Why This Program
Ready to kick-start your career as a healthcare professional? Northampton Community College’s (NCC) Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) equips you with the hands-on training and clinical knowledge needed to become a sonographer.
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Offered at NCC’s Bethlehem campus, our accredited DMS degree program includes four distinct tracks: Abdomen-Extended and OB/GYN, Abdomen-Extended and Vascular, Vascular, and Adult Cardiac. These specialized concentrations help you tailor your education to your professional goals and gain real-world experience working with cutting-edge technologies.
Earn an AAS in Diagnostic Medical Sonography in as little as two years — half the time it takes to study at a traditional four-year university — and embark on a rewarding career journey.
Specialize Your SonographyTraining
As our nation’s healthcare needs increase, skilled sonographers with highly focused training are essential to meet the demand. We offer the following four concentrations to help you grow as an allied health professional and establish yourself as a competitive candidate:
- Abdomen Extended and OB/GYN Track
- Abdomen Extended and Vascular Track
- Cardiac Track
- Vascular Track
Each concentration track incorporates specialized clinical education modules and training in diagnostics, acoustical physics, imaging techniques, and more.
Strengthen Your Clinical Expertise Through Practical Application
To solidify your theoretical knowledge, we integrate clinical practicums as an essential part of the diagnostic medical sonography degree program. You’ll work in a range of medical settings, including hospitals and outpatient facilities, under the supervision of an appropriately credentialed technologist. These immersive learning experiences expand your applied clinical expertise and support your overall growth as an allied health professional. You acquire 1,560 hours of clinical education, preparing you for your credentialing exam and professional licensure.
Prepare for Your Professional Certification
At NCC, we strive to provide career-focused education that equips you to enter the workforce with confidence and competency. The DMS degree program delivers the education and clinical experience required to obtain your professional credentials and seek employment. Depending on your selected track, you can sit for the following American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) exams:
Once you’ve passed one or several of these exams, you receive the credentials to work as a professional sonographer in various clinical settings and capacities.
What You’ll Learn in Our DMS Degree Program
NCC’s associate degree program in Diagnostic Medical Sonography provides an immersive education that builds a robust and science-backed foundation for your future healthcare career while also customizing your education to align with your interests.
In all four tracks, you study human anatomy and physiology, sonographic terminology, sonographic tissue characterization, and the fundamentals of acoustical physics. Also, to prepare you for your future work in medical facilities, you learn about the essentials of patient care, clinical professionalism, and following hospital protocols and procedures.
Additionally, all four concentrations require you to complete numerous clinical education practicums in various clinical settings to put your theoretical knowledge into practice and gain experience working one-on-one with patients.
Upon completion of the DMS degree program, you graduate equipped to:
- Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and understanding of anatomy, physiology, pathology, and ultrasound principles specific to abdominal sonography.
- Perform ultrasound examinations following prescribed protocols.
- Utilize sonography concepts to solve complex clinical problems in case studies.
Program Details
Semesters: 6
Credits: 73
College Catalog: View Curriculum
Program Map: Download PDF
Locations: BethlehemProgram Overview:
The degree in diagnostic medical sonography abdomen extended-OB/GYN track equips you as an entry-level sonographer with a robust knowledge of gynecological and obstetrical anatomy principles. This includes clinical applications and sonographic methods to visualize the pregnant uterus throughout all three trimesters, fetal anatomical survey, echocardiography, 3-D and 4-D imaging, and more.
Semesters: 6
Credits: 80
College Catalog: View Curriculum
Program Map: Download PDF
Locations: BethlehemProgram Overview:
Throughout the DMS degree’s abdomen extended-vascular track, you gain familiarity with the fundamental principles of diagnostic testing for the cerebrovascular and peripheral vascular systems, as well as organs within the abdominal and pelvic cavities. The curriculum also covers vascular pathophysiology, including a detailed study of venous and visceral vascular anatomy and intracranial arterial systems. Additionally, you learn how to perform noninvasive diagnostic procedures to evaluate the cardiovascular system and identify normal variants and congenital anomalies in adult and pediatric patients.
Semesters: 6
Credits: 71
College Catalog: View Curriculum
Program Map: Download PDF
Locations: BethlehemProgram Overview:
In the vascular track of the associate degree in diagnostic medical sonography, you develop a robust understanding of vascular structures, hemodynamics, and pathology. Your coursework and clinical experiences help you strengthen your technical expertise in cerebrovascular imaging, non-invasive peripheral arterial and venous testing, scanning protocols, methodology, and image evaluation in a vascular sonography setting.
With this expertise, you can also identify normal physiology and abnormal pathology identified in vascular testing and support other healthcare providers in treating arterial and venous diseases.
Semesters: 8
Credits: 66
College Catalog: View Curriculum
Program Map: Download PDF
Locations: BethlehemProgram Overview:
During your time in the DMS degree program’s cardiac track, you study the cardiovascular system’s anatomic, physiologic, and hemodynamic functions and the fundamentals of cardiovascular pharmacology and therapeutics. From essential concepts of cardiac imaging to performing other cardiac procedures like an exercise stress echo and dobutamine stress echocardiogram, you gain the hands-on expertise to work in the cardiology field and serve alongside doctors to support the health of individuals.
State Licensing
If you are a Northampton Community College student living outside of Pennsylvania or intending to complete an internship or clinical placement outside of the state in an NCC program leading to professional licensure, you should review the requirements on the state board website to ensure that the program qualifies.
Licensure requirements vary from state to state, and you may require additional authorization from the professional licensing agency in that state. Participating in a program outside of Pennsylvania, if not properly authorized by that state's professional licensing board, could result in a loss of licensing eligibility. If you need help or have questions, please contact the department at 610-861-5390 for more information.
Applying to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Associate Program
The AAS in Diagnostic Medical Sonography is a fall-start clinical program, which means applications must be completed by February 1. Please carefully review all provided information and requirements to ensure a smooth application process.
Please submit all official transcripts and the Career Assessment Form (CAF) by the application deadline.
Tuition and Financial Aid
As one of Pennsylvania’s most affordable community colleges, we proudly offer low tuition and fees to support our students. Invest in your future with our robust scholarships and financial aid!
