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Diagnostic Medical Sonography

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Associate Degree

A.S. in Diagnostic Medical Sonography

The CRC Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) Program includes didactic, laboratory, and practicum components that are structured to facilitate the achievement of educational and career goals. According to the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS), sonographers are “highly-skilled professionals who use specialized equipment to create images of structures inside the human body that are used by physicians to make medical diagnoses". Sonographers have extensive, direct patient contact that may include performing some invasive procedures. They must be able to interact compassionately and effectively with people who range from healthy to critically ill.



Organizations such as the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) certify the competency of sonographers through registration.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2024

Degree Requirements

Course Code Course Title Units
1st Summer Semester:
SONOG 200 Introduction to Sonography 3
SONOG 202 Sectional Anatomy for Medical Imaging 3
1st Fall Semester:
SONOG 205 Ultrasound Physics & Instrumentation 3
SONOG 210 Abdominal Scanning and Pathology 4
SONOG 240 Superficial & Small Parts Scanning 3
1st Spring Semester:
SONOG 215 Clinical Experience I 7
SONOG 220 OB/GYN Scanning & Pathology 4
2nd Summer Semester:
SONOG 225 Clinical Experience II 7
SONOG 228 Advanced OB/GYN Pathology 2
2nd Fall Semester:
SONOG 230 Vascular Scanning 4
SONOG 235 Clinical Experience III 9
2nd Spring Semester:
SONOG 250 Sonography Interpretation & ARDMS/ARRT Exam Review 2
SONOG 255 Clinical Experience IV 9
Total Units: 60

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Associate in Science (A.S.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, plus general education requirements, plus sufficient electives to meet a 60-unit total. See CRC graduation requirements.

Enrollment Eligibility

To be eligible for enrollment in the program, the student must meet the following criteria:

  • Associate in Science degree, or higher, from a U.S. accredited college;
  • 400 hours work/voluntary experience hours with a minimum of 200 hours of paid or volunteer patient care experience and a minimum of 200 hours in positions where evidence of empathy, service, ethics, responsibility, appropriate interaction with clients/patients are demonstrated.
  • Complete the application process for enrollment in the DMS program;
  • Fulfill all requirements set forth by the CRC Allied Health Practicum Guidelines including but not limited to: background clearance, physical examination, CPR Certification, immunization clearance and drug screening;
  • Successfully complete with a B or better all prerequisite courses as outlined below.
  • College-level Intermediate Algebra (or higher math course)
  • Interpersonal Communications (or equivalent communications/speech course such as: COMM 321 Interpersonal Communications, COMM 301 Intro to Public Speaking, COMM 325 Intercultural Communication, COMM 331 Group Discussion, COMM 361 The Communication Experience)
  • Anatomy & Physiology (one year with lab)
  • Medical Language
  • Human Disease or Pathophysiology
  • Conceptual Physics
  • The program prerequisites do not apply to physicians who have an approved foreign transcript evaluation.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • Perform entry-level skills of a diagnostic sonographer in a clinical setting (PSLO #1)
  • Demonstrate attainment of knowledge needed for successful completion of the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) certification examination (PSLO #2)
  • Acknowledge and adhere to the scope of practice of a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (PSLO #3)

Career Information

Career Opportunities: According to the ARDMS, Sonography is a dynamic profession that has grown significantly over the past 25 years. With rapidly developing new technologies and increased use of diagnostic ultrasound procedures, growth is projected to continue in the future with employment opportunities for qualified sonographers in both urban and rural areas nationwide. Sonographers and vascular technologists can choose to work in clinics, hospitals, private-practice physician offices, public-health facilities, laboratories, and other medical settings performing examinations in their areas of specialization. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Website, almost two-thirds of all sonographers are employed by hospitals. The rest work in physicians’ offices, medical and diagnostic laboratories/imaging centers and outpatient care centers. Employment of diagnostic medical sonographers is expected to increase by 29.4 percent, or 1,500 jobs between 2014 and 2024. As ultrasound technology evolves, it will become a more common method used to assist in diagnosing medical conditions, favored over more invasive procedures.

