Academic Catalogs

Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Associate in Science Degree

Banner Code: 1_AS_DMS

Control Number: 04009

Financial Aid Eligible


Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) is a medical imaging modality using high-frequency sound waves to create images of specific areas of the body for which pathology may be diagnosed. A competent Sonographer must have a thorough knowledge of cross-sectional anatomy and pathology, as well as the skills to manipulate a wide variety of sophisticated instruments. The DMS Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

In addition to completion of the prerequisite and required courses below, this program requires completion of the Associate in Science General Education as listed in the catalog. Also, the completion of MATH A030 or higher college-level mathematics course is required by the CAAHEP and Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS).

ALH A120 Human Diseases may be taken prior to program start. A “C” grade is required in all program courses.

Program Admission

Allied Health 010 course – application and orientation.

Students must complete Associate in Science degree graduation requirements and the program prerequisites prior to acceptance to the program.

Program Outcome

  1. To prepare competent entry-level sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains for the abdominal sonography-extended concentration.
  2. To prepare competent entry-level sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains for the obstetrics and gynecology concentration.

Review Graduation Requirements and General Education. 

Recommended Preparation

Course Title Units
COUN A105Strategies for College Success3
Course Title Units
Required Prerequisites
ALH A010Health Occupations0.5
ALH A111Medical Terminology3
BIOL A221Anatomy-Physiology4
DMS A110Introduction to Sonography1.5
MATH A030Intermediate Algebra (or higher)4
RADT A100Radiologic Physics2
Required Courses
ALH A115Patient Care2
ALH A120Human Diseases2
DMS A123Sectional Anatomy for Medical Imaging4
DMS A150Sonographic Physics and Instrumentation for DMS3.5
DMS A126OB/GYN Sonography4
DMS A155Introduction to Vascular Ultrasound2.5
DMS A161Pathophysiology3
DMS A165Introduction to Scanning Practice3
DMS A166DMS Clinical Experience 12
DMS A167DMS Clinical Experience 25.5
DMS A255Advanced Vascular Ultrasound2.5
DMS A271DMS Clinical Experience 39
DMS A274Abdominal Sonography3
DMS A276DMS Clinical Experience 42.5
DMS A275Sonographic Review3
DMS A281DMS Clinical Experience 510
Total Units76.5
Requirement Units
Program Major Units 76.5
AS General Education Option 1, 2, or 3 Varies
Total Minimum Degree Units 88.5-91.5

Diagnostic Medical Sonography Suggested Elective

PHIL A120 Ethics

Program Sequence

These sequences at Orange Coast College are general course curriculum maps for students to finish all major and general education requirements for two-year completion of degrees, and/or fulfillment of transfer requirements. The course sequence may include course prerequisites and other placement requirements. Students are advised to meet with an Orange Coast College Counselor to review course selections and sequences to ensure that completion of this program will meet a student's transfer and career goals.

For terms less than 15 units, students should meet with a counselor to reconfigure their sequence to maintain financial aid eligibility with a full-time course load.

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Semester 1Units
OCC AS GE AREA A1- CHOOSE ONE 3
ALH A010 Health Occupations 0.5
BIOL A221 Anatomy-Physiology 4
ALH A111 Medical Terminology 3
Select one of the following or satisfy Math competency (completion of High School Algebra 2 with a "C" or better): (hours: 3-4) 4
MATH A030
or MATH A045
 Intermediate Algebra 1
or Combined Elementary and Intermediate Algebra
  
 Units14.5
Semester 2
OCC AS GE AREA C1- CHOOSE ONE 3
RADT A100 Radiologic Physics 2
OCC AS GE AREA C2- CHOOSE ONE 3
OCC AS GE AREA A2- CHOOSE ONE 2 3-4
DMS A110 Introduction to Sonography 1.5
 Units12.5-13.5
Summer
OCC AS GE AREA D- CHOOSE ONE 3
 Units3
Year 2
Semester 1
ALH A115 Patient Care 3 2
ALH A120 Human Diseases 2
DMS A123 Sectional Anatomy for Medical Imaging 4
DMS A150 Sonographic Physics and Instrumentation for DMS 3.5
 Units11.5
Semester 2
DMS A126 OB/GYN Sonography 4
DMS A155 Introduction to Vascular Ultrasound 2.5
DMS A161 Pathophysiology 3
DMS A165 Introduction to Scanning Practice 3
DMS A166 DMS Clinical Experience 1 2
 Units14.5
Summer
DMS A167 DMS Clinical Experience 2 5.5
 Units5.5
Year 3
Semester 1
DMS A255 Advanced Vascular Ultrasound 2.5
DMS A271 DMS Clinical Experience 3 9
DMS A274 Abdominal Sonography 3
DMS A276 DMS Clinical Experience 4 2.5
 Units17
Semester 2
DMS A275 Sonographic Review 3
DMS A281 DMS Clinical Experience 5 10
 Units13
 Total Units91.5-92.5
1

Math A030 or higher OR take 3-4 degree applicable elective units if math competency was met through completion of High School Algebra 2 with a "C" or better; *100-level Math courses satisfy AS Math Requirement and OCC AS GE AREA A2

2

OCC AS GE AREA A2 - Required if 100-level MATH will not be taken to meet Math competency. If MATH A100 or higher will be taken, then needs to take 3-4 degree applicable elective units

3

Acceptance into the OCC Diagnostic Medical Sonography program required to begin major coursework (Cohort Restriction)