College Catalog Programs of Study 2013-2014

General Information and Admissions Requirements

NOVA is not currently accepting students into this degree specialization

DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL SONOGRAPHY
Echocardiography Specialization

 

Associate of Applied Science Degree

MEC

Purpose:  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 Allied Health Programs.
  • Attend a Diagnostic Medical Sonography Information Session.
  • Pass the DMS Computer Competency Exam with a grade of 70% or higher
    or pass HIM 130 or ITE 115.
  • Document a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA at last school attended.
  • Complete BIO 141 Anatomy and Physiology I with a "B" or higher.
  • Complete DMS 100 Orientation to the Sonography Profession with a "B" or higher.
  • Complete ENG 111 College Composition I with a grade of "B" or higher.
  • Complete MTH 151 Mathematics for the Liberal Arts I or higher level math with a "B" or higher.
  • Complete PHY 101 Introduction to Physics I with a "B" or higher.
  • Complete SDV 101 Orientation to Healthcare with a "B" or higher.
  Credits
Prerequisites
BIO 141 Human Anatomy and Physiology I 4
DMS 100 Orientation to the Sonography Profession 1
ENG 111 College Composition I 3
MTH 151 Mathematics for Liberal Arts I 3
PHY 101 Introduction to Physics I 4
SDV 101 Orientation to Healthcare 1
Total   16
Two Years Credits
1st Semester
BIO 142 Human Anatomy and Physiology II 4
DMS 208 Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation I 2
DMS 218 Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation Lab I 1
DMS 240 Echocardiography Sectional Anatomy 3
DMS 206 Introduction to Sonography 2
DMS 196 On-Site Training in General Sonography 1
Total   13
2nd Semester
DMS 256 Echocardiography Case Study Review 1
DMS 219 Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation Lab II 1
DMS 231 Clinical Education I 3
DMS 209 Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation II 2
DMS 150 Echocardiography I 4
1PED 116 Lifetime Fitness and Wellness 2
Total   13
3rd Semester
DMS 232 Clinical Education II 4
Total   4
4th Semester
2CST Elective 3
DMS 190 Coordinated Internship 4
DMS 250 Echocardiography II 4
Total   11
5th Semester
3___ Humanities/Fine Arts Elective 3
4___ Social Science Elective 3
DMS 299 Supervised Study 1
DMS 290 Coordinated Internship 4
Total   11
Total credits for the Echocardiography Specialization=68 (includes 16 prerequisite credits)

1 The PED requirement may be met by one of the following options: PED 116, 2 cr.; PED 220, 2 cr.; PED 116, 1 cr. plus a PED activities course, 1 cr.; or PED 116, 1 cr. plus RPK activities course. PED 116 is offered as both a 1-credit and a 2-credit course.

2 The CST elective may be selected from CST 229 Intercultural Communication, CST 110 Introduction to Communication, CST 115 Small Group Communication, or CST 126 Interpersonal Communication.

3 Humanities/fine arts elective may be selected from the humanities/fine arts courses listed under General Education Electives.

4 The social science elective may be selected from the social/behavioral sciences courses listed under General Education Electives.