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Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS)

Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program provides a non-discriminatory student-centered educational environment for the growth and professional development of sonographers with superior competency in multiple sonographic specialties.

DMS student with professor

Program Overview / Goals

The DMS Program offers all four major ultrasound concentrations at the community college level, while some Ohio DMS programs only offer two or three concentrations. *At some Ohio colleges, specific concentrations can only be taken at the Junior/Senior level after completing two years of coursework. At Rio, students can enroll (after acceptance) into either Cardiovascular DMS or General DMS in their first semester. *The structure of the BS degree in DMS at Rio puts students into the clinical setting in their second semester. *Rio DMS AAS students complete approximately 1000 clinical hours concurrently with DMS coursework. *Rio DMS BS students complete approximately 2000 clinical hours concurrently with DMS coursework. 

Learning Outcomes

  • Correlate clinical signs and symptoms with pathology.
  • Apply critical thinking to real patient scenarios and choose an appropriate course of action.
  • Identify and describe the basic concepts of Sonographic Physics and Instrumentation.
  • Practice sonography while demonstrating professional, caring, and empathetic behaviors.
  • Practice sonography in an ethical manner in alignment with organizational policies and procedures.
     

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Degrees in DMS

The DMS Program offers two majors, General Sonography and Cardiovascular Sonography. Both majors require general studies coursework to be completed concurrently with sonography courses and clinical rotations. The general coursework includes math, English, and the sciences. The core sonography courses include abdominal, obstetrical and gynecological courses (General Sonography major) or cardiac and vascular courses (Cardiovascular Sonography major), as well as sonographic physics and instrumentation.

Upon completion of an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, graduates have the option to complete the Bachelor Degree Program that is also offered by the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program. Completion of the bachelor’s degree would consist of the student completing the core sonography courses of the opposite major as their associate’s degree in the third year and fourth year as well as coursework that will prepare the student for advanced careers in the field of sonography. The DMS Programs will prepare graduates to sit for the national registry examinations offered by the ARDMS, American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
 

Diagnostic Medical Sonography: General Sonography

  • Associate's Program

Program Overview

Learning Outcomes for DMS Associates in General Sonography
Upon completion of the Associate of Applied Science – Diagnostic Medical Sonography: General Sonography Major (93204), the student is able to:

  • Correlate clinical signs and symptoms with pathology.
  • Apply critical thinking to real patient scenarios and choose an appropriate course of action.
  • Identify and describe the basic concepts of Sonographic Physics and Instrumentation.
  • Practice sonography while demonstrating professional, caring, and empathetic behaviors.
  • Practice sonography in an ethical manner in alignment with organizational policies and procedures
  • Gain knowledge required to obtain one or more of the following credentials:
    • ARDMS RDMS (OB/GYN)
    •  ARDMS RDMS (ABD)
    •  ARRT RT (S)
       

Potential/Average earnings:

$62,000 annually

Sample of required courses:

  • AHC 10202 Standards of Patient Care 
  • AHC 13303 Medical Terminology I 
  • AHC 22403 Pharmacology & the Human Body
  • BIO 11204 Essentials of Anatomy & Physiology
  • PSY 11103 General Psychology
  • DMS 21103 Abdominal Sonography I
  • DMS 21203 Gynecological Sonography I
  • DMS 21301 Seminar I 
  • DMS 21504 General Sonography Practicum I 
  • DMS 22003 Physics and Instrumentation II
  • DMS 22103 Abdominal Sonography II
  • DMS 22203 Obstetrical Sonography
  • DMS 23701 Breast Sonography
     

Full list of courses and descriptions available in the Course Catalog

Degree or Certificate
  • Associate of Science
Campus Location
  • Rio Grande Main Campus
College or School
  • College of Professional and Technical Studies
  • Holzer School of Nursing
Modality
Modality tells you whether this program is in-person, online, or hybrid.
  • All courses required in-person
Total Credit Hours
65
Requirements
One unit of high school or college biology, chemistry, and algebra must be completed with a minimum grade of “C” • Cumulative grade point average of 2.8 or higher • Students will be required to sit for the HESI A2

Diagnostic Medical Sonography: Cardiovascular Sonography

  • Associate's Program

Program Overview

Learning Outcomes for DMS Associates in cardiovascular sonography
Upon completion of the Associate of Applied Science – Diagnostic Medical Sonography: Cardiovascular Sonography Major (93207), the student is able to:

  • Correlate clinical signs and symptoms with pathology.
  • Apply critical thinking to real patient scenarios and choose an appropriate course of action.
  • Identify and describe the basic concepts of Sonographic Physics and Instrumentation.
  • Practice sonography while demonstrating professional, caring, and empathetic behaviors.
  • Practice sonography in an ethical manner in alignment with organizational policies and procedures
  • Gain knowledge required to obtain one or more of the following credentials:
    • ARDMS RDCS (Adult Echo)
    • ARDMS RVT
    • CCI RCS
    • CCI RVS

Potential/Average earnings:

$62,000 annually

General Education required courses:

  • AHC 10202 Standards of Patient Care 
  • AHC 13303 Medical Terminology I 
  • BIO 11204 Essentials of Anatomy & Physiology
  • PHR 21403 Medical Ethics
  • PHY 10404 Physics
  • PSY 11103 General Psychology
  • DMS 20103 Prin of Cardiovascular Sonography
  • DMS 21003 Physics and Instrumentation I
  • DMS 23301 Cardiovascular Seminar I
  • DMS 24003 Echocardiography I
  • DMS 24504 Cardiovascular Practicum I
  • DMS 28003 Vascular Sonography I
  • DMS 26001 Pediatric Echocardiography
     

