Diagnostic Medical Sonography: Abdominal Sonography-Extended and Obstetrics and Gynecology Sonography Specialization, A.A.S.

CIP Code: 51.0910

NOVA Code: 1090 

Purpose: To prepare competent entry-level abdominal sonographers and obstetrics and gynecology sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains for Abdominal Sonography - Extended and Obstetrics and Gynecology Sonography. This curriculum is designed to prepare students to produce 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 in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography degree program learn to perform an ultrasound of the Abdomen and Small Parts as well as Obstetric and Gynecologic sonography. Upon successful completion of the degree requirements, the student will be eligible to apply to take the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) examination(s) leading to credentials as a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS^®).

Transfer Information: Transfer is not the primary purpose of an A.A.S. program, but NOVA has articulation agreements that facilitate the transfer of this and other career-oriented programs to selected senior institutions. Students interested in transfer should contact a counselor or their academic advisor early in their program.

Admission Requirements: Admission to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is competitive. Applicants must do the following:

• 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 Human Anatomy and Physiology I  and BIO 142 Human Anatomy and Physiology II  with a “B” or higher and completed within 5 years of application.
• Complete ENG 111 College Composition I  with a grade of “B” or higher.
• Complete MTH 154 Quantitative Reasoning  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 - Elements of Physics   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.

Special Program Requirements: The American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) applicants, candidates, and registrants are required to report their involvement in any incident that constitutes a violation of ARDMS discipline policies. First-time applicants must disclose information regarding all previous violations of ARDMS discipline policies to the ARDMS with their initial application for examination. Upon disclosing a violation of ARDMS discipline policies, all ARDMS applicants, candidates, and registrants are required to submit official documentation from the presiding court system or disciplinary body. Individuals must provide documentation that either verifies that all sentencing requirements were completed in full, or a letter from the presiding court system/disciplinary body verifying that this case is closed and all of the requirements have been satisfied.

AARDMS conducts a “pre-application review” for individuals who wish to determine the impact of a previous violation of ARDMS discipline policies on their eligibility to apply for ARDMS certification. The Pre-Application Review Process is recommended for individuals who are not yet ready to apply for an examination. Individuals may obtain additional information regarding the pre-application process along with the appropriate forms by visiting www.ardms.org.

Special Accreditation Status: The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program maintains their status of accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).