Program Information:
This program prepares students for an occupation in the professional field of diagnostic medical sonography (ultrasound). The career cluster includes registered diagnostic medical sonographers in hospitals, clinics, or imaging centers.
- The first semester of this program begins in June and the DMS program of study must be taken in its entirety to meet AAS degree requirements.
- The DMS program includes 66 credits made up of DMS, general education, and program support courses. Coursework includes didactic (lecture), laboratory, and clinical classes.
- Students are involved in more than 1,200 contact hours of clinical experience during the two-year program.
- DMS students must earn a minimum grade of "C" or higher in all courses with a prefix of DMS for program progression.
- DMS students must earn a minimum grade of "C" or higher in all other required courses of the degree program. These include BIO 175, BIO 176, EGL 101, HLT 109, PHY 100, and PSY 101.
- The following college-level curriculum requisites must be completed prior to the beginning of the DMS program's first clinical course (DMS 201).
- National certification as a sonographer requires graduates to pass board examinations. The DMS program prepares students to take the registry exams administered by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
- This program is conducted on a limited-enrollment basis. Admissions to this program involves additional procedures. Chapter 112, Section 103-17, of the Illinois Public Community College Act requires that whenever enrollment in a program must be restricted because of space limitations, a college must give preference to district residents. Consequently, admissions to this program for students who live outside of LLCC District 526 is based on space availability and qualified applicant pool.
- This program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon recommendation of the Joint Review Committee for Diagnostic Medical Sonography, 355-113th St. N., #7709, Seminole, FL 33775-7709, 727-210-2350, www.caahep.org
Admission Requirements:
- Submit the LLCC admissions application. Admission to the college does not guarantee admission to the DMS program.
- Have high school transcripts with proof of graduation or GED certificate sent to the LLCC Records office.
- Submit official transcripts from all colleges ever attended to be evaluated by the LLCC Records office.
- Have a 2.5 GPA or higher for all previous college courses.
- Register and attend a DMS Information Session. The DMS program has limited enrollment, and student selection criteria are covered in detail during the information session. Dates of information sessions are available online at LLCC Diagnostic Medical Sonography Info Session Registration and may be obtained from the LLCC Health Professions Department at 217-786-2449.
- Have a minimum of Proficient score on the TEAS test taken within the past two years (scores may be accepted from any location offering the TEAS testing), or have a prior associate or bachelor's degree.
- The following college-level course must be completed with a grade of "C" or higher prior to program admission:
- Qualify to take BIO 175 Human Anatomy and Physiology I.
- Provide documentation of an out-of-district agreement, if needed (this only applies to students who reside outside the LLCC service district).
- Submit the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program application with the assistance of a Health Professions Student Success Advisor. Each year the DMS program applications are due by 5:00 pm on the first Friday of February.
- Provide evidence of satisfactory physical health required of practitioners to carry out the tasks of this occupation.
- The following factors may be considered for competitive selective admission: TEAS exam score, grades in prerequisite courses, currency of completed math prerequisite, prior degree(s), grades in prior non-DMS courses required for the degree, overall GPA, existing professional certification as a sonographer or radiographer, completion of the LLCC Healthcare Entry-Level Professional Skills (HELPrS) Program, and prior application.
Additional Program Requirements:
- Instructions and deadlines for these and other requirements are provided after program admission. You are responsible for any fees associated with these requirements.
- Attend a mandatory DMS New Student Orientation.
- Submit signed DMS Program Student Handbook forms.
- Submit a current physical and proof of various immunizations (TB testing and flu vaccination are required annually).
- Pass an annual drug screen and fingerprint background check.
- Submit proof of BLS certification for health care providers from the American Heart Association.
- Other program requirements may apply.
To learn more about this program and view contact information, visit Diagnostic Medical Sonography or see a Student Success Advisor.