Why Diagnostic Medical Sonography?


Students enrolled in this program are equipped with the skills necessary for entry-level employment in the high-demand field of diagnostic medical sonography. Diagnostic ultrasound uses high frequency sound waves to image organs and structures within the body. Skilled technologists in this field play a vital role in ensuring proper diagnosis of disease and injury. Students will select one specialty from among the following fields of study in which to major: general ultrasound (abdominal, OB-GYN), cardiac ultrasound or vascular ultrasound. Clinical experiences in a variety of health care facilities are included.

Graduates are eligible to sit for the American Registry in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) national examination. Successful completion of this exam leads to becoming a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS).

Graduates have the opportunity to enter careers with strong earning potential. 

 

All applicants MUST ATTEND one (1) Information Session before submitting an application to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program. Preferably before students begin the pre-requisite work.

  • Thursday January 11, 2024 5:00PM - 7:00PM via Zoom
  • Thursday February 15, 2024 5:00PM - 7:00PM via Zoom
  • Thursday July 18, 2024 5:00PM - 7:00PM via Zoom
  • Thursday October 3, 2024 5:00PM - 7:00PM via Zoom

Register for the DMS Information Meeting

 

The Application is Currently Closed

The Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (Ultrasound) program is now full. The application for this program will reopen November 1, 2024. Before applying, be sure to apply to CCAC through the general application below. If you have any questions, please email alliedhealthinfo@ccac.edu.

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Middle States Accreditation

In addition to the accreditation by ACEN, CCAC's Diagnostic Medical Sonographer program is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Status: Accreditation Reaffirmed
Last Reaffirmation: 2018
Next Self-Study Evaluation: 2025-2026

For more information, visit CCAC's institutional page.

Middle States Action Letter June 2017

Middle States Action Letter June 2018

Middle States Action Letter June 2019

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (Ultrasound), A.S. (554A, 554B, 554C) 

Diagnostic ultrasound uses high frequency sound waves to image various organs and structures within the body. The diagnostic medical sonographer is qualified by academic and clinical training to provide patient services using diagnostic ultrasound under the supervision of a qualified doctor of medicine or osteopathy. The ultrasound profession is subdivided into nine specialties. The specialties offered at CCAC are General Ultrasound, Cardiac Ultrasound and Vascular Ultrasound. Students will select one specialty field of study in which to major.

Take the Next Step

 

Admission to Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (Ultrasound)

Every Nursing & Allied Health program at CCAC has specific admissions requirements and career accreditation.

For Diagnostic Medical Sonography, there are specific course requirements and academic thresholds that must be met before a potential applicant can be considered for the program. Admission deadline is March 1 every year.

In order to gain admission to the program, potential applicants must complete the following requirements:

Students interested in admission to the limited enrollment Diagnostic Medical Sonography Degree Program (DMS) must complete the following:

  1. Apply to CCAC/Boyce Campus.
  2. Submit your high school transcript to the Admissions Office.
  3. Applicants who have college-level credits from other institutions must submit OFFICIAL transcripts to transcripts@ccac.edu. Applicants MUST include an UNOFFICIAL transcript and copy of your transcript evaluation summary with your Allied Health application.
  4. Schedule an appointment and take required Placement Tests (e.g., Reading, Writing, and Mathematics) if you have not completed any college coursework.
  5. Meet with Allied Health Advisor Neil Jones, njones@ccac.edu, 724.325.6801.
  6. Complete developmental courses required from results of your Placement Tests.
  7. Complete pre-requisite course work with a letter grade of "C" or better.
    • ALH 140 Medical Terminology or
    • BIO 123 Medical Biology & Terminology
    • BIO 161 Anatomy & Physiology (prerequisite BIO 110  Introduction to Biological Science or BIO 151  General Biology )
    • BIO 162 Anatomy & Physiology 2 (prerequisite  BIO 161 Anatomy & Physiology)
    • ENG 101 English Composition 1 (prerequisite ENG 100 Basic Principles Composition)
    • MAT 108 Intermediate Algebra (prerequisite MAT 090-Algebra Fundamentals)
    • PHY 100 Basic Physics (prerequisite MAT 090-Algebra Fundamentals)
  8. Recommended but not required: Shadow in hospital ultrasound department in the areas in which a DMS application will be submitted; i.e., if an applicant intends to apply only to the vascular track, they need only shadow in a vascular lab. If an applicant intends to submit applications to the cardiac track, they need to shadow in the cardiac department and if applying to the general track, they need to shadow in hospital abdominal ultrasound department for a total maximum of 6 hours. This will help determine which specialty field you want to complete.
  9. Students interested in applying to the DMS program must attend one of the Mandatory Diagnostic Medical Sonography Information Session offered quarterly, preferably before they begin the pre-requisite coursework. Please RSVP to Admissions Office at 412.237.2222 or admissions@ccac.edu. (This is a new mandatory requirement for application to the DMS program.)
    • You may register online:

