Diagnostic Medical Sonography

The DMS programs for General, Cardiac, and Vascular Sonography are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

Three Year AST Degree Program
134 credits / 2,952 clock hours

Diagnostic Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to image various organs and structures within the body. It is completely noninvasive, and is used extensively in hospitals and clinics worldwide. The Diagnostic Medical Sonographer utilizes high-tech equipment to assess abdominal organs such as the liver and kidneys; the heart in adults, children, and even the fetus; blood flow within veins and arteries throughout the body, and brain structure in newborn infants.

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Sonographers are respected members of the healthcare team. They work closely with physicians such as Radiologists, Cardiologists, Perinatologists, and Surgeons, in the diagnosis of various diseases and conditions.

Students choose from three Sonography specializations:

General Sonography (OB/GYN, Abdominal)
Cardiac Sonography (Echocardiography/Heart)
Vascular Sonography

DMS Graduates Can Earn A Bachelor's Degree

South Hills has an articulation and credit transfer agreement with Saint Joseph's College of Maine. Click here to find out more.

DMS Professional Plus
83.5 credits / 2,088 clock hours

This two year diploma program is designed for applicants who already have a previous Bachelor's degree in a field other than Medical Imaging. It includes courses anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, patient care, and medical imaging sciences.

DMS Professional
55 credits / 1,536 clock hours

This one year diploma program is designed for applicants who already have a previous 2-year or 4-year degree or diploma in a Medical Imaging specialty such as Radiologic Technology or Nuclear Medicine Technology. It assumes a strong background in anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, patient care, and medical imaging sciences.

Career Opportunities

Echocardiographer
Vascular Sonographer
General/Abdominal Sonographer
OB/Gyn Sonographer
Ultrasound Department Manager
Imaging Services Manager
Applications Specialist

SAMPLE Of CLINICAL INTERNSHIP AFFILIATES

Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA
York Wellspan Health System, York, PA
Johns Hopkins University Hospital, Baltimore, MD
Lehigh Valley General Hospital, Allentown, PA
UPMC Presbyterian Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA
UPMC Shadyside Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA
Guthrie Clinic and Robert Packer Hospital, Sayre, PA
Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Towson, MD
Holy Spirit Hospital, Camp Hill, PA
Chesapeake General Hospital, Chesapeake, VA
University Surgical Associates, Chattanooga, TN
Quality Vascular Imaging, Venice, FL

Sample of Courses

Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation I and II
Vascular Technology I and II
Clinical Obstetrics
Cross-sectional and Three-dimensional Anatomy
Echocardiography I and II
Law and Ethics for Imaging Professionals

DMS Complete Course List (click to expand)

(g = general, c = cardiac, v = vascular)

Code	Course	Credits	Clock Hours

First Term
GE220	Algebra	4	60
EN101	English I	3	60
CP101	Introduction to Computing (Accelerated)	1.5	30
KE100	Keyboarding Essentials	1.5	30
MD122	Anatomy & Physiology I	3	58
MD123	Anatomy & Physiology I Lab	0.5	14
PD119	Personal Development	1	24
MD114	Medical Terminology I	2	36
TOTAL CREDITS / CLOCK HOURS		16.5	312

Second Term
GE227	English II	4	60
GE219	Human Relations	2.5	36
MD124	Anatomy & Physiology II	3	58
MD125	Anatomy & Physiology II Lab	0.5	14
MD105	Medical Terminology II	2	36
GE221	Advanced Algebra	4	60
TOTAL CREDITS / CLOCK HOURS		16	264

Third Term
GE224	Speech	1	24
GE208	Business Writing	4	60
CP212	Microsoft Office	3	60
GE216	Statistics	4	60
HI106	Pathophysiology	3.5	72
TOTAL CREDITS / CLOCK HOURS		15.5	276

Fourth Term
MG108	Management and Supervision	3	60
GE201	Economics	4	60
DS240	Introduction to Medical Imaging	3	60
GE236	Introduction to Psychology	2.5	36
	Elective	3	60
TOTAL CREDITS / CLOCK HOURS		15.5	276

Fifth Term
GE160	Physics	4.5	58
GE161	Physics Lab	0.5	14
DS263	Law & Ethics for Imagining Professionals	3	60
DS110	Introduction to Sonography	3	60
MD200	Pharmacology	2	36
DS120	Patient Care	3	60
TOTAL CREDITS / CLOCK HOURS		15.5	288