Full list of courses and descriptions available in the Course Catalog

Degree or Certificate
  • Associate of Science
Campus Location
  • Rio Grande Main Campus
College or School
  • College of Professional and Technical Studies
  • Holzer School of Nursing
Modality
Modality tells you whether this program is in-person, online, or hybrid.
  • All courses required in-person
Total Credit Hours
65
Requirements
One unit of high school or college biology, chemistry, and algebra must be completed with a minimum grade of “C” • Cumulative grade point average of 2.8 or higher • Students will be required to sit for the HESI A2

Diagnostic Medical Sonography

  • Bachelor's Program

Program Overview

Learning Outcomes for DMS Bachelors in Sonography
Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science – Diagnostic Medical Sonography (7943), the student is able to:

  • Correlate clinical signs and symptoms with pathology.
  • Apply critical thinking to real patient scenarios and choose an appropriate course of action.
  • Identify and describe the basic concepts of Sonographic Physics and Instrumentation.
  • Practice sonography while demonstrating professional, caring, and empathetic behaviors.
  • Practice sonography in an ethical manner in alignment with organizational policies and procedures
  • Gain knowledge required to obtain one or more of the following credentials:
    • ARDMS RDMS (OB/GYN)
    • ARDMS RDMS (ABD)
    •  ARRT RT (S) ARDMS RDCS (Adult Echo)
    •  ARDMS RVT
    • CCI RCS
    • CCI RVS

Courses for students with Associate degree in General Sonography

Potential/Average earnings:

$92,000 annually 

Sample of required courses:

  • COM 33103 Health Communication
  • HCA 31104 Fund of Healthcare Management
  • HPE 10101 Wellness
  • HPE Activity Elective
  • DMS 28801 Selected Topics in DMS-Basic EKG
  • DMS 33301 Cardiovascular Seminar I
  • DMS 34003 Echocardiography I
  • DMS 34504 Cardiovascular Practicum I
  • DMS 34601 Cardiovascular Registry Review
  • DMS 36001 Pediatric Echocardiography
  • DMS 38003 Vascular Sonography I
  • DMS 48802 Selected Topics in DMS


For students with Associate Degree in Cardiovascular Sonography

Sample of required courses

  • COM 33103 Health Communication
  • HCA 31104 Fund of Healthcare Management 
  • HPE 10101 Wellness
  • HPE Activity elective
  • DMS 41103 Abdominal Sonography I 
  • DMS 41203 Gynecological Sonography
  • DMS 41301 Seminar I
  • DMS 41504 General Sonography Practicum I 
  • DMS 42203 Obstetrical Sonography
  • DMS 43601 Registry Review 
  • DMS 43701 Breast Sonography
  • DMS 48802 Selected Topics in DMS

Full list of courses and descriptions available in the Course Catalog

Degree or Certificate
  • Bachelor of Science
Campus Location
  • Rio Grande Main Campus
College or School
  • College of Professional and Technical Studies
  • Holzer School of Nursing
Modality
Modality tells you whether this program is in-person, online, or hybrid.
  • All courses required in-person
Total Credit Hours
120
Requirements
Associate Degree in General Sonography or Cardiovascular • The student must receive a minimum of a C- (75%) or better in all required DMS Program courses to continue program. • A minimum cumulative GPA 2.8
CAAHEP logo

Both DMS associate degree programs and the bachelor’s degree program are approved by the Ohio Department of Higher Education.

Both DMS associate degree programs are 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).

CAAHEP contact information: 
Email: mail@caahep.org
Phone: 727-210-2350

JRC-DMS contact information: 
Email: mail@jrcdms.org
Phone: 443-973-3251 
Web: www.jrcdms.org

 

DMS Program Effectiveness Data

Download PDF

ARDMS Global Exam Success Rate Percentages

Abdomen64%
Adult Echocardiography71%
Obstetrics & Gynecology74%
Vascular Technology59%

Top Ohio Ultrasound Program

Rio's DMS program was named one of Ohio's Best Ultrasound Programs 

2022 Ohio List

Application Requirements

Prospective applicants to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program should begin by applying for general admission/acceptance status to the University of Rio Grande. You must also complete the Holzer School of Nursing & Allied Health- Diagnostic Medical Sonography Application prior to February 1st. 

  • Supplementary applications are good for one year only. After students are selected for the next academic year, all applications will be discarded. Students not accepted into the program must reapply each year.
  • Only students who are officially admitted into the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program can take the Diagnostic Medical Sonography courses.
  • Only students who have successfully completed the Associate Degree Program or its equivalent and have been recommended by DMS faculty based on academic and clinical performance will be admitted to the Bachelor Degree
  • One unit of high school or college biology, chemistry, and algebra must be completed with a minimum grade of “C” before a student will be considered for admittance into the DMS program.
  • High school or college cumulative grade point average of 2.8 or higher.
  • Vision Capabilities: Normal or corrected refraction within the range of 20/20 to 20/60; adequately view sonograms, including identifying 16 shades of gray and color distinctions.
  • Hearing Capabilities: Possess normal or corrected hearing abilities within 0-45 decibel range.
  • Motor Capabilities: Maneuver sonographic equipment without assistance; assist in lifting patients using proper body mechanics; stand for extended periods of time; walk long distances without assistance while maneuvering sonographic equipment or transporting patients; type with one hand while scanning with the other.
  • Language Capabilities: Communicate verbally with a patient and other medical personnel; it is recommended that a second language is possessed or attempted
  • Mental Capabilities: Think and act quickly in emergency situations; cope with stress; comprehend daily work activities; understand all pathology needed to present case to a physician.