Diagnostic Medical Sonography
The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Associate of Applied Science and Advanced Technical Certificate programs at South Texas College are approved by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Accreditation Guidelines. Both programs provide educational and clinical experience that result in extensive knowledge in ultrasound physics and instrumentation, use of Doppler imaging, and cross-sectional anatomy and pathophysiology in the abdomen, pelvis, obstetrics, gynecology, and superficial structures. Throughout the clinical and practicum aspects of each program, students will train in various medical facilities with experienced sonographers.
Upon successful completion of each respective program, students will receive an Associate of Applied Science or an Advanced Technical Certificate in Diagnostic Medical Sonography and will be competent to challenge the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) and American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) national examinations.
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1-855-Go-To-STCGeneral admission to the College does not imply admission to all programs of the College. The Nursing and Allied Health Division offers Selective Programs with application requirements. Application requirements are included in the description of each program. In addition, some Selective Programs have a Competitive Entry selection process based on a competitive point system.
- Delivery: Daytime Classes. Students admitted to the program will be attending classes all in person.
- Start: Cohort will begin Spring 2025
- Application Availability: June 26 - September 6, 2024
- Application Deadline: The Spring 2025 Application deadline is September 6, 2024, by 5 p.m.
- Application Type: Associate of Applied Science (AAS) and Advanced Technical Certificate (ATC)
Program Information Sessions
All Program Information Sessions are held virtually. To be placed on the waiting list to attend a session, please contact Noah Lopez, Guided Pathway Specialist, at nlopez32@southtexascollege.edu. Students will need to include their name, STC A#, preferred email address, and telephone number. Students will be contacted via email with an invitation link to attend the virtual session.
Fall 2024 DMS information sessions will be on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every Month from 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
For more information about the DMS program, please review the program presentation and point sheets located in the Links tab below.
SPRING Registration DMSO 1210: Introduction to Sonography
Please contact the DMS advisor, Noah Lopez, at nlopez32@southtexascollege.edu to request enrollment in the Spring 2025 Introduction to Sonography course. Students will need to provide a copy of the HESI A2 Examination scores (no minimum score is required), STC A#, email and best contact telephone number in order to be registered in the class.
HESI scores are no longer being accepted for Spring 2025 enrollment.
Application Requirements for DMS Associate of Applied Science
All applicants must:
- Participate in the required Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program Student Information Session at the Nursing & Allied Health Campus. For the session schedule, access the information online at https://nah.southtexascollege.edu/sono or contact the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program at 956-872-3049.
- Meet general admission requirements to South Texas College.
- Be admitted to the college as a high school graduate or GED equivalent.
- Meet TSI College Readiness Standards, or meet TSI exemption standards.
- Complete the HESI A2 (Admissions Assessment) Exam as follows: Achieve an English Language Composite Score of 75% or higher, a Science (Anatomy & Physiology) Score of 75% or higher, and a Math Score of 75% or higher. Scores must be current within the last 2 years. HESI A2 exemptions are not permitted.
- Complete all prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of "B" as listed in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program AAS degree plan. BIOL 2401 Anatomy and Physiology I and BIOL 2402 Anatomy and Physiology II courses must be current within the last 5 years. DMSO 1210 Introduction to Sonography must be current within 2 years from the application date. HESI A2 English Language Composite, Science, and Math test scores are required prior to registration to DMSO 1210. No minimum scores are required for entry in this course.
- Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in all courses listed in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography degree plan. This includes courses completed through South Texas College and transfer courses.
- Pass a criminal background check, 10-panel drug screen through approved providers, and complete all required immunizations including Hepatitis B series. Students with criminal histories must provide proof of compliance from the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) prior to application. For more information contact the NAH Clinical Affairs Specialist at 956-872-3022.
- Meet technical standards as stated by the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program.
- Satisfy healthcare agency requirements prior to clinical practice.
