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Program Details

AAS Degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography: Echocardiography

Associate of Applied Science
Rappahannock Community College

The associate of applied science in diagnostic medical sonography with a specialization in echocardiography program is designed to prepare competent entry level adult cardiac sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains. Students will have didactic and laboratory instruction as well as clinical site experiences through rotations at participating hospital and medical affiliates. Graduates will be eligible to take the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) leading to credentials as a Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS).


Program Overview & Guidance
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Program Web Page
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External Link
Delivery Mode
In-Person
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Delivery Mode
Online
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Delivery Mode
Hybrid
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Program Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Considerations for Selecting Degree A career in Diagnostic Medical Sonography: Echocardiography offers an individual a rewarding professional career and a competitive salary. The cardiac sonographer is a central member of the healthcare team and assists the cardiologist or physician in gathering diagnostic date for interpretation. A certified sonographer is qualified to work in hospitals, doctors’ offices, public health projects, industrial medical clinics, veterans’ and military hospitals. 
Considerations When Selecting Courses

Students must select a course for each course requirement from the applicable required course list.

  • Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year
  • Connect with an advisor at your community college and Rappahannock Community College within your first year via College Connect
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses All courses must be completed with a grade of C or better.
Doing More With Your Degree
Program Successes & Highlights The Diagnostic Medical Sonography: Echocardiography program is a competive program with it's own application process. This program is designed to prepare students for a career as a health science professional who produces diagnostic images of the heart using special equipment to direct high frequency sound waves into the patient’s body to view anatomic structures of the heart. At the successful completion of the degree requirements and required hands on experience hours, graduates will be eligible to take the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) leading to credentials as a Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS).
Related Programs & Certifications
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Credential That Prepares You For This Program
Credential
Career Studies Certificate in Pre-Diagnostic Medical Sonography: Echocardiography
Link
Program Credit Requirements
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The table below provides the requirements to complete this program. If you have an account and have created a Portfolio, the table includes the "Applied Credits" column. This column shows how the credits you earned based on the experiences you entered may be applied to satisfy these requirements. You should consult an advisor or counselor to find courses you can take at your current institution that will transfer to this degree.

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.

The program map provided below is an estimate based on courses identified as a result of reviewing your portfolio and the requirements for the selected program.

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.
Requirements
Required Credits
AAS Degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography: Echocardiography
66
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
All courses used to satisfy course requirements in the DMS-Echo Program require a grade of "C" or better.
AAS Degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography: Echocardiography
66
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
All courses used to satisfy course requirements in the DMS-Echo Program require a grade of "C" or better.
Residency requirement
66
Transfer credits will be evaluated, and as applicable, up to 49 credits may be applied to this program.
Course Requirements for DMS: Echo 109
66
ENG 111
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
BIO 141
4
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
PSY 230
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
DMS 217
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
DMS 196
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
SDV 101
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
HLT 143
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
BIO 142
4
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
DMS 256
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
PHY 100
4
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
DMS 208
2
Earn 2 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
DMS 218
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
DMS 209
2
Earn 2 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
DMS 190
2
Earn 2 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
DMS 219
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
MTH 154
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
DMS 150
4
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
DMS 231
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
DMS 250
4
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
PHI 220
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
DMS 206
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
DMS 207
2
Earn 2 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
DMS 223
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
DMS 232
4
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
DMS 255
2
Earn 2 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
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Transfer Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Associate Transfer Degree Completion Courses are evaluated and transferred as applicable to your degree. To discuss how your previous degree will work in your new goals, please meet with an advisor or college navigator.

Courses are evaluated and transferred as applicable to your program of study. To discuss how your previous degree will work in your new goals, please meet with an advisor or college navigator.
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School Courses are evaluated and transferred as applicable to your program of study. To discuss how your previous degree will work in your new goals, please meet with an advisor or college navigator.
Credit for Prior Learning Y
Did You Know That...
  • Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree?
  • Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at: Rappahannock Community College
College Level Information
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Transfer Center
Visit our transfer site for more information
External Link
Transfer Admission Application
Transfer Students - Apply Here
External Link
Transfer Student Aid
Financial Aid for Transfer Students
External Link
Number of Transfer Students
156
College Fit Guidance What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me? https://www.schev.edu/students/making-decisions-about-college
Transfer Student Catalog Year Catalog year determined by the first semester of attendance
First Year Student Catalog Year Catalog year determined by the first semester of attendance.
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions
Where Can This Degree Transfer
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This section displays VCCS degrees most closely related to this program and to which you may be able to most efficiently transfer your current course work. So, you can use this list to find a degree you can complete in your major. Please click the degree name to visit that program page.

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
Northern Virginia Community CollegeDiagnostic Medical Sonography: Abdominal Sonography-Extended and Obstetrics and Gynecology Sonography Specialization, A.A.S.AssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Northern Virginia Community CollegeDiagnostic Medical Sonography: Echocardiography Specialization, A.A.S.AssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Northern Virginia Community CollegeDiagnostic Medical Sonography: Vascular Sonography Specialization, A.A.S.AssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Piedmont Virginia Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Diagnostic Medical SonographyAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Careers Where This Degree Applies
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O*Net Code Name Description Parent
29-2032.00Diagnostic Medical SonographersProduce ultrasonic recordings of internal organs for use by physicians. Includes vascular technologists.Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
25-1071.00Health Specialties Teachers, PostsecondaryTeach 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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This section provides you with a very high-level estimate of your costs and is purely intended as a guide. You should consult the institution via College Connect to get a more detailed estimate based on the totality of your circumstances. The selections below are based on information gathered from your Profile and the estimated costs are calculated based on the 66 credits remaining to be completed

Please select the "Cumulative Months of Service" that determine your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.
Estimated Cost for the AAS Degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography: Echocardiography at Rappahannock Community College
These costs are based on an estimated 4 semesters or 2 years remaining to complete this degree (assuming a full-time load of 16 hours per semester)
Category Cost Basis Cost (To You) Estimated Benefits Net Cost Notes
Tuition $163 Per Credit $10,758 $0 $10,758 Eligibility Requirements apply based on Code of Virginia regulations
Fees
Student Activity Fee $3 Per Credit $198 0 $198
Service Fee $4 Per Credit $264 0 $264
*Please note that the above estimated costs do not include all Federal, State or other financial aid, grants, scholarships, etc. for which you may qualify. All such aid could substantially reduce these costs.
Other Financial Aid to Pay for College:
  • You may be eligible for additional financial aid from Federal, State, and Local sources. Military education benefits are not considered in determining eligibility for federal financial aid. Everyone is therefore encouraged to apply for federal financial aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), because many will qualify for additional educational funds like Pell Grants, worth over $5,500/yr.
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