Diagnostic Medical Sonography

"To prepare competent entry-level general sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains."

Sonography students in lab

Area of Interest

Health Sciences

Related Programs

Echocardiography
Radiography
Vascular Sonography

Program Dean

Nicole Winkler

PVCC Academic Division

Health & Life Sciences

Faculty Contact

Elaine Nichols

Majors in a Minute Video
Enroll Now
Request Information

Program

Associate of Applied Science Degree

Credit Hours

72

Required Courses

  • SDV 100: Orientation - 1 credits
  • ENG 111: College Composition I - 3 credits
  • BIO 141: Anatomy and Physiology - 4 credits
  • MTH 131: Technical Math - 3 credits
  • ENG 112: College Composition II - 3 credits
  • BIO 142: Human Anatomy and Physiology II - 4 credits
  • PHY 100: Elements of Physics - 4 credits

1st Semester (Fall)

  • 1st Semester (Fall)
    DMS 206: Introduction to Sonography - 2 credits
  • 1st Semester (Fall)
    DMS 207: Sectional Anatomy - 2 credits
  • 1st Semester (Fall)
    DMS 208: Ultrasound Physics & Instrumentation I - 2 credits
  • 1st Semester (Fall)
    PHI 220: Ethics - 3 credits
  • 1st Semester (Fall)
    PSY 230: Developmental Psychology - 3 credits

2nd Semester (Spring)

  • 2nd Semester (Spring)
    DMS 209: Ultrasound Physics & Instrumentation II - 2 credits
  • 2nd Semester (Spring)
    DMS 211 - Abdominal Sonography - 4 credits
  • 2nd Semester (Spring)
    DMS 212 - Obstetrical & Gynecological Sonography - 3 credits
  • 2nd Semester (Spring)
    DMS 219: Ultrasound Physics & Instrumentation Lab - 1 credits
  • 2nd Semester (Spring)
    DMS 231: Clinical Education I - 3 credits

3rd Semester (Summer)

  • 3rd Semester (Summer)
    DMS 232: Clinical Education II - 4 credits
  • 3rd Semester (Summer)
    DMS 242: Advanced Obstetrical and Gynecological Sonography - 3 credits

4th Semester (Fall)

  • 4th Semester (Fall)
    DMS 241: Advanced Abdominal Sonography - 4 credits
  • 4th Semester (Fall)
    DMS 223: Intro to Vascular Ultrasound - 2 credits
  • 4th Semester (Fall)
    DMS 233: Clinical Education III - 5 credits

5th Semester (Spring)

  • 5th Semester (Spring)
    DMS 222: Sonography Registry Review - 2 credits
  • 5th Semester (Spring)
    DMS 234: Clinical Education IV - 6 credits

Transfer Information

Transfer courses are evaluated by the Program Director, any questions please reach out to Elaine Nichols, enichols@pvcc.edu.

Admissions Requirements

Application Deadlines

  • After applying to PVCC, students must ALSO Apply to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program. Completion of general education courses is the main criteria used to make admissions decisions. Application deadline is June 1, 2021 at 5pm.

    IMPORTANT: 
    The Program of Sonography at PVCC     will treat P+ as a C+ (2.5) grade when determining GPA/points for competitive admissions decisions.
            *Students are encouraged to ask for letter grades if planning to apply to the Sonography program at PVCC.
  • Please review the Information Booklet:

Information Sessions

Attendance is required at one of the sessions for any new student interested in pursuing an A.A.S. degree in diagnostic medical sonography beginning with the fall 2019 semester. Information sessions will cover class expectations, success tips, student materials and supplies and class registration. 

Information Sessions are currently being held via Zoom.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://vccs.zoom.us/j/96156106947

Meeting ID: 961 5610 6947
Passcode: 069074

One tap mobile
+13017158592,,96156106947# US (Germantown)
+13126266799,,96156106947# US (Chicago)

Upcoming Information Sessions:

  • October 6, 2020:  4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
  • November 10, 2020:  4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
  • December 1, 2020: 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.

Program Information

The two-year associate degree in sonography is designed to provide a quality entry-level education in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains through a competency-based clinical and didactic instructional curriculum in diagnostic sonography. Graduates of the program will be eligible to take the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography Boards for Abdomen and/or OB/GYN and physics or the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) sonography exam.

Program Outcomes: Program Outcomes as of August 28, 2020 [PDF]

Program Accreditation: CAAHEP via JRC DMS: https://www.caahep.org                             

Occupational objectives: Hospitals remain the primary employer of sonographers, but there are increasing numbers of jobs available in physician offices, outpatient surgery centers, and free-standing diagnostic imaging centers. The profession of diagnostic medical sonography includes general sonography (defined as abdomen, obstetric, gynecologic, superficial parts, and other appropriate areas), cardiac sonography, vascular technology, and various other subspecialties. Entry-level sonographers usually work in general and obstetric/gynecologic sonography. With further experience and training, they can move into the other specialties.

Graduation Requirement: Students entering the Diagnostic Medical Sonography degree program are required to take one Writing Intensive Course (WIC) in order to graduate. The writing intensive course for this program is DMS 222 which has a prerequisite of ENG 111 and ENG 112. Students who are awarded transfer credit for this course from another institution may fulfill the writing Writing Intensive Course (WIC) requirement for this degree program by completing another Writing Intensive Course (WIC).

OB Volunteers: If you are a pregnant individual who would like to volunteer for our student's learning experience, please contact Lisa Burrington at lburrington@pvcc.edu.