Diagnostic Medical Sonography: Echocardiography Specialization, A.A.S.

CIP Code: 51.0910

NOVA Code: 1091

Purpose: To prepare competent entry-level adult cardiac sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains. The curriculum prepares students to produce diagnostic images of the heart structures and motion to diagnose cardiovascular changes. The echocardiographer uses special equipment to direct high frequency sound waves into areas of the patient’s body. The echocardiographer is a central member of the health care team and assists the radiologist in body image interpretation. Upon successful completion of degree requirements, the student will be eligible to apply to take the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography examinations leading to credentials as a Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS^®).

Admission Requirements: Students must:

• Comply with all general admission requirements for Health Sciences Programs.
• Review an online Diagnostic Medical Sonography information session at https://www.nvcc.edu/academics/pathways/health-sciences/diagnostic-medical-sonography.html.
• Attend a mandatory DMS Prospective Student Workshop prior to application.
• Complete BIO 141    and BIO 142   with a “B” or higher and completed within 5 years of application.
• Complete ENG 111   with a grade of “B” or higher.
• Complete MTH 154    or higher level math with a “B” or higher.

  • (For those intending to apply for the program in May 2024, MTH 161 PreCalculus I or higher level math with a “B” or higher will be required for admission instead of MTH 154.)

• Complete PHY 100   with a “B” or higher and completed within 5 years of application.
• Complete SDV 101  Orientation to Healthcare with a “B” or higher.

• Successfully complete and achieve satisfactory scores on the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) test. Students may only take the test three times per year. The latest result must be within three years of application to the DMS Program.

• Have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA.

• (For those intending to apply for the program in May 2024, DMS 100 with a “B” or higher will also be required for admission.)

Completion Requirements: All DMS program courses must be completed with a grade of “79.5%” or better before taking the next semester course sequence and to satisfy graduation requirements.  A program placed student not achieving a “79.5%” or higher will be automatically academically dismissed from the DMS program.  Prerequisite courses BIO 141, BIO 142, PHY 101, and MTH 154 require a B or higher.  General Education courses require a C or higher grade and may be completed prior to admission to the DMS program.