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Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography – Accelerated Echocardiography Track

Location: Boston
Start Term: Fall, Spring

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.

First-year 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 block registration 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 Introduction to Sociology or upper-level sociology course)
  • 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.

COURSE TITLE SEMESTER HOURS

Year I-Fall

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 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 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 Healthcare 3
MAT 261 Statistics 3
TOTAL 12
*NOTE: 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 208 Sonographic Physics and Instrumentation I 3
DMS 235 Cardiac Ultrasound I: Cardiovascular Principles 3
DMS 236L Cardiac Ultrasound Imaging Lab I 4
TOTAL 12
 

Year II-Spring

DMS 218 Sonographic Physics and Instrumentation II 3
DMS 245 Cardiac Ultrasound II: Introduction to Heart Disease 4
DMS 246L Cardiac Ultrasound Imaging Lab II 5

Distribution Elective*  3
TOTAL 15
 

Year II-Summer

DMS 304 Problem Solving in Physics and Instrumentation 3
DMS 305 Cardiac Ultrasound III: Pediatric and Adult Congenital Heart Disease 3
DMS 307L Cardiac Ultrasound Imaging Lab III  2
DMS 320 Introduction to Vascular Sonography (w/ Lab) 5
TOTAL 13
 

Year III-Fall

DMS 325 Cardiac Ultrasound IV: Advanced Echocardiography 3
DMS 330C Cardiac Ultrasound Practicum I 8
LIB 512O Healthcare Ethics 3
Distribution Elective* 3
TOTAL 17
 

Year III-Spring

DMS 401 Cardiac Ultrasound V: Critical Thinking in Echocardiography 4
DMS 415C Cardiac Ultrasound Practicum II 8
DMS 446 Cardiac Ultrasound Capstone I 1
Distribution Elective* 3
TOTAL 16
 

Year III-Summer

DMS 425C Cardiac Ultrasound Practicum III  8
DMS 431 Cardiac Ultrasound Registry Review  3
DMS 443 Advanced Problem Solving in Vascular Sonography** (1)
DMS 456 Cardiac Ultrasound Capstone II  1
TOTAL 12 (13)
*During Years II and III, students complete three liberal arts distribution electives: a HUM course, a SSC course, and a BEH course.
**If the elective DMS 443 Advanced Problem Solving in Vascular Sonography is taken, total semester credits come to 13, and degree credits to 128.
 
Total credits to complete degree requirements 127

Our students learn from faculty who are leaders in their fields and are committed to the success of each student. Discover our full list of Diagnostic Medical Sonography faculty. 

Boston Echocardiography Program Outcomes

Class of 2019

  • Start date: Fall 2017
  • Students Enrolled (Start): 16
  • Retention rate: 87.5% (14/16)
  • Graduation rate: 100% (14/14)
  • Registry exam pass rate: 100% (14/14)
  • Job placement rate: 100% (14/14)

Class of 2020

  • Start Date: Fall 2018
  • Students Enrolled (Start): 12
  • Retention Rate: 91.66% (11/12)
  • Graduation Rate: 100% (11/11)
  • Registry Exam pass Rate: 100% (11/11)
  • Job Placement Rate: 100% (11/11)

Class of 2021

  • Start Date: Fall 2019
  • Students Enrolled (Start): 9
  • Retention Rate: 88.88% (8/9)
  • Graduation Rate: 100% (8/8)
  • Registry Exam pass Rate: 85.71 (6/7)
  • Job Placement Rate: TBD  

Class of 2022

  • Start Date: Fall 2020
  • Students Enrolled (Start): 9
  • Students in Progress: 7
  • Retention Rate: 77.77% (7/9)*
  • Graduation Rate: TBD
  • Registry Exam pass Rate: TBD
  • Job Placement Rate: TBD

*As of 11/3/2021

 

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