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Diagnostic Medical Sonography Degree

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Degree: Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.)

Program Description: The Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) Degree Program is designed to prepare qualified entry-level sonographers who are highly skilled, technically competent, ethical, professional, compassionate, and responsive to the needs of patients and of employing organizations. The profession requires both critical thinking skills and judgment and the ability to provide appropriate healthcare services. Sonographers use technologically advanced equipment that utilizes high-frequency sound waves to produce dynamic visual pictures of internal body structures. Physicians evaluate the images to make a medical diagnosis. The DMS program provides the educational background that you need to become a sonographer who possesses advanced knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathology, and pathophysiology.

Entry-level sonographers perform appropriate ultrasound procedures including, but not limited to, abdominal, OB/GYN, small-parts pediatrics, and the neonatal head with the use of two- and three-dimensional imaging, color flow, and Doppler. The DMS program combines formal education and extensive clinical training to prepare you to function as a sonographer. Graduates are eligible to take the American Registry Exam for Diagnostic Medical Sonography in Physics, Abdomen and OB/GYN after meeting their requirements.

Students are eligible to participate in Lambda Nu, a national honor society for the radiologic and imaging sciences.

Career Information and Occupational Outlook:

Length of Program: 139 Credit Hours

Program Admission Requirements:

  1. Present official documentation of an earned high school diploma or official GED Scores.
  2. Be at least 17 years old.
  3. Complete prerequisite courses by the end of Winter quarter.
  4. Provide official results of COMPASS obtained within the past 5 years.
  5. Submit the following by December 1st to be eligible for competitive selection for Spring Quarter:
    1. Letter of Intent Form
    2. Self Evaluation Form
    3. Immunization Record and Physical Exam Form
    4. Personal Data Sheet
    5. Technical Standards Form
    6. Level I Background check

Estimated Cost:

Estimated costs are in addition to Tuition and Fees.

Cost of physical exam and immunizations will vary.

Level I Background check $48.50
Biology Supplies 50.00
Class Organization Dues 30.00
Student Professional Liability Insurance 17.50 annually
Uniforms and Accessories 250.00

Program Sequence

* Indicates courses ranked for admission

Quarter Course Description Contact Hours Credit Hours
1st
Pre-requisite		 SCT 100 Introduction to Microcomputers 5 3
MAT 191 College Algebra 5 5
ENG 191 Composition and Rhetoric I 5 5
  Total 15 13
2nd
Pre-requisite		 PHY 190* Introduction to Physics (or RAD 123) 5 5
AHS 109* Medical Terminology 3 3
PSY 191 Introduction to Psychology 5 5
  Total 13 13
3rd
Pre-requisite		 BIO 193* Anatomy and Physiology I 7 5
AHS 104* Introduction to Healthcare 5 3
SPC 191 Fundamentals of Speech 5 5
  Total 17 13
4th
Pre-requisite		 BIO 194* Anatomy and Physiology II 7 5
HUM 191 Introduction to Humanities 5 5
  Total 12 10
5th DMS 131 Foundations of Sonography 11 5
DMS 132 Sonographic Appearance of Normal Anatomy 10 4
DMS 133 Cross Sectional Anatomy 9 4
  Total 30 13
6th DMS 134 Pelvic Sonography and Pathology 8 2
DMS 135 Abdominal Sonography and Pathology 8 5
DMS 136 Sonographic Physics I 5 3
  Total 21 10
7th DMS 201 Normal Obstetrics Sonography 9 3
DMS 202 Sonographic Physics II 2 2
DMS 137 Clinical Sonography I 24 8
  Total 35 13
8th DMS 203 High Resolution Imaging 8 2
DMS 207 Abnormal Obstetric Sonography 6 3
DMS 204 Clinical Sonography II 24 8
  Total 38 13
9th DMS 208 Introduction to Vascular Sonography 6 2
DMS 205 Interventional Sonography 5 1
DMS 206 Pediatric Sonography 3 2
DMS 209 Clinical Sonography III 24 8
  Total 38 13
10th DMS 210 Comprehensive Physics Review 4 2
DMS 211 Clinical Sonography IV 33 11
  Total 37 13
11th DMS 212 Comprehensive Abdomen Review 4 2
DMS 213 Comprehensive OB/GYN Review 3 2
DMS 214 Clinical Sonography V 33 11
  Total 40 15

Completion of Work Ready Assessment

The content of this page does not constitute a contract between Columbus Technical College and its students on either a collective or individual basis. Course curriculum, fee changes, or additional unforeseen changes may occur after publication. Course offerings are contingent upon adequate enrollments. Please contact the school offering the program for the most current information. Academic advising is available to students prior to registration; this information is not a substitute for consulting with an academic advisor.

Last updated: October 6, 2008.