Diagnostic Medical Sonography - Certificate of Completion
Doña Ana Community College
2022-2023 Catalog
Special Admissions Criteria for Certificate Track
This is a limited-entry program accepting students only in the spring semester. Criteria and factors used in evaluating applicants include the following:
- Completion of either
- (a) an associate degree in an allied health program which is medically related and involves human-patient care (proof of current certification in ones' allied health area is required), OR
- (b) a bachelor's degree in a related field that includes at least one semester of anatomy & physiology and medical terminology.
- Overall GPA of 3.0 or higher
- College-level course in algebra (MATH 1220G College Algebra or equivalent)
- College-level course in general physics or radiographic physics or introductory physics for the health sciences or equivalent.
(Certificate 53 credits)
Note: Application Deadline is September 1
NOTE: All of the courses in this program relate to each other and to the clinical internship and cannot be taken individually.
NOTE: A grade of C- or better on a traditional grading scale is required in 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 certificate requirements to total at least 53 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | ||
| MATH 1220G | College Algebra | 3 |
| PHYS 1230G | Algebra-Based Physics I 1, 2 | 3 |
| or PHYS 1112 | Introductory Physics for the Health Sciences | |
| or RADT 105 | Radiographic Physics and Equipment | |
| Technical Requirements | ||
| DMS 100 | Introduction to Clinical Practicum | 1 |
| DMS 101 | Introduction Sonography/Patient Care | 2 |
| DMS 105 | Introduction to Clinical Practicum II | 1 |
| DMS 130 | Pelvic Sonography | 1 |
| DMS 130 L | Pelvic Sonography Lab | 1 |
| DMS 140 | Abdominal Sonography | 3 |
| DMS 140 L | Abdominal Sonography Lab | 1 |
| DMS 150 | Sonographic Principles and Instrumentation I | 1 |
| DMS 160 | 1st Trimester Obstetric Sonography | 1 |
| DMS 165 | 2nd/3rd Trimester Obstetric Sonography | 1 |
| DMS 170 | Clinical Practicum I | 1 |
| DMS 180 | Clinical Practicum II | 5 |
| DMS 226 | Sonographic Case Studies I | 1 |
| DMS 227 | Sonographic Case Studies II | 1 |
| DMS 230 | Gynecologic Pathology | 2 |
| DMS 240 | Abdominal Pathology I | 2 |
| DMS 245 | Abdominal Pathology II | 2 |
| DMS 248 | Pediatric Sonography | 2 |
| DMS 250 | Sonographic Principles and Instrumentation II | 3 |
| DMS 260 | High Risk Obstetric Sonography | 3 |
| DMS 290 | Small Parts & Superficial Structures | 2 |
| DMS 270 | Clinical Practicum III | 3 |
| DMS 280 | Clinical Practicum IV | 5 |
| DMS 291 | Registry Preparation: OB/GYN | 1 |
| DMS 292 | Registry Preparation: Abdomen | 1 |
| Total Credits | 53 | |
- 1
Courses are identical to those offered at New Mexico State University Las Cruces (main) Campus.
- 2
While RADT 105 and PHYS 1112 meet program requirements, they do not meet the NM General Education Area III: Laboratory Sciences requirement.
Selection Criteria
Selection for the program is based on 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.See program website for details.
Selection for acceptance is done in two phases.
Phase I
Points are awarded by grades earned in prerequisite degree coursework as well as performance on the Ultrasound Student Assessment (USA) program. Students may earn bonus points for completing additional coursework and/or for field experience. See program website for details https://dacc.nmsu.edu/dms/diagnostic-sonography-program-admission-process/
Ultrasound Student Assessment (USA) Program
The Ultrasound Student Assessment (USA) Program was created to test specific skills required to learn and perform clinical ultrasound studies such as coordination, problem solving, spatial ability judgment, and logic, etc. and will be used in conjunction with other program admission criteria in the selection of students. Applicants will receive information and instructions about the USA program with application packets which will be available during the program orientations.
Phase II: Invitation only
Phase II is for applicants who have scored very well in Phase I and the Ultrasound Student Assessment (USA) Program. It is by invitation only and is conducted in an interview format 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.
Application packets are available at the program orientation meetings. See website for orientation schedule https://dacc.nmsu.edu/dms/program-orientation/
Course Fees
In addition to tuition, a fee of $200 is charged for each of the following courses: DMS 170, DMS 180, DMS 270, DMS 280.
| Prefix | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DMS 170 | Clinical Practicum I | 1 |
| DMS 180 | Clinical Practicum II | 5 |
| DMS 270 | Clinical Practicum III | 3 |
| DMS 280 | Clinical Practicum IV | 5 |
(Certificate 53 credits)
NOTE: Application Deadline is September 1
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: All of the courses in this program relate to each other and to the clinical internship and cannot be taken individually.
NOTE: A grade of C- or better on a traditional grading scale is required in 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 certificate requirements to total at least 53 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| Area II: Mathematics | 3 | |
| College Algebra | ||
| Choose one from the following: | 3 | |
| Algebra-Based Physics I | ||
| Introductory Physics for the Health Sciences | ||
| Radiographic Physics and Equipment | ||
| Credits | 6 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| DMS 100 | Introduction to Clinical Practicum | 1 |
| DMS 101 | Introduction Sonography/Patient Care | 2 |
| DMS 130 | Pelvic Sonography | 1 |
| DMS 130 L | Pelvic Sonography Lab | 1 |
| DMS 140 | Abdominal Sonography | 3 |
| DMS 140 L | Abdominal Sonography Lab | 1 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Semester 3 | ||
| DMS 105 | Introduction to Clinical Practicum II | 1 |
| DMS 150 | Sonographic Principles and Instrumentation I | 1 |
| DMS 160 | 1st Trimester Obstetric Sonography | 1 |
| DMS 165 | 2nd/3rd Trimester Obstetric Sonography | 1 |
| Credits | 4 | |
| Semester 4 | ||
| SUMMER | ||
| DMS 170 | Clinical Practicum I | 1 |
| DMS 230 | Gynecologic Pathology | 2 |
| DMS 240 | Abdominal Pathology I | 2 |
| DMS 250 | Sonographic Principles and Instrumentation II | 3 |
| Credits | 8 | |
| Semester 5 | ||
| DMS 180 | Clinical Practicum II | 5 |
| DMS 226 | Sonographic Case Studies I | 1 |
| DMS 245 | Abdominal Pathology II | 2 |
| DMS 248 | Pediatric Sonography | 2 |
| DMS 290 | Small Parts & Superficial Structures | 2 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Semester 6 | ||
| DMS 227 | Sonographic Case Studies II | 1 |
| DMS 270 | Clinical Practicum III | 3 |
| Credits | 4 | |
| Semester 7 | ||
| DMS 260 | High Risk Obstetric Sonography | 3 |
| DMS 280 | Clinical Practicum IV | 5 |
| DMS 291 | Registry Preparation: OB/GYN | 1 |
| DMS 292 | Registry Preparation: Abdomen | 1 |
| Credits | 10 | |
| Total Credits | 53 | |
Course Fees
In addition to tuition, a fee of $200 is charged for each of the following courses: DMS 170, DMS 180, DMS 270 and DMS 280.
| Prefix | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DMS 170 | Clinical Practicum I | 1 |
| DMS 180 | Clinical Practicum II | 5 |
| DMS 270 | Clinical Practicum III | 3 |
| DMS 280 | Clinical Practicum IV | 5 |