Sonography students practice imaging techniques using ultrasound equipment under supervision.

Prerequisites

Program Prerequisites

Direct Patient Care Experience

All applicants must have Direct Patient Care Experience (DPCE) BEFORE applying to the DMS program. Further details on DPCE can be found below.

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program application does not accept in progress coursework. All prerequisites must be completed and grades must be demonstrated on your transcripts prior to applying. Prerequisite courses must be completed at regionally accredited institutions.

All college transcript evaluation requests must be submitted to Admissions and Records by the application deadline.

A minimum cumulative college GPA of 2.0 or higher is required. Also note that all science coursework be completed with a GPA of 2.5 or higher, with a recency of 7 years or under.

DPCE is a mandatory admission requirement and cannot be waived, except for applicants who qualify for the associate degree exemption through completion of an accredited Radiologic Technology program or equivalent allied health program.

Applicants must meet the DPCE requirement at the time of application in order to be eligible for admission consideration, unless they qualify for the approved exemption noted above.

Minimum Prerequisites

Associate Degree or Higher — NOTE: AS or AA requirement effective starting Fall 2027 application cycle
- Completion of an Associate Degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher education is required prior to application.
- Exception: Applicants who have successfully completed an accredited X-ray (Radiologic Technology) program or equivalent allied health program (e.g., Registered Nursing (RN), Nuclear Medicine Technology) are exempt from the associate degree requirement. In such cases, a high school diploma or GED is acceptable.
Math 40A or equivalent college -level course completed within four (4) years of the appilcation deadline with a grade "C" or higher.
ENGL 1A, 1H, or 1S & 1T, completed with a grade "C" or higher.
PHYS 12 (or an equivalent general college Physics course is accepted (Physics course should include the topics of: Thermal, Electricity, Waveforms, Electrical. Magnetism, Acoustical, and Optics. Radiology Physics is also accepted)
BIOL 40A, 40B, & 40C, or a Semester of Anatomy and a Semester of Physiology. Must be one full academic year of Anatomy and Physiology, including lab.
AHS 52 or ANY Medical Terminology course with a minimum of 3 quarter units or 2 semester units with a grade of "C" or higher. (AHS 200 can be used to meet this requirement).
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certified (Can be delayed until acceptance). Must be certified by The American Heart Association ONLY.
Two or more years of DIRECT PATIENT CARE EXPERIENCE completed prior to application. Each year of experience must consist of a minimum of 1,500 hours worked per year in a direct patient care role. Applicants must provide proof of hours worked as part of the application process.

Included below are specific responsibilities encompassing direct patient care experiences, along with examples of healthcare degrees and certificates that are recognized by the DMS program as fulfilling the prerequisite for direct patient care experience.

Direct Patient Care Experience (DPCE)

Examples of Allied Healthcare fields that meet the Direct Patient Care Experience (DPCE) requirements include:

Physician (M.D. or D.O.)
Physician Assistant (PA)
Radiologic Technologist (RT)
Respiratory Therapist (RRT or CRT)
Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.)
Registered Nurse (RN)
Clinical Psychologist
Paramedic
Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT)*
Dental Hygienist
Physical Therapist
Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA)**
Occupational Therapist
Nuclear Medicine Tech
Vocational Nurse (LVN)
Certified Nurse Practitioner (CNP)
Phlebotomist
Medical Assistant
EMT***
B.S in Kinesiology

Important: Roles listed above that do not require completion of an academic degree program must be supported by proof of appropriate certification or licensure. Certification documentation must be submitted with the application.

Proof of work experience in the respective fields:

You can download the "Direct Patient Care Verification Form" and have your supervisor complete it.

If you have worked at multiple locations, you may submit multiple forms.
Please upload the completed form(s) as a PDF with your application.

Download DPC Verification Form

Applicants who have a certification in Medical Assisting or Phlebotomy must provide verification of at least 2 years of work experience
EMT’s must provide proof of 2 years of full-time work experience.
Applicants holding a B.S. degree in Kinesiology must provide proof of one year of full-time work experience.

*Veterinary Technician

must be graduated from a program accredited by AVMA-CVTEA and be registered or eligible to take the California Veterinary Medical Board (VMB) examination.

**Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA)

must be graduated from a Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)-accredited program and either hold or be eligible to take the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) for the PTA license.

***EMT

must be graduated from an approved NREMT training program and EMT Certified through Local EMS Agency (LEMSAs).

Foreign Transcripts

In order to process foreign transcripts and degrees, it is mandatory to have them translated into English and evaluated for equivalency in terms of college semester or quarter hours of credit. The evaluation should also include the calculation of a grade point average (GPA).

This evaluation should be conducted by one of the agencies specified in the list provided.

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Contact Us

Christel Gho, Program Director

Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Building 5200
[email protected]

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