The Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Diagnostic Medical Sonography 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
Important information you’ll need when applying for admission:| Course # | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Credits: | 0 | |
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.
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.
Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.
Due to the requirements of the program accrediting body, the course of study requires many hours of classroom and clinical time.
The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is open to all students who successfully complete the program prerequisites. Full-time day students must apply to the program and be accepted prior to registering for course offerings. The full-time program is 22 months in length.
Formal application to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program can be made upon successful completion of the following required courses with a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0: BIO160 or (BIO201 and BIO202), ENG101 or ENG107, MAT15+ or higher, PHY101 or PHY111.
| Course # | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Credits: | 70-77 | |
| BIO160 | Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology (4) OR | |
| BIO201 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I (4) AND | |
| BIO202 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II (4) | 4-8 |
| DMI/DMS/ICE220 | Sectional Anatomy | 3 |
| DMS110 | Introduction to Diagnostic Sonography | 3 |
| DMS120 | Ultrasound Imaging: Abdominal Procedures I | 4 |
| DMS120LL | Ultrasound Imaging: Abdominal Procedures I Laboratory | 1 |
| DMS130 | Ultrasound Imaging: OB/GYN Procedures | 3 |
| DMS130LL | Ultrasound Imaging: Pelvic Procedures Laboratory | 1 |
| DMS140 | Ultrasound Case Studies: Part I | 2 |
| DMS150 | Sonographic Principles and Instrumentation I | 3 |
| DMS150LL | Sonographic Principles and Instrumentation Laboratory | 1 |
| DMS155 | Introduction to Clinical Care for Sonography | 1 |
| DMS171 | Clinical Practicum III-AA | 2 |
| DMS172 | Clinical Practicum III-AB | 2 |
| DMS210 | Concepts of Vascular Imaging | 2 |
| DMS210LL | Concepts of Vascular Imaging Laboratory | 1 |
| DMS225 | High Risk Obstetric/Gynecology Sonography | 1 |
| DMS240 | Ultrasound Case Studies: Part II | 2 |
| DMS241 | Ultrasound Case Studies: Part III | 2 |
| DMS255 | Pediatric Sonography | 3 |
| DMS261 | Clinical Practicum IV-AA | 2 |
| DMS262 | Clinical Practicum IV-AB | 2 |
| DMS263 | Vascular Clinical Practicum I | 2 |
| DMS271 | Clinical Practicum V-AB | 2 |
| DMS270 | Clinical Practicum V-AA | 1 |
| DMS272 | Clinical Practicum V-AC | 2 |
| DMS281 | Ultrasound Registry Preparation Seminar: Physics and Instrumentation | 1 |
| 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 |
| DMS286 | Advanced Vascular Technology | 2 |
| DMS286LL | Advanced Vascular Technology Laboratory | 1 |
| ENG101 | First-Year Composition (3) OR | |
| ENG107 | First-Year Composition for ESL (3) | 3 |
| MAT150 | College Algebra/Functions (5) OR | |
| MAT151 | College Algebra/Functions (4) OR | |
| MAT152 | College Algebra/Functions (3) OR | |
| MAT156 | College Algebra/Functions with Review (6) | 3-6 |
| PHY101 | Introduction to Physics (4) OR | |
| PHY111 | General Physics I (4) | 4 |
| RES118 | Vascular Access for Clinical Practice | 1 |
| Course # | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Credits: | 0-3 | |
| Optional: Students seeking a specialty area in sonography may select zero (0) to three (3) credits from the courses below. | ||
| DMS235 | Ultrasound Breast Imaging | 1 |
| DMS250 | Musculoskeletal Sonography and Small Parts | 2 |
- Collect and interpret diagnostic information from the ultrasound exam. (BIO160, BIO201, BIO202, DMI/DMS/ICE220, ENG101, ENG107, MAT15+, PHY101, PHY111, DMS110, DMS120, DMS120LL, DMS130, DMS130LL, DMS140, DMS150, DMS150LL, DMS155, DMS171, DMS172, DMS210, DMS210LL, DMS225, DMS235, DMS240, DMS241, DMS250, DMS255, DMS261, DMS262, DMS263, DMS270, DMS271, DMS281, DMS282, DMS283, DMS284, DMS286, DMS286LL, RES118)
- Obtain, review, and record pertinent patient history and supporting clinical data to facilitate optimal diagnostic results. (BIO160, BIO201, BIO202, DMS110, DMS120, DMS120LL, DMS130, DMS130LL, DMS140, DMS155, DMS171, DMS172, DMS225, DMS235, DMS240, DMS241, DMS255, DMS261, DMS262, DMS263, DMS270, DMS271, DMS272, DMS281, DMS282, DMS283, DMS284, DMS286, DMS286LL, ENG101, ENG107, PHY101, PHY111, RES118)
- Communicate effectively in a culturally responsive manner with patients and the healthcare team. (DMS110, DMS120, DMS120LL, DMS130, DMS130LL, DMS140, DMS155, DMS171, DMS172, DMS225, DMS235, DMS240, DMS241, DMS250, DMS255, DMS261, DMS262, DMS263, DMS270, DMS271, DMS272, DMS281, DMS282, DMS283, DMS284, DMS286, DMS286LL, ENG101, ENG107, RES118)
- Exercise professional and ethical behavior in a medical setting. (DMS271, DMS110, DMS120, DMS120LL, DMS140, DMS155, DMS270, DMS282, DMS283, DMS284, ENG101, ENG107)
- Develop lifelong learning practices in sonography and healthcare. (BIO160, BIO201, BIO202, DMI/DMS/ICE220, DMS130, DMS130LL, DMS140, DMS171, DMS172, DMS225, DMS235, DMS240, DMS241, DMS250, DMS255, DMS261, DMS262, DMS263, DMS281, DMS282, DMS284, ENG101, ENG107, PHY101, PHY111)
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.