Program benefits
Career Opportunities
Qualifications
Curriculum
Tuition & Value
Program Effectiveness Data
Diagnostic Medical Sonography
About the Program
The Associate of Applied Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) program will prepare you to work closely with physicians to diagnose and treat cardiovascular medical conditions. You will learn how to use highly specialized ultrasound imaging equipment to evaluate the heart and vascular systems, applying knowledge in human anatomy, pathology, equipment optimization and patient care skills. As advances in technology and the aging population in the U.S. continue to increase, the need for cardiovascular sonographers has grown.
Program Goal:
To prepare competent entry-level sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), Psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains for the following concentrations it offers: Adult Cardiac Sonography and Vascular Sonography.
The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program is accredited by The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of The Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS).
CAAHEP Contact information:
CAAHEP | 9355 113th St. N, #7709 Seminole, Florida 33775
Email: www.caahep.org | Phone: 727.210.2350
JRCDMS | 6021 University Boulevard Suite 500 Ellicott City, MD 21043
Email: www.jrcdms.org | Phone: 443-973-3251
Sonography Information Session
Please join us for more information regarding the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program at The Christ College of Nursing and Health Sciences. The meeting will be held in the sonography lab at the commons room 14. The Commons is located at 2025 Reading Road. We will discuss entry into the program and answer any questions you may have.
Sonography Information Session
Please join us for more information regarding the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program at The Christ College of Nursing and Health Sciences. The meeting will be held in the sonography lab at the commons room 14. The Commons is located at 2025 Reading Road. We will discuss entry into the program and answer any questions you may have.
Diagnostic Medical Sonography
BENEFITS
PROGRAMMATICALLY ACCREDITED
HIGHLY SPECIALIZED SONOGRAPHY LAB
CLINICALLY INTENSIVE
THE CHRIST HOSPITAL PARTNERSHIP
A DEGREE THAT PAYS OFF
Diagnostic Medical Sonography
BENEFITS
PROGRAMMATICALLY ACCREDITED
HIGHLY SPECIALIZED SONOGRAPHY LAB
CLINICALLY INTENSIVE
THE CHRIST HOSPITAL PARTNERSHIP
A DEGREE THAT PAYS OFF
The Diagnostic Medical sonography program
Program Qualifications
Graduating High School Students, First-Time Degree Seekers, and Transfer Students
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Cumulative College GPA of 2.75 or higher
- Must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
REQUIRED PRE-REQUISITE COURSES**
- Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab (BIO 111)
- Introductory Physics (PHY 105)
- College Algebra (MAT 105)
- English Composition (ENG 101)
- Medical Terminology (MT 101)
All required pre-requisite courses must be completed with a “C” or higher.
**Students may complete all pre-requisite courses at The Christ College by applying for Pre-Sonography. Pre-requisite courses must be completed by the end of the spring semester to be reviewed for the upcoming fall cohort.
To successfully participate in the program, students must meet the technical standards, with reasonable accommodations if necessary. Please review the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Technical Standards here.
Please note that Admission to the DMS program is competitive and space is limited. Enrollment in this program is available in the Fall semester only. Students who have completed all prerequisites will be reviewed at the end of the spring semester based upon the following criteria: DMS application rubric, Volunteer Hours, Patient Care Experience. Once the program is filled, qualified students will be placed on a waiting list.
Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Curriculum
| Prerequisite Courses- Fall or Spring Entry | Course Title | Credits |
| MT 101 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| PHY 105 | Introductory Physics | 3 |
| BIO 111* | Anatomy and Physiology 1 | 4 |
| MAT 105 | College Algebra | 3 |
| ENG 101 | English Composition 1 | 3 |
Prep phase courses are required to be completed with a grade of “C” or higher to be considered for admission into the DMSC program.