Certificate of Achievement

Diagnostic Medical Sonography Certificate

The CRC Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) Program includes didactic, laboratory, and practicum components that are structured to facilitate the achievement of educational and career goals. According to the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS), sonographers are “highly-skilled professionals who use specialized equipment to create images of structures inside the human body that are used by physicians to make medical diagnoses." Sonographers have extensive, direct patient contact that may include performing some invasive procedures. They must be able to interact compassionately and effectively with people who range from healthy to critically ill.



Students must achieve a "C" or better in all SONOG didactic courses and a "Pass" in all practicum courses to remain in, and progress through, the DMS program. Students who do not achieve these minimum expectations will be dismissed from the program.



Organizations such as the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) certify the competency of sonographers through registration.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2024

Certificate Requirements

Course Code Course Title Units
SONOG 200 Introduction to Sonography 3
SONOG 202 Sectional Anatomy for Medical Imaging 3
SONOG 205 Ultrasound Physics & Instrumentation 3
SONOG 210 Abdominal Scanning and Pathology 4
SONOG 240 Superficial & Small Parts Scanning 3
SONOG 215 Clinical Experience I 7
SONOG 220 OB/GYN Scanning & Pathology 4
SONOG 225 Clinical Experience II 7
SONOG 228 Advanced OB/GYN Pathology 2
SONOG 230 Vascular Scanning 4
SONOG 235 Clinical Experience III 9
SONOG 250 Sonography Interpretation & ARDMS/ARRT Exam Review 2
SONOG 255 Clinical Experience IV 9
Total Units: 60

Enrollment Eligibility

To be eligible for enrollment in the program, the student must meet the following criteria:

  • Associate in Science degree, or higher, from a U.S. accredited college;
  • a minimum of 800 hours of paid or volunteer patient care experience; hours must be documented within an official volunteer program where they report to a licensed/credentialed health care provider; home health care for a single patient is not acceptable. Applicants will need to document their 800 hours either volunteer, student extern/intern hours, or work hours in direct patient care;
  • Complete the application process for enrollment in the DMS program;
  • Fulfill all requirements set forth by the CRC Allied Health Practicum Guidelines including but not limited to: background clearance, physical examination, CPR Certification, immunization clearance and drug screening;
  • Successfully complete with a B or better all pre-requisite courses as outlined below within the last five (5) years:
  • College-level Intermediate Algebra (or higher math course)
  • Interpersonal Communications (or equivalent communications/speech course)
  • Anatomy & Physiology (one year with lab)
  • Medical Language
  • Human Disease or Pathophysiology
  • Conceptual Physics
  • The program prerequisites do not apply to physicians who have an approved foreign transcript evaluation.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • Perform entry-level skills of a diagnostic sonographer in a clinical setting (PSLO #1);
  • Successfully complete the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) certification examination (PSLO #2);
  • Acknowledge and adhere to the scope of practice of a diagnostic medical sonographer (PSLO #3).

Career Information

Career Opportunities: According to the ARDMS, Sonography is a dynamic profession that has grown significantly over the past 25 years. With rapidly developing new technologies and increased use of diagnostic ultrasound procedures, growth is projected to continue in the future with employment opportunities for qualified sonographers in both urban and rural areas nationwide. Sonographers and vascular technologists can choose to work in clinics, hospitals, private-practice physician offices, public-health facilities, laboratories, and other medical settings performing examinations in their areas of specialization. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Website, almost two-thirds of all sonographers are employed by hospitals. The rest work in physicians’ offices, medical and diagnostic laboratories/imaging centers and outpatient care centers. Employment of diagnostic medical sonographers is expected to increase by 29.4 percent, or 1,500 jobs between 2014 and 2024. As ultrasound technology evolves, it will become a more common method used to assist in diagnosing medical conditions, favored over more invasive procedures.