Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Welcome to the Middlesex Community College Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program's website
The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Associate in Science degree program provides the knowledge and techniques required for specialization in the field of diagnostic medical sonography.
Program Goal
To prepare competent entry-level sonographers in Abdominal-extended, Obstetrical and Gynecology concentrations, in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.
Mission Statement
We believe that learning is an active, continuous process involving intellectual and psychomotor activities, which can be measured by an observable change in behavior. Learning is best accomplished in a democratic atmosphere where open communication exists between college faculty, clinical faculty and students. We recognize that there will be differences among learners.
The learning process should provide opportunities based on didactic and clinical course objectives as well as opportunities for on-going student self-evaluation.
We believe that theory taught in logical sequence will aid the learner in approaching patient centered activities relating to the production of sonograms. Anatomical, physiological and pathological information form the basis of this sequential learning process. Emphasis throughout the program centers on the effective application of acoustical physics to instrumentation and imaging techniques.
We believe the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program must stress the importance of continuing education so that graduates are encouraged to assume responsibility for on-going professional study and development.
Frequently Asked Questions about the MCC DMS Program
- Salary? – Anentry-level sonographer trained in the Abdominal-extended and OB/GYN concentrations, earns approximately $35.00 - $38.00 per hour, depending upon whether you work in a hospital, private or mobile setting. The more credentials earned the more likely you will enhance this salary. For example upon completion from MCC, you will able eligible to take the registry national exams in Abdominal-extended and Obstetrical/Gynecology boards. MCC offers only a Sonography Program in Abdominal-extended and OB/GYN concentrations, but you have the opportunity to achieve future registration in Cardiac, Vascular, Musculoskeletal, Breast and Pediatric Sonography once you have acquired the appropriate education and have met the requirements for taking these national board exams. All of this information is located at the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography
- Hours? – As a graduate you most likely be required to work, evenings, overnights, weekends and holidays. As an entry-level sonographer, you may have to begin your career working per diem, part-time scheduled then achieve a full time status.
- Job Potential? – As a registered sonographer in Abdominal-extended and OB/GYN concentrations, there
are many different paths that you may take.
- work as a sonographer in a hospital, private or mobile setting
- work as an application specialist, for example General Electric and demonstrate the latest developments in ultrasound equipment
- work as a “traveler” sonographer where you can travel to different parts of the country or world and work on a short-term contract basis
- transition into education and work as a Clinical Educator in the hospital or teach in a college setting
- go into research and development with ultrasound
- Program Commitment? – This program is rigorous and demands a full-time commitment consisting of six semesters, two of which include attending 24 hours per week in clinical throughout both summer semesters. The college follows the Carnegie Unit for credit. In other words, a one-credit course requires one hour of class instruction per week and two hours of homework time per week for each semester. The DMS program consists of 68 credits. That is why it is strongly encouraged that students complete their General Education Courses prior to admission into the program to relieve that additional workload. Once the student is in the DMS program, they can focus only on sonography courses and their five clinical practicums.
- Is there an opportunity to complete his program in an on-line environment, part-time or weekend basis? – This program is a Monday through Friday daytime program. When you are not in class or practicing in the laboratory, you are training at your clinical affiliate. Classes typically begin at 8:00 AM and end around 3:00 PM. Spring semester clinical as a freshmen requires 16 hours per week with classes on Mondays, Wednesdays and lab on Fridays. Remaining semesters require 24 hours per week in clinical. During the summer semesters there are no classes but you will be in clinical 24 hours per week.
- Can we select our clinical site placement? – The DMS faculty will select your clinical placement. The DMS faculty feel that after spending many hours with you during the fall semester that they can best identify the appropriate clinical placement to provide you with the best possible clinical experience.
- Do we rotate with our clinical site placements? – There is some rotation depending upon the opportunity of acquiring particular types of exams. Not all students rotate if their hospital is providing all the clinical experience necessary to meet the required competencies. Some hospitals lack sufficient obstetrical exam opportunities and in these cases we rotate you to a site to acquire those necessary skills to ensure that obstetrical competencies are met.
- What is furthest clinical site placement? – Sites are located within 100 miles of MCC Bedford campus. Anticipate that you may have a two-hour commute each way to your clinical site. We have sites in Boston, Cape Cod, and Leominster and along the Massachusetts and New Hampshire border.
- How much are textbooks? – Currently (subject to change) you are required to purchase six textbooks for this 24-month program. We recommend that you purchase and do not rent, as these textbooks will be essential as a future reference for your career as a sonographer and as a resource in preparation for your national board examinations. The total cost will be approximately $700.00 - $800.00. During the fall freshmen semester, you will purchase two textbooks and one lab workbook manual, in the spring semester two textbooks and in the fourth semester one additional textbook.
- Is a laptop or IPad required? – It is recommended as many of the tests and sonographic images are best displayed in this format, but arrangements can be made through MCC to accommodate if you need to acquire this tool.
Program Effectiveness Data:
Please note the following definitions for Program Effectiveness Data:
- Attrition (Program Completion Rate) – the number of students who complete the program within a cohort compared to the number who enrolled in the cohort initially.
- Job Placement Rate – the number of graduates employed in the ultrasound profession within six months of graduation, compared to the number of graduates actively seeking employment in the ultrasound field.
- Credential Success Rate – the number of graduates who pass the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) examinations on the first attempt compared within the number of graduates who take the examinations.
|
Program Effectiveness Data 2021 |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
(SPI) Sonography Principles and Instrumentation |
One Specialty Exam (either ABD or OB/Gyn) |
||
|
Credential Success Rate |
Attempted 10 |
Passed 10 (100%) |
Attempted 10 |
Passed 10 (100%) |
|
Job Placement Rate |
# of students seeking employment (10/10) 100% |
|||
|
Attrition (Program Completion Rate) |
Students enrolled in the program |
Attrition |
Program |
|
For admissions information:
call 1-800-818-3434 or email Admissions.
Professional Organizations and Resources
American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography
American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
Videos:
Demonstration of Scanning the Liver in the Lab
Scanning Lab at Middlesex Community College
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Pinning Oath
We promise as a member of the healthcare team to perform quality diagnostic imaging that will contribute to the care and management of our patients within the healthcare environment.
We are committed to ensuring the rights, dignity and well-being of all patients.
We will follow the guidelines as recommended within our Professional Society’s Scope of Practice and Code of Ethics.
We promise throughout our careers to continue our education in this field of diagnostic medical imaging as learning is a life-long journey.
For program Information contact:
Jane Morrison, DMS Coordinator
morrisonj@middlesex.mass.edu
978-656-3983
The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) has accredited the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS).