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
Composition
Humanities, Arts and Literature
Social Sciences
Science
BIOL-101 and BIOL-203: Admission to this area of study is based upon successful completion of BIOL-101, BIOL-203 and BIOL-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.
Mathematics
MATH-141: Admission to this area of study is based upon successful completion of BIOL-101, BIOL-203 and BIOL-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.
Required Courses Related to Major
Required Courses
| BIOL-204 | Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 credits |
| DMSU-102 | Introduction to Ultrasound | 3 credits |
| DMSU-112 | Sectional Anatomy for Imaging Professionals | 3 credits |
| DMSU-151 | Clinical Sonography I | 2 credits |
| DMSU-211 | Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation I | 3 credits |
| DMSU-212 | Ultrasound Physics & Instrumentation II | 3 credits |
| DMSU-213 | Pathophysiology for Imaging Professionals | 3 credits |
| DMSU-252 | Clinical Sonography II | 2 credits |
| DMSU-253 | Clinical Sonography III | 4 credits |
| DMSU-254 | Clinical Sonography IV | 1 credit |
| DMSU-255 | Clinical Sonography V | 6 credits |
| DMSU-261 | ARDMS Registry Seminar | 1 credit |
| PHYS-101 | Technical Physical Science | 4 credits |
BIOL-204 and PHYS-101: Admission to this area of study is based upon successful completion of BIOL-101, BIOL-203 and BIOL-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.
General Track
Application Code 281A
| DMSU-171 | Abdominal and Small Parts Ultrasound I | 2 credits |
| DMSU-172 | Obstetrics/Gynecology Ultrasound I | 2 credits |
| DMSU-271 | Abdominal and Small Parts Ultrasound II | 2 credits |
| DMSU-272 | Obstetrics/Gynecology Ultrasound II | 2 credits |
| DMSU-280 | Introduction to Vascular Ultrasound | 3 credits |
Total Credit Hours: 70
Vascular Track
Application Code 281B
| CARD-120 | Rhythm Analysis & 12-LEAD ECG | 2 credits |
| DMSU-181 | Vascular Ultrasound I | 3 credits |
| DMSU-282 | Vascular Ultrasound II | 3 credits |
| DMSU-290 | Introduction to Cardiac Ultrasound | 3 credits |
Total Credit Hours: 70
Cardiac Track
Application Code 281C
| CARD-120 | Rhythm Analysis & 12-LEAD ECG | 2 credits |
| DMSU-191 | Adult Echocardiography I | 3 credits |
| DMSU-280 | Introduction to Vascular Ultrasound | 3 credits |
| DMSU-292 | Adult Echocardiography II | 3 credits |
Total Credit Hours: 70