The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) prepares competent entry-level sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills) and affective (behavior) learning domains in abdominal sonography extended and obstetrics and gynecology sonography. Examples of examinations performed by sonographers include abdominal, gynecological, fetal, breast, vascular, small part and superficial structures. Graduates are prepared to sit for a national certification exam in diagnostic medical sonography.
Diagnostic medical sonographers are trained to provide patient care services, applying ultrasound technology to create images of organs, tissues and blood vessels in a variety of medical settings. Sonographers assist physicians with assessing and diagnosing medical conditions as well as monitoring fetal development.
Admission Requirements
- Complete the Admission Requirements for Associate Degrees.
- Complete the following courses with a minimum grade of C:
- BIOL A111 and BIOL A111L
- BIOL A112 and BIOL A112L
- MA A101
- RADT A151
- Submit a diagnostic medical sonography program application according to instructions and deadlines on the DMS program website.
- Provide documentation of:
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Completion of a minimum of 8 hours of sonographer observation at two imaging facilities, documented on the program observation form found on the DMS program website.
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All students will initially be admitted to pre-major status. Admission to pre-major status does not guarantee subsequent admission to the major. As a pre-major, students work with an advisor to assist them in completing pre-major requirements and preparing to apply to the full major. The DMS program website provides details on the admission requirements, process, and deadlines.
Special Considerations
- Once admitted to the full major, students will be required to submit results of a national-level criminal background check for clinical placement.
- Students may be required to show proof of immunizations prior to the start of clinical placement.
- Students will be required to physically attend courses at the main Anchorage campus the first year of full major status.
- Students will be required to complete clinical training at sites around the state during the second year to satisfy competency and graduation requirements. The travel, lodging, and other costs associated with clinical assignment outside the Anchorage area is at the student's expense.
- Students may be required to show proof of health insurance prior to the start of clinical placement.
Graduation Requirements
- Complete the General University Requirements for Associate Degrees.
- Complete the General Education Requirements for Associate of Applied Science Degrees.
- Complete the following major requirements with a minimum grade of C:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL A111 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 3 |
| BIOL A111L | Human Anatomy and Physiology I Lab | 1 |
| BIOL A112 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 3 |
| BIOL A112L | Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab | 1 |
| DMS A101 | Introduction to Sonography | 2 |
| DMS A103 | Patient Care in Sonography | 2 |
| DMS A105 | Principles and Instrumentation I | 3 |
| DMS A107 | Abdominal Sonography I | 3 |
| DMS A109 | OB and Gyn Sonography I | 3 |
| DMS A205 | Principles and Instrumentation II | 3 |
| DMS A207 | Abdominal Sonography II | 3 |
| DMS A209 | OB and Gyn Sonography II | 3 |
| DMS A213 | Vascular Technology | 2 |
| DMS A217 | Fundamentals of Sonography Lab | 1 |
| DMS A219 | Practical Sonography Lab | 3 |
| DMS A292A | DMS Seminar I | 3 |
| DMS A292B | DMS Seminar II | 3 |
| DMS A295A | Clinical Practicum I | 9 |
| DMS A295B | Clinical Practicum II | 9 |
| MA A101 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| RADT A151 | Radiographic Physics | 2 |
| Total | 65 | |
A minimum of 74 credits is required for the degree.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Students graduating with an Associate of Applied Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography will be able to:
- Demonstrate appropriate technical and effective skills in the clinical setting.
- Demonstrate patient-centered age-specific imaging.
- Analyze images to determine diagnostic quality.
- Demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills in both the didactic and clinical setting.
- Apply written communication skills to the construction of documents of record that follow established professional guidelines.
- Apply oral communication skills to the explanation of ideas and scientific terminology.
- Explain cultural diversity and evaluate the role of cultural competency, values, and ethics in the patient care setting.
- Demonstrate proper work ethics.
- Examine the value of leadership, professional development, and growth.
Sample Plan
The academic plan below is one pathway through the degree/certificate. It includes all requirements, taking into account recommendations from program faculty. Each student’s plan may vary according to their initial course placement, intended course load, additional majors and/or minors, and their placement into required prerequisite courses. Any change in the plan below can have an unforeseen impact on the rest of the plan. Therefore, it is very important to meet with your academic advisor to verify your personal academic plan.
Please review the following terms, definitions, and resources associated with the sample academic plan below.
- Each course in the far left column links to a pop-up bubble with a course description, prerequisite requirements, and associations with university requirements. For example, if a course fulfills a general education requirement, you will see that in the pop-up bubble.
- GER: indicates a General Education Requirement. GERs that also count toward degree/certificate requirements appear as a specific course in the plan. For these courses, "GER" is not indicated explicitly in the table, but if you click on the course, you will see the course's GER status in the pop-up bubble.
- Program Elective: indicates a specific course selection determined by program faculty to fulfill a degree/certificate requirement. Students should seek assistance from their academic advisor.
- Elective: indicates an open selection of 100-400 level university courses to fulfill elective credits needed to meet the minimum total credits toward the degree/certificate.
- Upper Division Program Elective: indicates a specific 300-400 level course selection determined by the program faculty to fulfill a degree/certificate requirement. Students should seek assistance from their academic advisor.
- Upper Division Elective: indicates an open selection of 300-400 level courses to fulfill elective credits needed to meet the minimum total credits toward the degree/certificate. These courses must be upper division in order to meet General University Requirements for the particular degree/certificate type.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| BIOL A111 & A111L | Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Human Anatomy and Physiology I Lab | 4 |
| MA A101 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| GER Quantitative Skills | 3 | |
| GER Written Communication Skills | 3 | |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIOL A112 & A112L | Human Anatomy and Physiology II and Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab | 4 |
| RADT A151 | Radiographic Physics | 2 |
| GER Oral Communication Skills | 3 | |
| GER Written Communication Skills | 3 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| DMS A101 | Introduction to Sonography | 2 |
| DMS A103 | Patient Care in Sonography | 2 |
| DMS A105 | Principles and Instrumentation I | 3 |
| DMS A107 | Abdominal Sonography I | 3 |
| DMS A109 | OB and Gyn Sonography I | 3 |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Spring | ||
| DMS A205 | Principles and Instrumentation II | 3 |
| DMS A207 | Abdominal Sonography II | 3 |
| DMS A209 | OB and Gyn Sonography II | 3 |
| DMS A213 | Vascular Technology | 2 |
| DMS A217 | Fundamentals of Sonography Lab | 1 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Summer | ||
| DMS A219 | Practical Sonography Lab | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| DMS A292A | DMS Seminar I | 3 |
| DMS A295A | Clinical Practicum I | 9 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| DMS A292B | DMS Seminar II | 3 |
| DMS A295B | Clinical Practicum II | 9 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 77 | |