Sixth Term
DS201	Ultrasound Physics & Instrumentation I	2	48
DS202	Cross Sectional & Three-Dimensional Anatomy	2	36
gDS224	Gynecologic Ultrasound OR	3	60
cDS243	Cardiac Pathophysiology I OR	(3)	(60)
vDS252	Vascular Technology I	(3)	(60)
gDS218	Obstetric Ultrasound OR	3	60
cDS244	Echocardiography I OR	(3)	(60)
vDS254	Vascular Pathophysiology	(3)	(60)
DS223	Abdominal Ultrasound I	3	60
gDS204	Clinical Obstetrics OR	2	36
cvDS245	Introduction to Cardiovascular Technology	(2)	(36)
TOTAL CREDITS / CLOCK HOURS		15	300

Seventh Term
DS229	Ultrasound Physics & Instrumentation II	2	48
cgDS234	Introduction to Vascular Ultrasound OR	3.5	72
vDS253	Vascular Technology II	(3.5)	(72)
gDS264	Obstetric and Gynecologic Ultrasound II OR	3	60
vDS258	Vascular Ultrasound Special Topics OR	(3)	(60)
cDS259	Echocardiography Special Topics	(3)	(60)
cDS247	Echocardiography II OR	3	60
gvDS210	Ultrasound of the Thyroid, Breast, & Superficial Structures	(3)	(60)
gvDS261	Abdominal Ultrasound II OR	3	60
cDS262	Cardiac Pathophysiology II	(3)	(60)
DS101	First Aid and CPR-AHA	0.5	12
TOTAL CREDITS / CLOCK HOURS		15	312

Eighth Term
DS302	Clinical Internship II	10	420
CD204	Job Search Skills	1	24
DS225	Professional Development I	2	30
TOTAL CREDITS / CLOCK HOURS		12	474

Ninth Term
DS303	Clinical Internship III	10	420
DS226	Professional Development II	2	30
TOTAL CREDITS / CLOCK HOURS		13	450

DMS Professional Plus Complete Course List (click to expand)

Please note this two year diploma program is designed for applicants who already have a previous Bachelor's degree in a field other than Medical Imaging.

(g = general, c = cardiac, v = vascular)

Code	Course	Credits	Clock Hours

First Term
GE219	Human Relations	2.5	36
MG208	Management and Supervision	3	60
MD122	Anatomy & Physiology I	3	58
MD123	Anatomy & Physiology I Lab	0.5	14
DS240	Intro to Medical Imaging	3	60
MD114	Medical Terminology I	2	36
TOTAL CREDITS / CLOCK HOURS		14	264

Second Term
DS263	Law & Ethics for Imaging Professionals	3	60
DS110	Introduction to Sonography	3	60
MD124	Anatomy & Physiology II	3	58
MD125	Anatomy & Physiology II Lab	0.5	14
MD105	Medical Terminology II	2	36
DS120	Patient Care	3	60
TOTAL CREDITS / CLOCK HOURS		14.5	288

Third Term
DS201	Ultrasound Physics & Instrumentation I	2	48
DS202	Cross Sectional & Three-Dimensional Anatomy	2	36
gDS224	Gynecologic Ultrasound OR	3	60
cDS243	Cardiac Pathophysiology I OR	(3)	(60)
vDS252	Vascular Technology I	(3)	(60)
gDS218	Obstetric Ultrasound OR	3	60
cDS244	Echocardiography I OR	(3)	(60)
vDS254	Vascular Pathophysiology	(3)	(60)
DS223	Abdominal Ultrasound I	3	60
gDS204	Clinical Obstetrics OR	2	36
cvDS245	Introduction to Cardiovascular Technology	(2)	(36)
DS101	First Aid/CPR-AHA	0.5	12
TOTAL CREDITS / CLOCK HOURS		15.5	312

Fourth Term
DS229	Ultrasound Physics & Instrumentation II	2	48
cgDS234	Introduction to Vascular Ultrasound OR	3.5	72
vDS253	Vascular Technology II	(3.5)	(72)
gDS264	Obstetric and Gynecologic Ultrasound II OR	3	60
vDS258	Vascular Ultrasound Special Topics OR	(3)	(60)
cDS259	Echocardiography Special Topics	(3)	(60)
cDS247	Echocardiography II OR	3	60
gvDS210	Ultrasound of the Thyroid, Breast, & Superficial Structures	(3)	(60)
gvDS261	Abdominal Ultrasound II OR	3	60
cDS262	Cardiac Pathophysiology II	(3)	(60)
TOTAL CREDITS / CLOCK HOURS		14.5	300

