Play a Key Role on Healthcare Teams with Nova’s Sonography Program
Perform sonography or ultrasonography and generate images for the assessment and diagnosis of medical conditions with NOVA’s sonography program. Choose from three specializations.
AVAILABLE PROGRAMS
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Associate Degree: Abdominal Sonography-Extended and Obstetrics and Gynecology Sonography Specialization
Learn how to perform ultrasounds of the abdomen and small parts as well as obstetric and gynecologic sonography in NOVA’s Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Diagnostic Medical Sonography with an abdominal sonography-extended and obstetrics and gynecology sonography specialization. You will gain the knowledge, skills and abilities to produce diagnostic images of the human body using specialized equipment that directs high-frequency sound waves into a patient’s body. You will be an integral member of the healthcare team, assisting radiologists in gathering diagnostic data for interpretation. This program emphasizes didactic and hands-on practice of sonographic techniques. You’ll learn in a well-equipped scanning laboratory at the Medical Education Campus in Springfield, Virginia. You will also gain clinical experience at area hospitals and private medical facilities. After successfully completing your degree, you’ll be eligible to apply to take the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) examination that leads to the Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS®) credential.
- Length
- Two Years
- Credits
- 72
- Locations
- Medical Education
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Associate Degree: Echocardiography Specialization
NOVA’s Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Diagnostic Medical Sonography with an echocardiography specialization prepares you to be a competent entry-level adult cardiac sonographer. You’ll gain the knowledge, skills and abilities you need to produce diagnostic images of the heart structures and motion to diagnose cardiovascular changes. As an echocardiographer, you’ll use special equipment to direct high-frequency sound waves into a patient’s body. You’ll serve as a key member of healthcare teams and assist radiologists in body image interpretation. After successfully completing NOVA’s associate degree program, you’ll be eligible to apply to take the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography examinations that lead to credentials as a Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS®).
- Length
- Two Years
- Credits
- 68
- Locations
- Medical Education
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Associate Degree: Vascular Sonography Specialization
NOVA’s Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Diagnostic Medical Sonography with a vascular sonography specialization gives you the knowledge, skills and abilities to become a competent entry-level vascular technologist. The curriculum is designed to prepare you to produce diagnostic images of the blood and blood flow. As a vascular sonographer, you’ll use special equipment to direct high-frequency sound waves into a patient's body. You’ll serve as a central member of the healthcare team and assist the radiologist in body image interpretation. After completing the program, you'll be eligible to apply to take the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography examinations that lead to credentials as a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS®), Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS®) and Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT®).
- Length
- Two Years
- Credits
- 68
- Locations
- Medical Education
Why Study Diagnostic Medical Sonography at NOVA?
Qualified Diagnostic Medical Sonography Faculty
You’ll learn from qualified and experienced NOVA faculty who have the knowledge, skills and expertise to prepare you for certification exams and for success in your sonography career.
Relevant Diagnostic Medical Sonography Courses
You’ll take courses that prepare you to produce diagnostic images to aid in diagnosis of various medical conditions. NOVA’s program curriculum is comprehensive, hands-on — and accredited.
Affordable Diagnostic Medical Sonography Programs
You’ll receive a budget-friendly diagnostic medical sonography education. You may be eligible for NOVA scholarships to offset the cost of your sonography associate degree.
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).
The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program requires a separate application process after applying to the college and admits a limited number of students once per year. Students are eligible to apply during the open application period after meeting all requirements.
Interested students should review the online information session and refer to the Application Checklist for the list of requirements.
- Application Period: May 1 to May 15
- Admission Policy: Competitive
- Program Size: 14 Abd-Ext./OB & Gyn, 8 Echocardiography, & 6 Vascular
- Program Length: Approximately 16 months
- Program Starts: Every August
- Admission decisions are announced by June 15
- Mandatory Accepted Student Orientation is held the second week of July.
2024 Prospective Applicants
Changes have been made to the DMS application requirements for the 2024 application cycle. Attending a previous DMS Prospective Student Workshop will not waive the DMS 100 requirement. Students planning to apply for the 2024 application cycle should refer to the 2024 Application Checklist.
DMS Curriculums
Students accepted to the DMS program for 2023 should refer to the 2023-2024 DMS curriculum and will follow the 2023-2024 NOVA College Catalog (links available above).
Students applying to the DMS program for 2024 should refer to the 2024-2025 DMS curriculum. Accepted students will follow the 2024-2025 NOVA College Catalog that will become available in summer 2024.
Application Requirements and Information
Meeting the minimum application requirements does not guarantee acceptance. Applications with B minus, C, or P+ grades in the prerequisites, and applications with pending grades or transfer credit after the deadline will not be accepted.
Changes have been made to the DMS application requirements for the 2024 application cycle. Attending a previous DMS Prospective Student Workshop will not waive the DMS 100 requirement.
- DMS 100 Orientation to the Sonography Profession has replaced the DMS Prospective Student Workshop
- MTH 161 Precalculus I has replaced MTH 154
- A minimum score of 70 per section is required on TEAS
- All other requirements remain the same
Documents & Resources
- DMS 2024 Application Checklist [PDF]
- Notice of DMS 2024 Application Changes [PDF]
- DMS Information Session [Video]
- DMS Info Session - Slides [PDF]
- DMS Cost Sheet [PDF]
- DMS Brochure [PDF]
- DMS Program Effectiveness Data [PDF]
- TEAS Test Information
- Grade Equivalents for CLEP, IB and AP Credit [PDF]
- How to Request External Transcript Evaluation
- Health Sciences and Nursing Application
- Medical Frequently Asked Questions
- DMS Clinical Affiliate Resources [PDF]
Accreditations
Northern Virginia Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees in diagnostic medical sonography.
NOVA's Diagnostic Medical Sonography Abdominal-Extended Program, Diagnostic Medical Sonography Obstetrics and Gynecology Program, Diagnostic Medical Sonography Adult Cardiac Program and Diagnostic Medical Sonography Vascular Program are 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
Credits and
Transfer Info
Credit for Prior Learning
Credit for prior learning (CPL) generally refers to the process of granting college credit for learning gained in nontraditional ways, including but not limited to: certifications, AP or IB exams, military training, or life experience.
Transferring
Learn more about possible transfer opportunities associated with this program of study. Students interested in transferring should contact an advisor or counselor to further discuss their plans.