Sonography

RRCC is accredited by the The Higher Learning Commission (Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools), and its programs are approved by the State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education and Colorado Community College System.

Medical Sonography AAS Degrees

Diagnostic Medical Sonography AAS Degree 

*Must have completed a 2yr allied health degree or Bachelor's degree in any major prior to applying for this program.  See admission requirements

Echocardiography AAS Degree 

*Must have completed a 2yr allied health degree or Bachelor's degree in any major prior to applying for this program. The required pre-req courses and degree requirements are the same requirements as our current DMS AAS Degree requirements.

Certificates

Echocardiography Certificate

Diagnostic Medical Sonography AAS Degree 

The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography prepares students for a career in ultrasound as a diagnostic medical sonographer. The program is full-time, spanning 21 months/5 semesters, and is held at the Arvada campus, with clinical internships at area hospitals and clinics. The first two semesters of the program are spent in the classroom and lab, and the remaining 3 semesters are spent at assigned clinical sites. 

Graduates earn:

• AAS degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Graduates are eligible to sit for the following ARDMS certification exams:

• Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS)
• Abdomen (AB)
• Obstetrics/Gynecology (OB/GYN)
• Registered Vascular Technology (RVT)
• Sonographic Principles & Instrument Implementation (SPI)

Due to the fast-paced and rigorous nature of the program, students are encouraged to have little to no outside employment responsibilities while enrolled. Please see Cost of Program for more information about financial resources available to students.

Individuals interested in any of the Medical Imaging programs should consider attending one of the Medical Imaging Information Sessions. 

Admission to the sonography program is highly competitive and requires acceptance to RRCC, submission of an online application, completion of an interview, and successful completion of a screening process (which includes a background check and drug screen). The program accepts 9-10 students each year. The number of students accepted is dependent on the number of clinical internship positions available at clinical affiliates. 

Entry into the program does not guarantee national licensing or employment upon graduation. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure they meet any specific eligibility requirements of the ARRT/ARDMS and/or potential employers.

Students are encouraged to meet with an advisor to map out their educational pathway to their chosen career. 

ADMISSIONS INFORMATION/REQUIREMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Timeline for Admissions Process

1. Applications received January-February 
2. Notification of Interview via email: March
3. Interviews: April
4. Offer of acceptance: May
5. Completion of screening process: Early June
6. Official acceptance into program: Mid June
7. Orientation: TBD
8. First Day of Semester: Mid August

Admissions Requirements:

Degree

Candidates must have one of the following:

• 2 year degree in an allied health accredited program which is defined as: 
   
  • 24 full-time consecutive calendar months or 60+ full semester credits or 84+ quarterly credits
  • clinical internship/externship as credit hours (not clock hours) on transcript
  • national certification/registry exam that the candidate has passed
• 4 year degree in any discipline

International degrees may qualify if they are recognized by the World Education Services (WES) or Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE) after a course by course evaluation. 

Prerequisite Courses

All prerequisites must be completed in the U.S., at 100 level course # or above, with a final grade of C or higher, and must be complete by the end of the Spring semester in which the application is submitted. *Please note that an (S) Satisfactory grade may not be acceptable for this or other medical training programs, and should be avoided if possible. Prerequisite courses may be taken at other institutions and equivalent coursework may be acceptable.  Students are encouraged to meet with an advisor to determine eligibility of these courses. 

DMS 1001 Introduction to Sonography (2 credits)
RTE 2055 Multiplanar Sectional Imaging (2 credits)
HPR 1040 Medical Terminology (3 credits)
MAT 1340 College Algebra, Trigonometry or Calculus (3 credits)
BIO 2101 Anatomy & Physiology I (4 credits)
BIO 2102 Anatomy & Physiology II (4 credits)
ENGLISH or COMMUNICATIONS (100 or higher, 3 credits)
PSYCHOLOGY or SOCIOLOGY (100 or higher, 3 credits)

Interview

Candidates with the highest application scores will be selected for an interview and notified via email in May. The interview is 4 hours long and consists of various activities and interview sessions. Top performing interviewees will earn a spot in the program, solely on their interview performance (not grades, essay, community service, etc.). Of candidates interviewed, typically 40-50% get offered a spot in the program.