      • Potential students need to log in or create an account at discover.ccac.edu (put your mouse over the link and right click open link). If applicant is already a current CCAC student, they would use the same login information used when creating their admissions application at CCAC. If the student has forgotten their password, they can have it reset by contacting admissions.

      • Once student is logged in/created their account, you will be able to register for the event under the "Events" tab or by using this direct link.

Only complete applications will be considered for admission to the DMS program.

Admission deadline is March 1 every year. Please contact the Allied Health Department for any changes in deadline dates.

A complete packet contains:

  • The Health Careers Admission Application (for Diagnostic Medical Sonography)
  • Copy of other college transcripts (if applicable)*
  • Copy of CCAC transcripts (if applicable)
  • Copy of Approved Transfer of Credits (if applicable)*
  • Copy of Current Course Registration (if applicable)
  • Total Admission Score Calculation Sheet - Score must be 2.5 or higher with no grade lower than a "C" in any science or math course
    • Students who have enrolled in the same developmental course more than three (3) times will not be considered for acceptance in an Allied Health program. Students who have enrolled in the same science course more than three (3) times will not be considered for acceptance. "W" and "I" grades also count as an enrollment.
  • Completed Health Careers Programs Prerequisite Checklist
    • Complete Program Prerequisite Courses
    • ALH 140 Medical Terminology - 3 credits, or BIO 123 Medical Biology and Terminology - 3 credits  
    • BIO 161 Anatomy & Physiology 1 - 4 credits (pre-requisites are BIO 110 or BIO 151)
    • BIO 162 Anatomy & Physiology 2 - 4 credits  
    • ENG 101 English Composition 1 - 3 credits  
    • MAT 108 Intermediate Algebra - 4 credits
    • PHY 100 Basic Physics - 4 credits  
  • Completed and signed Video Observation Form
  • Self-Essay Outline - See Admission Information Guide for outline.
  • Completed Selection of Specialty Form: Applicants must complete a Specialty Selection Form and choose either the Cardiac, General or Vascular major. You MUST rank in order of your specialty preference. We must know if you are applying to 1, 2, or all 3 specialties.

* An unofficial copy of your CCAC college transcript is acceptable for your Health Careers application packet. Students attending other college/universities must include an unofficial copy of your college transcript along with Transfer of Credit form, if applicable.

Applications submitted after the deadline will only be considered if the initial round of completed applications is not sufficient to fill all seats available.

Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program Outcomes

2022 Graduate Outcomes

Results of the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) and the Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) examinations.
CONCENTRATION RETENTION JOB PLACEMENT CREDENTIAL SUCCESS RATE

Cardiac

88%

100%

RDCS, CCI (AE) 100%

General

73%

91%

RDMS, (AB) 67%
RDMS, OB/GYN 100%

Vascular

70%

72%

RVT, CCI (VT) 75%

Contact Information

Laura Locke

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