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Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Diagnostic Medical Sonography - Certificate

Program Requirements:

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Locations:

Grand Strand

Contact:

Admissions
(843) 347-3186

Diagnostic Medical

The technological advancement of diagnostic sonography has been incredibly beneficial for the medical field. Diagnostic Medical Sonographers use sound waves at high frequencies to produce high-resolution images for physicians to visualize the body’s internal organs, muscles, and joints, providing more accuracy when determining a patient's condition and course of treatment. One of the more popular uses of this technology is obstetric sonography, which allows doctors, along with expectant parents, to see the fetus as it develops and to monitor for abnormalities or health complications in the developing child. Students completing the program are eligible to take the ARRT - American Registry of Radiologic Technologist and the ARDMS (American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography) registry exams in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. See the program mission below.

Note: Students with appropriate credits to qualify for an A.A.S. degree in General Technology may graduate with an A.A.S. in General Technology, with an Emphasis in Diagnostic Medical Sonography.

Specific Admission Requirements for Program

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is a limited-access programAll applicants must meet weighted admission requirements by May 15 to be considered for the programHowever, meeting admission requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the DMS program. Students with the highest scores will receive admission to the program. A waiting list of applicants will not be maintained for future admission. An applicant who receives notification that he/she was not admitted to the program must resubmit the  Diagnostic Medical Sonography Application  by the program application deadline date to be considered for admission to the next available class. Program admissions application is available above under admissions information.

  • Must pass Criminal Background Check prior to acceptance 
  • Must pass Urine Drug Screening prior to acceptance 
  • Submit a Health Sciences Division Student Health Record Form indicating the candidate has the ability to perform the physical tasks required in the program. 
  • Complete and pass the General Hospital Orientation. 
  • Proof of CPR certification for Health Care Providers prior to admission and during program. 
  • For students seeking transfer credits from other institutions, see the  DMS Admission FAQ
  • Other expenses for which you are responsible may include, but are not limited to: purchasing scrubs and shoes, gas and transportation to clinical sites, and Licensing Exam fees. 
  • To be licensed as a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer the graduate must pass the ARDMS (American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography) or ARRT - American Registry of Radiologic Technologist and registry exams in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. The cost of completing the NPTE and application for licensure is NOT included in the cost of tuition for the program. 

Course Sequence and Progression Requirements
A cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher as well as a minimum grade of "C" or better is required for all program courses for progression and graduation. Grades below "C" are considered course failures. Any student who fails to meet the requirements for progression will be dropped from the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program and must meet re-entry requirements prior to re-application. For further information regarding re-acceptance, see the DMS Student Handbook.

Students must pass a criminal background check and urine drug screening 30 days prior to starting clinical each semester.

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program at Horry-Georgetown Technical College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of 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, 727-210-2350. 

For more information about HGTC's accreditations, click here.

Hospitals are the primary employers for sonographers, although there are opportunities in private physician's offices. Sonographers can earn certifications in specialty areas such as breast, pediatrics, cardiac, and vascular sonography.  Certification as a sonographer can also open new career options for current members of the healthcare community, such as nurses, respiratory therapists, and other imaging specialists. 

  • Grand Strand Regional Medical Center
  • Georgetown Hospital System
  • McLeod Regional Medical Center
  • MUSC Marion
  • MUSC Florence
  • Waccamaw Community Hospital
  • Conway Medical Center
  • McLeod Loris
  • McLeod Seacoast

For more information about careers, visit O*Net Online for an overview of South Carolina and National earnings statistics, and Career Services for more employment, career, and professional development resources.

Program Mission Statement
The Medical Imaging Sciences Programs of Horry-Georgetown Technical College will provide a student - centered environment for the development of professional attributes, technical abilities, and critical thinking skills expected of entry-level Sonographers. The graduate of the program will have acquired the knowledge, skills and professional experiences necessary for success in achieving their career and educational goals and will work as effective Sonographers in their local communities. 

Program Goals

The program will prepare competent entry-level sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains for Abdominal sonography - Extended and Obstetrics and gynecology sonography through the following goals:
  1. Students will be clinically competent.
  2. Students will communicate effectively.
  3. Students will use critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
  4. Program promotes professional behaviors and lifelong learning.
  5. The program will effectively meet the needs of the community for entry level Sonographers.

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Students will demonstrate competency in command of the transducer
  2. Students will demonstrate the ability to recognize and record specific anatomy and pathology.
  3. Students will demonstrate applicable patient care methods.
  4. Students will demonstrate effective written communication.
  5. Students will demonstrate effective oral communication.
  6. Students will demonstrate appropriate analytical and evaluative abilities in the clinical setting.
  7. Students will modify ultrasound procedure according to patient conditions
  8. Student will demonstrate professional behavior in Health Care Team.

Applicants to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program should be aware a current, unrestricted license or certification may be required to practice in the state in which you intend to reside/practice. Each state is unique in its licensure requirements. Students are encouraged to reach out to the program chair for more information and assistance with understanding professional licensure.

For more information about Health Science Admissions visit: www.hgtc.edu/healthscience.

For more information, contact:
Caryn Atkins - (843) 477-2181

Curriculum Sequence

GPA of 2.75 required with grades of C's or higher.
BIO 210 Anatomy and Physiology I
BIO 211 (5 yr. time limit) Anatomy and Physiology Il
ENG 101 English Composition l
MAT 110 or 120 College Alg. or Probs. & Stats 
PSY 201 General Psychology 
SPC 205 Public Speaking 
AHS 102 (10 yr. time limit) Medical Terminology 
AHS 110 (10 yr. time limit) Patient Care Procedures 
PHY 118 Medical Imaging Science 
Humanities of your choice ART 101, 108
ENG 201, 202, 205, 206, 208, 209
HIS 101, 102, 201, 202
MUS 105
PHI 101, 110, 201
REL 103
SPA 201, 202
THE 101
First Semester - Fall Course Title Semester
Credit Hours
DMS 112 OB/GYN Sonography I 3
DMS 114 DMS Cross Sectional Anatomy 3
DMS 164 Introduction to Clinical Education 2
  TOTAL 8
Second Semester - Spring    
DMS 101 Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation I 2
DMS 124 OB/GYN Sonography II 2
DMS 150 Clinical Applications I 7
  TOTAL 11
Third Semester - Summer    
DMS 120 Sonographic Instrumentation II 3
DMS 122 Abdominal Sonography 1
DMS 166 Advanced Clinical Education 7
  TOTAL 11
Fourth Semester - Fall    
DMS 126 Advanced Sonographic Topics 2
DMS 167 Imaging Practicum 8
  TOTAL 10
 

Total Credit Hours

40