AAS-DMSO, April 29, 2024 Page 1 of 6
Please contact the following numbers for counselor’s office hours: (915) 831-4636, (915) 831-4036, (915) 831-4155.
HEALTH CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION, MATH & SCIENCE
Specialized Admissions Program Information Guide
For
DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL SONOGRAPHY
ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE (AAS-DMSO)
2024-2025 Catalog
Program Coordinator: Nora Balderas, BS, ARRT ®, ARDMS. Phone #: 915-831-4141
Office Location: RG Campus, Health Science Bldg. Office: H-227, Lab: H-158 E-mail: [email protected]
Clinical Coordinator: Eloy Tinajero, RDMS (AB PS OB/GYN) RVT (VT). Phone #: 915-831-4141
Dean: Souraya A. Hajjar, Ed.D., CHES, CHCO, MPH. Phone #: 915-831-4030
Program Medical Director: Dr. Benjamin Y. Wang
DMSO Program Counselors:
Office Location: RG Counseling Dept., 103 Montana Ave., 3
rd.
floor
Program Map provides additional information regarding salary projections, employment opportunities, licensure requirements and
Educational milestones. LINK:
https://www.epcc.edu/Academics/Catalog/program-map?programID=935
Applicants for Specialized Admissions must satisfy Minimum Criteria in order to be eligible for ranking. The following is
required of all applicants:
Prior to ranking, the student must submit all previous college/university official transcripts (transliteration of all foreign coursework required)
For online Transcripts Evaluation: [email protected]
PDF with a password protection.
Student must have a High School Diploma or GED. Submit official transcripts to:
El Paso Community College Admissions Office
P.O. Box 20500, El Paso, Texas 79998
Student must:
1. Be approved to take credit academic courses by EPCC.
2. Have successfully completed TSIA2 Assessment Tests.
3. Complete an online Health Careers Orientation at: https://www.epcc.edu/Admissions/Orientation/health-careers-orientation
4. Submit Specialized Admissions Application form, pay $ 10.00 fee at any EPCC Cashiers’ office, send receipt via email to
or hand carry to: VV Campus, 919 Hunter, Enrollment Services Center; Admissions and Registration Office.
5. A grade of a “C” or better is required for all academic and specialized courses listed under the degree plan.
EPCC Cumulative GPA of 2.5 is required.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
PROGRAM CONTACT INFORMATION
Students qualifying for Specialized Admissions must satisfy all of the following: General Requirements, minimum set TSIA2 Scores,
Mandatory courses, and Pre-Program Specifics. Once all requirements are completed, ranking points are derived from the highest
TSIA2 scores and most recent G.P.A of ranking courses. Applicants who complete all ranking courses may be more competitive for
admission into their program of choice.
PROGRAM MAP
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“Effective Fall 2011, and based on new federal regulations, students are not allowed to repeat previously passed courses more than
once.” Students should meet with a counselor to determine how a repeat course (s) would impact his/her academic, prerequisite, specialized
admissions or transferability of courses. It is the student’s responsibility to check with the Office of Student Financial Services to inquire how a
repeat course (s) would impact their financial aid or veteran’s assistance.
Test Area
Test Code
TSIA2 Cut Score
Math
PTMT
950
Reading & Writing
PTER
950
Essay
PTWE
6
TSIA2 Official Assessment scores are valid for two (2) years with the highest test score used for qualifying and ranking.
Posting TSIA2 Assessment scores will take between 24 to 48 hours. Assessment Tests have to be completed at least 48 hours prior to
ranking date. Consult your Diagnostic Medical Sonography Counselor for advice.
A student must successfully complete mandatory courses prior to ranking. Applicants who do not satisfactorily complete mandatory
course work will not qualify for ranking into this program.
▲ To qualify for ranking, all mandatory courses must be completed with a minimum of grade “C” or better.
Mandatory courses cannot be substituted.
▲ HPRS 1206 Essentials of Medical Terminology
HPRS 1206 good within 3 years.
Ranking courses are within the degree plan in which performance most reliably predicts future ability to successfully complete the
program. It is highly recommended to complete all ranking courses prior to ranking to be competitive. Ranking courses cannot be
substituted.
▲ Ranking Courses have to be completed no later than Fall Semester to be eligible for March 3, 2025 ranking.
▲ BIOL 2404 Anatomy & Physiology, (Specialized, Single-Semester Course, Lecture + Lab) (C) (MNS)
▲ ENGL 1301 Composition I (C)
▲ PHYS 1301 College Physics I (Lecture) (C) (MNS)
▲ PHYS 1101 College Physics I (Lab)
*** NOTE: BIOL 1306 and BIOL 1106 are pre-requisites for BIOL 2404. Students can complete prerequisites by taking these courses or by
taking a Biology placement exam prior to ranking.
