV Certification course prior to enrolling in the clinical training. The NAIT PHAE504 - Introduction to Intravenous (IV) Insertions course meets this requirement. All cost associated with obtaining IV Certification is the responsibility of the student and not included in the program tuition or fees. If you have previously obtained IV Certification within your profession (e.g. Nuclear Medicine), please provide a copy of your transcript to program staff at your earliest convenience.
N95 Testing: It is a program requirement to fit test students to an N95 respirator prior to your clinical placement to ensure proper PPE safety. For an effective N95 respirator seal, you must be clean shaven during your fit testing session and clinical rotation. You will be required to be fit tested every two years or sooner depending on the policies of your work site. If there is a change in facial features due to weight gain/loss, pregnancy, dental work, etc. you will also need to be refitted to ensure an effective respirator seal.

Not sure if you meet the requirements?

Learn more about how NAIT evaluates applications, and find resources on how to satisfy admissions criteria.

How applications are evaluated Submitting required documents

Additional options

This program has courses that are available for Open Studies. Open Studies allows you to explore credit courses without applying to a program. It is an opportunity to get a feel for school and what program you want to be in.

Learn more about Open Studies

Dates & Deadlines

International
Applications Open:

Aug 01, 2024

International
Applications Deadline:

Once the program is full

Domestic
Applications Open:
Oct 01, 2024

Application Deadline:
Once the program is full

Term Start Date:
Sep 02, 2025

Seats are limited - Apply early! Applications will remain open for at least one month from the open date. If the program/waitlist fill after that date, applications will close.

International Applicants

This program accepts international students.

PGWP Eligibility

Graduates of this program are eligible to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), following Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requirements. Students must still meet all other PGWP eligibility requirements, including full-time and in-person study requirements.

Co-Op Work Permit

Mandatory Co-op: This program has a mandatory work-integrated learning component. International students must apply for a co-op work permit and have it approved before the start of their work placement.

Learn more about PGWP and explore eligible NAIT programs.

Want to learn more about this program?

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