- Submit a completed Program application by stated deadline. For more information access the information online at https://nah.southtexascollege.edu/sono or contact the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program at 956-872-3049.
Competitive Entry Selection Process
Admission to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Associate of Applied Science degree is based on a point system score comprised of GPA of DMS Program prerequisite and general education courses, HESI A2 Exam scores, and optional points which may be obtained from items listed on the Application Form (for example, completion of CSFH 0101 College Success for Healthcare and HITT 1305 Medical Terminology I courses with a B or better). Qualified applicants are numerically ranked from highest to lowest total application points. Due to program size limitations, a number of applicants who meet the program admission requirements may not be admitted to the program. Selection of students is made one time a year during the fall. The deadline for applying to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program is the first Friday in September of the current year. For specific information on the point system utilized for candidate selection, please contact the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program at 956-872-3049 or access the information online at https://nah.southtexascollege.edu/sono.
A new applicant pool is established for each admission period. Applicants who were not admitted for the current application period must re-apply to be considered for a later application period. The number of students accepted into the program annually is dependent upon available resources. Should any of the accepted applicants decline admission, an alternate will be offered acceptance to the program. In the case of tied applicants, finalists will be chosen based on the date of application.
| Course | Description |
|---|---|
| DMSO 1210 | Introduction to Sonography 1 |
| BIOL 2401 | Anatomy and Physiology I 2 |
| BIOL 2402 | Anatomy and Physiology II 2 |
| ENGL 1301 | Composition I |
Application Requirements for DMS Advanced Technical Certificate
All applicants must:
- Participate in the required Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program Student Information Session at the Nursing & Allied Health Campus. For the session schedule, access the information online at https://nah.southtexascollege.edu/sono or contact the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program at 956-872-3049.
- Meet general admission requirements to South Texas College.
- Be admitted to the college as a high school graduate or GED equivalent.
- Meet TSI College Readiness Standards, or meet TSI exemption standards.
- Complete the HESI A2 (Admissions Assessment) Exam as follows: Achieve an English Language Composite Score of 75% or higher, a Science (Anatomy & Physiology) Score of 75% or higher, and a Math Score of 75% or higher. Scores must be current within the last 2 years. HESI A2 exemptions are not permitted.
- Complete prerequisite course with a minimum grade of "B" as listed in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program ATC curriculum. DMSO 1210 Introduction to Sonography must be current within 2 years from the application date. HESI A2 English Language Composite, Science, and Math test scores are required prior to registration to DMSO 1210. No minimum scores are required for entry in this course.
- Complete all required course work prior to application to include BIOL 2401 Anatomy and Physiology I or equivalent and ENGL 1301 Composition I or equivalent. BIOL 2401 Anatomy and Physiology I or equivalent must be current within the last 5 years.
- Hold a minimum of an associate degree in a nursing or allied health profession that is patient care related. A bachelor degree and higher in a related field may be accepted if the degree meets the requirements of the program. All degrees will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
- Pass a criminal background check, 10-panel drug screen through approved providers, and complete all required immunizations including Hepatitis B series. Students with criminal histories must provide proof of compliance from the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) prior to application. For more information contact the NAH Clinical Affairs Specialist at 956-872-3022.
- Meet technical standards as stated by the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program.
- Satisfy healthcare agency requirements prior to clinical practice.
- Submit a completed Program application by stated deadline. For more information access the information online at https://nah.southtexascollege.edu/sono or contact the NAH Program Advisor at 956-872-3182.
Competitive Entry Selection Process
Admission to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Advanced Technical Certificate is based on a point system score comprised of DMS Program prerequisite and general education courses, required degree courses, HESI A2 Exam scores, level of degree, and optional points which may be obtained from items listed on the Application Form (for example, additional points for STC graduates from selective nursing & allied health programs, completion of BIOL 2402 Anatomy and Physiology II and HITT 1305 Medical Terminology I courses with a B or better). Qualified applicants are numerically ranked from highest to lowest total application points. Due to program size limitations, a number of applicants who meet the program admission requirements may not be admitted to the program. Selection of students is made one time a year during the fall. The deadline for applying to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program is the first Friday in September of the current year. For specific information on the point system utilized for candidate selection, please contact the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program at 956-872-3049 or access the information online at https://nah.southtexascollege.edu/sono.
