Diagnostic Medical Sonography - Associate of Applied Science
Special Admissions Criteria- Associate Degree
Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) is a limited-entry program admitting students in the spring semester only. Prior to applying to the program, students will have taken all general education and core requirements. The following items are among the criteria considered in the selection of program applicants:
- Minimum overall college GPA 3.0
- GPA in prerequisite courses
- County of residence
- Prior healthcare experience
- Interview
- Written assessment
Program Application Requirements
- Complete all prerequisites. Students may have a maximum of two prerequisite courses in progress at the time of application.
- Attend program orientation and request the program application. Register for orientation here.
- Submit the application and all supporting documents by the September 1st deadline.
Selection Criteria
Completing prerequisite courses does not guarantee acceptance into the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program. Selection for the program utilizes a point system as well as a comprehensive evaluation of the student's overall strengths related to the essential qualifications, competencies, and functions of the professional diagnostic medical sonographer.
Selection for acceptance incorporates two phases.
Phase I
Phase I points are awarded for prerequisite courses, Doña Ana County residency, reapplication, and relevant field experience and/or professional credentials. See program website for details.
Phase II: Invitation only
The top-scoring candidates from Phase I will be invited to Phase II for a written assessment and interview to identify personal strengths and/or weaknesses related to essential qualifications, competencies, and functions for professional diagnostic medical sonographers.
PLEASE NOTE THAT NOT ALL APPLICANTS WHO COMPLETE THE ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS ARE ADMITTED TO THE PROGRAM.
Doña Ana Community College 2026-2027 Catalog
Associate Degree Track
This is a limited-entry program accepting students only in the spring semester. Criteria and factors used in evaluating applicants include the following:
- High school diploma or GED
- Completion of all pre-requisites with an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Two pre-requisite courses may be in progress at the time of application
- County of residence
Note:
- Students should receive a B or better in BIOL 2210 Human Anatomy and Physiology I to be viable candidates for the DMS program.
- There are restrictions on repeating courses with a grade of C or lower. See program director for details.
(Associate Degree 71 credits)
NOTE: Application cycle is open July 1st-September 1st, and requires prior attendance at a program orientation session (registration available on the DMS program website).
NOTE: A grade of C- or better on a traditional grading scale is required in ENGL 1110G Composition I and designated Mathematics courses. Students must earn a final grade of C or better in all required DMS courses/Technical Requirements and achieve a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.0. The DMS program utilizes an accelerated grading scale. 74% is the minimum passing score for all assignments, assessments, and overall class grading and corresponds to a "C."
Students must complete all University degree requirements, which include: General Education requirements and elective credits to total at least 71 credits. Developmental coursework will not count towards the degree requirements and/or elective credits, but may be needed in order to take the necessary English and Mathematics coursework.
| Prefix | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Education | ||
| Select one course from each of the following content areas for a total of 17 credits | 17 | |
| This degree requires courses from Areas I, II, III, and IV or V; students do not need to take additional courses to complete the General Education requirements. | ||
Area I: Communications | ||
| Composition I 1 | 4 | |
Area II: Mathematics | ||
| College Algebra (or higher) 1 | 3 | |
Area III: Laboratory Sciences | ||
| Algebra-Based Physics I and Algebra-Based Physics I Lab 1 | 4 | |
Area IV: Social/Behavioral Sciences or Area V: Humanities 2 | ||
| Choose one from the following: | ||
| Introduction to Psychology | 3 | |
| Introduction to Sociology | 3 | |
| Contemporary Social Problems | 3 | |
| Introduction to Ethics | 3 | |
| General Education Communication Elective - Choose one of the following: | ||
| Professional and Technical Communication | 3 | |
| Introduction to Communication | 3 | |
| Public Speaking | 3 | |
| Core Requirements | ||
| BIOL 2210 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I 3 | 4 |
| HITP 1120 | Health Information Introduction to Pharmacology | 3 |
| Major Requirements | ||
| Technical Requirements 4 | ||
| DMSO 1110 | Introduction to Clinical Practicum | 1 |
| DMSO 1111 | Introduction Sonography/Patient Care | 2 |
| DMSO 1114 | Introduction to Clinical Practicum II | 1 |
| DMSO 1131 | Pelvic Sonography | 2 |
| DMSO 1131L | Pelvic Sonography Laboratory | 1 |
| DMSO 1140 | Abdominal Sonography | 2 |
| DMSO 1140L | Abdominal Sonography Laboratory | 1 |
| DMSO 1150 | Sonographic Principles and Instrumentation I | 2 |
| DMSO 1170 | Clinical Practicum I | 1 |
| DMSO 1180 | Clinical Practicum II | 4 |
| DMSO 1526 | 1st Trimester Obstetric Sonography | 1 |
| DMSO 1527 | 2nd/3rd Trimester Obstetric Sonography | 1 |
| DMSO 1528 | High Risk Obstetric Sonography | 3 |
| DMSO 2020 | Pediatric Sonography | 2 |
| DMSO 2226 | Sonographic Case Studies I | 1 |
| DMSO 2227 | Sonographic Case Studies II | 1 |
| DMSO 2230 | Gynecologic Pathology | 2 |
| DMSO 2240 | Abdominal Pathology I | 2 |
| DMSO 2245 | Abdominal Pathology II | 2 |
| DMSO 2250 | Sonographic Principles and Instrumentation II | 3 |
| DMSO 2270 | Clinical Practicum III | 3 |
| DMSO 2280 | Clinical Practicum IV | 5 |
| DMSO 2291 | Registry Preparation: OB/GYN | 1 |
| DMSO 2292 | Registry Preparation: Abdomen | 1 |
| DMSO 2295 | Small Parts and Superficial Structures | 2 |
| Total Credits | 71 | |
- 1
Courses are identical to those offered at New Mexico State University Las Cruces (main) Campus.
