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 Track - Application Code 281A
Summer Term
Suggested Semester 1
Suggested Semester 2
Summer Term
| DMSU-172 | Obstetrics/Gynecology Ultrasound I | 2 |
| DMSU-211 | Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation I | 3 |
| DMSU-252 | Clinical Sonography II | 2 |
Suggested Semester 3
| DMSU-212 | Ultrasound Physics & Instrumentation II | 3 |
| DMSU-253 | Clinical Sonography III | 4 |
| DMSU-271 | Abdominal and Small Parts Ultrasound II | 2 |
| DMSU-272 | Obstetrics/Gynecology Ultrasound II | 2 |
| SPCH-110 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
Winter Term
Suggested Semester 4
Total Credit Hours: 70
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.
A course grade of “C” (75%) or greater in all DMS program didactic courses is required for progression in the program. A course grade of “B” (85%) or greater in all DMS program clinical courses is required for progression in the program. Failure to meet this requirement will result in withdrawal from the DMS program and will need to be re-admitted to the program the following academic year.
Vascular Track - Application Code 281B
Summer Term
Suggested Semester 1
Suggested Semester 2
Summer Term
| CARD-120 | Rhythm Analysis and 12-lead ECG | 2 |
| DMSU-211 | Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation I | 3 |
| DMSU-252 | Clinical Sonography II | 2 |
Suggested Semester 3
Winter Term
Suggested Semester 4
Total Credit Hours: 70
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.
A course grade of “C” (75%) or greater in all DMS program didactic courses is required for progression in the program. A course grade of “B” (85%) or greater in all DMS program clinical courses is required for progression in the program. Failure to meet this requirement will result in withdrawal from the DMS program and will need to be re-admitted to the program the following academic year.
Cardiac Track - Application Code 281C
Summer Term
Suggested Semester 1
Suggested Semester 2
Summer Term
| CARD-120 | Rhythm Analysis and 12-lead ECG | 2 |
| DMSU-211 | Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation I | 3 |
| DMSU-252 | Clinical Sonography II | 2 |
Suggested Semester 3
Winter Term
Suggested Semester 4
Total Credit Hours: 70
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.
A course grade of “C” (75%) or greater in all DMS program didactic courses is required for progression in the program. A course grade of “B” (85%) or greater in all DMS program clinical courses is required for progression in the program. Failure to meet this requirement will result in withdrawal from the DMS program and will need to be re-admitted to the program the following academic year.
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.