Associate of Applied Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography
The Associate of Applied Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography is a 62 credit-hour program designed to provide students with the necessary knowledge, skills, values, and competencies for a career in diagnostic ultrasound. The curriculum is based on the requirements of the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). Graduates will receive an Associate of Applied Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography and will be eligible to take the ARDMS certification examination in Obstetrics/Gynecology, Abdomen, and Ultrasound Physics/Sonography Principles and Instrumentation.
Program Requirements
- Have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better in all credit hours to be used towards the degree.
- Earn a “C” or better in all major courses and in English 1013 and 1023.
- Complete the coursework listed below.
Program Outcomes
- Obtain, review, and integrate pertinent patient history and supporting clinical data to facilitate optimum diagnostic results.
- Recognize the importance of patient care and comfort.
- Record, analyze, and process diagnostic data and other pertinent observations made during the procedure for presentation to the interpreting physician.
- Demonstrate sound clinical judgment in the performance of sonographic and other diagnostic services.
- Demonstrate appropriate communication skills with patients, families, and colleagues.
- Demonstrate professionalism and ethical behavior.
- Provide patient education related to medical ultrasound and other diagnostic procedures.
Program Goals
The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program is dedicated to empowering students who aspire to build meaningful careers as diagnostic medical sonographers. We strive to provide an enriching environment that encompasses clinical, laboratory, and classroom experiences, enabling students to rise to the challenges and high standards of the diagnostic medical ultrasound profession and achieve registration as diagnostic medical sonographers.
The goals of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program are as follows:
1. Competency Development: Prepare competent entry-level general sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge),
psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains, specifically for
the abdominal sonography-extended concentration.
2. Focused Training: Equip students to become competent entry-level general sonographers in the cognitive,
psychomotor, and affective learning domains for the obstetrics and gynecology concentration.
3. Accreditation Standards: Meet or exceed the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
(CAAHEP) standards for program accreditation.
4. Exam Preparation: Provide comprehensive didactic and clinical training that prepares students to successfully
challenge the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) exams in
Physics and Instrumentation, Abdomen, and OB/GYN.
5. Skill Acquisition: Deliver the requisite knowledge, practical skills, and general education necessary
for students to perform sonography effectively and efficiently, thereby preparing
them for entry-level positions in the diagnostic sonography field.
6. Student Retention: Foster student retention throughout the program by utilizing a variety of supportive
methods and resources.
7. Lifelong Learning: Instill the importance of continuing education, lifelong learning, and professional
advancement in each student.
8. Community Needs: Address the local, state, and regional demand for qualified Diagnostic Medical Sonographers.
9. Graduate Employment: Contribute to graduate job placement within three to six months of graduation.
The effectiveness of these goals is assessed through various student outcomes, including
course completion rates, clinical competencies, overall program completion, national
certification pass rates, employment rates, and feedback from graduate and employer
satisfaction surveys.
Application Process
The application for admission to the Sonography Program is available on the BRCC website once a year—ONLY during the fall semester. A selective admissions process is used to choose candidates for enrollment. Completing the prerequisites does not guarantee admission.
Admitted students will receive additional instructions regarding program requirements (e.g., personal health history, physical examination, TB skin test, various immunizations including full Covid-19 vaccination and booster, urine drug screen, and CPR certification). Costs for these requirements are incurred by the student.
Admission Criteria
The following courses are prerequisites for the Sonography program. A grade of “C” or better is required in each course.
Prerequisite Courses & Credit Hours:
| ENGL 1013 | English Composition |
| MATH 1113/1213 | College Algebra |
| BIOL 2213/2211 |
Human Anatomy and Physiology I Lecture and Lab (Both Required) Prerequisite: BIOL 1033 (Biology I For Science Majors) with a grade of C or better, OR an ACT composite score of 22 or higher and eligibility for MATH 1213 (College Algebra) |
| BIOL 2223/2221 |
Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lecture and Lab (Both Required) Prerequisite: Completion of BIOL 2213/2211 (Anatomy and Physiology I) |
| PHYS 1013 | Introduction to Concepts in Physics |
| PSYC 2013 | Introduction to Psychology |
| HLSC 1103 | Medical Terminology |
| PHIL 2253 | Biomedical Ethics |
| Humanities | Any SACS accepted Humanities Course (See Page 6 of Advising Packet) |
| SONO 1011 | Foundations of Sonography |
Program Presentation: View Presentation
SONO 1011 Foundation of Sonography FAQ: View FAQ
Course Registration Request for Foundation 1011: Register Here
Volunteer Opportunity for Pregnant Women: Sign Up Here
Mandatory Criminal Background Check & Urine Drug Screen
Applicants must submit to a criminal background check and a 10-panel drug screen—with all costs borne by the student. Applicants with certain criminal offenses may be denied the right to take ARDMS certification exams. For more information, please contact the Sonography Interim Program Manager at hidalgoc@mybrcc.edu.