It is highly recommended that the applicant completes the Pre-Program Specific Requirements at least three (3) weeks prior to the ranking
date. The applicant must complete “Specialized Admissions” requirements for qualifying and ranking. There is a scheduled ranking date for this
Program. Normal processing may take a few days or a few weeks depending on document type and individual circumstances. If documents have
been received but not processed then the student will be coded as ineligible for that ranking.
Applicants for Specialized Programs must also meet Pre-Program Specific Criteria prior to qualifying for ranking. The
following is required of all applicants:
Background Check - (fee is required). Each student must complete a background check prior to enrolling in clinical courses. Background checks
are required prior to acceptance into most health programs or courses. Students are responsible for the costs. Currently, the approved vendor for
El Paso Community College is American Databank: http://www.elpasoex.com/
. Only background checks from American Databank are accepted.
TSIA2 MINIMUM REQUIRED ASSESSMENT SCORES FOR DMSO
DMSO AAS MANDATORY COURSES: 1 COURSE
DMSO AAS RANKING COURSES: 4 COURSES
PROCESSING OF PRE-PROGRAM SPECIFIC
PRE-PROGRAM SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
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You will receive a letter from the Dean of Health Career and Technical Education, Math & Science division to inform you of the status of
your background check. The student will not be able to go to the clinical areas/health care facilities until cleared.
***NOTE: If a student has not enrolled in a health-related program for one or more semesters, the student must redo the background check at
his/her own expense, for further information, please ask a Health Counselor or call the Program Coordinator.
There are two Levels of background checks: Level I applies to all students, and includes: (1) Social Security Number Verification. (2) Criminal
Search 7 years minimum or up to five criminal searches. (3) Violent Sexual Offender and Predator Registry Search. (4) Office of the Inspector
General (OIG) list of Excluded Individuals/Entities. (5) GSA List of Parties Excluded from Federal Programs. (6) U.S. Treasury, Office of Foreign
Assets Control (OFAC), List of Specially Designated Nationals (SDN), and (7) State Exclusion List.
Level II is for students already licensed or certified in any area. Level II requires all of the Level 1 elements plus (1) License Verification, (2)
Certification Verification, and (3) Employment Verification, including reason for separation and eligibility for re-hire.
A positive criminal history will require proof of the official case disposition for clearance. Generally: Disqualifying criminal offenses include, but are
not limited to any felony conviction within the last 10 years, or two or more misdemeanors in crimes against persons, or families, such as
homicide, kidnapping, rape, sexual assault, assault, battery, aggravated robbery, theft. Any misdemeanor or felony conviction involving abuse,
neglect, or exploitation against a child, vulnerable adult or disabled individual. Felonies or two misdemeanors involving manufacture, importation,
delivery, or possession of controlled substances, including felony conviction of DWI or two misdemeanor DWI convictions. Deferred adjudication
for any felony is also a disqualifying event for enrolling into any of the Health Programs.
Please note that many professional licensure or certification agencies may have additional requirements. You should reference the requirements
for each agency.
In order to complete the requirements for progression and graduation, students enrolled in this program must have a grade of “C” or better in all
specialized courses. The term “specialized courses” refers to all courses carrying the prefix of the program in which the student is majoring or the
prefix of another health-related discipline.
Check 2024-2025 El Paso Community College Catalog for Prerequisite
Prerequisite Semester
BIOL 2404 Anatomy & Physiology (Specialized, Single-Semester Course, Lecture + Lab) (C) (MNS)
Prerequisites: Placement at college-level English Language Arts Reading by TSIA2 or equivalent; OR completion with a “C” or better or concurrent
Enrollment in the following: INRW 0311 or INRW 0312 or INRW 0313; and BIOL 1306 and 1106 with a “C” or better or Biology CLEP exam.
ENGL 1301 Composition I (C) Prerequisite: Placement at college-level English Language Arts Reading by TSIA2 or equivalent; OR completion of INRW 0311 or `
INRW 0312 or INRW 0313 with a “C” or better; OR concurrent enrollment in INRW 0311 or INRW 0313.
MATH 1314 College Algebra (C) (MNS) Prerequisite: Placement at college-level Mathematics by TSIA2 or equivalent; OR completion of NCBM 0114 with a “CR” or
NCBM 0314 with a “C” or better; OR concurrent enrollment in NCBM 0114 or NCBM 0314. (3:1). Lab fee.
PHYS 1301 College Physics I (Lecture) (C) (MNS) Prerequisites: Placement at college-level English Language Arts Reading by TSIA2 or equivalent; OR completion with a
“C” or better or concurrent enrollment in the following: INRW 0311 or INRW 0312 or INRW 0313; and MATH 1314 or MATH 2412 with a “C” or better or by placement exam. Corequisite: PHYS 1101.
