Program Details
Program Details

Program Details

Diagnostic Medical Sonography: Echocardiography Specialization, A.A.S.

Associate of Applied Science
Northern Virginia Community College

Purpose: The curriculum prepares students to produce diagnostic images of the heart structures and motion to diagnose cardiovascular changes. The echocardiographer uses special equipment to direct high frequency sound waves into areas of the patient's body. The echocardiographer is a central member of the health care team and assists the radiologist in body image interpretation. Upon successful completion of degree requirements, the student will be eligible to apply to take the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography examinations leading to credentials as a Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS®).


Program Overview & Guidance
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Program Web Page
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External Link
Delivery Mode
In-Person
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Delivery Mode
Online
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Delivery Mode
Hybrid
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Program Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Considerations for Selecting Degree
Program Requirement Notes
Program Requirement Notes

Students must:

  • Comply with all general admission requirements for Allied Health Programs.
  • Review an online Diagnostic Medical Sonography information session atat www.nvcc.edu/medical/divisions/allied/sonography.html.
  • Attend a mandatory DMS Prospective Student Workshop prior to application. Students must bring a copy of the DMS Prospective Student Workshop Form with them to the workshop.
  • Complete BIO 141 and BIO 142with a 'B' or higher.
  • Complete ENG 111with a grade of 'B' or higher.
  • Complete MTH 154 or higher level math with a 'B' or higher.
  • Complete PHY 101 Introduction to Physics I with a 'B' or higher.
  • Complete SDV 101Orientation to Healthcare with a 'B' or higher.
  • Complete all courses used to satisfy the science requirements within 10 years of the semester in which verification of the DMS admission process is completed.
  • Have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA.

Completion Requirements: All courses in the program must be completed with a grade of 'C' or better before taking the next course in the sequence and to satisfy graduation requirements.
Considerations When Selecting Courses

  • Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year
  • Connect with an advisor at your community college and Northern Virginia Community College within your first year via College Connect
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses
Doing More With Your Degree
Program Successes & Highlights
Program Credit Requirements
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Please look above to see if a Transfer Guide is available for this program. lf you are a current Virginia Community College student or are planning to start at a Virginia Community College before transferring to this institution and program, please follow the Transfer Guide to plan your courses at the community college.

The table below provides the requirements to complete this program if you are not following a Transfer Guide. If you have an account and have created a Portfolio, the table includes the "Applied Credits" column. This column shows how the credits you earned based on the experiences you entered may be applied to satisfy these requirements. You can find schools where you can take courses that will transfer and apply to this degree using the Where Can I Find An Equivalent Course feature in the Transfer Tools menu.

The program map provided below is an estimate based on courses identified as a result of reviewing your portfolio and the requirements for the selected program.

A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
Requirements
Required Credits
Diagnostic Medical Sonography: Echocardiography Specialization, A.A.S.
67
Diagnostic Med Sonography / Echocardiography, AAS
67
1091 Plan GPA/Cum GPA 2025-26
67
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
AND
Transfer credits will be evaluated, and as applicable, up to 50 credits may be applied to this program.
SDV Requirement (Prerequisite)
1
SDV 100
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
BIO Requirements (Prerequisite)
8
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
All Prerequisites must be completed with a B or higher
BIO 141
4
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
BIO 142
4
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
MTH Requirement (Prerequisite)
3
MTH 161
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
ENG Requirement (Prerequisite)
3
ENG 111
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
PHY Requirement (Prerequisite)
4
PHY 100
4
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
DMS Requirements
38
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
All DMS core courses must be completed with a C or Higher
DMS 190
2
Earn 2 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
DMS 206
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
DMS 207
2
Earn 2 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
DMS 208
2
Earn 2 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
DMS 217
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
DMS 218
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
DMS 150
4
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
DMS 196
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
DMS 209
2
Earn 2 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
DMS 219
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
DMS 231
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
DMS 250
4
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
DMS 256
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
DMS 223
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
DMS 232
4
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
DMS 255
2
Earn 2 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
HLT Requirements
4
HLT 141
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
HLT 220
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
PSY Requirement
3
PSY 200
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Humanities/Fine Arts Elective Requirement
3
Humanities/Fine Arts Elective
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category list:
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
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Transfer Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Associate Transfer Degree Completion Students who have graduated with at least an associate or bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited United States institution of higher education are considered to have fulfilled NOVA's SDV requirement. Any other course transfers are evaluated based on the student's transcript, https://www.nvcc.edu/cro/transfercredit/index.html

Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School Students who have graduated with at least an associate or bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited United States institution of higher education are considered to have fulfilled NOVA's SDV requirement. Any other course transfers are evaluated based on the student's transcript.
Credit for Prior Learning NOVA strives to provide students with opportunities to receive credit for prior learning while still maintaining the integrity of our academic programs. Credit for prior learning (CPL) generally refers to the process of granting college credit for learning gained in nontraditional. ways; https://www.nvcc.edu/prior-learning/
Did You Know That...
  • Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree?
  • Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at: Northern Virginia Community College
College Level Information
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Transfer Center
Visit our transfer site for more information
External Link
Transfer Admission Application
Transfer Students - Apply Here
External Link
Transfer Student Aid
Financial Aid for Transfer Students
External Link
Number of Transfer Students
43891
College Fit Guidance What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me? Our classes feature up-to-date technology and course content to prepare you for a competitive job market; We also offer courses that will transfer to colleges all over Virginia and the nation. In fact, NOVA has guaranteed admission agreements with more than 40 colleges and universities for students who meet specific requirements.
Transfer Student Catalog Year Catalog year is determined by first semester of program placement.
First Year Student Catalog Year Catalog year is determined by first semester of program placement.
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions https://www.nvcc.edu/gaa/
Where Can This Degree Transfer
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This section displays degrees most closely related to this program and to which you may be able to transfer. So, you can use this list to find the next degree you can complete in your major. Please click the degree name to visit that program page.

Institution Title Degree Award Name Award Level Delivery Mode
Tidewater Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science - Computer-Aided Drafting and Design TechnologyAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person
Careers Where This Degree Applies
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O*Net Code Name Description Parent
17-3011.00Architectural and Civil DraftersPrepare detailed drawings of architectural and structural features of buildings or drawings and topographical relief maps used in civil engineering projects, such as highways, bridges, and public works. Use knowledge of building materials, engineering practices, and mathematics to complete drawings.Architecture and Engineering Occupations
Cost To Complete
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This section provides you with a very high-level estimate of your costs and is purely intended as a guide. You should consult the institution via College Connect to get a more detailed estimate based on the totality of your circumstances. The selections below are based on information gathered from your Profile and the estimated costs are calculated based on the 67 credits remaining to be completed

Please select the "Cumulative Months of Service" that determine your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.
Estimated Cost for the Diagnostic Medical Sonography: Echocardiography Specialization, A.A.S. at Northern Virginia Community College
These costs are based on an estimated 4 semesters or 2 years remaining to complete this degree (assuming a full-time load of 16 hours per semester)
Category Cost Basis Cost (To You) Estimated Benefits Net Cost Notes
Tuition $219 Per Credit $14,673 $0 $14,673
*Please note that the above estimated costs do not include all Federal, State or other financial aid, grants, scholarships, etc. for which you may qualify. All such aid could substantially reduce these costs.
Other Financial Aid to Pay for College:
  • You may be eligible for additional financial aid from Federal, State, and Local sources. Military education benefits are not considered in determining eligibility for federal financial aid. Everyone is therefore encouraged to apply for federal financial aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), because many will qualify for additional educational funds like Pell Grants, worth over $5,500/yr.