Program Details
Associate of Applied Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Associate of Applied SciencePiedmont Virginia Community College
The two-year associate degree in sonography is designed to provide a quality entry-level education in the cognitice (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains through a competency-based clinical and didactic instructional curriculum in diagnostic sonography. Graduates of the program will be eligible to take the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonogrpahy exam or the American Registry of Radiolgoic Technologists (ARRT) sonography exam. Hospitals remain the primary employer of sonographers, but there are increasing numbers of jobs available in physician offices, outpatient surgery centers, and free-standing diagnostic imaging centers. The profession of diagnostic medical sonography includes general sonography (defined as abdomen, obstetric, gynecologic, superficial parts, and other appropriate areas), cardiac sonography, vascular technology, and various other subspecialties. Entry-level sonographers usually work in general and obstetric/gynecologic sonography. With further experience and training, they can move into the other specialties.
Program Overview & Guidance

Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Considerations for Selecting Degree | This is a competitive admission program with one application deadline per year. |
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Program Successes & Highlights | 100% graduation rate in 2021 of students in DMS cohort. |
Program Credit Requirements

Please note that some courses may count towards more than one requirement such as meeting a general education requirement and a major specific requirement. The course will be listed under the first matching requirement. Please contact the institution with questions.
A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Prior completion of any associate degree or higher waives the SDV 100 requirement. All courses are evaluated and transferred as applicable to your degree. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | Prior completion of any associate degree or higher waives the SDV 100 requirement. All courses are evaluated and transferred as applicable to your degree. |
Credit for Prior Learning | https://www.pvcc.edu/credit-prior-learning |
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College Level Information

College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
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Where Can This Degree Transfer

If you are interested in transferring to a four-year degree view this degree on the Transfer Virginia site to explore degrees aligned with this program at Virginia's 4-year institutions.
Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
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Northern Virginia Community College | Diagnostic Medical Sonography: Abdominal Sonography-Extended and Obstetrics and Gynecology Sonography Specialization, A.A.S. | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Northern Virginia Community College | Diagnostic Medical Sonography: Echocardiography Specialization, A.A.S. | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Northern Virginia Community College | Diagnostic Medical Sonography: Vascular Sonography Specialization, A.A.S. | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Rappahannock Community College | AAS Degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography: Echocardiography | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
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29-2032.00 | Diagnostic Medical Sonographers | Produce ultrasonic recordings of internal organs for use by physicians. Includes vascular technologists. | Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations |
25-1071.00 | Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
Cost To Complete

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