How to Apply
Enrollment options
While test scores and grades are important, we also care about why you want to enter the field and your career goals. We’ve designed this program to have two pathways to admission. Discover what comes next on your path to becoming a sonographer.
Affiliated bachelor’s degree option
Students seeking a bachelor’s degree are eligible to apply to the Sonography Program after first completing the required coursework at one of the affiliated academic institutions listed below. We’ve worked with these institutions to ensure you get the exact prerequisite education you need to be a strong candidate for our program.
- Saint Mary’s University (SMU) — Winona, Minnesota
- University of Minnesota Rochester (UMR) — Rochester, Minnesota
- University of Wisconsin - River Falls (UWRF) — River Falls, Wisconsin
- University of Wisconsin - La Crosse (UWL) — La Crosse, Wisconsin
- Winona State University (WSU) — Winona, Minnesota
Once you complete the required coursework, you’ll apply for the Sonography Program. Typically, students will apply during their sophomore year.
Certificate option
If you have already completed an associate or bachelor’s degree and the prerequisites listed below before the start of the program, you may be eligible to apply for the Sonography Program.
The certificate option will grant you a certificate of completion from Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences and allow you to sit for the credentialing exam directly after completing the Sonography Program.
Non-U.S. citizen applicants
Admission to Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences is open to U.S. workers in the four categories below. Therefore, visa sponsorship is not available.
- U.S. citizens
- U.S. nationals
- Lawful permanent residents
- Asylees and refugees
Applicants whose primary language is not English must submit results from the Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-based test (TOEFL iBT). Scores from the speaking portion of the exam are given particular consideration in admission decisions. Learn more about the exam and register online at the Educational Testing Service.
The Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences code for the TOEFL iBT is 5784.
Educational transcripts from schools outside the U.S. must be translated (if they are not already in English) and evaluated for U.S. equivalence by an accredited credential evaluation service company prior to submission. Please refer to the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services for a list of qualified companies. The applicant pays for the examination and credential-evaluation services.
Before you apply
Policies
Transfer student policy
Saint Mary's University (SMU), University of Minnesota Rochester (UMR), University of Wisconsin - River Falls (UWRF), Winona State University (WSU), and the University of Wisconsin La Crosse (UWL) may accept transfer credit for previous general college coursework. Refer to those institutions to learn about their transfer policies.
Transfer students from other sonography programs are not accepted.
PSEO and advanced placement credits
Students considering Advanced Placement (AP) and Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) when completing program prerequisite coursework should refer to the college granting credits for questions regarding credit awards.
Admissions policy
Learn about Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences admissions policy information.
Prerequisites and minimum admissions requirements
To be eligible for the Sonography Program, you must:
- Hold a minimum of a high school diploma or GED (or equivalent)
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale
- Have a minimum STEM GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
- Be currently enrolled at one of the program’s academic affiliates and be on track for degree completion or have already earned an associate degree (or higher)
- Complete the following prerequisite college coursework with a C- or higher prior to the program start date. Pass/Fail grades will not be accepted.
- Applicants are ineligible if more than two required STEM courses (algebra, physics, anatomy and physiology) are in progress at time of interview.
| Subject | Prerequisites |
|---|---|
|
College algebra |
A minimum of one semester of college algebra is required; a higher-level math course also satisfies this requirement. |
|
Anatomy and physiology with lab |
A minimum of two semesters of college-level anatomy and physiology with a lab are required. |
|
Speech or public speaking |
A minimum of one semester of college-level speech or public speaking is required. |
|
English |
A minimum of one semester of college-level English is required; two semesters are preferred. |
|
Medical terminology |
One medical terminology course is required; it must be an official academic course resulting in a grade on a school transcript. Courses are available from community and technical colleges or online. |
|
Medical ethics or ethics |
A minimum of one semester of college-level medical ethics (preferred) or ethics is required. |
|
Physics with lab |
A minimum of one semester of algebra-based, college-level physics with a lab is required. |
|
Certified nursing assistant or other health care certification, Licensure or registry |
Examples of certifications meeting the prerequisite requirements include, but are not limited to:
|
In addition to the prerequisite courses previously listed, some affiliates may have additional degree requirements or prerequisites.
