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Diagnostic Medical Sonography Certificate

This program includes didactic, laboratory, and practicum components structured to facilitate achieving educational and career goals. Sonographers have extensive, direct patient contact that may include performing some invasive procedures. They must interact compassionately and effectively with people from the healthy to the critically ill.

Enrollment Eligibility – Students must have achieved the following:

*A.S. degree or higher from a U.S. accredited college (in an Allied health major or Science with a Human Health emphasis is recommended).

*A minimum of 400 hrs of work/voluntary experience with a minimum of 200 hrs of patient care and 200 hrs in positions where evidence of empathy, service, ethics, responsibility, and appropriate interaction with clients/patients are demonstrated

*Complete the application for the DMS Program (deadline announced on the webpage).

*Fulfill all requirements set forth by the CRC Allied Health Practicum Guidelines and DMS Handbook (e.g., background check, drug screen, proof of immunization).

Total Units:

First Year

Program Prerequisites^

27 Units

Course	Units	Pre-Reqs^	Semesters Offered*
MATH 120 ¹ Intermediate Algebra	5	MATH 100 or 102 or equivalent	F, S, Su
COMM 321 ² ^Z Interpersonal Communication	3	Advisory: Eligible for ENGWR 300	F, S
BIOL 430 ^Z Anatomy and Physiology	5	CHEM 305, 309 or 400	F, S
BIOL 431 ^Z Anatomy and Physiology	5	BIOL 430	F, S
AH 311 ³ ^Z Medical Language for Health-Care Providers	3		F(O), S(O)
AH 120 ⁴ ^Z Human Disease	3	Co-req or Pre-req: AH 311 & BIOL 102 or 430/431	F(O), S(O)
PHYS 310 ^Z Conceptual Physics	3	Advisory: MATH 100 or 102	F, S

^Z At least one section of this course is offered with free textbooks and is labeled as zero textbook costs (ZTC). If it is a GE area class or elective, there may be several ZTC offerings to fulfill the GE requirement. Use the Free Textbook filter to find these courses. Learn more on the ZTC page of the college website.

^You must have passed the prerequisite course(s) with a “B” or better.

¹ or higher math

² or COMM 301, COMM 325, COMM 331, COMM 361.

³ Formerly AH 110.

⁴ or a Pathophysiology course from an accredited college/university.

Semester 1

6 Units

Course	Units	Pre-Reqs^	Semesters Offered*
SONOG 200 ¹ Introduction to Sonography	3	Co-req: SONOG 202	Su(odd year)
SONOG 202 ¹ Sectional Anatomy for Medical Imaging	3	Co-req: SONOG 200	Su(odd year)

¹ Enrollment limitation-all SONOG courses are only available for students who have been accepted into the DMS Program. Students must earn a "C" or better in all SONOG courses to remain in the DMS Program.

Semester 2

10 Units

Course	Units	Pre-Reqs^	Semesters Offered*
SONOG 205 Ultrasound Physics & Instrumentation	3	SONOG 202; Co-req: SONOG 210 & 240	F(odd year)
SONOG 210 Abdominal Scanning and Pathology	4	SONOG 202; Co-req: SONOG 205 & 240	F(odd year)
SONOG 240 Superficial & Small Parts Scanning	3	SONOG 202; Co-req: SONOG 205 & 210	F(odd year)

Semester 3

11 Units

Course	Units	Pre-Reqs^	Semesters Offered*
SONOG 220 OB/GYN Scanning & Pathology	4	SONOG 240; Co-req: SONOG 215	S(even year)
SONOG 215 Clinical Experience I	7	SONOG 210; Co-req: SONOG 220	S(even year)

Year 2

Semester 4

9 Units

Course	Units	Pre-Reqs^	Semesters Offered*
SONOG 225 Clinical Experience II	7	SONOG 220; Co-req: SONOG 228	Su(even year)
SONOG 228 Advanced OB/GYN Pathology	2	SONOG 220	Su(even year)

Semester 5

13 Units

Course	Units	Pre-Reqs^	Semesters Offered*
SONOG 230 Vascular Scanning	4	SONOG 225; Co-req: SONOG 235	F(even year)
SONOG 235 Clinical Experience III	9	SONOG 228; Co-req: SONOG 230	F(even year)

Semester 6

11 Units

Course	Units	Pre-Reqs^	Semesters Offered*
SONOG 250 Sonography Interpretation & ARDMS/ARRT Exam Review	2	SONOG 235	S(odd year)
SONOG 255 Clinical Experience IV	9	SONOG 235; Co-req: SONOG 250	S(odd year)

^You must have passed the prerequisite course(s) with a “C” or better; Corequisite must be taken during the same semester; Advisory means it is recommended but not required to enroll in the course.

*(O) = online available (P) = partially online

Career Options/Outlook:

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers produce ultrasonic readings of internal organs for use by physicians. Typical tasks may include observing the screen during the scan to ensure that the image produced is satisfactory for diagnostic purposes; observing and caring for patients throughout the examination to ensure their safety and comfort; providing sonogram and oral or written summary of technical findings to physician for use in medical diagnosis; operating ultrasound equipment to produce and record images of the motion, shape, and composition of blood, organs, tissues, or bodily masses, such as fluid accumulations.

A sample of reported job titles:

Cardiac Sonographer, Cardiac/Vascular Sonographer, Diagnostic Medical Sonographer, Medical Sonographer, Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS), Sonographer, Staff Sonographer, Ultrasonographer, Ultrasound Technician (Ultrasound Tech), Ultrasound Technologist (Ultrasound Tech)

Projected job openings in California (2020-2030):

760

Projected growth in California (2020-2030):

21% growth

Median Salary in California (2021):

$101,230/yr

Source:

https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-2032.00

The map also meets the requirement for

The Certificate of Achievement in Diagnostic Medical Sonography

About this program map:

This program map represents one possible pathway to complete the program. Please see a counselor to create an education plan that is customized to meet your needs. This map is not a guarantee of course availability or financial aid applicability.

Zero Textbook Costs (ZTC):

The Zero Textbook Costs designation and logo are added to any course that provides free access to all required instructional materials. These are typically shared with students through Canvas. Courses that are designated as ZTC may still require students to purchase supplemental materials such as lab coats, a calculator, art supplies, etc. See full definitions and searching tips on the Zero Textbook Costs page of the college website.

Catalog Year: 2023-2024

Published May 17, 2023

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