DMS students, applying this fall, will become the first group accepted into the DA pathway starting fall 2026.
The Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) at Concordia University Wisconsin is now offering a DA pathway for first-year CUW students (who meet criteria) beginning fall 2026—applicants are welcome to apply as of this coming July. A DA is a guaranteed seat designed for those special students who have already determined this career path, and who have begun the requirement process in high school.
New opportunity for future falcons
This is an amazing, new opportunity for students who have already identified DMS as their area of focus, to have the “weight lifted” off their shoulders from the very beginning as they pursue their calling.
“We feel that the Direct Admission is a wonderful way to acknowledge a prospective student’s early preparation and awareness that DMS is their chosen field of study,” says Lisa Reimer, director of CUW’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program and chair of the Department of Imaging. CUW is the only university in Wisconsin offering an internal CAAHEP accredited program in Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
Sonography is a highly competitive field with opportunities for variety and specialization. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the market (and salary) for sonographers is growing at a rate that is 11 percent faster than the average career path.
Traditional Undergraduate Admission Director Leah Toerpe was involved in the creation of the new DA pathway program—which was spearheaded by Reimer and her faculty. Toerpe says on average one or two students per week contact CUW regarding the sonography program.
According to Reimer, there are several key differentiators making the CUW DMS program one to consider.
- CUW DMS students are taught directly by university faculty and credentialed clinical professionals in the healthcare field.
- Students experience continual integrated academic and clinical education throughout the program.
- Students are not restricted to one healthcare organization. The clinical experience through multiple healthcare organizations during the program better exposes and prepares them for employment in variety of settings.
- 100% pass rates for credentialing exams.
Pursuing your sonography degree at CUW?
When it comes to sonography, Concordia offers a unique, four-year degree that gives students a foundation in liberal arts, the required science prerequisites, and the integrated DMS specific coursework and clinical education. A bachelor’s degree can open up more doors and serves as an advanced foundation for professional growth, according to Reimer, who also notes that it is an important identifier for entry level positions in the job market.
Students with their BS in sonography may go into the field with the opportunity to pivot from one area to the next. For example, they may prefer a leadership role, a management role, or just another area of imaging. “Our goal is really to find the passion that you have, the calling that you’ve had placed on your heart by God,” says Toerpe. “We have really strong students because we give them that foundational piece of liberal arts and their prerequisites … They’re well-prepared moving forward.”
The DA is a new option that helps alleviate some of the collegial stress for these students. “We’re not going to have those extra hoops in there,” Toerpe explains. Students won’t need to interview again during their program to get a seat in clinicals with this path—all those pieces will be completed prior to becoming CUW freshmen.
It is also important to note, says Reimer, that if a student is unable to apply for a Direct Admit seat in the program, there will still be opportunities for them through the traditional Regular Decision (RD) option. The requirements are the same without the earlier timeline. Students on the RD pathway will also have the opportunity to be considered by one of CUW’s accredited hospital-based partner programs as well as the DMS program.
What’s the DA process look like?
The Direct Admission criteria is as follows:
- Accepted by CUW.
- Have a 3.5 high school cumulative GPA.
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) completed (Deadline: January 1) with minimum of 100 hours worked as a CNA due prior to starting the DMS program/professional curriculum of the degree.
- Job Shadow/Observation: Four hours of shadowing in general/vascular sonography (Deadline: January 1).
- On-campus visit with DMS program faculty (Deadline: January 1).
- A 300-word essay summarizing why you want to be a sonographer, why CUW, and why should you be considered for Direct Admission to the CUW DMS program submitted (Deadline: January 1).
- Two Letters of Recommendation submitted (Deadline: January 1).
- Interview: Students meeting the above criteria will be invited to interview with the selection committee in January/February of matriculating year to university. Placements will be awarded for a pre-determined number of seats (up to 8).
- Students receiving DA to the DMS program (junior/senior years) must successfully complete the pre-requisite courses and grade requirements for the major in order to maintain their Direct Admission offer for placement.
Further reading
Check it out:
- “Day in the Life of a Sonography Student.”
- “Department Highlight: Learn More About Concordia’s Sonography Program” (written by students)
- “Eight top careers in healthcare”
Want in?
Concordia University Wisconsin is a Lutheran higher education community committed to helping students develop in mind, body, and spirit for service to Christ in the Church and the world. The Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) offers four distinct pathways to prepare learners to step forward into their calling as a medical sonographer: the undergraduate DMS certificate, in-person bachelor’s degree, in-person bachelor’s degree with DA, or an online sonography completion program.