Diagnostic Medical Sonography

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program of Foothill College is dedicated to the integration of didactic, laboratory, and clinical objectives with emphasis on the clinical aspect of Diagnostic Medical Sonography. These objectives are designed to prepare competent entry-level sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains for the abdominal-extended and obstetrics and gynecology sonography concentrations. The program strives to strengthen its role as a principal community resource by providing this program as well as continuing education to meet individual and collective needs.

The program goals include:

1. Graduation of competent entry-level, board eligible sonographers.
2. To develop the student's communication and critical thinking skills in order to function as a competent and diligent member of the health care team.
3. To develop technical skills to provide for comprehensive quality care to individuals from a diverse socioeconomic, educational, and or cultural background.
4. To graduate health care professionals who are respectful of others as well as practice the principles of ethics including autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, veracity, justice, fidelity, and recognize his/her responsibilities under the law.
5. To develop the student's awareness and commitment toward understanding and implementing the Code of Conduct & Code of Ethics as described by the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
6. To convey the importance of striving for continued improvement through education and active participation in this profession.

The program's goals align with the institution's mission and focus on student learning outcomes (SLOs) that meet college and state requirements. These SLOs are integrated into the accreditation process, with each course having its own specific SLOs. The primary program learning outcomes (PLOs) include:

1. Students demonstrate essential knowledge, technical skills, analytical skills, interpersonal skills, and diagnostic abilities within the scope of practice for diagnostic medical sonography.
2. Students demonstrate essential knowledge and values related to professional demeanor, including the implementation of confidentiality and privacy in the practice of diagnostic medical sonography

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer is a professional qualified by professional credentialing, academic, and clinical experience to provide diagnostic patient care services using ultrasound and related diagnostic procedures.

The scope of practice includes those procedures, acts and processes permitted by law, for which the individual has received education and clinical experience, has demonstrated competency, and has completed the appropriate credentialing which is the standards of practice.

Standards are designed to reflect behavior and performance levels to perform patient assessments and evaluation using effective communication and analytical skills. Standards include the ability to acquire and analyze data obtained using ultrasound, related diagnostic technologies, and integration of data.

The sonographer provides preliminary reports of findings to the physician in accordance with established procedures. The sonographer will use independent judgment and systematic problem solving methods to produce high quality diagnostic information and optimize patient care and safety. Foothill College offers an exciting opportunity for practicing diagnostic medical sonographers who need formalized education to pass the ARDMS examinations, and for those in recognized American Medical Association Allied Health occupations who wish to specialize in diagnostic medical sonography.

This 18-month certificate and possible Associate of Science degree program consists of didactic and clinical experience. If you work in a recognized health profession, this program provides the opportunity to apply your clinical experience to the program requirements and offers a new and challenging career. This program will prepare you for the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) exams.

Instruction begins in September and completes 18 months later. All courses are completed in sequence. The preceptorship (clinical) courses require thirty-two hours per week. Didactic and laboratory instruction is in addition to the preceptorship assignment. Students are eligible to take the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) exams. Successful program completion leads to a Certificate of Achievement and can lead to an Associate in Science degree. The curriculum is presented in six quarters.

Formal academic course work will be presented by experienced practicing sonographers and other health science professionals. Emphasis is placed on abdominal, obstetrics and gynecology, superficial structures and vascular sonography.

Your course work will be further enhanced while you are on clinical assignment where you will receive hands-on experience under the supervision of practicing sonographers.

Students typically pursue technical careers in the hospital, clinic, and office. With additional technical experience career positions may include supervisory positions, as a traveler or independent contractor. Most management, corporate, and education positions require four-year college degrees in a related field.

Many career doors are open for you when you become a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. Employment is available in the hospital, clinic, office, and mobile unit environments. Employment is flexible meeting today's lifestyle needs. Opportunities for full-time, part-time, on-call and per Diem positions are available. With experience you may move into a position as department supervisor, manager, or clinical instructor. Biomedical companies frequently choose sonographers to be technical representatives; companies providing sonography services also need registered sonographers.

Where is Diagnostic Medical Sonography applied?

Sonography is used to assess many areas of the body. Advances in technology continue to expand the areas of use for sonography. It is used as a diagnostic tool in the following areas:

2025 Data

There were no program graduates in 2025. The current cohort began in 2024 and is scheduled to graduate in 2026.

2024 Data

Download the Program Effectiveness Data 2024 Report

The 2024 data above is provided as required by CAAHEP. 

2023 Data

The first cohort of the DMS program, following the pandemic hiatus, began in January 2023. Therefore, there were no graduates in 2023.