Background/Drug Screen

Applicants are required to complete a background/drug screen after they are offered a spot in the program and may be subject to additional screenings while in the program.  Students with a failed background check/drug screen are ineligible for participation in the program. To see what criminal offenses disqualify applicants for admission, please see the list of Disqualifying Criminal Offenses. Entry into the program does not guarantee eligibility for licensing certifications or employment upon graduation. Students with criminal backgrounds should find out if they meet the specific eligibility requirements of licensing bodies and/or potential employers prior to pursuing a healthcare career. 

Technical Standards

In keeping with the accreditation standard of a curriculum that reflects assessment of affective, cognitive, and psychomotor domains, the Medical Imaging Program has adopted technical standards which outline the health and physical requirements for students enrolled in the program. These standards apply to all candidates for admission and to all students at all times during training. For detailed information, please see Technical Standards.

Accessibility

Accessibility Services exists to ensure Red Rocks Community College’s compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, wherein qualified students with disabilities are provided accommodations upon request, to assist in their academic success. If you have questions about accessibility or accommodations, please contact Accessibility Services.

Sonographers perform ultrasound examinations of patients for diagnostic purposes. Sonographers perform ultrasound examinations of patients for diagnostic purposes. Typical duties include:

• Create and interpret ultrasound images of organs, tissues, and blood flow
• Recognize normal vs. abnormal conditions and modify exam as appropriate
• Provide a summary of findings to interpreting physician

Employment

RRCC does not offer formal job placement services, but enrolled students can seek assistance via the Career Success Center. To see current job placement rates for graduates of the program, please see the section titled Why Choose RRCC for more information.

Average Hourly Wages for Sonographers: $23-33
Projected growth (2014-2024): Much faster than average
Projected job openings (2014-2024): 27,500

Career Paths

The following are specialties associated with diagnostic medical sonography. Training for AB, OB, and VT certification is included in the AAS degree. Other specialties listed require further certification. Visit the ARDMS website for more information about requirements.

• Abdomen (AB) (included in AAS degree at RRCC)
• Obstetrics (OB)/Gynecology (included in AAS degree at RRCC)
• Vascular Technology (VT) (included in AAS degree at RRCC)
• Adult Echocardiography (AE)
• Pediatric Echocardiography (PE)
• Fetal Echocardiography (FE)
• Musculoskeletal (MSK) 
• Pediatric Sonography (PS) 

When enrolled in the clinical internship courses, students typically spend 36-40 hours per week at a healthcare facility. Students can expect to rotate through a variety of shifts on weekdays and weekends, during the day, at night, or overnight. Students provide their own transportation to clinical facilities, which may be located within a 150-mile radius from the college. However, sites are limited and it is possible you may be placed out of state. For a list of current clinical sites, please see the Clinical Affiliates section above.

Mission

Our Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program is committed to excellence in education demonstrated by providing effective, hands-on instruction in the classroom and clinical settings.  Graduates of the program provide safe, patient-centered care and quality diagnostic services to the community as sonographers.  

Goals & Outcomes

Goal #1 Students will graduate, and pass certification exam, possessing entry-level diagnostic medical sonography skills that will benefit the community's needs.
Expected Outcomes:

• 85% of students that begin the program annually will graduate from the program
• 80% of the graduates of the program will have attained gainful employment within 90 days of graduation
• 80% of employers that respond to the employer surveys will rate the performance of graduates of this program as good or outstanding with regard to knowledge and applications
• 80% of students will pass the certification exam on the first attempt

Goal #2 The program will provide students with didactic and clinical skills that include the ability to perform age appropriate patient care by assessment of physiological and psychological status incorporating communication skills, critical thinking skills, problem solving skills, and decision making abilities.
Expected Outcomes:

