Diagnostic Medical Sonography Associate Degree Program
Program Type
Associate Degree
Delivery Method
On Campus
Course Length
Approximately
22 months
Program Objective
The DMS associate degree program will prepare competent entry-level sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains for the abdominal-extended concentrations for all campuses and the obstetrics and gynecology sonography concentration for the El Paso and Houston campuses. From learning how the equipment works to optimizing images, interpreting scans and recognizing abnormal findings, you will learn all sides of sonography. At Pima Medical Institute, professionalism and excellent communication skills are prioritized along with the clinical courses and lab training due to the amount of direct care with patients in this healthcare field.
A diagnostic medical sonographer – also referred to as “ultrasound technologist” – uses specialized equipment to create images of the body. A physician reviews these images, or sonograms, to make a medical diagnosis.
The regular responsibilities of a diagnostic medical sonographer include explaining the procedure to patients, recording pertinent medical history, selecting appropriate equipment and settings and creating diagnostic images for doctors. Sonographers use this non-invasive procedure to look inside the human body, specifically the abdomen, heart, blood vessels or a baby in utero.
Students in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program will learn an array of clinical and professional skills, taught by instructors with years of experience. Classes focus on anatomy and physiology, ultrasound scanning techniques and protocols, medical terminology, patient care, medical communication, professional medical ethics and much more.
Hands-on training prepares students with real-world experience they can apply on their very first day on the job. With five lab courses throughout the program, we ensure our students get many opportunities to observe, operate and achieve competency with the ultrasound technology, equipment and images.
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Careers in Diagnostic Medical Sonography
What Are My Career Opportunities as a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer?
What Are My Career Opportunities as a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer?
This associate degree program will prepare graduates to apply their skills in a number of different roles, such as:
- Sonographer
- Diagnostic medical sonographer
- Ultrasound technologist
- Ultrasonographer
They can work in a variety of environments:
- Hospitals
- Physicians’ offices
- Medical and diagnostic labs
- Outpatient imaging departments
- Free-standing urgent care facilities
Job Outlook
Job Outlook
As the large baby boom population ages, the need to diagnose medical conditions—such as blood clots and heart disease—will likely increase.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the overall employment of diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists/technicians is projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations.
Continued Education
Continued Education
Graduating with an associate degree is a vital pathway toward pursuing higher education later on. Interested in breaking into leadership or healthcare administration? At Pima Medical Institute, we offer an online Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration that will give you the skills needed to move up within your field, all with the flexibility of virtual instruction. Work on your degree anywhere, anytime.
Online B.S. in Health Care Administration
When you’re a Pima Medical Institute student, you get access to our Career Services team—here for you when you need extra help with finding the right job opportunities, building a resume, strengthening your interview skills or just looking for general guidance.
Program Outline
Learn more about the courses in this program.
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Semester l
Semester lI
Semester III
Semester IV
Semester V
Semester VI
Interested In Starting This Program?
Find out more about our Admissions Requirements or view our How to Apply page.
Success Is Within Reach
We are truly invested in making sure our students succeed.
“Pima Medical was not only my school for ultrasound, it was also the place I learned English. My instructors were extremely helpful and patient. I had a very good clinical experience and, in fact, they called the school to see if they could hire me before I had even finished. I have been working in hospital settings as an ultrasound technologist and have even taught at Pima Medical in their DMS program.”
Arisleydis Gonzalez, Diagnostic Medical Sonography Graduate
Pima Medical Blog
Understanding the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Career
A diagnostic medical sonographer (also known as an ultrasound technologist), uses diagnostic imaging technology and soundwaves to provide the most detailed images of what’s really going on…
Alumni Spotlight: Diagnostic Medical Sonography Graduate Arisleydis Gonzalez
Arisleydis was not new to the medical field or working with patients. After moving to the United States, she became frustrated after working various jobs…
Pima Medical Institute Hosts New El Paso Campus Grand Opening October 25
El PASO (October 19, 2017) – Pima Medical Institute is proud to celebrate the grand opening of its new, 40,000-square-foot campus, conveniently located at 6925…
Disclosures And Accreditations
State Licensure Determination Disclosure
The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is offered via on-ground and hybrid delivery methods. The program is available to residents of Arizona, Texas, and Washington, and meets applicable licensure requirements in those states. While there may be online components, completion of this program requires on-ground attendance at the campus at which the student is enrolled and cannot be completed solely via distance education. Prospective students and enrolled students should understand that moving out of the state in which they enrolled may adversely impact a student’s ability to complete the program. If a student is planning to relocate outside of their state of enrollment he or she is required to discuss this with the Student Services Coordinator and/or Program Director.
In compliance with 34 CFR 668.43 Pima Medical Institute has made a reasonable effort to determine graduate eligibility for licensure in all states for programs designed and advertised as leading to licensure. The document below lists Pima Medical Institute programs and states where the curriculum meets licensure requirements, states where the curriculum does not meet licensure requirements, and states in which Pima Medical Institute has been unable to determine if the curriculum meets state licensure requirements. All consumers should be advised that due to the frequent changes to state statutes, rules, and regulations Pima Medical Institute cannot guarantee licensure based on the lists below.
State Licensure Determination Disclosure – Associate Degree
Contact information for state licensing boards in which Pima Medical Institute has determined the program does not meet state licensure requirements or where Pima Medical Institute has been unable to determine if the program meets state licensure requirements can be found below.
Accreditation and Program Information
The DMS program at Pima Medical Institute El Paso and Houston Campuses are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (www.jrcdms.org).
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
9355 – 113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
727-210-2350
Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography
6021 University Blvd. Suite 500
Ellicott City, MD 21043
P: 443-973-3251
F: 866-738-3444
E: mail@jrcdms.org
View accreditation information for all programs by campus
View program costs, additional disclosures and outcomes for this program (if applicable)