Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program Application Information

A. Minimum Standards to Apply 

  • Apply to Cypress College to obtain a Cypress College student ID#. The email address used on the Cypress College application will be used within your Health Science Application and for all email interactions between the college faculty and staff, clinical sites, and any other program related email interactions. 
  • High School graduation, or passing of the General Education Development (GED) test, or the High School Proficiency test. 
  • Minimum age of 17 years to apply. Must be 18 years old at the start of clinical training. 
  • Present evidence of good physical and mental health, as determined by medical examination upon admission to program and prior to enrollment. 
  • Overall GPA of 2.0 in all college classes taken. Official transcripts of all colleges attempted are required. 
  • Must have own transportation to all affiliated hospitals. 
  • Students need to have all program pre-requisites and general education courses completed with a grade of “C” or better, from a Regionally Accredited College.

B. Program Prerequisites and Requirements 

The following required courses must be completed with a minimum grade of “C” in each course to be considered. Once a passing grade is achieved, courses cannot be repeated for a better grade. 

  • RADT 142C – Radiologic Electronics (or any introduction or general physics course) – 4 units 
  • RADT 153C – Radiography Patient Care – 3 units 
  • HS 145C – Survey of Medical Terminology – 3 units 
  • HS 147C – Survey of Disease – 3 units 
  • BIOL 210C – Anatomy & Physiology – 5 units 
  • COMM 100C or ENGL 100Cor ENGL 101C or ESL 110C – Communication/Writing – 3 units 
  • CIS 111C – Computer Information Systems – 3 units 
  • MATH 040C – Intermediate Algebra (or any math meeting GE) – 4 units
  • DMS 160C – Introduction to Sonography – 2 units 

Satisfactory completion of DMS 160C – Introduction to Sonography must be completed at Cypress College during the Summer Session prior to the next Fall semester. This course is offered only to the accepted and alternate students who will start the program in the next Fall semester. 

General Education and Graduation Requirements 

The following General Education/Graduation areas are required for the Associate Degree. For options refer to the Associate Degree requirements in the catalog. All general education courses must be completed with a “C” or better. Please refer to the Cypress College Catalog for current Native General Education requirements. 

  • Language and Rationality 
  • Written Communication (4 units) 
  • Arts and Humanities 
  • Arts (minimum 3 units) 
  • Humanities (minimum 3 units) 
  • Social Science (minimum 6 units) 
  • Physical Activity/Health (1-3 units) 

Graduation Requirement:
Social Justice, Equity and Sustainability (formerly known as Cultural Diversity)
Reading Proficiency 

C. Application Procedures 

  • Before the application opens online, review and follow the required instructions on the Checklist and Sample Application on the Diagnostic Medical Sonography home page. 
  • Apply to Cypress College to obtain a Cypress College student ID#.  
  • Once a Cypress College Student ID# has been received, submit required official transcripts from other colleges to Cypress College Admissions and Records. Admission and Records will not accept transcripts opened prior to submission, PDF documents sent from a student, unofficial transcripts, or a Cypress College transcript. 

Attn: Transcripts. You can choose Cypress College if that is an option when ordering. 

  • Through mail (unofficial if opened) 

Cypress College
Admissions and Records – Transcripts
9200 Valley View St.
Cypress, CA  90630 

  • Application must be completed online during the month of February. Application deadline. 
  • Notification letters are emailed out no later than May 1. 
  • Log into the online Health Science Application using MyGateway credentials. Submit needed documents following the instructions within the online Health Science application. 
  • Determination of acceptance is based upon the selection criteria. 

