Diagnostic Medical Sonography

The Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) program is designed for students who wish to explore the field of sonography, as well as those who have made a career decision to seek certification from the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS). Diagnostic medical sonographers are highly specialized members of the health care team who provide patient services using ultrasound under the direction of a physician. Sonographers provide care essential to diagnostic ultrasound imaging by operating equipment and performing examinations for medical diagnosis. Sonographers have an in-depth knowledge of physics, disease processes, physiology, cross-sectional anatomy, positioning and sonographic techniques necessary to create ultrasound images. Knowledge of darkroom techniques, equipment maintenance, record keeping, and film processing are also part of the job.

Careers in the field of diagnostic sonography can be found in hospitals, clinics, doctors' offices, and mobile imaging centers. Research, applications, teaching, and marketing may be available to sonographers who wish to explore careers in business or industry.

Educational information: Clinical affiliations include a cooperative effort with a number of area hospitals, clinics, and doctors' offices. Clinical training is required by the ARDMS prior to sitting for the registry examination. This program will prepare students for the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographer examinations in abdomen, obstetrics, and vascular technology.

Details

Field of Interest

Health Sciences

Degree Type

Certificate of Completion (CCL)

Academic Plan

Diagnostic Medical Sonography (CER)

Academic Plan Code

5656

Total credits required

77.5-88.5

Catalog Year

2025-2026

Effective Term

Fall 2025

Admission criteria

1. Formal application and admission to the program.
2. Background check requirements: Admission to an Allied Health program requires that students be in compliance with the Maricopa County Community College District Background Check Standards. Upon conditional program enrollment, the student must comply with all requirements of the MCCCD Background Check Policy and drug testing protocols.
3. Clinical health and safety requirements must be met. Upon conditional program enrollment, the student must comply with all requirements of the MCCCD Clinical Health and Safety Policy.
4. Inability to comply with background check requirements and/or clinical health and safety requirements at the start of classes may result in cancellation of enrollment.
5. There are limited spaces available in the DMS program. Only students who have completed all the general education and introductory courses noted above may have their name added to the queue of those waiting for an available space in a cohort.

Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

Students must complete the following general education and introductory courses with a 3.0 GPA to be added to the queue of those waiting for an available cohort space to begin the core curriculum. BIO160 or (BIO201 and BIO202); ENG101 or ENG107, MAT150 or MAT151 or MAT152 or MAT155 or MAT156; and (PHY101 or PHY111).

Due to the requirements of the program accrediting body, this course of study requires many hours of classroom and clinical time. Full-time day students must submit application materials and be accepted prior to registering for the courses in the core curriculum. The full-time program is 22 months in length.

What You'll Learn

Collect and interpret diagnostic information from the ultrasound exam.
Obtain, review, and record pertinent patient history and supporting clinical data to facilitate optimal diagnostic results.
Communicate effectively in a culturally responsive manner with patients and the healthcare team.
Exercise professional and ethical behavior in a medical setting.
Develop lifelong learning practices in sonography and healthcare.

Career Statistics

Successful completion of this certificate may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this certificate. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.

Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians

$58,140

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

$86,310

* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources. Sources

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.

Full-time

Full-time Sequence

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
BIO160 or BIO201	Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology or Human Anatomy and Physiology I	No requisites or Prerequisites: C or better in (BIO156, or BIO156XT, or BIO181, or BIO181XT, or 1 yr of high school biology) and (RDG100, or RDG100LL, or higher, or eligibility for CRE101). CHM130 or higher or one year of high school chemistry suggested but not required.	Students are required to take BIO160 or the sequence of BIO156 or BIO181, BIO201, & BIO202. One year of high school biology with a C or better is equivalent to BIO156 or BIO181. Students selecting BIO201 must complete BIO202	SQ or SG	4
ENG101 or ENG107	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Writing placement or (C/ better in ESL097 or WAC101) or (B/better in ALT100) or (C in ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (C/better in ESL202 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+). or Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C/better in ESL097 or WAC101),or (B/better in ALT100) or (C in ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (C/better in ESL202 and Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+).		FYC or FYC	3
MAT150 or MAT151 or MAT152 or MAT155 or MAT156	College Algebra/Functions or College Algebra/Functions or College Algebra/Functions or College Algebra/Functions with Review or College Algebra/Functions with Review	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT095, or MAT096, or MAT114, or MAT115, or MAT12+, OR an appropriate district placement for MAT15+, OR permission of Department or Division Chair. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT095, or MAT096, or MAT114, or MAT115, or MAT12+, OR an appropriate district placement for MAT15+, OR permission of Department or Division Chair. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT095, or MAT096, or MAT114, or MAT115, or MAT12+, OR an appropriate district placement for MAT15+, OR permission of Department or Division Chair. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (MAT055, MAT056, and MAT057), or MAT09+, or MAT114, or MAT115, or an appropriate district placement for MAT120 or MAT121 or MAT122, or permission of Department/Division Chair. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in each of the following: (MAT055, MAT056, and MAT057), OR MAT09+ or MAT114 or MAT115, OR an appropriate district placement for MAT120 or MAT121 or MAT122, OR permission of Department or Division Chair.		MA or MA or MA or MA or MA	3–6