| Semester 1 Fall - YR 1 | Course Title | Credits | Semester 2 Spring - YR 1 | Course Title | Credits |
| DMS 111 | Sonography Principles and Instrumentation 1 | 3 | DMS 112 | Sonography Principles and Instrumentation 2 | 2 |
| DMSC 120 | Intro to CV Sonography | 3 | DMSC 141 | Cardiac Sonography 1 | 3 |
| BIO 112 | Anatomy and Physiology 2 | 4 | DMSC 131 | Vascular Sonography 1 | 3 |
| HLSC 104 | Patient Care | 2 | DMSC 122 | Cardiovascular Sonography Scan Lab 2 | 2 |
| DMSC 121 | Cardiovascular Sonography Scan Lab 1 | 2 | |||
| Semester 3 Summer - YR 1 | Course Title | Credits | Semester 4 Fall - YR 2 | Course Title | Credits |
| DMSC 223 | Cardiovascular Scan Lab 3 | 1 | DMSC 224 | Cardiovascular Sonography Scan Lab 4 | 1 |
| DMSC 281 | Cardiovascular Internship 1 | 2 | DMSC 242 | Cardiac Sonography 2 | 3 |
| COM 102 | Essentials of Communication | 3 | DMSC 282 | Cardiovascular Internship 2 | 2 |
| DMSC 232 | Vascular Sonography 2 | 3 | |||
| Semester 5 Spring - YR 2 | Course Title | Credits | |||
| DMSC 250 | Cardiovascular Sonography Seminar | 3 | |||
| DMSC 283 | Cardiovascular Internship 3 | 2 | |||
| PSY 110 or PSY 101 | Lifespan Development or Intro to Psychology | 3 | |||
| HLSC 106 | Healthcare Professionalism and Ethics | 2 | |||
| Total | 65 |
Additional Program Information
AAS DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL SONOGRAPHY
Program Cost Breakdown*
*Program costs are approximate and subject to change
| Year | Tuition | General Fees | Course Fees |
| First | $28,125 | $930 | $1,305 |
| Second | $12,500 | $930 | $1,455 |
| TOTALS | $40,625 | $1,860 | $2,760 |
The Diagnostic Medical sonography program
FAQS
What is an ultrasound/sonography program, and what do sonographers do?
An ultrasound (diagnostic medical sonography) program trains students to use high-frequency sound waves to create images of structures inside the body. These images help physicians diagnose and monitor medical conditions.
Our program is exclusively focused on cardiovascular ultrasound (cardiac and vascular sonography). Rather than general or multi-specialty ultrasound training, we specialize in imaging the heart and blood vessels.
Graduates of our program are trained to:
- Perform echocardiograms (ultrasound of the heart)
- Conduct vascular studies to assess blood flow in arteries and veins
- Evaluate heart function, valve performance, and circulation
- Work closely with cardiologists and vascular specialists
- Prepare detailed technical reports for physician interpretation
This focused cardiovascular training allows students to develop deep expertise in cardiac and vascular imaging, preparing them for careers in hospitals, cardiac labs, outpatient clinics, and specialty heart centers.
Ultrasound is often associated with pregnancy, but our program focuses exclusively on cardiovascular imaging. While students are trained in cardiac and vascular ultrasound, career opportunities may include performing heart studies on patients of all ages — including children. After graduation, additional specialization in pediatric and fetal echocardiography is available for those who wish to further focus on imaging the developing or pediatric heart.
How do I apply to an ultrasound program, and what are the admissions requirements?
Our admission requirements are listed on our website. In addition there is a rubric that outlines how you can obtain points for admission.
- Completion of prerequisite coursework (such as anatomy & physiology, physics, algebra, and medical terminology)
- A competitive GPA
- An application process
- Background check and health clearances
Because our program is cardiovascular-only, we look for applicants who have a strong interest in cardiac and vascular medicine. Students should be comfortable with anatomy, physiology, and patient care, as cardiovascular imaging requires strong attention to detail and critical thinking.
Our admissions team is happy to guide prospective students through:
- Required prerequisites
- Application deadlines
- Clinical expectations
- Career pathways in cardiovascular sonography
We encourage applicants who are specifically interested in heart and vascular imaging rather than general sonography.
Is the program accredited, and will it prepare me for certification and employment?
Yes, our program is CAAHEP accredited ensuring quality programmatic curriculum, resources, and support are available to you.
Our cardiovascular ultrasound program is designed to prepare graduates for national credentialing examinations in:
- Cardiac (Echocardiography)
- Vascular Technology
Because our program focuses exclusively on cardiovascular ultrasound, students receive concentrated training aligned with industry standards and employer expectations in cardiac and vascular imaging.
Graduates are prepared to pursue careers as:
- Cardiac Sonographers (Echocardiographers)
- Vascular Technologists
Employers value specialized cardiovascular training because it ensures graduates are prepared to perform high-quality diagnostic heart and vascular studies from day one.