Competitive applicants
Applicants are most competitive if they have:
- A GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Previous patient care experience
- Observed sonographic procedures
- Prerequisite coursework that is less than 10 years old
- An existing bachelor's degree or are enrolled in the UMR, SMU, UWRF, UWL, or WSU affiliated bachelor's degree programs
- Completed all prerequisite science courses within five years of application
- No more than two courses in progress at the time of interviews
Technical standards
Candidates must meet the technical standards (with or without reasonable accommodation) necessary to acquire or demonstrate competence in health professions as outlined in the Sonography Program technical standards.
Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences values diversity and strives to make learning experiences as accessible as possible. If you anticipate experiencing disability-related barriers to fully accessing the Sonography Program, contact Disability Access Services at MCCMS.DS@mayo.edu for a confidential consultation. Learners are encouraged to request accommodations at least six weeks before the program starts.
Application process
Approximately 15 students are accepted on a competitive basis each year to the Sonography Program. Twelve student positions are located at Mayo Clinic's campus in Rochester, Minnesota, and three student positions are located at Mayo Clinic's campus in Jacksonville, Florida.
Application process for the BSHP degree option at UMR
Students pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Health Professions (BSHP) degree option should complete the University of Minnesota Rochester application for admission. BSHP students are jointly admitted to UMR and Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences and do not need to separately apply for admission to Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences.
Application process for certificate option, and SMU, UWL, UWRF, or WSU bachelor's degree
| Application window | Program start | Apply |
|---|---|---|
| Dec. 1-Jan. 15 | August | Online application |
Students pursuing the certificate option or a bachelor’s degree through SMU, UWL, UWRF, or WSU should refer to the below Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences application instructions to apply for the Sonography Program.
Having this page available while completing the online application is helpful, as these directions are specific to the Sonography Program.
Application instructions
Complete the following steps to apply:
- Create an account to begin the online Application for Admission
- Select - Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences
- Select - Sonography Program
- Complete each section of the application and submit
- After submission, view the required Supplemental Items and Documents
- Upload each required item in the Supplemental Items section
- CV/resume
- Essay (should be 300-500 words)
- Certified nursing assistant or other health care certification, licensure, or registry (if complete)
- Unofficial college transcripts from all institutions attended, including PSEO or AP coursework. Uploaded transcripts must contain a GPA and reflect all Fall grades, as well as any prerequisite coursework planned for Spring.
- Complete the Recommendation Request section
- Two recommendations are required and must be completed in the Recommendation Request section. Each recommender will receive an email with a link to complete a recommendation form.
- Academic: Choose a person familiar with your educational qualifications and your potential for success in the field of sonography. Recommenders may include current or former teachers or professors.
- Professional: Choose a person familiar with your professional qualifications and your potential for success in the field of sonography. Recommenders may include employers, teachers, or supervisors.
- Two recommendations are required and must be completed in the Recommendation Request section. Each recommender will receive an email with a link to complete a recommendation form.
- Upload each required item in the Supplemental Items section
Note: If accepted to the program, official transcripts must be mailed from the institution to the following address or emailed from an online database such as Clearinghouse or Parchment to dms.admissions@mayo.edu:
Sonography Program
Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences
Siebens Building, 7th Floor
200 First St. SW
Rochester, MN 55905
Interview process
Interviews will be conducted 100 percent virtually for the upcoming admissions cycle. Only the top-ranked applicants are invited for an interview.
Fluency in written and spoken English is essential for success in the program and to ensure patient safety. Applicants must demonstrate objective competency in English through the admission interview and may be required to submit results from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination or equivalent examination.
Acceptance
The Sonography Program may accept up to 15 students. All acceptance letters are emailed by mid-March. Your reply is required within 10 days.
Enrolled students are required to be covered in a medical insurance plan throughout their educational program at Mayo Clinic. Students who do not have health care coverage should purchase a policy from an agency or company of their choice. Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences does not endorse any particular plan or provider.
Background checks
All students must complete a state and national background check when accepted. All acceptances are contingent upon satisfactory clearance of the background checks. Mayo Clinic will investigate any discrepancy between the background check and the learner’s application and reserves the right to withdraw the learner’s acceptance based on negative findings. Students are not responsible for the cost of these background checks.
Equal opportunity
Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences upholds all federal and state laws that preclude discrimination on the basis of race, sex, age, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, disabilities, or veteran status. For more information, visit the Office for Education Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.