Diagnostic Medical Sonography Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long is the program?
The program is 21 months. However, there are prerequisites that have to be taken prior to application.

2. What are the prerequisites?
Radiologic Physics (or a general physics course)
Patient Care
Medical Terminology
Survey of Disease (pathophysiology)
Anatomy and Physiology
English or Speech
Computers
Intermediate Algebra (Math 40 or higher)
Medical Sonography Theory
*Cross Sectional Imaging
*Ethics
*These courses may be take as pre-requisites or taken during the program.

3. When is the application deadline?
Applications are taken in the month of February for an August start date. Prerequisite courses may be in progress at the time of application, however, these courses must be completed with a “C” grade or better by the end of the semester in May.

4. Is there a waiting list?
No. Cypress College does not have a waiting list. If you do not make it into the program the year you applied, then you would have to re-apply the following year.

5. Can I take courses at another college?
Yes, the prerequisites may be taken at another college, except for the DMS 60 Medical Sonography Theory. You have to speak to a Health Science counselor to make sure those courses will transfer to Cypress College and meet our requirements.

You can log on to Cranium Café which is the online counseling service at
https://cypress.craniumcafe.com/login and ask for Kelly Carter. Or try this link:
https://cypress.craniumcafe.com/group/health-sciences/lobby.
(714) 484-7015 is the Counseling Center phone number.
There are also Information Workshops to attend. Go to this webpage to register
for the DMS Information Workshop:
https://www.eventbrite.com/o/cypress-college-health-science-division-1128417011.

6. How many students do you take?
We accept as many students as we have clinical training sites. Usually this is between 20-22 students each year.

7. How are students accepted into the DMS program?
The applicants with the highest GPA in the required prerequisite courses will be higher on the acceptance list. Additional points are awarded for previous applications.

8. How much does the program cost?
About $6000 (not including the cost for personal health insurance which is required) for the program timeline.

9. Will I be provided a training site?
Yes, the college is responsible for assigning the student to an accredited hospital for training.

10. What is the schedule like? Can I train in ultrasound part-time?
The schedule/curriculum is attached to the end of this document. It is not 40 hours per week, but it is not part time. Clinical training is Monday through Thursday, between 24-32 hours per week. Didactic courses are on Friday. This schedule can be found on the web page.

11. Are there any other night courses I have to take?
There are two courses that the student may take during the program, Cross Sectional Imaging and Ethics. These courses are 9 weeks each on Tues. evenings.

They are scheduled back-to-back. Cross sectional imaging is the first 9 weeks and Ethics the second nine weeks. Again, these two courses may be taken prior to acceptance into the program. However, they will not be calculated in the GPA for application.