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Curriculum

Sonography student performing an ultrasound
60%

time spent in clinical settings

20%

time spent in labs

20%

time spent in classroom

Student experiences 

The curriculum is identical for all students, regardless of enrollment option or location. Academic lectures originate primarily from the Rochester campus and are made available to students in Florida using interactive video-enabled classrooms. This system goes beyond traditional distance education and allows live face-to-face collaboration between students and faculty.

Classroom learning 

During classroom lectures, you’ll learn about the anatomy, physiology and pathology of the body systems imaged by a sonographer credentialed in the abdomen, OB/GYN and vascular technology specialties. During the first month of the program, the curriculum revolves around introductory sonographic scanning techniques and terminology, machine knobology, and basic patient care in both the classroom and scanning lab.

Scan lab

What you learn in the classroom will immediately transfer into a working scan lab where we use real-life simulations. The lab allows you to accurately apply your knowledge and practice your skills in a safe environment.

Hands-on clinical rotations 

Students are immersed into the clinical environment and working with patients by week five of the program! During training, clinical rotations are provided in specialized areas of sonography, including abdomen, obstetrics and gynecology, vascular sonography, and vascular testing.

Students at the Rochester campus gain experience in Mayo Clinic's radiology, obstetrics and vascular ultrasound departments. During their senior year, students have the opportunity to participate in a clinical rotation at a Mayo Clinic Health System location as well as the Olmsted Medical Center hospital in Rochester.

Students at the Jacksonville campus gain experience in Mayo Clinic's radiology and vascular departments. Obstetric and pediatric clinical rotations occur at non-Mayo facilities located in the Jacksonville area.

During all clinical rotations, supervision is provided by highly qualified radiologists, obstetricians, vascular surgeons, sonographers and vascular technologists.

Facilities and faculty

Learn more about the facilities and faculty of the Sonography Program.

Hours

The Sonography Program is a full-time (40 hours a week) program. The learning schedule includes eight-hour days (8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.) five days a week.

Course sequence

Grading or evaluation

Academic and clinical coursework is graded on a 4.0 scale. Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences uses evaluative tools that include written examination, demonstration of skills, self-assessment exercises and faculty reviews.

Mayo's system of evaluation provides students and faculty with a comprehensive look at individual performance, allowing students who are experiencing academic difficulty to be directed to appropriate support resources.

Graduation and certification

Upon completion of the program, students receive a certificate of completion from Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences. Those completing the collaborative bachelor's degree with UMR also receive a Bachelor of Science in Health Professions (BSHP) degree.

Prior to graduation, students are required to take the Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI) Examination given by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). Graduates are then eligible to register for the Abdomen, OB/GYN and Vascular Technology specialty certification examinations.

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