- 2
These courses are required for the associate degree but are not pre-requisites. Courses that are completed before admission to the DMS program will receive bonus points toward the application as follows: A = 4 pts, B = 3 pts, C = 2 pts.
- 3
Students should receive a B or better in BIOL 2210 to be viable candidates for the DMS program.
- 4
All DMSO classes are restricted to students who have been formally accepted into and remain in good standing with the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program.
Course Fees
In addition to tuition, a fee of $200 is charged for each of the following courses:
| Prefix | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DMSO 1170 | Clinical Practicum I | 1 |
| DMSO 1180 | Clinical Practicum II | 4 |
| DMSO 2270 | Clinical Practicum III | 3 |
| DMSO 2280 | Clinical Practicum IV | 5 |
(71 credits)
NOTE: Application cycle is open July 1st-September 1st, and requires prior attendance at a program orientation session (registration available on the DMS program website).
A Suggested Plan of Study
The contents of this Road Map may vary depending on initial student placement in Mathematics and English. This is only a suggested plan of study for students, and is not intended as a contract. Individual student academic plans may vary. Please contact your academic advisor to create a plan that works for you. Course availability may vary from fall to spring semester and may be subject to modification or change.
NOTE: A grade of C- or better on a traditional grading scale is required in ENGL 1110G Composition I and designated Mathematics courses. Students must earn a final grade of C or better in all required DMS courses/Technical Requirements and achieve a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.0. The DMS program utilizes an accelerated grading scale. 74% is the minimum passing score for all assignments, assessments, and overall class grading and corresponds to a "C."
Students must complete all University degree requirements, which include: General Education requirements and elective credits to total at least 71 credits. Developmental coursework will not count towards the degree requirements and/or elective credits, but may be needed in order to take the necessary English and Mathematics coursework.
| Semester 1 | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| Prerequisite semester | ||
| Area I: Communications - English Composition Level 1 | 4 | |
| Composition I | ||
| Area II: Mathematics | 3 | |
| College Algebra | ||
| Area III: Laboratory Sciences | 4 | |
| Algebra-Based Physics I and Algebra-Based Physics I Lab | ||
| HITP 1120 | Health Information Introduction to Pharmacology | 3 |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| Prerequisite semester | ||
| BIOL 2210 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| Choose one from the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Psychology | ||
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
| Contemporary Social Problems | ||
| Introduction to Ethics | ||
| Choose one from the following: | 3 | |
| Professional and Technical Communication | ||
| Introduction to Communication | ||
| Public Speaking | ||
| Credits | 10 | |
| Semester 3 | ||
| SPRING- DMS Program Semester 1 | ||
| DMSO 1110 | Introduction to Clinical Practicum | 1 |
| DMSO 1111 | Introduction Sonography/Patient Care | 2 |
| DMSO 1131 | Pelvic Sonography | 2 |
| DMSO 1131L | Pelvic Sonography Laboratory | 1 |
| DMSO 1140 | Abdominal Sonography | 2 |
| DMSO 1140L | Abdominal Sonography Laboratory | 1 |
| DMSO 1150 | Sonographic Principles and Instrumentation I | 2 |
| Credits | 11 | |
| Semester 4 | ||
| SUMMER- DMS Program Semester 2 | ||
| SUMMER REQUIRED | ||
| DMSO 1114 | Introduction to Clinical Practicum II | 1 |
| DMSO 1526 | 1st Trimester Obstetric Sonography | 1 |
| DMSO 1527 | 2nd/3rd Trimester Obstetric Sonography | 1 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Semester 5 | ||
| FALL- DMS Program Semester 3 | ||
| DMSO 1170 | Clinical Practicum I | 1 |
| DMSO 2230 | Gynecologic Pathology | 2 |
| DMSO 2240 | Abdominal Pathology I | 2 |
| DMSO 2250 | Sonographic Principles and Instrumentation II | 3 |
| Credits | 8 | |
| Semester 6 | ||
| SPRING- DMS Program Semester 4 | ||
| DMSO 1180 | Clinical Practicum II | 4 |
| DMSO 2226 | Sonographic Case Studies I | 1 |
| DMSO 2245 | Abdominal Pathology II | 2 |
| DMSO 2295 | Small Parts and Superficial Structures | 2 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Semester 7 | ||
| SUMMER- DMS Program Semester 5 | ||
| SUMMER REQUIRED | ||
| DMSO 2227 | Sonographic Case Studies II | 1 |
| DMSO 2270 | Clinical Practicum III | 3 |
| Credits | 4 | |
| Semester 8 | ||
| FALL- DMS Program Semester 6 | ||
| DMSO 2020 | Pediatric Sonography | 2 |
| DMSO 1528 | High Risk Obstetric Sonography | 3 |
| DMSO 2280 | Clinical Practicum IV | 5 |
| DMSO 2291 | Registry Preparation: OB/GYN | 1 |
| DMSO 2292 | Registry Preparation: Abdomen | 1 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 71 | |
Course Fees
In addition to tuition, a fee of $200 is charged for each of the following courses:
| Prefix | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DMSO 1170 | Clinical Practicum I | 1 |
| DMSO 1180 | Clinical Practicum II | 4 |
| DMSO 2270 | Clinical Practicum III | 3 |
| DMSO 2280 | Clinical Practicum IV | 5 |