D. Candidate Selection Criteria 

  • Students for the DMS program are currently selected using the point system listed below. No other criteria are used for selection. Students who are not accepted to the program will need to re-apply the following year. Applicants normally exceed capacity. 
  • Students need to have completed all general education courses and program pre-requisites by the time of applying. 
  • Total GPA points on program prerequisites (max 50 points) 
    • 4.0 = 50 points 
    • 3.5-3.9 = 40 points 
    • 3.0-3.4 = 30 points 
    • 2.5-2.9 = 20 points 
    • 2.0-2.4 = 10 points

      Additional points:
       
    • Five (5) points will be given to each eligible application for consecutive applications. Failure to reapply will result in the loss of all additional points.
    • Ten (10) points for successful completion of DMS 160C, at Cypress College, with a grade of “B” or better. 
  • Must be accepted into program or an alternate to take DMS 160C. 
  • Grade point average (GPA) of all program pre-requisite courses will determine who will be selected in the event there is a tie in points. Date and time of application will be used for identical GPA’s. 
  • Acceptance is based on a confirmation response by the deadline stated in the notification email from the applicant selected and followed by mandatory attendance at an orientation. 
  • Selection criteria are subject to change. 
  • Class enrollment is based on the number of approved clinical education centers available. Student capacity is also determined by the Joint Review Commission in Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonographers. 
  • F-1 visa students will not be accepted for admission into any program when applications by qualified U.S. citizens exceed space available (AP 5012 1.4.).

Required Documents Needed from Students to Start the Program 

  • Clear Background Check (instructions provided by Program Director) 
  • Complete Physical and Flu shot (forms provided by Program Director) 
  • Pass Drug Screen (depending on hospital assignment) 
  • Personal liability insurance (instructions provided by Program Director)
  • Personal health insurance
  • COVID Vaccine
  • Current BLS CPR card from American Heart Association (AHA)

E. Radiologic Technology Program Requirements 

Curriculum 

Semester I Fall 

DMS 170C – Sonography Physics – 3.5 units 

DMS 172C – Sonography Externship (16 hr./week) – 5.0 units 

DMS 175C – Abdomen Sonography – 4.0 units 

RADT 262C** – Cross Sectional Imaging – 1.0 units 

HS 98 – Scanning Lab – 4.0

HS 165C** – Ethical Choices in Healthcare – 1.5 units 

Semester I Units19.0 

Semester II Spring 

DMS 186C – OB/GYN Sonography – 4.0 units 

DMS 176C – Pathology and Small Parts – 3.0 units 

DMS 207C – Clinical Education I (24 hr./week) – 8.0 units 

HS 98 – Scanning Lab – 4.0

Semester II Units19.0 

Summer Intersession 

DMS 188C – Doppler Techniques – 1.5 units 

DMS 217C – Clinical Education II (32 hr./week) – 7.0 units 

Intersession Units8.5 

Semester III Fall 

DMS 195C – Carotid and Arterial Sonography – 4.0 units 

DMS 227C – Clinical Education III (32hr./week) – 11.0 units 

Semester III Units15.0 

Semester IV 

DMS 210C – Advance Sonography Topics – 2.5 units 

DMS 237C – Clinical Education IV (32hr./week) – 11.0 units 

Semester IV Units13.5 

** May be taken prior to enrollment. 

NOTE: The Sonography courses must be taken in a specific sequence. Students must attain a minimum grade of “C” in all required courses to successfully complete the program. Please refer to the current Cypress College catalog. 

Health Science Counselors
Division of Health Science
Cypress College
9200 Valley View St.
Cypress, CA  90630-5897
(714) 484-7015 

Health Science Applications Office
Health Science Building/TE3-217 
Cypress College
9200 Valley View St. 
Cypress, CA 90630-5897
healthscience@cpresscollege.edu 

Accreditation Status 

The Cypress College Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee in Diagnostic Medical Sonography.

CAAHEP
9355-113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
Phone: (727) 210-2350
Website: www.caahep.org 

The North Orange County Community College District, in compliance with all applicable Federal and State Laws, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, age, religion, disability, sex, or sexual orientation in any of its policies, procedures, or practices. The district is also committed to maintaining campuses that are free of harassment, drugs, and alcohol.