Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Certificate School of Allied Health and Public Safety · Merced College · 2026-2027 Catalog

Diagnostic Medical Sonography is a full-time Certificate of Achievement program that offers didactic, directed hands-on laboratory, and professionally supervised clinical training in Diagnostic Medical Sonography-Abdominal-Extended, and Diagnostic Medical Sonography - Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Entrance Requirement:

Bachelor's Degree in any subject (or higher education completed) OR Associate of Science Professional degree in either Radiologic Technology or Registered Nursing or Nuclear Medicine or Respiratory Therapy or Paramedic. Only these programs are acceptable. You must be licensed at the time of application.

Program Prerequisites and Information:

ALLH-67, BIOL-16, BIOL-18, ENGL-C1000 (formerly ENGL-01A) or COMM-C1000 (formerly COMM-01)/COMM-C1000H (formerly COMM-01H); STAT-C1000 (formerly MATH-10) or PSYC-05 OR MATH-15 or MATH-25 or MATH-26 or equivalent or higher level Math course; PHYS-10 or RADT-13.

All program prerequisites must be passed with a grade of “C” or better and combined GPA of 2.35.

Program Application and Additional Information

Only one cohort is in session at a time. The entire program is composed of one summer session and four semesters.

Accepted students must provide proof of the following requirements: Tdap, MMR, HEP A, HEP B, Varicella, Current Flu Vaccine, Negative TB Test or Negative Chest X-Ray, CPR Certification (American Heart Association - BLS), Physical, criminal background and drug screening clearances.

Further information will be provided at the MANDATORY orientation. If a student is unable to provide proof of these requirements within the designated timeframe, the student will be deemed ineligible for admission.

While enrolled in the program, you will be assigned to various clinic facilities in addition to the on-campus portions of the program. By enrollment into the program, you agree to accept clinical assignments in whatever clinical site you are assigned. Clinical assignments will be scheduled during the normal working day hours.

Accreditation:

The Merced College DMS General Program 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.

State Fire Marshall: https://34c031f8-c9fd-4018-8c5a-4159cdff6b0d-cdn-endpoint.azureedge.net/-/media/osfm-website/what-we-do/state-fire-training/accredited-academies/artp-list.pdf?rev=64473afea66e4a42aa7e626f47456544

Fire Tech AA degree: https://catalog.mccd.edu/pages/SJkmahSzpKwGtfk07ldM

The Merced College Fire Academy has been accredited by the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) and is considered an Accredited Regional Training Program (ARTP).

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs 9355 113th St. N, #7709 Seminole, FL 33775 (727) 210-2350 Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Certificate of Achievement is available for students who successfully complete the full program option. For successful completion, a student must complete the requirements with a minimum grade of a “C” (or P) in each course with a grade point average of 2.0 or higher. Students will be eligible to write the following qualifying examinations of the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS):

  1. Physical principles/instrumentation, AND

  2. Special Examination Option in Abdomen, AND

  3. Special Examination Option in OB/GYN.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

A.    Analyze the theory of ultrasound physics, anatomy, pathophysiology to differentiate normal sonographic appearances.

B.    Develop an understanding of medical ethical standards and cultural diversity.

C.    Develop scanning competencies in the various modalities of sonography.

D. Analyze the theory of ultrasound physics, anatomy, pathophysiology in sonographic disease differential diagnoses.

Program Requirements:

Program Core: (59.25 Units)

CourseTitleUnits
SONO-40Ultrasound Physics I1.5
SONO-40BIntroduction to Sonographic Clinical Experience3.5
SONO-40CSonography Patient Care Skills1.5
SONO-41Introduction to Sonography1.5
SONO-42AAbdominal Sonography4
SONO-42BClinical Experience I9
SONO-44AUltrasound Physics II1.5
SONO-44BClinical Experience II4.75
SONO-44CSuperficial Structures1
SONO-43AOB/GYN Sonography4
SONO-43BClinical Experience III9.5
SONO-45AIntegrative Study in Sonography2
SONO-45BClinical Experience IV9.5
SONO-45CBasics of Vascular Sonography2
SONO-47AAdvanced Vascular Sonography4
Total59.25

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