PHYS 1101 College Physics I (Lab) Corequisite: PHYS 1301.
First Semester (Summer)
DMSO 1210 Introduction to Sonography
HPRS 1206 Essentials of Medical Terminology
Second Semester
DMSO 1260 Clinical-Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician I
DMSO 2405 Sonography of Obstetrics/Gynecology Prerequisite: DMSO 1210. (4:1). Lab fee. OB/GYN Mock Exam fee.
Third Semester
DMSO 1302 Basic Ultrasound Physics
DMSO 1441 Abdominopelvic Sonography Prerequisite: DMSO 2405. (4:1). Lab fee. ABD Mock Exam fee
DMSO AAS DEGREE PROGRAM COURSES
The AAS in Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program is Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education
Programs (CAAHEP), 9355-113th St N, # 7709; Seminole, FL 33775; Phone: (727) 210-2350, Fax: (727) 210-2354,
Email: [email protected]. Website: http://www.caahep.org/. Upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in
Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS), 6021 University Boulevard, Suite 500; Ellicott City, MD 21043; phone: (443) 973-3251,
Fax: (866) 738-3444, web: www.jrcdms.org,
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DMSO 1460 Clinical/Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician II Prerequisite: DMSO 1260. (0:24). Professional Practice
Insurance required. Prerequisite: DMSO 1260.
Fourth Semester (Summer)
DMSO 1242 Intermediate Ultrasound Physics Prerequisite: DMSO 1302. (2:1). Lab fee. Physics Mock Exam fee
DMSO 2266 Practicum (or Field Experience)-Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician I
Prerequisite: DMSO 1460. Corequisite: DSVT 1200.
DSVT 1200 Principles of Vascular Technology
Prerequisites: DMSO 1302 and DMSO 1441 or DSAE 2303.
PSYC 2301 General Psychology (C) (SBS)
Prerequisite: Placement at college-level English Language Arts Reading by TSIA2 or equivalent; OR completion with a
“C” or better or concurrent enrollment in the following: INRW 0311 or INRW 0312 or INRW 0313.
Fifth Semester
DMSO 1355 Sonographic Pathophysiology Prerequisites: DMSO 1441 and DMSO 2405 and DSVT 1200.
DMSO 2351 Doppler Physics Prerequisite: DMSO 1242. (3:1). Lab fee.
DMSO 2353 Sonography of Superficial Structures Prerequisites: DSVT 1200 and DMSO 1441.
DMSO 2367 Practicum (or Field Experience)-Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician II Prerequisite: DMSO 2266.
Sixth Semester
DMSO 2345 Advanced Sonography Practices Prerequisites: DMSO 1441 and DMSO 2405 and DSVT 1200.
DMSO 2366 Practicum (or Field Experience)-Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician III
Prerequisite: DMSO 2367.
PHIL 2306 Introduction to Ethics (C) (HFA)
Following completion of the Associate of Applied Science Degree, a multi-disciplinary Enhanced Skills Certificate of Completion in Border Health
Issues is available. This program prepares graduates to work as members of a multi-disciplinary team to meet the unique health care needs of
the U.S./Mexico border community
.
Official Ranking Date: March 3, 2025.
Program Begins-Summer.
Maximum Students Admitted: 12 Students.
Community Wide Orientation online at: https://www.epcc.edu/Admissions/Orientation/community-wide-orientation
HIPAA online at: https://www.epcc.edu/Academics/Health/hipaa
Health Careers Orientation online at: https://www.epcc.edu/Admissions/Orientation/health-careers-orientation
Online additional program-specific and career information: https://www.epcc.edu/Academics/Health
Students who completed articulated or dual credit courses in health in high school should bring this to the attention of the counselor. College
credit may still be available.
DMSO website:
https://www.epcc.edu/Academics/Health/diagnostic-medical-sonography
Students are responsible for the following requirements AFTER accepting a seat in the Program:
Must file a degree plan with the designated Health Counselor.
Community Wide Orientation - Conducted online: https://www.epcc.edu/Admissions/Orientation/community-wide-orientation
(must be
renewed every year).
CPR - American Heart Association (AHA) CPR/BLS (only Health Provider training accepted) card from AHA. Military Training Network (AHA
recognized) cards will be accepted. Hybrid AHA courses with live skills demonstration will be accepted. CPR card must remain current throughout
the course of the program (Certification may not be older than two (2) years).
Health Care Insurance (evidence). Mandatory Healthcare insurance is required for students doing clinicals at healthcare facilities.
HIPAA Training - Conducted online: https://www.epcc.edu/Academics/Health/hipaa (must be renewed every year).
Immunizations and Titers – The following must be completed.
