Diagnostic Medical Sonography Technology
Bachelor of Applied Science
Overview
Ohio’s first and only accelerated bachelor’s degree program
When students think about a career in sonography, they often associate ultrasound with pregnancy. This is a key part of sonography, but a career in this field involves much more since ultrasound is used for diagnostic purposes in several different areas of the body.
The Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Diagnostic Medical Sonography Technology (DMS) incorporates COTC’s highly regarded curriculum plus advanced training in special modalities, giving graduates a competitive edge in the job market. Opportunities in sonography are growing due to the increasing use of ultrasound exams outpacing the number of qualified graduates.
The BAS in DMS is an accelerated three-year program that begins in autumn semester each year. As an accelerated program, you take classes year-round, including summer semester. Sonography courses are offered at the Newark campus only. General education courses are available day or evening and at all extended campuses or online. During the program, students complete a minimum of five clinical rotations that are typically two or three days per week during the daytime.
Majors
Choose one of two majors in the sonography program at COTC: general or cardiovascular. All concentrations of the program are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.
General Major:
- Abdominal organs: liver, kidneys, spleen, pancreas, etc.
- Obstetrics and gynecology
- Breast, thyroid, prostate, etc.
- Musculoskeletal muscles and tendons
- Neonatal brain and pediatrics
Cardiovascular Major:
- Adult heart
- EKG
- Cerebrovascular carotid arteries and brain
- Peripheral blood flow of vessels in arms and legs
- Abdominal arteries and veins
Earn Sonography Credentials
As you progress through the curriculum, you will be able to sit for many sonographer credentialing exams needed for employment, such as:
- Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) Registered Vascular Specialist (RVS)
- American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT)
- ARDMS Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS) with an Abdomen (AB) specialty
- ARDMS Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS) with an Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN) specialty
- ARDMS Sonographic Principles and Instrumentation (SPI)
- ARDMS Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS) with an Adult Echocardiography specialty (AE)
COTC graduates’ pass rates exceed both accreditation standards and national averages.
Sonography Information Meeting/Course
Interested students may either attend a diagnostic medical sonography technology information meeting on campus or complete the online sonography information course to learn about the sonography program at COTC and satisfy this requirement on the sonography program application.
An online sonography information course is available to anyone interested in the diagnostic medical sonography technology program at COTC. This course will provide information and hopefully answer many of your questions on the ultrasound profession, program requirements and application process. The information course will take less than one hour to complete and can be accessed multiple times.
Future Start Dates
The sonography program begins each autumn semester at the Newark campus.
Application deadline: May 1
Admission Requirements
This is a competitive, selective enrollment program. To be admitted, you must submit a free application for admission and a sonography program application and supporting material by the application deadline to be considered for the admission to the sonography degree program.
Plan of Study
Program Outcomes
Program Goal
To prepare competent entry-level general and/or cardiovascular sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills) and affective (behavior) learning domains for the following concentrations:
- Cardiovascular Major: Adult Cardiac & Vascular
- General Major: Abdomen-Extended & OB/GYN
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program, the student should be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge and application of ergonomic techniques.
- Demonstrate knowledge and application of types and methods of infection control.
- Demonstrate knowledge and application of patient care.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of healthcare professions to effectively communicate and collaborate in the healthcare environment.
- Demonstrate knowledge of medical ethics and law.
- Demonstrate knowledge of medical and sonographic terminology.
- Obtain, evaluate, document, and communicate relevant information related to sonographic examinations.
- Identify and evaluate anatomic structures.
- Demonstrate knowledge of disease processes with application to sonographic and Doppler patterns.
- Demonstrate knowledge and application of image production and optimization.
- Demonstrate knowledge and application of biological effects.
- Demonstrate knowledge of a quality control and improvement program.
- Demonstrate awareness of resources for professional development.
- Demonstrate achievement of clinical competency through the performance of the requirements to provide quality patient care and optimal examination outcome
Program Accreditation
The diagnostic medical sonography program at Central Ohio Technical College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS).
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Program (CAAHEP) CONTACT INFORMATION:
9344 113th Street North
#7709
Seminole, FL 33775
Phone: 1-727-210-2350
Email: mail@caahep.org
Program Effectiveness Data
Cross-Training for Registered Sonographers
COTC offers an option for sonographers to enroll in DMS courses without enrolling in the selective DMS program. Sonographers interested in taking a DMS course(s) either as a “refresher” or who would like to cross-train into a different sonography specialty, must hold an active RDMS, RVT or RDCS credential with the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) or hold an active RVS, RCS credential with CCI, must be employed as a sonographer at the time of enrollment and/or have the permission of the Program Director. Non-COTC alumni may be required to meet with the Program Director prior to enrollment.
Students approved for enrollment may select from the courses listed below. Only students enrolled in the selective DMS program may register for clinical courses due to compliance with clinical affiliation agreements and CAAHEP/JRC-DMS accreditation standards.
Transfer Options
AS to BS Completion Degree
COTC graduates with an Associate of Applied Science Diagnostic Medical Sonography Technology have the opportunity to complete an AS to BS completely online through a partnership with The Ohio State University. You can continue their education, completely online, through coursework specializing in management principles and strategies, human resources for health care, administration and quality management.
Learn more about the AS to BS completion degree in radiologic sciences
MS in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
For COTC alumni who have already completed their bachelor’s degree, COTC has a pathway in partnership with The Ohio State University to earn a master’s degree in science through the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. The graduate program is completely online. Many sonographers and allied health professionals will likely be interested in the “Advanced Practice” focus track which offers training in leadership, management, education and specialized graduate courses. There is also a “Research Track” for students to who wish to focus on research that would culminate in a thesis.
Learn More about the MS in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences