DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL SONOGRAPHY
Associate of Applied Science Degree
Purpose:
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 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 Allied Health Programs.
• Review an online Diagnostic Medical Sonography information session (DMS) .
• Attend a mandatory DMS Prospective Student Workshop prior to application. Students must bring a copy of the DMS Prospective Student Workshop form with them to the workshop.
• Complete BIO 141 and BIO 142 Anatomy and Physiology I-II with a "B" or higher.
• 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.
• Complete PHY 101 Introduction to Physics I with a "B" or higher.
• Complete SDV 101 Orientation to Healthcare with a "B" or higher.
• Complete all courses used to satisfy the science requirements within 10 years of the semester in which verification of the DMS admission process is completed.
• Have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA
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.
ARDMS 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.
Continuation Requirements: Each course in the program major must be completed with a grade of “C” or better before taking the next course in the sequence.
1 See humanities/fine arts courses listed under General Education Electives.