• Students will pass all competency exams throughout the program with a grade average of at least 75%
• Students will demonstrate appropriate skill levels in critical thinking, communication skills, problem-solving skills, and decision-making ability
• 80% of graduates that respond to the alumni surveys will rate their clinical abilities, critical thinking abilities and decision-making/problem-solving abilities as good or better than graduates form other programs
• 80% of employers that respond to employer surveys will rate the program graduates as good or better than graduates of other programs in the areas of clinical ability, communication skills, critical thinking ability, and decision-making/problem-solving ability

Goal #3 The program, through its instructors, will instill in students the desire to develop professional attitudes, behaviors, and ethics that will encourage life-long learning and professional growth and development.
Expected Outcomes:

• 80% of graduates that respond to alumni surveys will rate themselves as above average as compared to graduates of other programs in the areas of life-long learning and professional growth and development
• 75% of students will be active members of one or more professional organizations 1 year after graduation.

The diagnostic medical sonography program is housed within the new RRCC Arvada campus which is home to several other healthcare programs including Physician Assistant, Medical Assistant, Nurse Aide, Radiologic Technology, Integrated Health Professions, and Massage Therapy.  The modern campus houses new lab facilities, and a variety of services including financial aid, advising, admissions, food service, bookstore, etc.

Program Highlights

• Instructors are highly experienced and many are currently working as sonographers
• Students have access to 5 ultrasound machines on campus providing state of the industry, hands-on experience prior to clinical internship
• Students receive a well-rounded, hands-on training experience at clinical sites
• 100% of graduates are typically employed within 6 months of graduating

Clinical Affiliates

Current clinical affiliations include (subject to change):

• Kaiser (Denver)
• St. Anthony’s Hospital (Lakewood)
• Platte Valley Medical  (Brighton)
• Porter Adventist Hospital (Denver)
• St. Joseph Hospital (Denver)
• North Suburban Medical (Thornton)
• Parker Adventist (Parker)
• Rose Medical (Denver)

Accreditation

RRCC is accredited by the The Higher Learning Commission (Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools), and its programs are approved by the State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education and Colorado Community College System.

Total Cost of Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program:

In-State with COF stipend*: $14,200
Out-of-State: $40,990**

*The College Opportunity Fund (COF) stipend is available to eligible, in-state students who apply for and authorize it

** You may be eligible for a reduction in out of state tuition through Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) program if you are a resident of one of the participating western states and you do not intend to establish residency in Colorado or take online courses. Visit the WUE website The WUE application along with a copy of your out of state ID or driver’s license and submit to Student Records or reach out to student records with any questions you may have.

Detailed List of Costs:

In-State Tuition with COF: $9,048
Out of State Tuition: $37,126

Student Fees: $1,287
Textbooks$1,275
Scrubs/Shoes: $300
Course Fees: $2,200
CastleBranch Compliance Screening: $91

Students should also plan for costs associated with transportation to campus/clinical sites and program prerequisites, as they will vary.  Most sites are within a 75-mile radius of Denver, but the program may send students to sites within a 100-mile radius to include out of state placement.

Financial Aid

Financial Aid is available to RRCC students. To find out more information, please contact the Financial Aid Office or call 303.914.6256.

Scholarships

For information regarding scholarships available at RRCC, visit the RRCC Foundation web page.

WOIA

The Workforce Innovations and Opportunity Act (WIOA) is a federally-funded program that may be able to provide funding to eligible students. More information can be found on the WOIA website. 

Scan Lab Volunteers Needed

If you'd like to volunteer to be scanned by a student in the campus ultrasound lab, please email us at RRCC.DMSInfo@rrcc.edu

*Please note the sign up volunteer form allows you to sign up for available open lab times. An email is sent to confirm dates/times typically within 24-48hrs. Volunteers do not receive a copy of their images, diagnostic results, or medical advice as part of their scan.