FAQ
Yes, the LCCC DMS program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) as a general vascular concentration sonography program. CAAHEP accreditation allows students to meet the requirements to apply and take the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) and the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) national sonography exams.
What is the length of the DMS program?
Once admitted to the program, it's six semesters over 24 months. The first 12 months are on campus didactic and laboratory classes. The final 12 months are primarily clinical internship completed at a hospital or clinic. Before admittance to the program, students must complete 23-25 credits of prerequisites, which can be completed in as little as two semesters depending on the student's academic background.
Do you offer online, part-time or evening classes for the DMS program?
No. Classes are mostly traditional format, day courses. Some of the prerequisite courses are offered as online or evening courses. The program is full-time only.
When are courses offered?
DMS courses vary but are generally offered from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Students can expect to be on campus at least four days per week, but they may need to visit campus every day to fulfill scanning requirements.
Are there prerequisite classes that I must take before I can apply?
Yes. There are 23-25 credits of prerequisites that students must have taken or be enrolled in when they apply.
Do I need health care experience or a health care degree to be admitted to the program?
No. Although helpful, previous health care experience is not a requirement of the program. The program has been designed to enable students with no prior health care experience to become entry-level sonographers. If students have previous health care experience, they likely will not have to take one to three courses depending on their previous course work.
When are applications available?
Online applications for the summer entry into the program will be available mid-January of each year.
When are applications due?
Applications are due by Mar. 1. The program starts one class each year in June.
When should I hear from the Program Director about my application?
Click here for the application timeline.
How are students chosen for the program each year?
Students are admitted on a competitive basis. Applications are scored and assigned
points by the following criteria: completeness of application, prerequisites GPA,
essay questions, observation evaluations, letters of reference, prior health care
experience (if any), DMS courses already completed and an on-campus interview. The
scoring is weighted 30 percent on application and 70 percent for the interview.
The top 10 - 12 applicants with the highest cumulative score will be accepted into
the program and two to three alternates will follow the top 10 - 12. The program doesn't
use a wait list; students must reapply each year to the program.
How many students are accepted into the program each year?
10 - 12 students generally are accepted each year. This number likely will grow in
the future as additional clinical sites are added to the program.
Can I take program courses before I am admitted to the program?
All DMS courses that begin with the IMAG or RDTK prefix are limited to program students
only. However, there are three courses in the program that students can take in advance.
Taking these courses ahead of time lessens the academic burden once a student is in
the program and also leads to bonus points on the student’s application.
- HLTK 2300 Healthcare Ethics (2016-2017 applicants only)
- POLS 1000 or HIST 1211 or HIST 1221 or HIST 1251 or ECON 1200
- College level computer class
How old can my prerequisite courses be?
The anatomy and physiology courses must have been taken within the last five years to be considered. The five-year timeline is based off the program entry date.
If students are currently working as one of the following hands-on medical professionals, they're exempt from
the five-year requirement: registered nurse (RN), radiologic technologist ARRT(R),
physical therapist assistant, respiratory therapist, surgical technologist or a certified
nurse assistant (CNA). Students must provide documentation of employment.
There is no time limit on the other prerequisite courses.
Can prerequisites be completed at a school other than LCCC?
Yes. General education courses that match those in the program will be considered
for transfer. Admissions counselors are available to evaluate transcripts from other
schools. Contact a Student Success Coach at admissionsFREELARAMIE%C2%A0or 307.778.1212 for more information. Prerequisite courses must be completed at a regionally accredited
institution.
Are the LCCC DMS courses transferable to another college or university?
Yes. Because LCCC is regionally accredited, courses should transfer to other institutions.
Students should check with the institution they plan to continue their education with
for transferability of courses.
What type of ultrasound exams does the LCCC DMS program train students for?
The DMS program is a genera vascular concentration ultrasound program. This means
it concentrates on the following areas of diagnostic ultrasound: abdomen/small parts,
gynecology, obstetrics, and vascular.
How do I apply to the college?
Students need to submit a college admission application to LCCC if they haven't taken courses here before or a readmission application if
they haven't taken courses in the past year. It's the student's responsibility to
request official high school and all college transcripts and have them sent to the
admissions office. Note: Unofficial student copies of college transcripts must be
attached and submitted with the DMS application.
Is there a separate application process for DMS program?
Yes. A student must be admitted to LCCC and then complete a DMS program application.
Do I need to complete any health forms?
Yes. Once students are accepted, they and their health care provider must complete
health care forms. The health forms involve documentation of immunizations, TB and
hepatitis tests and verification from their health care provider that they're functionally
able to complete the program successfully.
Do I need a criminal background check?
Yes. A criminal background check is required prior to beginning the second year of
the program. Applicants who have been convicted of a crime should contact www.ardms.org to determine if their conviction will prevent them from taking the certification
boards and/or the ability to obtain employment in a health care setting. Any student
who cannot pass the background check and isn't eligible to attend clinicals will be
dismissed from the program.
Can I choose where and when I do my clinical rotation?
No. Faculty will select a student's clinical site Fall 1 semester of the program. Clinical sites are available throughout Wyoming, Montana, western Nebraska and the front range of Colorado. Relocation for the clinicals is a strong possibility as the local hospitals and clinics cannot accommodate all of LCCC's DMS students. If a student currently works at a clinical site, that site may request him/her as its student.
It's the student's responsibility to provide transportation to clinical assignments. Clinicals are a full-time commitment, averaging 34-40 per week.
Students from rural or under served areas are encouraged to apply. Attempts will be made to place students near or in their rural hometown hospital for internship if possible.
Can I work during the program?
Due to the demands of the full-time program, student employment should be approached
with caution. This personal decision should be based on individual performance in
the classroom, clinical areas and personal health. It's the desire of the DMS faculty
that students be successful in this program and that essential learning not be compromised.
Students will not be excused from class or clinical assignments for personal work
schedules. Classroom attendance is expected and accountability for knowledge and assignments
is the student's responsibility. Alternative sources of funding may be found by contacting
the college's Scholarship & Financial Aid Office. Past successful students have worked no more than eight hours per week on average.
What is the cost of the program?
Student incidental costs may vary significantly All figures are estimated. Please
see the LCCC catalog for in-state and out-of-state tuition/fee schedule. Students
are encouraged to speak with financial aid early on in the process. (Financial Aid:
307.778.1215) View specific DMS Program Expenses.
Are financial aid or scholarships available for the program?
Yes. Please contact the Scholarship & Financial Aid Office.
Are graduates required to pass a state or national certification?
Most employers require ARDMS or ARRT(S) certification for employment. However, there
are some employers that don't require certification. Please visit www.ARDMS.org and www.ARRT.org to see requirements to take these examinations.
In 2015,100 percent of LCCC's students passed the ARDMS SPI Examination. To date,
nearly 100 percent of LCCC's graduates have passed the ARDMS ABD and OB/GYN Boards.
Does the program have modern ultrasound equipment available for students?
Yes. The program has a dedicated ultrasound lab. These machines are made available
for student practice up to 40 hours per week. The lab is equipped with the following
equipment:
- Two IU 22 (F-Cart model) ultrasound machines
- One GE Loigiq 7 Ultrasound Machine
- One GE Voluson Ultrasound Machine
- One GE Logiq E9 Ultrasound Machine
- One Endovaginal Simulator
- One Abdomen and Obstetrical Simulator
- Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) is used to evaluate images. PACS is used daily in the workplace.