Click Here for a Printable Version of Frequently Asked Questions.
What do I need to do to be accepted into the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program?
- If you are not a current Cuyahoga Community College student, complete a General Admission application to the College. This is online or at any campus Office of Admission and Records.
- Submit High School transcript or GED scores, and transcripts from all previously attended colleges to the Office of Admissions and Records. It may take six to eight weeks for evaluation of transcripts. Your file will not be considered complete if transcripts have not been evaluated. (NOTE: The Program Manager and counselors cannot evaluate transcripts.)
- Take the English and Math Placement tests if you do not have any college-level Math or English courses.
- Make an appointment to meet with a counselor, do a program planner, and register for the upcoming semester’s coursework.
- Request a Health Career Application by contacting the Health Careers Enrollment Center at (216) 987-4247 or online.
- Complete the required admission courses and ‘shadowing’ requirements. Complete the following core courses to be accepted to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) Program:
| Required Admission Courses |
| ENG-1010 |
College Composition I |
| MATH-1141 |
Applied Algebra & Mathematical Reasoning or higher level math course * (MATH 1800/2800 may not be used to meet this requirement.) |
| BIO-1221 |
Anatomy and Physiology for Diagnostic Medical Imaging (BIO-2330 and BIO-2340 together is also accepted) |
| MA-1020 |
Medical Terminology I |
| DMS-1070 |
Physical Concepts in Diagnostic Sonography (PHYS-1210 is accepted) |
| DMS-1303 |
Introduction to Sonography |
| DMS-1351 |
Patient Care Skills |
When scheduling or while in the core courses, keep the following in mind:
- All of the core courses are offered every semester
- Health Career programs do not accept Pass/No Pass grading for core courses
- A letter grade of "C" or better must be achieved
- A core course GPA of 3.0 or higher is required
- Core courses may be repeated only once to improve a grade
- Overall cumulative GPA of 2.5 must be maintained
- Schedule a 4 - 8 hour “shadowing” experience with a hospital
Complete and submit the Health Career Application with the completed Shadowing Experience form when you register for the last required admission coursework. Diagnostic Medical Sonography offers several specialty options. Indicate the specialty that you are interested in on the application
Non-native English speaking applicants: The DMS Program Technical Standards state that students must show evidence of effective and appropriate written and verbal English communication skills throughout the program to all persons in both the academic setting and the clinical health care setting. Communication includes speech, reading, listening, writing and non-verbal behavior and actions. Therefore, Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - is required of all international students or if English is spoken as a second language. A minimal iBT score of 24 is required in the speaking skill component and a minimal iBT score of 22 is required in the listening skill component. For more information about these tests go to http://www.ets.org/. The student is responsible for arrangements and costs incurred for the TOEFL.
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When are the admission courses offered?
All of the admission courses are offered every semester at Tri-C. Most have both daytime and evening offerings every semester; a few offer Web classes.
Can I take the admission courses closer to my home/work?
Many, but not all, of the admission courses can be taken at other campuses. If the location is not a Tri-C campus, check to see if the course transfers equally for the one you intend it to replace. Due to the limited number of Sonography programs, there are few locations that offer courses that are equivalent to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography-specific admission classes.
Where is the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program located?
Due to of the expense of the equipment and space requirements, all of the DMS courses are only offered at the Western Campus in Parma.
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How soon can I begin the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program?
The DMS program starts once a year each Fall semester. The number of students accepted into the program is determined by the availability of space in the program’s hospital/clinical affiliates. Annual accepted class size varies from 45 to 55 students. Limited enrollment capacity of the DMS program means that not all who apply can be accepted immediately. Qualified candidates not immediately accommodated will be placed on a waiting list for the next program offering.
A criminal background check is required prior to final acceptance into the program. After acceptance into the Program and prior to clinical assignment, applicants must submit evidence of good health by fulfilling health requirements of the DMS Program and verification of current CPR certification (American Heart Association BLS for Health Care Provider is preferred). Students will be dropped from the program if significant limiting health conditions are present which prevent the student from performing the normal functions of a sonographer and/or constitute a hazard to the health or safety of patients.
What other courses should I take while waiting for my Fall program start date?
It is wise to complete all of the other non-DMS coursework required in the curriculum sequence. Once those are completed, the following coursework may be taken.
| All Specialties |
Cardiac |
Abdomen/Ob/Gyn |
Vascular |
| DMS 235A & B |
DMS 1380 |
DMS2330 |
DMS 2330 |
In addition, you should consider continuing your studies in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree. Tri-C has several degree transfer options for Health Career students. Some of these involve taking courses at Tri-C that are accepted by the 4-year institution towards meeting your degree. Your counselor can provide you information as to available institutions and their contact information.
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When do I find out that I am accepted?
Only applicants with complete files (proof of all graded coursework and shadowing form) will receive an acceptance letter. Acceptance letters are sent out by the Program Manager approximately one month after final grades are entered each semester. At that time, information is provided regarding further correspondence, completion of required forms and scheduled mandatory meetings.
What clinical sites are available?
The DMS Program has affiliation agreements with nearly every hospital in Cuyahoga and Summit counties. We extend as far east as Lake Hospital System and south to Youngstown’s St. Elizabeth Health Center and Canton’s Mercy and Aultman Hospitals. Throughout the Program, you will most likely have 3-4 different clinical site rotations. Your site is selected for you based on location, educational needs and accreditation-required experience.
What kind of course schedule can I expect and prepare for?
The DMS associate degree program is five semesters in length from the Program start date in Fall semester. Due to the required sequencing of sonography courses, there is no opportunity to accelerate through the curriculum in less than five semesters even if you have previous coursework and experience. The Program is a full-time commitment and cannot be completed on a part-time basis.
The DMS Program uses the following recommended course sequence. Changes to this schedule may be made to meet the Program needs or to adjust to new scheduling blocks.
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program Requirements
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How much does the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program cost?
Estimate of Program Expenses (assumes that all courses are taken at Tri-C)
| Associate Degree Expenses |
In-County |
Out-of-County |
Out of State |
| Tuition |
$5,558.00 |
$7,347.00 |
$15,045.00 |
| Lab Fees |
$135.00 |
$135.00 |
$135.00 |
| Texts & Supplies |
$1500.00 |
$1500.00 |
$1500.00 |
| School Parking |
$175.00 |
$175.00 |
$175.00 |
| Uniforms |
$150.00 |
$150.00 |
$150.00 |
| Liability Insurance |
$13.00 |
$13.00 |
$13.00 |
| Background Check |
$75.00 |
$75.00 |
$75.00 |
| Registry Fee |
$200.00 |
$200.00 |
$200.00 |
| Total Estimate |
$7,806.00 |
$9,595.00 |
$17,293.00 |
Is financial aid available?
Students may qualify for federal or state programs and some Health Career programs offer specific grants or scholarships once you are admitted to the program. For more information, contact the Financial Aid Department at (216) 987-5100 or online for information on these resources.
Additional sources can be obtained from the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (www.sdms.org), the American Society of Echocardiography (www.ASEcho.org), and the Society for Vascular Ultrasound (www.svunet.org).
What is the typical salary for a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer?
Typical starting range for a new graduate in Sonography in the Greater Akron/Cleveland area ranges from $24.00 to $26.00 per hour. Often, sonographers take call and work overtime hours; annual earnings reflect this as an increase in their income.
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