Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (DMS) play an important role in the modern diagnosis and treatment team. The DMS is qualified by professional credentialing and academic and clinical experience to produce multi-dimensional ultrasonic recordings of internal organs, using ultrasound equipment, for use by physicians in diagnosing diseases and malfunction of organs. DMS work in imaging centers, physicians' offices, clinics, mobile ultrasound units, or hospitals.
The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is a full-time, fall-entry Associate of Applied Science degree.
Learn more about the DMS Program.
Attend an information session.
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Prerequisites and Time Limits
All prerequisites must be completed with a grade of C or higher, unless otherwise noted below, and be within allowable time limit.
- BIOL-101, 107 or 200, 4 credits, completed within 10 years of start of clinicals
- BIOL-203, 4 credits, completed within 5 years of start of clinicals with a grade of B or higher
- BIOL-204, 4 credits, completed within 5 years of start of clinicals with a grade of B or higher
- PHYS-101, 4 credits, completed within 10 years of start of clinical with a grade of B or higher
- MATH-138, 4 credits with a grade of B or higher
- ENGL-121, 3 credits
- COMM-101, 105 or 110, 3 credits
Prerequisites taken at other institutions must officially be on file and evaluated by the application deadline. See the Transfer Credit tab.
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Corequisites
The following course may be taken with the clinical courses, but it is strongly recommended that it be completed PRIOR TO starting clinicals due to the demands and time commitment needed for success in clinical coursework.
- PSYC-101, 3 credits, grade of C or higher
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Transfer Credit
Official transcripts AND the request to have credit evaluated must be on file by the supplemental application deadline.
- Students must contact their prior institutions to request that OFFICIAL transcripts be sent directly to HCC. Transcripts that are opened or emailed to students are not considered official.
- Use the Transcript Evaluation Request Form to request that HCC evaluate your prior credit for your current degree program.
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Grade Requirements
- All prerequisite and corequisite courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher, except for the courses below which require a B or higher:
- BIOL-203
- BIOL-204
- PHYS-101
- MATH-138
- An overall GPA of 2.5 or higher in all prerequisites.
- A cumulative HCC GPA of 2.0 or higher is required.
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Supplemental Admissions Process
All items need to be completed and submitted by the application deadline of January 15th for Fall Clinical Admission:
- Only students accepted to HCC and with active myHCC accounts are eligible to submit the supplemental application. If you are not already an HCC student, please Apply for Credit Programs.
- Submit official transcripts and Transcript Evaluation Form if you transferring credit from another institution.
- Prerequisites must be completed with the required grades and within the specified time limits.
- Submit the Supplemental Allied Health Application (only available during the application cycle of September 15 to January 15.) Sign in to the application account using your personal email (not your HCC email) and find the Supplemental Allied Health Application under the section for Current Students.
- A one-time $25 supplemental application fee, payable by credit card, due at the time of submission of online supplemental application. The fee is waived for active military, active military spouses and veterans with appropriate documentation--DD214 or PCS orders. A promo code will be provided to eligible applicants when applying.
- Two residency documents are required for Howard County residents only
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Dates and Deadlines
Clinical admissions is available for the Fall semester only.
The supplemental application for clinical admission may be found in your application account, under "Current HCC Student" during the cycle below:
- September 15 to January 15
For consideration, all prerequisites must be completed and transferred (if applicable) by the application deadline.
Priority is given to applicants who have completed all prerequisite and corequisite courses by the application deadline.
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Admissions Selection Process
- A randomized lottery is used when qualified applicants exceed available seats.
- Qualified applicants are randomly selected and offered a seat or placed on a waitlist.
- Priority is given to students that have ALL prerequisites and corequisites completed and by the application deadline.
- Lottery selection order:
- Howard County residents
- Maryland residents (out-of-county)
- Out-of-state residents
- Waitlisted applicants are admitted as seats open.
- The waitlist does not roll over to the next year; students must reapply each year.
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Clinical Coursework
- DMSU-101, 2 credits, Fall
- DMSU-112, 3 credits, Fall
- DMSU-130, 3 credits, Spring
- DMSU-131, 1 credit, Spring
- DMSU-211 3 credits, Spring
- DMSU-251, 1 credit, Spring
- DMSU-140, 2 credits, Summer
- DMSU-141, 1 credit, Summer
- DMSU-212, 3 credits, Summer
- DMSU-252, 2 credits, Summer
- DMSU-132, 2 credits, Fall
- DMSU-133, 1 credit, Fall
- DMSU-142, 3 credits, Fall
- DMSU-143, 1 credit, Fall
- DMSU-256, 3 credits, Fall
- DMSU-254, 1 credit, Winter
- DMSU-200, 2 credits, Spring
- DMSU-201, 2 credits, Spring
- DMSU-202, 1 credit, Spring
- DMSU-257, 4 credits, Spring
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Questions
ACCREDITATION
The DMS 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). CAAHEP can be contacted at 25400 U.S. Highway 19 North, Suite 158, Clearwater, FL 33763, (727) 210-2350, (727) 210-2354 (fax) or mail@caahep.org. JRCDMS can be contacted at 6021 University Boulevard, Suite 500, Ellicott City, MD 21043, (443) 973-3251 or jrcdms@intersocietal.org.
Clinical Requirements for Admitted Students
- If admitted, a drug screening and criminal background check will be required prior to enrollment in any nursing and allied health clinical course in order to ensure the safety of patients in the clinical setting. Students who do not comply with the drug screening and criminal background check are ineligible for placement in clinical agencies and are not able to progress in the clinical program. It is the student’s responsibility to know whether they are eligible for licensure. If a student has a criminal background, it is the students’ responsibility to explore whether the background will prohibit them from being licensed and employed in the health care industry. HCC faculty and staff are not able to provide legal advice. If you have any questions about your background, you may wish to discuss this matter with legal counsel.
- Students are not required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination to accept a clinical seat. However, students who decline the COVID-19 vaccine should be aware that clinical site availability may be limited due to partner facility requirements. Clinical placements are not guaranteed for students who choose not to be vaccinated, which may impact progression and completion of their program.
- As of Fall 2022, ALL students are required to show proof of health insurance. HCC does not provide or sponsor health insurance for students.
Additional Information