Program of Study
| Semester | Course Code | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Semester | ENGL 1013 | English Composition I | 3 |
| MATH 1213 | College Algebra | 3 | |
| PSYC 2013 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 | |
| BIOL 2213 | Anatomy and Physiology I | 3 | |
| BIOL 2211 | Anatomy and Physiology I Lab | 1 | |
| SONO 1011 | Foundations of Sonography | 1 | |
| Second Semester | BIOL 2223 | Anatomy and Physiology II | 3 |
| BIOL 2221 | Anatomy and Physiology II Lab | 1 | |
| PHYS 1013 | Introduction to Concepts in Physics | 3 | |
| HLSC 1103 | Medical Terminology | 3 | |
| PHIL 2253 | Biomedical Ethics | 3 | |
| Humanities | Any SACSCOC-accepted General Education Humanities course | 3 | |
| Third Semester | SONO 1102 | Physics and Instrumentation I | 2 |
| SONO 1143 | Ultrasound Learning Lab I | 3 | |
| SONO 1203 | Sonographic Sectional Anatomy | 3 | |
| Fourth Semester | SONO 1122 | Abdominal Ultrasound I | 2 |
| SONO 1161 | Ultrasound Practicum I | 1 | |
| SONO 1182 | Ultrasound OB/GYN I | 2 | |
| SONO 2101 | Physics and Instrumentation II | 1 | |
| Fifth Semester | SONO 2123 | Abdominal Ultrasound II | 3 |
| SONO 2163 | Ultrasound Practicum II | 3 | |
| SONO 2183 | Ultrasound OB/GYN II | 3 | |
| SONO 2201 | Physics and Instrumentation III | 1 | |
| Sixth Semester | SONO 2302 | Abdominal Ultrasound III | 2 |
| SONO 2403 | Ultrasound Practicum III | 3 | |
| SONO 2502 | Ultrasound OB/GYN III | 2 | |
| SONO 2601 | Comprehensive Seminar | 1 |
Total Program Hours: 62
Five Year Program Admission & Completion
For the academic year of 2023-24, fifteen students were admitted. Fifteen students graduated (100%), twelve of fifteen graduates passed the ARDMS Registry Examination (80%), and thirteen of fifteen graduates are employed as of Summer 2024 (87%).
For the academic year of 2022-23, fifteen students were admitted. Fifteen students graduated (100%), ten of fifteen graduates passed the ARDMS Registry Examination (67%), and fourteen of fifteen graduates are employed as of Fall 2023 (93%).
For the academic year of 2021-22, fifteen students were admitted. Fifteen students graduated (100%), thirteen of fifteen graduates passed the ARDMS Registry Examination (87%), and twelve of fifteen graduates are employed as of Fall 2022 (70%).
For the academic year of 2020-21, eleven students were admitted. Ten students graduated (91%), eight of ten graduates passed the ARDMS Registry Examination (80%), and nine of ten graduates are employed as of Fall 2022 (90%).
For the academic year of 2019-20, ten students were admitted. Ten students graduated (100%), eight of ten graduates passed the ARDMS Registry Examination (80%), and seven of ten graduates are employed as of Fall 2021 (70%).
For the academic year of 2018-19, ten students were admitted. Ten students graduated (100%), nine of ten graduates passed the ARDMS Registry Examination (90%), and nine of ten graduates are employed as of Spring 2020 (90%).
For the academic year of 2017-18, ten students were admitted. Ten students graduated (100%), nine of ten graduates passed the ARDMS Registry Examination (90%), and eight of ten graduates are employed as of Fall 2018 (80%).
The DMS program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS). For more information about CAAHEP accreditation, please visit www.caahep.org or contact them at 9355 113th Street N. #7709 in Seminole, FL 33775-7709 or call 727-210-2350.