• POSITIVE TITER required for Hepatitis B vaccination series of three and Titer (can take 4-6 months to complete). If a student has started
the Hepatitis B series by ranking deadline, he/she
may be clear for ranking or registration with the understanding that the series have to be
completed in a timely manner prior to starting clinical courses. Documentation of starting the series must be on file.
• Tuberculosis (TB) screening required annually. **NOTE: It is highly recommended to complete any and all TB skin testing prior to
receiving the MMR and/or Varicella vaccines. MMR or Varicella vaccines could cause a false negative TB skin test result.
POST-ACCEPTANCE REQUIREMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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1. Individuals who previously tested negative, have never tested, or are not sure if previously tested.
a. Initial 2 Step TB Skin Test (effective January 1, 2018, for all students/faculty new to health programs).
i. Initial TB skin test (TST) administered and read 48-72 hours later.
ii. If initial TB skin test is negative, the second TST must be administered no sooner than 7 days and no later than 21 days after
administration of the initial TST.
iii. If initial TST is positive, DO NOT ADMINISTER the second TST. Individual needs Chest X-ray and annual TB
Assessment/Clearance (or equivalent document) from Health Care Provider.
2. TB Skin Test Positive (previously). Requires completed Annual TB Assessment/Clearance form.
• POSITIVE TITER required for each two doses - Measles, Mumps and Rubella Vaccinations (MMR) (completed) and Titer.
• POSITIVE TITER required for each two doses - Varicella Vaccination and Titer (completed).
• Tetanus/Diphtheria and Pertussis (TDAP) vaccine (completed, expires after 10 years).
• Influenza vaccine is required (done annually).
• Meningitis or Booster – (Effective January 1, 2012, a Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination is required for all entering students under the age of 22.
The term “entering students” includes new students to EPCC, transfer students, and returning students. Students must provide proof of an initial
meningitis immunization or booster to the Admissions and Registration Department at any campus. The meningitis immunization must be
administered at least 10 days before the start of the semester and must have been administered within the last five years).
NOTE: If you have had the vaccination at an earlier date, you may start with a Titer, as the result will indicate if you need the vaccine.
If you have not had the vaccination and after vaccination is applied, you must wait 4-6 weeks for immunity to show up on the TITER.
COVID-19 may be requested
Visit Admission and Registration EPCC web page for additional information. Website: https://www.epcc.edu/Admissions/immunization-law
A tracking system, COMPLIO, will assist students and coordinators alike to be compliant with immunizations, CPR, First Aid, physical, etc.
All students participating in health programs must be part of the American Databank, in order to keep their clinical data in compliance and
updated. If you have any questions contact Nora Balderas, Program Coordinator at: [email protected] or Eloy Tinajero
, Clinical
Coordinator at: [email protected]
COMPLIO Link: https://www.epcc.edu/Academics/Health/Documents/Background_Check_Substance_Abuse_Testing.pdf
Follow below example when inputting your Program required documents; students can find this information under the
"Requirement Explanation" button.
Professional Practice Insurance is required for all clinical and selected laboratory courses. This fee is paid during the time of enrollment.
Instructor may ask for proof of payment (your registration receipt) on the first day of class.
Current Physical Examination completed by a Physician, Nurse Practitioner or Physician’s Assistant licensed in the United States (Not older
than one year). Website: FFAA-1.pdf (epcc.edu)
Physical Technical Standards Form (completed):
https://www.epcc.edu/Administration/InstitutionalEffectiveness/PoliciesandProcedures/FB-8.pdf
Program Orientation. “Admitted students will receive notification of Program Orientation following verified acceptance into the program”
Substance Abuse Screening will be required for each student enrolling in health career programs with clinical components. For further
information, please ask a Health Counselor or call the program coordinator. ***NOTE: Students must re-take and pay for substance abuse test if
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test was taken three months prior to the first clinical education course. Website: http://www.elpasoex.com/
Uniforms: In accordance with course syllabi; students must purchase their own uniforms. The program coordinator will provide students with
detailed information.
Transportation: Students are responsible for their own transportation to off-campus clinical/learning sites.
Textbooks and other course materials must be purchased at student’s expense in accordance with course syllabi.
CPR and First Aid Courses are available through the EPCC Continuing Education Division. Please see the current Continuing Education
Course Schedule or call 915-831-7820 for more information.
Our EPCC Rio Grande Border Health Clinic is located at the Rio Grande Campus, for information call: 915- 831-4016 or call 915-831-4017 for
Dental, Medical Sonography, Echocardiogram or Physical Therapy clinics.
This document is to be used with EPCC College Catalog, which provides complete information on courses as well as College regulations
and procedures. This is for informational purposes only and is not a binding offer or contract between the College and the student. This
document was revised September 2023 and is subject to change without prior notice.
The El Paso County Community College District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or
gender identity.
OTHER INFORMATION
