Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Program Details

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program is designed to prepare competent entry-level Abdominal-Extended and Obstetrics and Gynecology sonographers, Vascular sonographers, or Adult Cardiac sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains. Students are provided didactic and laboratory instruction as well as clinical site experiences through rotations at participating hospitals and medical affiliates.

This curriculum is designed to prepare students for a career as a health science professional who produces diagnostic images of the human body using special equipment to direct high frequency sound waves into different anatomic structures in a patient's body. The sonographer is a central member of the healthcare team and assists the radiologist in gathering diagnostic data for interpretation. NOVA's program emphasizes didactic and 'hands-on' practice of sonographic techniques in a well-equipped scanning laboratory at the Medical Education Campus in Springfield, Virginia. Clinical experience is acquired at numerous area hospitals and private medical affiliates.

Students select their specific DMS domain (Abdominal-Extended and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vascular, Adult Cardiac) and upon successful completion of the degree requirements, the program graduates are eligible for professional certification by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) in the following areas: Abdominal-Extended and Obstetrics and Gynecology (RDMS), cardiac (RDCS), and vascular (RVT).

Information Session

Please note that the information presented in the DMS video is only valid for the 2022 application.

Program Accreditation

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Abdominal-Extended Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS).

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Obstetrics and Gynecology Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS).

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Adult Cardiac Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS).

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Vascular Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS).

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
9355 - 113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
727-210-2350
www.caahep.org

It is highly advised that prospective DMS students take the full 15-week semesters of BIO 141 and BIO 142 for their prerequisite courses. Students who have taken the 8- or 10-week sessions have demonstrated a high degree of difficulty with DMS 207 and DMS 217. Diagnostic Medical Sonography requires a superior level of working knowledge in the field of cross-sectional anatomy. The preparation for the sectional anatomy classes, DMS 207 and DMS 217, directly impacts student success in the DMS program. The DMS program requires that students must have a 79.5% or higher in all DMS classes to progress to the next semester.

DMS Prospective Student Workshops

All interested students are welcome.
Must attend at least 1 workshop within 12 months of application date
To register and receive the Zoom link, send an email to NOVASONO@nvcc.edu with your name, email, student ID (if you have one), and the date of the Workshop you want to attend.

Available Workshops:

Tuesday, March 7, 2023
5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Room 154 at MEC with Zoom option
Tuesday, May 2, 2023
5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Room 154 at MEC with Zoom option

2023 Applicants: The May 2, 2023 workshop is the last workshop you may attend to apply for 2023 admission.

2024 Applicants: Application information for 2024 will be updated in the summer.

Application Period: May 1 to May 15
Admission Policy: Competitive
Program Size: Abdominal-Extended & OB/Gyn 14, Adult Cardiac 8, and Vascular 6
Program Length: 4 full-time semesters
Program Starts: Every August
Admission Notifications: Admission decisions announced by June 15

How to Be Eligible to Apply in 2023

Attend mandatory DMS Prospective Student Workshop
Have minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA
Complete or transfer SDV 101 Orientation to Healthcare or SDV 100; must have B or better grade (Note: SDV is fulfilled for students who have graduated with an associate, baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited United States institution of higher education; must complete transcript evaluation to receive general education waiver)
Complete or transfer ENG 111 or higher; must have B or better grade
Complete or transfer BIO 141; must have B or better grade and be within 5 years
(Note: BIO 141 registration requires one of the following options: (1) completion of BIO 101 with a C or better, or (2) completion of NAS 2 Foundations of Life Sciences, or (3) a score of 75% or higher on a placement exam.)
Complete or transfer BIO 142; must have B or better grade and be within 5 years
Complete or transfer PHY 100, PHY 101, PHY 201 or PHY 202; must have B or better grade and be within 5 years
Complete or transfer MTH 154 or higher; must have B or better grade
Complete English, Reading, Math & Science sections of TEAS; minimum score of 50
Sonography Brochure
Sonography Cost Sheet
Grade Equivalents for CLEP, IB and AP Credit

Competitive Admission Criteria:

Final grades in BIO 141, BIO 142, MTH 154, and PHY 100
Highest scores of all attempts on TEAS
Meeting the minimum application requirements does not guarantee acceptance

Applications with B- or C grades in the prerequisites, and applications with pending grades or pending transfer credit after the deadline will not be considered.

Preparing to take TEAS? Enroll in the MEC TEAS Prep Canvas Site

Transfer Opportunities

Transfer is not the primary purpose of an A.A.S. program, but NOVA has articulation agreements that facilitate the transfer of this and other career-oriented programs to selected senior institutions. Students interested in transfer should contact a counselor or their academic advisor early in their program.

Credit for Prior Learning

Northern Virginia Community College accepts industry-standard certifications, credentials and/or professional courses for credit. Broadly, licenses, credentials and/or certifications must be current and valid for consideration. For more information regarding the status of the certification and its eligibility for credit, please see an advisor or faculty members in the discipline area that awards CPL credit.

The most current information can be found here for CPL: Certifications and Credentials.

Program Degrees and Certificates

Diagnostic Medical Sonography: Abdominal Sonography-Extended and Obstetrics and Gynecology Sonography Specialization, A.A.S.
Diagnostic Medical Sonography: Echocardiography Specialization, A.A.S.
Diagnostic Medical Sonography: Vascular Sonography Specialization, A.A.S.

Career Prospects

A career in Diagnostic Medical Sonography offers the individual a rewarding professional career as well as a competitive salary.

Please refer to these sources for additional information:

Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography: SDMS.org/resources/careers
American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine: Careers.aium.org
Society of Vascular Ultrasound Career Center: svu.org
American Society of Echocardiography: asecho.org

Get Started

Want to get started with this program? Speak with an adviser to start shaping your educational journey at NOVA.

Contact an Advisor

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