Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography – Accelerated Echocardiography Track

Location: Boston
Start Term: Fall

As a cardiac sonographer, the images you capture have the power to change lives. This program builds on your previous college studies and covers a comprehensive curriculum including fetal, pediatric, and adult echocardiography, as well as vascular medical imaging. When you graduate, you’ll be ready for your new career assisting physicians in the accurate detection and diagnosis of medical conditions. 

During accelerated time frame of 36 consecutive months, you’ll have the opportunity to work alongside professional experts through clinical experiences in prestigious New England area medical facilities. The year-round program gives you the benefit of an immersive education and prepares you for your career faster. When you graduate, you’ll be eligible to sit for national registration by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) and the Cardiac Credentialing International exam (CCI). And you’ll be fully prepared to grow as a leader in healthcare.

Is accelerated right for me? Learn the difference between our accelerated and fast track bachelor degree programs.

Freshman applicants can view their admission requirements on the Undergraduate Applicants page.

Students with previous college credit may transfer in to the first or second year of the program. Courses must have been completed at a regionally accredited college or university with a grade of C or better for transfer. Math and science courses taken more than ten years prior to the anticipated date of matriculation to MCPHS will not be accepted.

While there are no specific required courses for entry into the first year of our program, the admission committee will look for success in any math and science courses you have already taken. If you complete any of the courses listed below, you may receive transfer credit and your first year course load may be lighter. However, due to the lock-step nature of MCPHS programs, entering the first year of the program with transfer credits will not change the total length of your program. Courses, other than elective courses, may not be moved forward in your schedule.

For students who meet all requirements below, with exception to Interpersonal Communications for Health Professionals and Healthcare Ethics, please see more information for Diagnostic Medical Sonography–Echocardiography (Fast Track BS).

Courses Accepted for Transfer Credit:

  • Anatomy and Physiology I & II with lab(8 credits)
  • Basic Chemistry I & II with lab (8 credits)
  • Physics I (Algebra-based) with lab (4 credits)
  • Algebra and Trigonometry (3 credits) (Acceptable substitutions include Precalculus and Calculus)
  • Expository Writing I & II (6 credits)
  • Interpersonal Communications for Health Professionals (3 credits)
  • Introduction to Psychology (3 credits)
  • Statistics (3 credits) (Acceptable substitutions include Basic Statistics, Biostatistics, Psychological Statistics, Economic Statistics)
  • American Culture, Identity, and Public Life (3 credits) (Acceptable substitutions include American History, U.S. History, U.S. Government, Western Civilization)
  • Humanities elective (3 credits) (Acceptable courses include Literature, Creative Writing, Philosophy, Ethics, Religious Studies, Select Fine Arts, Advanced Level Languages)
  • Behavioral Science elective (3 credits)* (Acceptable courses include any upper level psychology course)
  • Social Science elective (3 credits)* (Acceptable courses include History, Political Science/Government, Anthropology, Upper-level Sociology, American Studies, Women Studies, Ethnic Studies, Geography, Economics)
  • Healthcare Ethics (3 credits)*

* Prerequisite courses may be transferred in or completed at MCPHS during the professional phase of the program.

Official exam results for CLEP examinations may be used for up to 18 credits of prerequisite requirements.

Year I-Fall

COURSE
TITLE
S.H.
BIO 110 Anatomy and Physiology I (w/ lab) 4
CHE 110 Basic Chemistry I (w/ lab) 4
ITM 101 Introduction to the Major 1
LIB 111 Expository Writing I 3
MAT 141 Algebra and Trigonometry 3
Total semester hours 15
   

Year I-Spring

BIO 210 Anatomy and Physiology II (w/ lab) 4
CHE 210 Basic Chemistry II (w/ lab) 4
LIB 112 Expository Writing II 3
PHY 181 General Physics 4
Total semester hours 15
   

Year I-Summer

LIB 120 Introduction to Psychology 3
LIB 133 American Culture, Identity, and Public Life 3
LIB 220 Introduction to Interpersonal Communication for Health Professionals 3
MAT 261 Statistics 3
Total semester hours 12
NOTE: The above courses are prerequisites for entry into the professional phase of the DMS program. The student must earn a minimum grade of "C" in BIO 110/210, CHE 110/210, MAT 141, and PHY 181. Medical Terminology is integrated into the professional phase and thus is not a course requirement.
 

Professional Phase: Echocardiography Track

Year II-Fall

DMS 200 Introduction to Diagnostic Medical Sonography 2
DMS 207 Fetal & Pediatric Echocardiography 4
DMS 208 Sonographic Physics and Instruments I 3
DMS 209 Cardiovascular Principles 3
DMS 210L Cardiovascular Laboratory Procedures I 3
Total semester hours 15
 

Year II-Spring

DMS 217 Cardiac Doppler 2
DMS 218 Sonographic Physics and Instruments II 3
DMS 219 Adult Echocardiography I 3
DMS 220L Cardiovascular Laboratory Procedures II 5
Total semester hours 13
 

Year II-Summer

DMS 304 Problem Solving in Physics and Instruments 3
DMS 319 Adult Echocardiography II 3
DMS 320 Intro to Vascular Sonography 5
DMS XXX
 Cardiovascular Lab Procedures III 1
Total semester hours 12
During Year III, students complete three liberal arts distribution electives: a HUM course, a SSC course, and a BEH course. Year III Summer semester, students will have the option to take DMS XXX Advanced Problem Solving in Vascular Sonography, 1 credit elective.
 

Year III-Fall

BMD 306C Cardiovascular Clinical Sonography II 8
DMS 310 Critical Thinking in Sonography I 2
DMS 408 Advanced Doppler 1
LIB 512 Health Care Ethics 3
Distribution Electives * 3
Total semester hours 17
 

Year III-Spring

BMD 316C Cardiovascular Clinical Sonography II 8
DMS 410 Critical Thinking in Sonography II 2
DMS 450 TE Echo/Invasive Procedures 2
Distribution Elective* 3
Total semester hours 15
 

Year III-Summer

DMS 440 Advanced Problem Solving in Sonography 2
DMS 426C Cardiovascular Clinical Sonography III 8
Distribution Elective* 3
Total semester hours 13
*If the elective DMS XXX Advanced Problem Solving in Vascular Sonography is taken, total semester credits come to 14, and degree credits to 128.
 
Total credits to complete degree requirements
 127
 

Meet Christine

Christine Diagnostic Medical Imaging student

With an interest in healthcare and a desire to work closely with patients, the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program was a perfect fit.

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