A new applicant pool is established for each admission period. Applicants who were not admitted for the current application period must re-apply to be considered for a later application period. The number of students accepted into the program annually is dependent upon available resources. Should any of the accepted applicants decline admission, an alternate will be offered acceptance to the program. In the case of tied applicants, finalists will be chosen based on the date of application.
| Course | Description |
|---|---|
| DMSO 1210 | Introduction to Sonography |
| ENGL 1301 | Composition I* |
| BIOL 2401 | Anatomy and Physiology* |
*or equivalent
| Program | Semester | Credit Hours | Tuition | Differential Tuition | Student Activity Fee | Other Fees | Insurance Fee | Books | Supplies | Equip, Tools, & Other Expenses | Program Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonography Advanced Technical Certificate | 1 | 2 | $320.00 | $150.00 | $8.00 | $ - | $ - | $90.00 | $25.00 | $ - | |
| 2 | 15 | $2,400.00 | $1,125.00 | $60.00 | $ - | $92.00 | $825.00 | $50.00 | $450.00 | ||
| 3 | 8 | $1,280.00 | $600.00 | $32.00 | $ - | $24.00 | $ - | $50.00 | $ - | ||
| 4 | 13 | $2,080.00 | $975.00 | $52.00 | $ - | $12.00 | $ - | $50.00 | $ - | ||
| 5 | 5 | $800.00 | $375.00 | $20.00 | $50.00 | $92.00 | $100.00 | $50.00 | $ - | ||
| Total | 43 | $6,880.00 | $3,225.00 | $172.00 | $50.00 | $220.00 | $1,015.00 | $225.00 | $450.00 | $12,237.00 | |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonography Associated of Applied Science | 1 | 13 | $2,080.00 | $975.00 | $52.00 | $ - | $ - | $800.00 | $50.00 | $ - | |
| 2 | 15 | $2,400.00 | $1,125.00 | $60.00 | $ - | $92.00 | $825.00 | $50.00 | $450.00 | ||
| 3 | 14 | $2,240.00 | $1,050.00 | $56.00 | $ - | $24.00 | $ - | $50.00 | $ - | ||
| 4 | 13 | $2,080.00 | $975.00 | $52.00 | $ - | $12.00 | $ - | $50.00 | $ - | ||
| 5 | 5 | $800.00 | $375.00 | $20.00 | $50.00 | $92.00 | $100.00 | $50.00 | $ - | ||
| Total | 60 | $9,600.00 | $4,500.00 | $240.00 | $50.00 | $220.00 | $1,725.00 | $250.00 | $450.00 | $17,035.50 |
Diagnostic Medical Sonography program costs are subject to change.
For details on tuition and fees, the cost of attendance or ways to pay for college, please see the following:
Tuition and Fees | Cost of Attendance | Paying for College
- Degree Plans
- Faculty
For faculty not listed, please contact the department.
- Staff
- Career Exploration
Work Environment
Sonographers will work in hospital settings and clinic settings.
Salary Data
National Occupation Outlook 2022-2032: 10% (faster than average job growth).
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Diagnostic Medical Sonographers and Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/diagnostic-medical-sonographers.htm (visited April 17, 2024).McAllen, Edinburg, Mission Metropolitan Area median wage; $37.02/hour; $77,000/year.
View on careeronestop.org.
Contact Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program
Department Chair
Crystal Bird
NAH-B 3.303
956-872-3101
Department Contact
Noah Lopez
Guided Pathway Specialist
NAH-A 100C
956-872-3192