Fifth Term
DS302	Clinical Internship II	10	420
CD204	Job Search Skills	1	24
DS225	Professional Development I	2	30
TOTAL CREDITS / CLOCK HOURS		13	474

Sixth Term
DS303	Clinical Internship III	10	420
DS226	Professional Development II	2	30
TOTAL CREDITS / CLOCK HOURS		12	450

DMS Professional Complete Course List (click to expand)

Please note this one year diploma program is designed for applicants who already have a previous 2-year or 4-year degree or diploma in a Medical Imaging specialty such as Radiologic Technology or Nuclear Medicine Technology.

(g = general, c = cardiac, v = vascular)

Code	Course	Credits	Clock Hours

First Term
DS201	Ultrasound Physics & Instrumentation I	2	48
DS202	Cross Sectional & Three-Dimensional Anatomy	2	36
gDS224	Gynecologic Ultrasound OR	3	60
cDS243	Cardiac Pathophysiology I OR	(3)	(60)
vDS252	Vascular Technology I	(3)	(60)
gDS218	Obstetric Ultrasound OR	3	60
cDS244	Echocardiography I OR	(3)	(60)
vDS254	Vascular Pathophysiology	(3)	(60)
DS223	Abdominal Ultrasound I	3	60
gDS204	Clinical Obstetrics OR	2	36
cvDS245	Introduction to Cardiovascular Technology	(2)	(36)
DS101	First Aid and CPR-AHA	0.5	12
TOTAL CREDITS / CLOCK HOURS		15	300

Second Term
DS229	Ultrasound Physics & Instrumentation II	2	48
cgDS234	Introduction to Vascular Ultrasound OR	3.5	72
vDS253	Vascular Technology II	(3.5)	(72)
gDS264	Obstetric and Gynecologic Ultrasound II OR	3	60
vDS258	Vascular Ultrasound Special Topics OR	(3)	(60)
cDS259	Echocardiography Special Topics	(3)	(60)
cDS247	Echocardiography II OR	3	60
gvDS210	Ultrasound of the Thyroid, Breast, & Superficial Structures	(3)	(60)
gvDS261	Abdominal Ultrasound II OR	3	60
cDS262	Cardiac Pathophysiology II	(3)	(60)
TOTAL CREDITS / CLOCK HOURS		14.5	300

Third Term
DS302	Clinical Internship II	10	420
DS225	Professional Development I	2	30
CD204	Job Search Skills	1	24
TOTAL CREDITS / CLOCK HOURS		13	474

Fourth Term
DS303	Clinical Internship III	10	420
DS226	Professional Development II	2	30
TOTAL CREDITS / CLOCK HOURS		12	450

For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, please view our website at www.southhills.edu/disclosures/gainful_employment_disclosure.php?program=dms (DMS), www.southhills.edu/disclosures/gainful_employment_disclosure.php?program=dpp (DPP), or www.southhills.edu/disclosures/gainful_employment_disclosure.php?program=dmp (DMP).

1-888-282-7427

Get Connected

Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Three Year AST Degree Program
134 credits / 2,952 clock hours

Students choose from three Sonography specializations:

DMS Graduates Can Earn A Bachelor's Degree

DMS Professional Plus
83.5 credits / 2,088 clock hours

DMS Professional
55 credits / 1,536 clock hours

Career Opportunities

SAMPLE Of CLINICAL INTERNSHIP AFFILIATES

Sample of Courses

1-888-282-7427

Get Connected

Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Three Year AST Degree Program134 credits / 2,952 clock hours

Students choose from three Sonography specializations:

DMS Graduates Can Earn A Bachelor's Degree

DMS Professional Plus83.5 credits / 2,088 clock hours

DMS Professional55 credits / 1,536 clock hours

Career Opportunities

SAMPLE Of CLINICAL INTERNSHIP AFFILIATES

Sample of Courses

Three Year AST Degree Program
134 credits / 2,952 clock hours

DMS Professional Plus
83.5 credits / 2,088 clock hours

DMS Professional
55 credits / 1,536 clock hours