Certification
Graduates are eligible to take the certification examinations offered by the American
Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography for their curriculum options – Abdomen and
OB/GYN for Medical Sonography and Adult Echocardiography for Cardiac Sonography and
Vascular Technology for Vascular Sonography.
Job Outlook
Employment of diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and
technicians, including vascular technologists, is projected to grow 24 percent from
2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. As imaging technology
evolves, medical facilities will continue to use ultrasound to replace more invasive,
costly procedures. For information on the job outlook in the diagnostic medical sonography
profession, visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and search specific job titles.
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 according to protocol guidelines established
by national professional organizations.
- 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.
Program Minimum Expectations (According to the CAAHEP Standards and Guidelines for
the Accreditation of Educational Programs in Diagnostic Medical Sonography).
The primary goal of a Diagnostic Medical Sonography Education program is to prepare
the graduate to function as a competent ENTRY-LEVEL sonographer.
- To prepare competent entry-level general sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge),
psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains and/or
- To prepare competent entry-level adult cardiac sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge),
psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.
Medical and Cardiac Sonography curriculum options 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).
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
9355-113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
Phone: 727-210-2350
Fax: 727-210-2354
- 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
8 credit hours)
- Physics (PHY 111) or Physical Science (PSI 101)
- Precalculus algebra or introductory statistics
- Medical terminology
- English composition
- Oral communications
- Cumulative GPA: 3.0
- Cumulative GPA for math and sciences: 3.0 (physics, anatomy and physiology, precalculus
algebra or introductory statistics)
- Only one repeat of a course prerequisite is allowed over a five-year period
- Complete 4 hours of job shadowing
- 40 hours in a patient care setting (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
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program Admissions Requirements
Applications for the program are accepted on a continuing basis from eligible applicants.
The program only accepts one class a year starting in the fall semester.
Admission letters will be mailed by the first Friday in May. Eligible applicants not
admitted due to space limitations will remain on the alternate list until classes
begin in the fall semester.
Eligible students not admitted in the fall class MUST complete a Reserve Application
in the fall to maintain their Wait List position for the next entering class.
Students who wish to be considered for the program MUST do the following:
- Complete all admission requirements
- Apply to the college
- Send official high school and college transcripts to the Admissions office
- Submit the program application when all the above has been completed
Prior to application, we recommend that you meet with an STLCC academic advisor. The advisor can help you
plan your courses, clarify program requirements, and review your academic history
as it relates to this program. Visit the STLCC academic advising page.
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Applicants Be Advised
- 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 screen. Should the background check reveal prior felony criminal convictions,
the hospital will be contacted to determine if the individual will be disqualified.
If the drug screen is positive, the individual 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 may
result in the denial of your application or the filing of a disciplinary action against
you.
Cost of Attendance
For more information on cost of attendance visit MoSCORES.
Program Career and Salary Information
Pursuant to Missouri HB 1606 (2018), information regarding the number of credit hours,
program length, employment rate, wage data, and graduates employed in careers related
to their program of study at St. Louis Community College can be found at https://scorecard.mo.gov/. Search using School / Program “St. Louis Community College” and choose the degree
or credential type of interest.
The following limitations to the data apply - Information provided is based on the
most recent cohorts available. Typically, most recent cohorts for wage and completion
data are six years prior to the current academic year. Time to complete a program
of study varies depending on the number of credit hours students earn per semester.
Contact Us
Hours for all campuses: Monday-Thursday 8 a.m.-7 p.m., Friday 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
All Locations
314-539-5004
askus@stlcc.edu
