The associate of science in diagnostic medical sonography

Degree Type

• Associate of Applied Science (AAS)

Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Prepare for a dynamic and rewarding career in the rapidly growing field of diagnostic medical sonography. Sonographers use highly sophisticated ultrasound technology to create detailed internal images of the body, which physicians can then use to diagnose and monitor diseases. Sonographers require patience, physical stamina, technical competency, and excellent communication skills.

• 66 credits
• Prepare to sit for the national certification exam
• Learn from experienced professionals

The Curriculum

Besides science classes to help you learn about the human body, you'll learn how to expertly employ and interpret sonographic imaging, follow regulations, and effectively communicate with patients. Several clinical internships are a core part of Monroe’s program. 

I feel very prepared for a high-demand industry. 

Amanfo Ankomah, RVS

AAS Diagnostic Medical Sonography, 2019

Featured Course

Vascular Imaging I

An introduction to the field of vascular sonography. You'll perform venous examinations of the lower extremity, arterial studies of the neck, and some Doppler studies within the abdomen.

Admissions Requirements

• Minimum of a 2.75 GPA
• Fill out the required application
• Take the Math Accuplacer Exam (score of 250 on Part I and II of the Accuplacer is necessary to move forward with the admmision/readmission process)
• Interview with DMS Faculty or Staff Member
• Any Science (SC) classes already passed will only be accepted for credit if the grades are a minimum of C and taken within the last 3 years
• No Clinical classes passed at other institutions will be accepted for transfer credit.

Professional Opportunities

Clinicals

To ensure that you've got the skills and confidence you need to become an expert in your field, you'll do three day-time clinical internships as part of the program. These internships are typically in hospitals or health care settings such as physicians' offices or diagnostic laboratories. Get hands-on experience plus the chance to connect with practitioners in your field.

Clubs and Organizations

• Alpha Eta - The national honor society for allied health professionals
• National Healthcare Association (NHA)
• Allied Health Club of Monroe College

Your Future Career as a DMS

Diagnostic Medical Sonography is one of the fastest growing occupations in the health field. Your responsibilities will vary depending on the area on which you focus. You will participate in course work in areas such as: abdominal, vascular, echo, obstetric and gynecologic sonography. 

Featured Faculty

Estelita Menor

Professor, School of Allied Health Professions

Professor Menor brings her experience as a sonographer in the hospital, multiple clinics and imaging centers to the classroom daily.

Monroe College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (1007 North Orange Street, 4th Floor, MB #166  Wilmington, DE 19801 / 267-284-5011).  The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. All of our academic programs fall under this accreditation. Many of our programs also hold programmatic accreditation. We are in the process of seeking programmatic accreditation for the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP.)

Factsheet

Each participant must possess a high school diploma or GED and can read and write English. Students entering the program must first pass the Scholastic Level Exam with a minimum score of 21. Participants must have good vision, coordination, health, be neat, and be professional. Applicants must complete a criminal background check. Students who have criminal histories must have already completed the Declaratory Order of Eligibility (DOE) for licensure through the ARDMS and ARRT and provide a copy of the eligibility letter prior to acceptance into the program. The college uses an applicant ranking system to select the most qualified candidates for program openings. Please see the DMS Admissions Selection process below

Semester ISemester IISemester IIISemester IVSemester VSemester VI

College Algebra

MATH 1314

The students will identify and operate with absolute value equations and inequalities, will acquire graphing skills, inverse functions, logarithmic and exponential functions, polynomial and rational functions, piece-wise defined functions, theory of equations and matrices. Prerequisite: None

English Composition

ENGL 101

This is a course in the principles of effective writing. The course is designed to develop the student's ability to write effective sentences, paragraphs and themes; and to develop the ability to read with understanding of rhetorical forms and devices with critical awareness. Prerequisite: None

Medical Terminology

HPRS 101

This course is an introduction to medical terminology and covers terminology associated with the structure of the body, the integumentary, muscular and skeletal systems, the lymphatic, immune, and cardiovascular systems, the urinary, respiratory, digestive, and nervous systems, the eyes and ears, the reproductive and endocrine systems, diagnostic and imaging procedures, and pharmacology. Prerequisite: None

In this course, the student will gain a general understanding of physics. Topics that will be introduced in this course are related to mechanics, thermal physics, light and optics, to conclude with a review of modern physics. Prerequisite: College Algebra

