Diagnostic Medical Sonography: Career Associate

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography: Career Associate program at Harrisburg Area Community College is designed to prepare students for entry-level positions in the rapidly growing healthcare field of medical imaging. This comprehensive program provides students with the theoretical knowledge and hands-on skills necessary to operate sonographic equipment and produce high-quality diagnostic images. Throughout the coursework, students learn anatomy, physiology, pathology, and the technical aspects of ultrasound imaging, focusing on various specialties such as obstetric, gynecologic, abdominal, vascular, and small parts sonography. The curriculum emphasizes patient care, safety protocols, and effective communication skills to ensure professional and compassionate interactions with patients and healthcare teams.

Students in this program gain practical experience through clinical internships in affiliated healthcare facilities, where they observe real-world ultrasound procedures and perform supervised scans. These clinical components are vital for applying classroom knowledge in clinical settings, developing technical proficiency, and understanding the workflow of a medical imaging department. The program is typically structured to be completed in approximately two years, making it an accessible route for students seeking to enter the medical field quickly.

Graduates of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography: Career Associate program are eligible to sit for certifying examinations offered by recognized professional organizations such as the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). Certification enhances employability and demonstrates a validated skill set to potential employers. Career paths for program graduates include roles such as sonographer, ultrasound technician, and imaging specialist in hospitals, outpatient clinics, diagnostic laboratories, and physician offices. The program aims to equip students with the technical expertise, clinical competence, and professional ethics necessary to succeed in this dynamic healthcare specialty, ultimately helping improve patient outcomes through accurate and non-invasive diagnostic imaging.

General Education   
ENGL 101 English Composition I  3 
ENGL 102 English Composition II  3 
COMM 101 Effective Speaking (or)  3 
  COMM 203 Interpersonal Communication  (3) 
Core A Elective  3 
Core B Elective  3 
Free Elective  3 
Physical Education & Wellness  1 

Major Requirements   
DMS 105 Introduction to Health Care  4 
DMS 110 Introduction to DMS  4 
DMS 115 Clinical Experience I  1 
DMS 120 DMS Sonography Laboratory I  1 
DMS 125 Clinical Experience II  3 
DMS 130 Abdominal Sonography I  3 
DMS 140 DMS Sonography Laboratory II  1 
DMS 150 OB/GYN Sonography I  3 
DMS 170 Acoustical Principles I  4 
DMS 180 High Resolution Imaging  2 
DMS 210 Intro to Vascular Sonography  3 
DMS 215 Clinical Experience III  4 
DMS 220 DMS Sonography Laboratory III  1 
DMS 225 Clinical Experience IV  4 
DMS 230 Abdominal Sonography II  1 
DMS 250 OB/GYN Sonography II  3 

Other Required Courses   
BIOL 121 Anatomy & Physiology I  4 
BIOL 122 Anatomy & Physiology II  4 
MATH 103 College Algebra (Core C)  3 
PHYS 151 Physics for Technicians  4 

This curriculum is designed to prepare students to:

Perform as an entry level general sonographer in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills) and affective (behavior) learning domains

Utilize oral and written communication

Demonstrate quality patient care, sonographic exam process, and professionalism

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of anatomy, cross-sectional anatomy, physiology, pathology, and  pathophysiology of the abdomen, superficial structures, non-cardiac chest, and the gravid and nongravid  pelvis

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of acoustic physics, Doppler ultrasound and ultrasound instrumentation and the probability of biological effects

Perform sonographic examinations of the abdomen, superficial structures, non-cardiac chest and the gravid and nongravid pelvis according to protocol guidelines utilizing real time equipment with both trans abdominal and endocavity transducers

Recognize and identify the sonographic appearance of normal and abnormal processes of  the abdomen, superficial structures, non-cardiac chest, and the gravid and nongravid pelvis

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

Apply for a Full-Ride Scholarship

Are you a future student and ready to apply to HACC? 
By applying to HACC, you have the opportunity to apply for a full-ride scholarship! HACC will fund two years of your education – enough to complete your associate degree.

Thanks to the support of the HACC Foundation, the College is able to offer FREE money to support future students, like you, in reaching your educational goals. Six full-ride scholarships are available – one from each of the five campuses and one through HACC’s Virtual Learning Program. 

Please note that current students are not eligible for the full-ride scholarships. However, there are more than 250 scholarships available for current students.

What should you know about the full-ride scholarship?

The scholarship covers tuition, books and fees for a full academic year. 

The scholarship will automatically renew each term for up to six consecutive terms if you maintain your eligibility.

Once you apply to the College and receive a HACC ID and email address, you may apply for the full-ride scholarship. You do not have to register for classes before applying for the scholarship.

Are you eligible?

To be eligible, you must:

Apply to HACC

Take 12-15 credits each term for no more than six consecutive terms (two years)

Live in Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry, Schuylkill or York county

Have a minimum cumulative high school GPA of 3.0

Provide a 480 SAT reading score, 21 ACT or comparable scores on the College’s placement test

Maintain a GPA of 3.0 while enrolled at HACC

Participate in at least two HACC student organizations

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography: Career Associate program at Harrisburg Area Community College offers students comprehensive training in medical imaging technology, focusing on the use of ultrasound equipment to diagnose and monitor various health conditions. This associate degree program is designed to prepare students for entry-level positions as diagnostic medical sonographers, emphasizing both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. The curriculum covers core topics such as anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, ultrasound physics, patient care, and safety procedures. Additionally, students gain hands-on experience through clinical practicum placements, which are integral to developing proficiency in sonographic techniques and patient interaction.

Harrisburg Area Community College’s program emphasizes the development of critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, enabling graduates to effectively analyze ultrasound images and collaborate with healthcare teams. The program prepares students for certification exams such as the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS), increasing their employment prospects in hospitals, clinics, outpatient facilities, and diagnostic laboratories. Graduates of the program are equipped to specialize in areas such as abdominal, obstetric, gynecologic, and vascular sonography, offering diverse career pathways within the medical imaging field.

The faculty comprises experienced professionals committed to supporting students’ academic and professional growth. The college provides modern laboratories and advanced ultrasound equipment to facilitate practical learning. The program typically spans two years, including classroom instruction, laboratory practice, and clinical internships, ensuring students receive a well-rounded education that aligns with current industry standards. Upon completion, graduates are qualified to pursue licensure or certification, as required, and to continue their education should they choose to specialize further or advance into healthcare management or education roles.

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program at Harrisburg Area Community College is ideal for individuals interested in a healthcare career that combines technology, patient care, and medical science. It offers a pathway into the growing field of diagnostic imaging, with strong employment outlooks due to increasing demand for non-invasive diagnostic tools. The college supports students through academic advising, career services, and ongoing professional development opportunities, fostering success in both the program and future employment endeavors.