Diagnostic Medical Sonography, AAS
The Associate of Applied Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) degree prepares students for one of the fastest growing occupations in the healthcare field. The Diagnostic Medical Sonographer works with highly technical equipment to produce images of the human body which the provider uses to make a medical diagnosis. Sonographers require patience, physical stamina, technical competency, and excellent communication skills. The mission of the program is to prepare competent entry-level sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains for the following concentration(s): abdominal sonography- extended, obstetrics and gynecology, cardiac, and vascular sonography. Students will complete three semesters of supervised practice in selected clinical settings.
At the completion of the diagnostic medical sonography program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate professional and ethical conduct in accordance with academic standards; and workplace protocols, certification standards, and state and federal laws.
- Demonstrate safe principles, behaviors, and techniques in the performance of the sonography role to promote personal and patient safety.
- Exercise discretion, knowledge, and independent judgment in performing sonographic procedures, accessing medical information systems, and in seeking assistance.
- Integrate sound knowledge base, pertinent patient history, supporting clinical data, and data obtained using ultrasound and related diagnostic technologies to provide a summary of findings to the provider.
- Utilize effective oral, written, and technological communications with patients and members of the inter-professional healthcare team.
For information on the admission requirements for this program, visit DMS Admission Requirements
Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major-Related Courses | ||
| DS-102 | Introduction to Patient Care and Sonography | 3 |
| DS-125 | Sonography Physics & Instrumentation | 4 |
| DS-160 | Vascular Imaging I | 3 |
| DS-161 | Vascular Imaging II | 3 |
| DS-170 | Abdominal Sonography I | 3 |
| DS-171 | Abdominal Sonography II | 3 |
| DS-180 | OB/GYN Sonography I | 3 |
| DS-181 | OB/GYN Sonography II | 3 |
| DS-190 | Echocardiography I | 3 |
| DS-191 | Echocardiography II | 3 |
| DS-250 | Clinical Externship I | 7 |
| DS-251 | Clinical Externship II | 7 |
| DS-252 | Clinical Externship III | 7 |
| HC-126 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| HC-208 | Pathophysiology | 3 |
| SC-104 | Introduction to Physics | 3 |
| SC-114 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 3 |
| SC-114L | Human Anatomy and Physiology I Lab | 1 |
| SC-116 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 3 |
| SC-116L | Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab | 1 |
| Major-Related Courses Subtotal | 69 | |
| General Education and Related Courses | ||
| EN-111 | College Writing and Critical Analysis | 3 |
| LA-101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| LA-122 | Fundamentals of Communication | 3 |
| MA-115 | Quantitative Reasoning | 3 |
| General Education and Related Courses Subtotal | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 81 | |
Academic Requirements
- A grade of “C” or better is required in the following courses for progression in the major: DS-102 Introduction to Patient Care and Sonography, DS-125 Sonography Physics & Instrumentation, DS-160 Vascular Imaging I, DS-161 Vascular Imaging II, DS-170 Abdominal Sonography I, DS-171 Abdominal Sonography II, DS-180 OB/GYN Sonography I, DS-181 OB/GYN Sonography II, DS-190 Echocardiography I, DS-191 Echocardiography II, DS-250 Clinical Externship I, DS-252 Clinical Externship III , HC-126 Medical Terminology, HC-208 Pathophysiology, MA-115 Quantitative Reasoning, SC-104 Introduction to Physics SC-114 Human Anatomy and Physiology I, SC-114L Human Anatomy and Physiology I Lab, SC-116 Human Anatomy and Physiology II, and SC-116L Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab.
- The required externships DS-251 Clinical Externship II and DS-252 Clinical Externship III are generally taken in the last two semesters and are only available during the day Monday through Friday.
Recommended Sequence
| Semester 1 | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| DS-102 | Introduction to Patient Care and Sonography | 3 |
| HC-126 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| SC-104 | Introduction to Physics | 3 |
| SC-114 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 3 |
| SC-114L | Human Anatomy and Physiology I Lab | 1 |
| MA-115 | Quantitative Reasoning (Must be taken in semester 1) | 3 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| DS-125 | Sonography Physics & Instrumentation | 4 |
| DS-170 | Abdominal Sonography I | 3 |
| DS-180 | OB/GYN Sonography I | 3 |
| EN-111 | College Writing and Critical Analysis | 3 |
| SC-116 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 3 |
| SC-116L | Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab | 1 |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Semester 3 | ||
| DS-171 | Abdominal Sonography II | 3 |
| DS-181 | OB/GYN Sonography II | 3 |
| DS-250 | Clinical Externship I | 7 |
| HC-208 | Pathophysiology | 3 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Semester 4 | ||
| DS-160 | Vascular Imaging I | 3 |
| DS-190 | Echocardiography I | 3 |
| DS-251 | Clinical Externship II | 7 |
| LA-101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Semester 5 | ||
| DS-161 | Vascular Imaging II | 3 |
| DS-191 | Echocardiography II | 3 |
| DS-252 | Clinical Externship III | 7 |
| LA-122 | Fundamentals of Communication | 3 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Total Credits | 81 | |