Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Please read below for an important message about the 2023-2024 academic year
Important DMS Program Update
Thank you for your interest in Tacoma Community College's DMS program. While the restructuring of the Imaging Sciences Department is occurring, we will not be admitting students to the DMS program. Once the restructuring is complete, we will notify all prospective students with additional information and program details. We anticipate having additional information during the 2023-24 academic year.
If you would like to be notified of updates as they become available, please use this link to add your contact information to the distribution list: DMS Update Request Link. Please add DMS@tacomacc.edu to your ‘safe senders’ to ensure you don’t miss any important updates.
About
Sonographers are highly skilled professionals who use imaging equipment that non-invasively emits sound waves directed towards internal organs, blood vessels, tissues and other structures. They can work in hospitals, clinics, or private practices and help physicians gather data needed to reach diagnostic decisions.
Program graduates are prepared to do general sonography. With additional training, graduates can perform cardiac sonography, vascular technology, and other sub-specialties.
Program Description
This full-time (21 months long) program leads to an Associate of Applied Sciences degree with a specialization in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS). Training includes classroom and laboratory instruction, as well as clinical education in an affiliated ultrasound department. See the full program schedule.
Successful graduates are eligible to take certifying exams of the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in specialty areas of Abdomen and Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Explore Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Stories from the DMS Program
Our DMS Graduates Succeed!
Program Outcomes
| Year | Attrition | Graduate Credential Pass Rate (OB/GYN) | Graduate Credential Pass Rate (Abdomen) | Graduate Job Placement (within 6 months) |
| 2017 | 16% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| 2018 | 6% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| 2019 | 17% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| 2020 | 11% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| 2021 | 5% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
Accreditation
This program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) on recommendation by the Joint Review Committee on Education Programs in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS). The program at Tacoma Community College is accredited in the general concentration.
CAAHEP – 9355 - 113th St. N, #7709, Seminole, FL 33775; telephone 727-210-2350, fax 727-210-2354, www.caahep.org.
JRC-DMS – 6021 University Boulevard, Suite 500, Ellicott City, MD 21043, 443-973-3251, www.jrcdms.org.
Licensing Information
In accordance with U.S. Department of Education Regulation 34 CFR 668.43 (a) (5) (v), educational institutions must provide information related to whether their programs will fulfill educational requirements for specific professional licensure or certification and to inform prospective students whether their degree upon graduation will qualify them to work in the state where they are located. Students who complete the TCC DMS program, and successfully pass the credential exam will meet minimum requirements for practice in every state.
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Resources
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