Diagnostic Medical Sonography - A.A.S. Degree (Career)
For curriculum information, contact the Health Sciences Division—Room HS-236—443-518-1560.
The diagnostic medical sonography degree prepares graduates for entry-level positions in the field of general, vascular, and cardiac sonography in hospitals, medical and specialty offices, imaging centers, clinics, and other health care agencies. This full-time, two-year associate of applied science degree is designed to teach students the skills necessary to perform routine, emergency, and interventional sonography procedures. This area of study is rigorous in both the number of clinical internship hours and academic standards required. Prospective students are required to have a strong background in anatomy and physiology, mathematics, and health-related studies. The majority of didactic courses will be offered in either online or hybrid class formats, and students will need to be familiar with the distance learning environment. The laboratory portion of the courses will be offered in on-campus labs. Clinical experiences will be conducted at facilities within or around the Howard County area. Graduates may be eligible to apply for either the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS), the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT), or the Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) certification examinations.
General Education Core
English Composition
Arts & Humanities
Social & Behavioral Sciences
Biological & Physical Sciences
Mathematics
Required Courses Related to Major
General Track
Application Code 281A
| DMSU-171 | Abdominal and Small Parts Ultrasound I | 2 |
| DMSU-172 | Obstetrics/Gynecology Ultrasound I | 2 |
| DMSU-271 | Abdominal and Small Parts Ultrasound II | 2 |
| DMSU-272 | Obstetrics/Gynecology Ultrasound II | 2 |
| DMSU-280 | Introduction to Vascular Ultrasound | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 70 |
Vascular Track
Application Code 281B
| CARD-120 | Rhythm Analysis and 12-lead ECG | 2 |
| DMSU-181 | Vascular Ultrasound I | 3 |
| DMSU-282 | Vascular Ultrasound II | 3 |
| DMSU-290 | Introduction to Cardiac Ultrasound | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 70 |
Cardiac Track
Application Code 281C
| CARD-120 | Rhythm Analysis and 12-lead ECG | 2 |
| DMSU-191 | Adult Echocardiography I | 3 |
| DMSU-280 | Introduction to Vascular Ultrasound | 3 |
| DMSU-292 | Adult Echocardiography II | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 70 |
A graduate should be able to
- 1. Identify and demonstrate the role of the student as a sonographer.
- 2. Prepare the patient for the sonographic examinations based upon the appropriate specialty.
- 3. Demonstrate proper instrumentation of ultrasound equipment and proper scanning techniques and protocols of human body organs.
- 4. Demonstrate preparation for the ARDMS Registry examination of the area of study.
- 5. Demonstrate how sonographic instruments work.
- 6. Identify anatomical structures in the different sectional planes and compare the changes due to the pathology to normal anatomy.
*Admission to this area of study is based upon successful completion of BIOL-101, BIOL-203 and 204, PHYS-101, and MATH-141. Anatomy and Physiology courses must be completed within five (5) years prior to admission to the first sonography course. BIOL-101 and PHYS-101 must be completed within ten (10) years prior to clinical admission. A grade of “C” or better is required in diagnostic medical sonography and general education courses. Prerequisite courses required for the DMS program are – ENGL-121, BIOL-101, BIOL-203, BIOL-204, MATH-141, and PHYS-101. A grade of 3.0 or higher is required for – BIOL-203, BIOL-204, and PHYS-101. An overall GPA of 2.5 or higher is required from prerequisites.