Anatomy & Physiology

APS 101

This course provides students with the fundamental knowledge of human anatomy and physiology. Topics include structure and function of cells, tissues, organs and systems. Systems being studied in this course include the skeletal and muscular systems, integumentary system, nervous system, endocrine system, lymphatic system, respiratory system, digestive system, urinary system, reproductive system, and cardiovascular system. Prerequisite: None

Law and Ethics in Allied Health

LES 100

This course is a detailed study of law and ethics and how the legal system affects the medical professional. Students will discuss current issues and concepts to help prepare for many common ethical issues related to the allied health field. Prerequisite: None

Patient Care and Professionalism

DBS 201

This course will introduce the students to the foundation and origins of Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound. The student will receive an orientation to sonography learning dynamics, testing, and educational curricula. The students will learn patient-sonographer interaction as well as work place behaviors including: communication skills, problem solving, ethics, and professionalism. This course will also teach students about goal-setting, conflict management, building resumes, and interview techniques. Prerequisite: None

Introduction to Sonography

DBS 202

This course will focus on sonographer responsibilities before and after examinations, including general patient care. There will be emphasis on image orientation, patient positioning, and transducer selection. The student will learn techniques to prevent musculoskeletal injury and technical interpretation skills correlating sonography terminology. This course includes orientation to equipment, cross sectional anatomy, sectional planes and directional terminology and some abdominal scanning in the lab. Prerequisite: MATH 1314, ENG 101, HPRS 101, PHYS 100, APS 101

Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentations

DBS 209

This course provides fundamental knowledge of theory based acoustic physics, ultrasound principles, and instrumentation. Students The students will learn how diagnostic ultrasound works and optimize image acquisition. Students will learn to recognize and compensate for acoustical artifacts. Understand acoustic energy and bio effects while applying the ALARA principle. Students will be able to apply basic concepts of acoustic physics including sound production and propagation, interaction of sound and matter, Doppler physics and principles, various Doppler methods, operator control options, methods of recording, as well as emerging technologies. This course will also teach students about patient privacy and confidentiality, professional conduct and ethics, as well as Quality control procedures. Prerequisite: MATH 1314, ENG 101, HPRS 101, PHYS 100, APS 101

Ultrasound Physics Prep

DBS 390

This course provides students with a review of the fundamental concepts learned in Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation to prepare students for the physics registry exam. Prerequisite: MATH 1314, ENG 101, HPRS 101, PHYS 100, APS 101, DBS 290

Abdominal Sonography

DMS 340

This course will provide student with knowledge of abdominal anatomy and physiology. Students will learn the normal and abnormal sonographic appearance of abdominal structures. This course will provide the students with knowledge of abdominal pathology and include disease processes while identifying common and major pathologies of the abdomen. The students will also learn to correlate patient history, lab values, along with other imaging modalities. Students will learn proper scanning techniques of the abdomen to include patient preparation, positioning, and transducer selection. At the conclusion of this course the student will be prepared to complete a full abdominal sonogram. Prerequisite: MATH 1314, ENG 101, HPRS 101, PHYS 100, APS 101, LES 100, DBS 201, DBS 202, DBS 290

Gynecological Sonography

DMS 350

This course will provide student with knowledge of the anatomy and physiology female reproductive system. Students will learn the normal and abnormal sonographic appearance of the female pelvis. This course will provide the students with knowledge of pathology and include disease processes while identifying common and major pathologies of the female reproductive system. The students will also learn to correlate patient history, lab values, along with other imaging modalities. Students will learn proper scanning techniques of the pelvis to include patient preparation, positioning, and transducer selection. At the conclusion of this course the student will be prepared to complete a full trans-abdominal pelvic sonogram. Prerequisite: MATH 1314, ENG 101, HPRS 101, PHYS 100, APS 101, LES 100, DBS 201, DBS 202, DBS 290

Abdominal Vascular Sonography

DMS 360

This course will focus on the anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the vascular system within the abdominal cavity. The students will learn how to perform duplex exams of the aorta, inferior vena cava, iliac, hepatic, and portal veins. Students will learn to evaluate and correlate patient history, laboratory data, sonographic images, and other imaging modalities. Prerequisite: MATH 1314, ENG 101, HPRS 101, PHYS 100, APS 101, LES 100, DBS 201, DBS 202, DBS 290

