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Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Echocardiography Track (Fast Track)

Location: Worcester
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 adult echocardiography and congenital heart disease. When you graduate, you’ll be ready for your new career assisting physicians in the accurate detection and diagnosis of medical conditions.

During the accelerated time frame of 16 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 board exams through the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) as well as the Cardiac Credentialing International exam (CCI). And you’ll be fully prepared to become a leader in healthcare.

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

We prioritize the review and admission of applications submitted earlier in our rolling admission process, so it is to your advantage to submit your application as soon as possible.

All applicants are automatically considered for scholarship with their application. We have a rolling admission process, and the sooner you submit your application, the more favorably you will be considered both for admission and scholarship.

Admission Requirements

Students with a bachelor's degree or the appropriate amount of college credits and prerequisites may apply to the fast track 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.

Required courses for students with a Bachelor's Degree:

  • Anatomy and Physiology I & II with lab (8 credits)
  • Basic Chemistry I & with lab (4 credits)
  • Physics I (Algebra-based) with lab (4 credits)
  • Algebra and Trigonometry (3 credits) (Acceptable substitutions include Precalculus and Calculus)
  • Expository Writing I (3 credits)
  • Statistics (3 credits)
  • Medical Terminology (2 credits)

Additional courses required for students without a Bachelor's Degree:

  • Basic Chemistry II with lab (4 credits)
  • Expository Writing II (3 credits)
  • Introduction to Psychology (3 credits)
  • 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)
  • Interpersonal Communications for Health Professionals (3 credits)
  • General Electives (6 credits)

Prerequisite courses may be transferred in or completed at MCPHS prior to entering professional DMS courses. Up to six (6) credit hours of general electives may be taken concurrently with professional DMS courses.

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

For admission to the program an applicant must submit:

  • MCPHS application
  • All official college transcripts
  • 1 Letter of Recommendation
  • 60+ credits of transferable college level course work
COURSE TITLE S.H.

Year I Fall

DMS 200 Introduction to Diagnostic Medical Sonography** 2
DMS 208 Sonographic Physics and Instruments I** 3
DMS 225 Echocardiography I
5
DMS 225L Echocardiography Lab I
4

Elective*
     
TOTAL 14

Year I Spring 
DMS 218 Sonographic Physics and Instruments II** 3
DMS 260 Echocardiography and Congenital Heart Disease 3
DMS 265 Echocardiography II 3
DMS 266L Echocardiography Lab II 4
TOTAL 13
   

Year I Summer 
DMS 350C Echocardiography Internship I 8
DMS 304 Problem Solving in Physics and Instruments** 3
DMS 355 Advanced Echocardiography 3

Elective*
TOTAL 14
 

Year II Fall
DMS 455C Echocardiography Internship II 10
DMS 460O Seminar in Sonography 2
DMS 452O Sonographic Analysis (Online) 3

Elective*
TOTAL
15
     

Total credits to complete degree program 

56
   

**Indicates distance education between the Worcester and Boston campuses.

*Additional 6 elective credits if needed brings total to 62 credits. If elective courses are needed, students may choose from the following:
HSC 3100 Healthcare Informatics 3
HSC 320 Writing for Health Science Professionals 3
HSC 325 Healthcare Management 3
DHY 425 Educational Theories and Methods 3
HSC 4100 Research Analysis and Methods 3
HSC 427O
 Teaching in Clinical Setting 3

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. 

Worcester Echocardiography Program Outcomes

Class of 2016

  • Start Date: Fall 2014
  • Graduation Date: Summer 2016
  • Students Enrolled (Start): 5
  • Students Enrolled (End): 5
  • Retention Rate: 100%
  • Graduation Rate: 100%
  • Registry Exam Pass Rate: 100%
  • Positive Placement Rate: 100%

Class of 2017

  • Start Date: Fall 2015
  • Graduation Date: Summer 2017
  • Students Enrolled (Start): 4
  • Students Enrolled (End): 4
  • Retention Rate: 100%
  • Graduation Rate: 100%
  • Registry Exam Pass Rate: 100%
  • Positive Placement Rate:100%

Class of 2018

  • Start Date: Fall 2016
  • Graduation Date: December 2018
  • Students Enrolled (Start): 11
  • Students Enrolled (End): 8
  • Retention Rate: 73%
  • Graduation Rate: Scheduled to graduate 8 students*
  • Registry Exam Pass Rate: 100%
  • Positive Placement Rate: 100%

Class of 2019

  • Start Date: Fall 2018
  • Graduation Date: December 2019
  • Students Enrolled (Start): 14
  • Students Enrolled (End): In Progress
  • Retention Rate: 100%
  • Graduation Rate: TBD
  • Registry Exam pass Rate: TBD
  • Positive Placement Rate: TBD

*Eight of 11 students in the Class of 2018 cohort graduated from the program. Of the three students that did not progress, one student is on a leave of absence and non-progression probation due to failure of clinical course work, and the other two students were placed on non-progression probation due to failure of didactic course work. Those two students re-entered the program in the Fall 2018 and are currently passing all classes.