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
BIO202	Human Anatomy and Physiology II	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in BIO201 or BIO201XT.	BIO202 should only be taken for students that completed BIO201. Students are required to take BIO160 or the sequence of BIO156 or BIO181, BIO201, & BIO202. One year of high school biology with a C or better is equivalent to BIO156 or BIO181.	SG	0–4
DMS110	Introduction to Diagnostic Sonography	Prerequisites: Admission to Diagnostic Medical Sonography program.	Critical course		3
DMS120	Ultrasound Imaging: Abdominal Procedures I	Prerequisites: Admission to Diagnostic Medical Sonography program.	Critical course Gateway course		3
DMS120LL	Ultrasound Imaging: Abdominal Procedures I Laboratory	Prerequisites or Corequisites: DMS120.	Critical course Gateway course		1
PHY101 or PHY111	Introduction to Physics or General Physics I	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT090, or higher level mathematics course, or eligibility for MAT120 or higher as indicated by appropriate placement. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT182 or MAT187 or MAT188 or MAT220 or MAT221 or eligibility for MAT220 as indicated by appropriate placement or 1 yr high school Trigonometry with a grade of C or better or permission of Department or Division.		SQ or SQ	4

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Credits
DMS/ICE220	Sectional Anatomy	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (BIO160 or BIO201) and (HCC145 or HCC146), or a graduate of a related medical program of study or currently registered as a technologist in radiography, nuclear medicine, radiation therapy or sonography.		3
DMS121	Ultrasound Imaging: Abdominal Procedures II	Prerequisites: Admission to Diagnostic Medical Sonography program.		3
DMS130	Ultrasound Imaging: OB/GYN Procedures	Prerequisites: Admission to Diagnostic Medical Sonography program.	Critical course Gateway course	3
DMS130LL	Ultrasound Imaging: OB/GYN Procedures Laboratory	Corequisites: DMS130 or permission of the Program Director.	Critical course Gateway course	1
DMS150	Sonographic Principles and Instrumentation I	Prerequisites: Admission to Diagnostic Medical Sonography program.	Critical course Gateway course	3
DMS150LL	Sonographic Principles and Instrumentation Laboratory	Prerequisites or Corequisites: DMS150.	Critical course Gateway course	1
DMS155	Introduction to Clinical Care for Sonography	Prerequisites: Admission to Diagnostic Medical Sonography program.		1

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Credits
DMS140	Ultrasound Case Studies: Part I	Prerequisites: Admission to Diagnostic Medical Sonography program.		2
DMS161	Clinical Practicum II-AA	Prerequisites: Admission to Diagnostic Medical Sonography program.		1
DMS162	Clinical Practicum II-AB	Prerequisites: Admission to Diagnostic Medical Sonography program.		2
DMS171	Clinical Practicum III-AA	Prerequisites: Admission to Diagnostic Medical Sonography program.		2
DMS172	Clinical Practicum III-AB	Prerequisites: Admission to Diagnostic Medical Sonography program.		2
DMS210	Concepts of Vascular Imaging	Prerequisites: Admission to Diagnostic Medical Sonography program.	Critical course Gateway course	3
DMS210LL	Concepts of Vascular Imaging Laboratory	Prerequisites or Corequisites: DMS210.	Critical course Gateway course	1
DMS261	Clinical Practicum IV-AA	Prerequisites: Admission to Diagnostic Medical Sonography program.		2
HCC218 or NUC120 or RAD206	Venous Access for Diagnostic Agents and Pharmaceuticals or Radiopharmaceutical/Pharmaceutical Administration for the Nuclear Medicine Technologist or Pharmacology and Venipuncture	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in HCC130, or work experience or equivalent course education as evaluated by the Health Core Curriculum Coordinator, or currently credentialed as a health care provider. or Prerequisites: Admission to Nuclear Medicine Technology program. or Prerequisites: Admission to the Medical Radiography Program.		0.5–1.5

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Credits
DMS225	High Risk Obstetric/Gynecology Sonography	Prerequisites: Admission to Diagnostic Medical Sonography program.		1
DMS235	Ultrasound Breast Imaging	Prerequisites: Admission to Diagnostic Medical Sonography program.	Optional: for students seeking a specialty area in sonography	0–1
DMS240	Ultrasound Case Studies: Part II	Prerequisites: Admission to Diagnostic Medical Sonography program.		2
DMS250	Musculoskeletal Sonography and Small Parts	Prerequisites: Admission to Diagnostic Medical Sonography program.	Optional: for students seeking a specialty area in sonography	0–2
DMS262	Clinical Practicum IV-AB	Prerequisites: Admission to Diagnostic Medical Sonography program.		2
DMS281	Ultrasound Registry Preparation Seminar: Physics and Instrumentation			1
DMS286	Advanced Vascular Technology	Prerequisites: Admission to Diagnostic Medical Sonography program.		3

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Credits
DMS241	Ultrasound Case Studies: Part III	Prerequisites: Admission to Diagnostic Medical Sonography program.	2
DMS263	Vascular Clinical Practicum I	Prerequisites: Admission to Diagnostic Medical Sonography program.	2
DMS270	Clinical Practicum V-AA	Prerequisites: Admission to Diagnostic Medical Sonography program.	2
DMS271	Clinical Practicum V-AB	Prerequisites: Admission to Diagnostic Medical Sonography program.	2
DMS272	Clinical Practicum V-AC	Prerequisites: Admission to Diagnostic Medical Sonography program.	2
DMS282	Ultrasound Registry Preparation Seminar: Abdominal and Small Parts Imaging		1
DMS283	Ultrasound Registry Preparation Seminar: Obstetrics and Gynecology		1
DMS284	Ultrasound Registry Preparation: Vascular Imaging		1

Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
DMS255	Abdominal Extended Sonography	Prerequisites: Admission to Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program, or Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS) credentialed and permission of Program Director.			3
DMS286LL	Advanced Vascular Technology Laboratory	Prerequisites or Corequisites: DMS286.			1

Course Area Key

Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.

Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.

FYC = First Year Composition
MA = Mathematics

SG = Natural Sciences General
SQ = Natural Sciences Quantitative

Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm11?id=16453939).

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.

Previous Catalog Years

The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.

Previous catalog years for Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Diagnostic Medical Sonography