Diagnostic Medical Sonography
TCC’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography program prepares students for employment as a Sonographer working in ultrasound imaging. It is a full-time, 21 calendar months program leading to an Associate of Applied Science degree. Students complete classroom and laboratory work at TCC and clinical education in an affiliated ultrasound department. Positions often are available in hospital ultrasound departments, clinics and private physicians’ offices. Students acquire skills in reviewing and recording pertinent clinical patient history, performing the sonographic examinations, providing patient comfort and needs during the examination, and recording anatomic, pathologic, and physiologic data for interpretation by supervising physicians. Traits needed by individuals who enter this program include attention to detail, efficiency, excellent hand/eye coordination, and compassion.
The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, and upon successful program completion along with any required work experience, graduates are eligible to take the certifying examinations of the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in the specialty areas of ultrasound physics and instrumentation, abdomen, and obstetrics-gynecology.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the AAS degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, students will:
- Demonstrate the required technical and critical thinking skills to perform as ARDMS-certified entry-level sonographers, providing accurate and efficient general diagnostic sonographic examinations and procedures.
- Obtain, review and integrate pertinent patient history and supporting clinical information/data to optimize diagnostic results.
- Record sonographic diagnostic, pathologic and/or physiologic information for interpretation by a physician.
- Interact effectively, professionally, and ethically in oral and written communications with patients, their families, physicians and other health care professionals, adhering to the recognized SDMS scope of practice.
- Provide basic patient care and comfort, anticipating and responding to patient needs.
Prerequisites
(36 credits)
All prerequisite courses must be completed within two attempts with grades ‘C’ or higher. There is a five-year time limit for all math and science prerequisite courses.
English Composition I |
5 |
|
Introduction to Communication |
5 |
|
or CMST 110 |
Multicultural Communication |
|
Medical Terminology I (or higher level equivalent Medical Terminology course) |
3 |
|
Pre-Calculus I |
5 |
|
Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 |
6 |
|
Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 |
6 |
|
PHYS& 115 |
General Physics |
6 |
Additional Requirements
Contact the DMS program for information about:
- Criminal and federal fraud background checks
- Health insurance
- Immunizations
Students are responsible for arranging dependable transportation to and from clinical sites and dependable child/dependent care. Admission to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is competitive. There are usually more applicants to the program than available positions. Completing prerequisite courses and satisfying other requirements for a complete application, does not guarantee program admission.
Associate in Applied Sciences Degree
(109-111 credits)
- Fall Quarter (18 credits)
Sonography Lab I |
2 |
|
Ultrasound Cross-Sectional Anatomy |
5 |
|
Pathophysiology I |
3 |
|
Abdominal Sonography |
3 |
|
Physics and Instrumentation I |
3 |
|
Orientation to DMS (Early Start) |
2 |
- Winter Quarter (15 credits)
Sonography Lab II |
3 |
|
Pathophysiology II |
3 |
|
Small Parts and Superficial Structures Sonography |
3 |
|
Gynecological Sonography |
3 |
|
Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation II |
3 |
- Spring Quarter (16-18 credits)
Sonography Lab III |
2 |
|
Obstetrical Scanning and Pathophysiology |
5 |
|
Introduction to Vascular Sonography |
3 |
|
Advanced Sonography |
2 |
|
Patient Care and Scope of Practice |
2 |
|
Introduction to Clinical I |
2 |
- Summer Quarter (15 credits)
Ultrasound Clinical II |
13 |
|
Ultrasound Seminar and Critique I |
2 |
|
Independent Study |
2-15 |
- Fall Quarter (15 credits)
Ultrasound Clinical III |
13 |
|
Ultrasound Seminar and Critique II |
2 |
- Winter Quarter (15 credits)
Ultrasound Clinical IV |
13 |
|
Ultrasound Seminar and Critique III |
2 |
- Spring Quarter (15 credits)
Ultrasound Clinical V |
13 |
|
Ultrasound Registry Review Seminar |
2 |