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 1220GCollege Algebra3
PHYS 1230GAlgebra-Based Physics I 1, 23
or PHYS 1112 Introductory Physics for the Health Sciences
or RADT 105 Radiographic Physics and Equipment
Technical Requirements
DMS 100Introduction to Clinical Practicum1
DMS 101Introduction Sonography/Patient Care2
DMS 105Introduction to Clinical Practicum II1
DMS 130Pelvic Sonography1
DMS 130 LPelvic Sonography Lab1
DMS 140Abdominal Sonography3
DMS 140 LAbdominal Sonography Lab1
DMS 150Sonographic Principles and Instrumentation I1
DMS 1601st Trimester Obstetric Sonography1
DMS 1652nd/3rd Trimester Obstetric Sonography1
DMS 170Clinical Practicum I1
DMS 180Clinical Practicum II5
DMS 226Sonographic Case Studies I1
DMS 227Sonographic Case Studies II1
DMS 230Gynecologic Pathology2
DMS 240Abdominal Pathology I2
DMS 245Abdominal Pathology II2
DMS 248Pediatric Sonography2
DMS 250Sonographic Principles and Instrumentation II3
DMS 260High Risk Obstetric Sonography3
DMS 290Small Parts & Superficial Structures2
DMS 270Clinical Practicum III3
DMS 280Clinical Practicum IV5
DMS 291Registry Preparation: OB/GYN1
DMS 292Registry Preparation: Abdomen1
Total Credits53
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 170Clinical Practicum I1
DMS 180Clinical Practicum II5
DMS 270Clinical Practicum III3
DMS 280Clinical Practicum IV5

(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.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester 1Credits
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  
 Credits6
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
 Credits9
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
 Credits4
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
 Credits8
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
 Credits12
Semester 6
DMS 227 Sonographic Case Studies II 1
DMS 270 Clinical Practicum III 3
 Credits4
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
 Credits10
 Total Credits53

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 170Clinical Practicum I1
DMS 180Clinical Practicum II5
DMS 270Clinical Practicum III3
DMS 280Clinical Practicum IV5