Diagnostic Medical Sonography
The Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) program's mission is to prepare competent entry-level sonographers who will provide exceptional patient care accomplished through high quality education in didactic, laboratory, and clinical instruction with emphasis on the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective learning domains.
Qualified applicants for the DMS program are ranked using a point system from highest to lowest. Points are awarded based on the following criteria:
- Prerequisite grades in Anatomy & Physiology I, Physics course, and Math course with an “A” receiving 5 points, a “B” receiving 3 points, and a “C” receiving 1 point for each course. If courses are taken at Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing & Health Sciences, then 1 additional point will be added to grade for that course.
- For applicants who provide transcript of degree and copy of current license/certification for eligible 2 or 4-year degree nursing or allied health profession, 5 points will be awarded. Applicants with approved transcript of health-related certificate or CNA certification are awarded 2 points toward admission to the DMS program.
- If two or more applicants have the same number of points, the ATI TEAS score will determine final ranking.
Applicants will be notified of contingent acceptance to the DMS program through email. Applicants not accepted may be placed on an alternate list for current admitting year only. Applicants not accepted to the DMS program should schedule an appointment with a Southeast Health College of Nursing & Health Sciences advisor to discuss other educational opportunities or continue course work for reapplication the next year. Applicants will be re-ranked each year for admission.
Example Curriculum Plan
Required General Education Courses
AH 200 Statistics (3)*
BI 151 Anatomy & Physiology I (4)
COM 100 Oral Communications (3)
ENG 100 English Composition (3)
PHY 100 Introductory Physics (3)
First Year Fall Semester
DMS 100 Introduction to Sonography - first 8 weeks (2)
DMS 110 Ultrasound Physics I (3)
DMS 120 Ultrasound of Abdomen/Small Parts I w/lab (4)
DMS 130 Ultrasound of Obstetrics/Gynecology I w/lab (4)
DMS 140 Clinical I - second 8 weeks/1 day per week (1)
First Year Spring Semester
DMS 210 Ultrasound Physics II (3)
DMS 220 Ultrasound of Abdomen/Small Parts II w/lab (4)
DMS 230 Ultrasound of Obstetrics/Gynecology II w/lab (4)
DMS 240 Clinical II - 3 days per week (3)
First Year Summer Semester
DMS 211Physics Board Review (2)
DMS 250 Clinical III - 4 days per week/8 weeks (4)
Fine Arts/Humanities Course (General Education Course) (3)**
PSY 100 Psychology (General Education Course) (3)**
Second Year Fall Semester
DMS 260 Clinical IV - 4 days per week (4)
DMS 270 Vascular Ultrasound I w/lab (4)
DMS 212 Abdomen/Small Parts Board Review - first 8 weeks (2)
DMS 214 Obstetrics/Gyn Board Review - second 8 weeks (2)
Total Semester Hours Required: 68
*Statistics is preferred but College Algebra is acceptable.
**General education courses that may be taken in semester indicated or other semesters before completion of program. Psychology is preferred but other Social/Behavior science courses are accepted.
Students will be admitted in the fall semester of each year. The AAS in DMS has a limited enrollment number and meeting the admission requirements does not guarantee admission.
Complete required general education courses with minimum grade of “C” or better.
These courses must be taken prior to beginning program courses.
- AH 200 Statistics*
- BI 151 Anatomy and Physiology I & Lab
- COM 100 Oral Communications
- ENG 100 English Composition
- PHY 100 Introductory Physics
These must be taken in semester indicated or other semester before completion of program.
- PSY 100 Psychology**
- Fine Arts/Humanities Course
*Statistics is preferred but College Algebra is acceptable.
**Psychology is preferred but other Social/Behavior science courses are accepted.
Individual course grades will be used as part of point system to rank applicants for admissions to the DMS program.
- High school diploma or GED/HiSET equivalent
- Minimum ATI TEAS score of 58.7%
The goals of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program include:
- Preparing competent entry-level Abdominal-Extended, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Vascular sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills) and affective (behavior) learning domains.
- Providing a comprehensive DMS program to produce competent and compassionate diagnostic medical sonographers to be part of a diverse health care team.
- Promoting lifelong learning within the profession of diagnostic medical sonography.
- Serving as a resource for ultrasound departments in Southeast Missouri.
The first cohort of students will begin the program fall 2023 and outcome data for DMS program retention, program completion, job placement, and board certification will be published as available.
Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing & Health Sciences Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is currently seeking accreditation in Abdominal Sonography – Extended, Obstetrics and Gynecology Sonography, and Vascular Sonography concentrations 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).
Once accredited, this status will allow DMS students to register with the ARDMS for the Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (ARMDS) specialty board examinations 60-days prior to graduation. Students will take the Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) during the summer semester of the program, and until program accreditation is achieved, apply to take American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) Sonography exams upon successful completion of the Associate of Applied Science degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
Additional Resources
In meeting the DMS program goals, graduates will be equipped to:
- Demonstrate academic knowledge and clinical competency in performing sonographic exams and diagnostic procedures (cognitive).
- Obtain, review, and integrate patient and clinical history to facilitate diagnostic results (cognitive).
- Record, analyze and process accurate anatomic, pathologic, and/or physiologic information on sonographic exams for presentation to interpreting physicians (psychomotor).
- Employ critical thinking skills to integrate patient information, clinical history, and sonographic information (psychomotor).
- Facilitate quality communication to elicit patient cooperation and understanding of sonographic exams (affective).
- Provide compassionate patient care (affective).
- Demonstrate effective communication skills with patients and colleagues (affective).
- Demonstrate skills for lifelong learning and professional contribution (affective).
- Act in a professional and ethical manner (affective).