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Program Description

Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) is a four-term program during which the student will attain the knowledge, skills and professional behaviors necessary for employment as a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. A sonographer is a health care professional who uses high-frequency sound waves as a diagnostic tool to view the human body in order to aid the physician in the diagnosis of illness. Students study the use of sound waves to generate images of various parts of the human body. The successful graduate will have the ability to conceptualize in 3-dimensional form. The program provides classroom didactic instruction, hands-on scanning, laboratory instruction and clinical experiences in a variety of medical facilities and outpatient diagnostic centers. Students are prepared to sit for the national board exams administered by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in the specialty areas of “Abdomen”, “Obstetrics and Gynecology” and “Breast”. Successful completion of this exam results in attaining the RDMS (Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer) credential. The program sonography program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs in collaboration with the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS).

JRC-DMS

6021 University Boulevard, Suite 500
Ellicott City, MD 21043
Email address: [email protected]
Primary contacts: Cindy Weiland or Gerry Magat
Phone number: 443-973-3251

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs

1361 Park Street
Clearwater, FL 33756
Phone: 727-210-2350
Fax: 727-210-2354

This program’s first term courses are offered in the fall term only. This may delay a student’s program start date. Please check with an academic advisor for more information.

Special Requirements

Students must complete an application process administered through the Coordinated Program Entry Office  and be selected to enter this program.

Criminal Background: Most of the health programs in HWPS require students undergo the New Mexico Department of Health caregivers criminal history screening program. This involves state and federal felony criminal background checks with fingerprints. This must be completed prior to starting their program or prior to beginning their clinical experiences. Students with a disqualifying conviction can appeal some of those convictions to the School of HWPS. Depending on the program, students may or may not be allowed to remain in the program pending appeal. Students who do not successfully appeal a disqualifying conviction will not be allowed to start or remain in the program. A successful appeal does not guarantee eligibility for licensure after graduation in professions that require licensure.

Drug Screen: In many HWPS programs students are required to undergo a routine drug screening prior to starting their program.

Immunizations: All health programs require that students provide documentation of current immunizations completed before beginning clinical courses.

Physical Requirements: Students must be in good physical and psychological health. Students may be asked to provide documentation of a recent physical examination. Many health programs require the student to be able to safely lift and/or move a minimum of 50 pounds. Reasonable accommodations are made for students with disabilities. However, some disabilities may prohibit students from completing program specific competencies or gaining employment. Students with disabilities that may interfere with completing program competencies are advised to contact the School of Health, Wellness & Public Safety (HWPS)  Office for more information.

Program Fees: Program fees cover costs incurred on behalf of the student for student-issued equipment, background checks, drug screens, initial treatment/counseling in the event of a needle stick or exposure to bodily fluids, etc.

Transportation: Students are responsible for their own transportation to off-campus training sites (i.e. clinical courses at hospitals, internships, etc.).

Career and Educational Opportunities

There is currently a nationwide demand for registered sonographers. Graduates will be employed as sonographers in hospitals, physician’s offices and private sonography practices.

Gainful Employment information is available from Job Connection Services.

Exit competencies (see Program Exit Competencies  ) for this program of study are available at cnm.edu/exitcomp.

For the graduation policy refer to the Graduating From CNM  section, cnm.edu or the Students tab in my CNM.

Certificate and Degree Options

• Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Associate of Applied Science 

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