Imagine an Important Role in Health Care with a Sonography Certification
The diagnostic medical sonography certificate of proficiency program offers specialized
training in ultrasound technology. Students gain skills in patient care, record-keeping
and performing sonographic examinations. Graduates can take certification exams and
find employment in various medical settings. The program offers three concentrations:
general (medical), cardiac, and vascular sonography. Each concentration is studied
separately.
Once you’re a graduate, you are eligible to take the following certification examinations
of the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography or Cardiovascular Credentialing
International for their curriculum options – Abdomen and OB/GYN for Medical Sonography
(RDMS-ARDMS) and Adult Echocardiography (RDCS-ARDMS) for Cardiac Sonography and Registered
Vascular Sonographer (RVS-CCI) for Vascular Sonography. The vascular concentration
is not CAAHEP accredited and is currently undergoing the CAAHEP accreditation process,
but graduating students are eligible to take the Cardiovascular Credentialing International-
Registered Vascular Sonographer (RVS) examination.
What is Diagnostic Medical Sonography at St. Louis Community College?
Diagnostic medical sonography, also known as ultrasound technology, involves using high-frequency sound waves to create images of internal body structures. These images aid in diagnosing and monitoring medical conditions in various areas, including obstetrics, cardiology, and abdominal and musculoskeletal regions.
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program Goals
The primary goal of a diagnostic medical sonography program is to prepare students as an entry-level sonographer or adult cardiac sonographer. Graduates must meet the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills) and affective (behavior) learning domains.
There are three concentrations students can focus in: general, cardiac, or vascular. Detailed goals are provided below.
What Can You Do with a Diagnostic Medical Sonography Certificate?
With a diagnostic medical sonography certificate, you can become a certified ultrasound technician or sonographer. Graduates operate ultrasound equipment, perform diagnostic imaging procedures and assist physicians in diagnosing and monitoring medical conditions in different specialties such as obstetrics, cardiology and abdominal imaging.
At the completion of the DMS program (general, cardiac, and vascular concentration) our goal is to prepare competent entry-level sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains for the abdominal-extended, obstetrics & gynecology, adult cardiac and vascular sonography concentrations.
CP in diagnostic medical sonography
- Degree offered: Certificate of proficiency
- Locations: Forest Park
- Hours to complete: 43
- Program contact name: Lauren Pellegrini, MHA, RDMS, RVT, RDCS
- Program contact email: dmsprogram@stlcc.edu
- Accreditation:
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).
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
9355-113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
Phone: 727-210-2350
Fax: 727-210-2354
Cost of Attendance
Tuition for district residents is $122 per credit hour. Find out more about our straightforward and low-cost tuition structure.
Admission Requirements
- An associate degree from an accredited institution
- Completion of all program prerequisites prior to submitting an application. Must earn
a “C” or higher in the following courses:
- Anatomy and physiology with lab (usually two semester course sequence of at least eight credit hours)
- Physics (PHY 111) or physical science (PSI 101)
- Precalculus algebra or introductory statistics
- Medical terminology
- English composition
- Oral communications (COM 101) or public speaking (COM 107)
- Cumulative GPA: 3.0 or higher across all colleges attended or across the most recent 45 credit hours
- Cumulative GPA for math and sciences: 3.0 or higher in physics, anatomy and physiology, precalculus algebra or introductory statistics
- Only one repeat of a prerequisite course is allowed over a five-year period
- Complete four hours of job shadowing
- Work 40 hours in a patient care setting, which can be voluntary service within a hospital or nursing home
- Math and science prerequisite courses must have been completed within five years of applying to the program
- Students who have graduated within the last two years from a JRCERT accredited Radiologic Technology program are not required to retake math or science courses that are more than five years old. View full details: Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program Admissions Requirements
Program Goals
At the completion of the program (general concentration), students are expected to:
- Perform sonographic examinations of the abdomen, superficial structures, non-cardiac chest and the gravid and nongravid pelvis.
- Identify the sonographic appearance of normal anatomic structures, including anatomic variants and normal Doppler patterns with vascular introduction.
- Identify and appropriately document the abnormal sonographic and Doppler patterns of disease processes, pathology and pathophysiology of the abdomen, superficial structures, non-cardiac chest, and gravid and nongravid pelvis.
- Discuss basic principles in ultrasound, vascular ultrasound and ultrasound physics and instrumentation.
- Identify sectional anatomy, hemodynamics, pathophysiologic principles and pattern recognition as it relates to vascular sonography.
At the completion of the program (cardiac concentration), students are expected to:
- Demonstrate proficiency in the performance of M-mode, two-dimensional and Doppler (pulsed wave, continuous wave, color flow and power) echocardiographic studies.
- Identify the sonographic appearance of normal cardiac anatomy, including anatomic variants and normal Doppler patterns with vascular introduction.
- Identify and appropriately document the abnormal sonographic and Doppler patterns of cardiac disease, processes, pathology and pathophysiology.
- Discuss basic principles in ultrasound, vascular ultrasound and ultrasound physics and instrumentation.
- Identify sectional anatomy, hemodynamics, pathophysiologic principles and pattern recognition as it relates to vascular sonography.
At the completion of the program (vascular concentration), students are expected to:
- Identify sectional anatomy, hemodynamics, pathophysiologic principles, and pattern recognition as it relates to vascular sonography.
- Identify the sonographic appearance of normal vascular anatomy, including anatomic variants, and normal Doppler patterns
- Document the abnormal sonographic and Doppler patterns of vascular disease processes, pathology, and pathophysiology.
- Perform sonographic examinations of the vascular system including anatomical variants, hemodynamics, Doppler patterns, and pathology recognition.
Program Outcomes
Program Effectiveness Data
Additional Information
- Current CPR health care provider-level certification is required by the first day of class and must be maintained throughout the program.
- The hospitals used as clinical sites for the program require a criminal background check and drug screening. Should the background check reveal prior felony criminal convictions, the hospital will be contacted to determine if the student is disqualified. If the drug screen is positive, the student will not be permitted to participate in any clinical rotation or internship.
- Successful completion of the program makes you eligible to sit for the ARDMS certification examinations. The application includes questions regarding crime directly related to public health. Discovery of relevant criminal history or false information might result in the denial of your application or the filing of a disciplinary action against you.
Why You Should Choose STLCC's Sonography Certificate Program
Graduate With Little or No Debt
We believe cost should never be a barrier to achieving your potential. Save over $4700 per year with tuition that's one-third lower than other local institutions.
Ramp Up High-Wage Skills
STLCC offers career-focused programs for high-wage, high-skill and in-demand jobs. STLCC provides opportunities for college transfers, career development and workforce training.
Build Skills You Need With Stackable Credentials
Stackable credentials help students level up career opportunities without investing a large amount of time and resources. Students can stack or assemble a series of traditional and nontraditional credentials including degrees, certificates, apprenticeships and more.
Caring for Students
STLCC goes beyond academics with support services, ranging from stress and anxiety management to grants for childcare, emergency crisis support, clothing and free meals through Archers' Market and Brown Bag Cafe food pantry. We offer free tutoring on campus or online.
Come as you are. See what you become.