Small Parts Sonography

DMS 470

This course is a detailed study of small parts including: Thyroid, Parathyroid, Breast, Scrotum, Prostate Gland, and other superficial structures. Students will learn the superficial anatomy and physiology, the use of interventional procedures, and optimization of technical parameter to maximize image quality in relation to the various small parts. This course will provide the students with knowledge of pathology and include disease processes while identifying common and major pathologies of the various superficial structures. At the conclusion of this course the student will be prepared to perform a thyroid sonogram. Prerequisite: MATH 1314, ENG 101, HPRS 101, PHYS 100, APS 101 LES 100, DBS 201, DBS 202, DBS 290, DBS 390, DMS 340, DMS 350, DMS 360

Obstetrical Sonography

DMS 480

This course is a detailed evaluation of the gravid pelvis including normal and abnormal fetal development in the first, second, and third trimesters. This course will provide students will knowledge of fetal anomalies, genetic disorders, and other disease processes that occur during pregnancy. The students will also learn to correlate patient history, lab values, along with other imaging modalities. Students will learn proper scanning techniques of the pelvis to include patient preparation, positioning, and transducer selection. This course will introduce students to the role of ultrasound in infertility, intervention, fetal testing, and 3D/4D. At the conclusion of this course student will be prepared to recognize, identify, and appropriately document sonographic appearances of obstetric abnormalities, disease, pathology, and pathophysiology. In addition, students will be prepared to perform a sonogram determining gestation age and viability. Prerequisite: MATH 1314, ENG 101, HPRS 101, PHYS 100, APS 101, LES 100, DBS 201, DBS 202, DBS 290, DBS 390, DMS 340, DMS 350, DMS 360

Clinical Practicum I

DMSC 1

This course is a supervised off-campus experience allowing the student practice in the multidisciplinary areas of diagnostic medical sonography that occurs in hospitals, clinics, and private offices. Students will be introduced to equipment operation, multiple sonographic examinations, and related clinical correlation. Prerequisite: MATH 1314, ENG 101, HPRS 101, PHYS 100, APS 101, LES 100, DBS 201, DBS 202, DBS 290, DBS 390, DMS 340, DMS 350, DMS 360

Introduction to Vascular Sonography

DBS 560

This course is an introduction to non-invasive vascular technology. Students will learn the anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the extra cranial vessels as well as the peripheral arterial and veins in the upper and lower extremities. Students will learn to perform duplex exams of the extra cranial vessels and the lower extremities. Prerequisite: MATH 1314, ENG 101, HPRS 101, PHYS 100, APS 101, LES 100, DBS 201, DBS 202, DBS 290, DBS 390, DMS 340, DMS 350, DMS 360, DMS 470, DMS 480, DMSC 1

Clinical Practicum II

DMSC 2

This course is a supervised off-campus experience allowing the student practice in the multidisciplinary areas of diagnostic medical sonography that occurs in hospitals, clinics, and private offices. Students will be introduced to equipment operation, multiple sonographic examinations, and related clinical correlation. Prerequisite: MATH 1314, ENG 101, HPRS 101, PHYS 100, APS 101, LES 100, DBS 201, DBS 202, DBS 290, DBS 390, DMS 340, DMS 350, DMS 360, DMS 470, DMS 480, DMSC 1

Introduction to Psychology

PSYT 101

This course covers the interrelationship between biology and human behavior. Included in the course are theories involved in sensation and perception, consciousness, learning, memory, thought language, mental abilities, motivation and emotion, effects of stress, personality traits, social psychology, and psychological disorders and their treatments. Prerequisite: None

Ultrasound Review and Exam Prep

DMS 600

This course provides students with a review of the ultrasound courses learned in Abdomen, Gynecology, Obstetrics, and Small Parts to prepare them for DMS registry examinations. Students will be participating in mock registry examinations including: Abdomen, Gynecology, Obstetrics, Small Parts and Ultrasound Physics. Prerequisite: MATH 1314, ENG 101, HPRS 101, PHYS 100, APS 101, LES 100, DBS 201, DBS 202, DBS 290, DBS 390, DMS 340, DMS 350, DMS 360, DMS 470, DMS 480, DMSC 1, DBS 560, DMSC 2

Clinical Practicum III

DMSC 3

This course is a supervised off-campus experience allowing the student practice in the multidisciplinary areas of diagnostic medical sonography to develop the optimal skills necessary to become competent in performing sonographic examinations. All procedures covered in the curriculum will be evaluated for competency during this last clinical course. Prerequisite: MATH 1314, ENG 101, HPRS 101, PHYS 100, APS 101, LES 100, DBS 201, DBS 202, DBS 290, DBS 390, DMS 340, DMS 350, DMS 360, DMS 470, DMS 480, DMSC 1, DBS 560, DMSC 2

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