Academic Program

Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Sonographers work as part of the healthcare team to provide patient care. Sonographers are responsible for assessing doctor's orders for accuracy, communicating with patients, family members, and other members of the medical team, and performing diagnostic quality exams on patients. Sonographers must use critical thinking and independent judgement to modify examinations as needed based on imaging findings.

Overview

Students using ultrasound equipment during clinical training.

Associate Degree or Certificate in Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Program Snapshot

Limited entry program, which requires completion of prerequisite coursework to apply

Two-phase selection process, which evaluates prerequisite grades, a written assessment, and interview

12-14 students accepted once per year

Program begins every January

2-year*, 100% in-person program

*2 years in addition to pre-requisite coursework, regardless of the certificate or associate degree track

All classes and labs are held in-person at the DACC Espina Campus in Las Cruces, NM

Clinical placements include rotations in southern New Mexico (Las Cruces, Alamogordo, Silver City, and Ruidoso) and El Paso, Texas

Requires attendance at an orientation session to receive the program application

Applications open July 1st-September 1st every year

Associate of Applied Science

Diagnostic Medical Sonography

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Certificate of Completion

Diagnostic Medical Sonography

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Certificate of Completion

Vascular Sonography

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Academic Directory

Health Sciences
Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Program Contact

Email: snunez@dacc.nmsu.edu
Phone: 575-528-7015

Belinda Martinez — DAHL 291A

Darla Matthew — DAHL 291A

Stephanie Nunez — DAHL 190T

Tanya Sanchez-Shepan — DAHL 191R

Diagnostic Medical Sonography — Associate of Applied Science

NOTABLE COURSES: Pelvic Sonography, Gynecologic Pathology, Clinical Practicum I-IV

REQUIREMENTS: C- or above is required in all relative courses to graduate

DURATION: 8 Semesters / 4 Years

Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Diagnostic Medical Sonography — Certificate of Completion

NOTABLE COURSES: Pelvic Sonography, Sonographic Case Studies II, Clinical Practicum I-IV

REQUIREMENTS: C- or above is required in all relative courses to graduate

DURATION: 7 Semesters / 3 and a half years

Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Vascular Sonography — Certificate of Completion

NOTABLE COURSES: Vascular Technology I, Sonographic Principles and Instrumentation I, Registry Preparation: Vascular

REQUIREMENTS: C- or above is required in all relative courses to graduate

DURATION: 4 Semesters / 2 Years

Vascular Sonography

Accreditation

The Doña Ana Community College (DACC) Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) program has been in place since 2002, and accredited through the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) since 2005. Accreditation is awareded upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS). Ongoing accreditation was awarded in 2025, and the next evaluation will occur in 2035.

Accreditation Award Letter

Program Effectiveness Data

CAAHEP

9355-113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
727-210-2350
mail@caahep.org
Website

JRC-DMS

6021 University Boulevard, Suite 500
Ellicott City, MD 21043
443-973-3251
mail@jrcdms.org
Website

Local job opportunities may be limited, but the employment outlook nationwide for sonographers remains favorable. Depending on the region of the country and type of employer, earnings can range from $25 to $49 per hour (NM $31.95 mean), with the national median annual salary of $74,320 (NM $66,460) according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in May 2019.

Students in the DMS program receive instruction in the classroom, laboratory, and clinical settings. Students will learn the anatomy and physiology of body systems, the normal and abnormal sonographic appearances, and the pathologies that afflict organ systems. In the lab, students will learn the hands-on skill of scanning ultrasound examinations on live volunteers (classmates, faculty, volunteers, etc.). Clinical internships are completed in outpatient and hospital settings to enhance scanning abilities. Clinical site locations are located in New Mexico (Las Cruces, Alamogordo, Ruidoso, and Silver City) and El Paso, TX, and student will rotate across multiple cities during the program.

The program supports the mission of Doña Ana Community College and New Mexico State University. DACC's Student Success Vision Statement says that "DACC will actively support students to be agents of their own learning in an inclusive, culturally responsive, and equitable environment. Students will explore, establish, navigate through, and achieve their personal, academic, and professional goals to enrich their lives, the lives of their families, and their communities." The program supports this vision, and will support students in accomplishing their academic success. The program does not discriminate based on age, ancestry, color, disability, gender identity, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Mission

To provide high quality didactic and clinical education in diagnostic medical sonography that fulfills the requirements of eligibility for certification through the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) and the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (Sonography Credential) ARRT (S).

Higher education enables students to advance professionally as well as personally. The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program offers and delivers a high standard of didactic and clinical education for the student which develops their potential as effective future sonographers. The program recognizes and supports the mission, vision, and values of Doña Ana Community College and New Mexico State University.

Students enrolled in the Associate or Certificate Track of the DMS program are encouraged to complete concurrent vascular coursework to earn the Certificate in Vascular Sonography. While this coursework is elective and separate from the accredited tracks, vascular knowledge and experience can increase marketability when seeking employment. This is not a stand-alone track, and can only be completed by current DMS program students.

A diagnostic medical sonographer is a highly-skilled professional who uses specialized equipment to create and analyze images of anatomical structures inside the body utilizing high-frequency sound waves. These images are used by physicians to make a medical diagnosis.