Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Associate in Science Degree Diagnostic Medical Sonography · Orange Coast College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) is a medical imaging modality using high-frequency sound waves to create images of specific areas of the body for which pathology may be diagnosed. A competent Sonographer must have a thorough knowledge of cross-sectional anatomy and pathology, as well as the skills to manipulate a wide variety of sophisticated instruments. The DMS Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
In addition to completion of the prerequisite and required courses below, this program requires completion of the Associate in Science General Education as listed in the catalog. Also, the completion of MATH A030 or higher college-level mathematics course is required by the CAAHEP and Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS).
ALH A120 Human Diseases may be taken prior to program start. A “C” grade is required in all program courses.
Program Admission
Allied Health 010 course – application and orientation.
Students must complete Associate in Science degree graduation requirements and the program prerequisites prior to acceptance to the program.
Program Outcome
Program Learning Outcomes
- To prepare competent entry-level sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains for the abdominal sonography-extended concentration.
- To prepare competent entry-level sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains for the obstetrics and gynecology concentration.
Requirements
Review Graduation Requirements and General Education.
Recommended Preparation
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COUN A105 | Strategies for College Success | 3 |
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Prerequisites | ||
| ALH A010 | Health Occupations | 0.5 |
| ALH A111 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| BIOL A221 | Anatomy-Physiology | 4 |
| DMS A110 | Introduction to Sonography | 1.5 |
| MATH A030 | Intermediate Algebra (or higher) | 4 |
| RADT A100 | Radiologic Physics | 2 |
| Required Courses | ||
| ALH A115 | Patient Care | 2 |
| ALH A120 | Human Diseases | 2 |
| DMS A123 | Sectional Anatomy for Medical Imaging | 4 |
| DMS A150 | Sonographic Physics and Instrumentation for DMS | 3.5 |
| DMS A126 | OB/GYN Sonography | 4 |
| DMS A155 | Introduction to Vascular Ultrasound | 2.5 |
| DMS A161 | Pathophysiology | 3 |
| DMS A165 | Introduction to Scanning Practice | 3 |
| DMS A166 | DMS Clinical Experience 1 | 2 |
| DMS A167 | DMS Clinical Experience 2 | 5.5 |
| DMS A255 | Advanced Vascular Ultrasound | 2.5 |
| DMS A271 | DMS Clinical Experience 3 | 9 |
| DMS A274 | Abdominal Sonography | 3 |
| DMS A276 | DMS Clinical Experience 4 | 2.5 |
| DMS A275 | Sonographic Review | 3 |
| DMS A281 | DMS Clinical Experience 5 | 10 |
| Total Major Units | 76.5 | |
| OCC AS General Education | up to 21 | |
| Transferable electives as needed to satisfy unit requirements | varies | |
| Total Minimum Degree Units - OCC AS GE | 91.5 - 94.5 | |
- Some program major units may also meet GE requirements.
- Cal-GETC pattern (up to 34 units) may be substituted.
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Suggested Elective
PHIL A120 Ethics
Program Sequence
Program Sequence
These sequences at Orange Coast College are general course curriculum maps for students to finish all major and general education requirements for two-year completion of degrees, and/or fulfillment of transfer requirements. The course sequence may include course prerequisites and other placement requirements. Students are advised to meet with an Orange Coast College Counselor to review course selections and sequences to ensure that completion of this program will meet a student's transfer and career goals.
For terms less than 15 units, students should meet with a counselor to reconfigure their sequence to maintain financial aid eligibility with a full-time course load.
Year 1
| Semester 1 | Units |
|---|---|
| ALH A010 | Health Occupations |
| BIOL A221 | Anatomy-Physiology 1 |
| ALH A111 | Medical Terminology |
| OCC AS GE AREA 1A- CHOOSE ONE | 3 |
| OCC AS GE AREA 4 - CHOOSE ONE | 3 |
| Units |
| Semester 2 |
|---|
| DMS A110 |
| RADT A100 |
| MATH A030 |
| OCC AS GE AREA 1B - CHOOSE ONE |
| OCC AS GE AREA 2 - CHOOSE ONE 2 |
| OCC AS GE AREA 3 - CHOOSE ONE |
| Summer |
|---|
| OCC AS GE AREA 6 - CHOOSE ONE |
Year 2
| Semester 1 |
|---|
| ALH A115 |
| ALH A120 |
| DMS A123 |
| DMS A150 |
| Semester 2 |
|---|
| DMS A126 |
| DMS A155 |
| DMS A161 |
| DMS A165 |
| DMS A166 |
| Summer |
|---|
| DMS A167 |
Year 3
| Semester 1 |
|---|
| DMS A255 |
| DMS A271 |
| DMS A274 |
| DMS A276 |
| Semester 2 |
|---|
| DMS A275 |
| DMS A281 |
- Satisfies OCC AS GE, Area 5
- Acceptance into the OCC Diagnostic Medical Sonography program required to begin major coursework (Cohort Restriction)
- MATH A030 or higher is an award requirement. Selecting a MATH course that satisfies OCC AS GE Area 2 will meet both the award and the GE requirement.