LARAMIE COUNTYCOMMUNITY COLLEGE
Due to the rise in COVID-19 cases and for the safety of healthcare students and employees, many medical facilities, along with federal policies, are mandating the COVID-19 vaccination, with limited exemptions available for students and employees. Because all clinical hours and/or clinical competencies must be completed to meet program requirements, this means you may be required to receive the COVID-19 vaccination or have an approved exemption on file to enter and/or progress in the Sonography program. For additional information, regarding these requirements, please see the Health Sciences and Wellness COVID-19 Policy, page 6.
As referenced in the Health Sciences and Wellness COVID-19 policy, it is up to the clinical facility to grant or deny the exemption based on the documentation provided. If an exemption is granted, individuals may also be asked to complete regular COVID-19 testing at their own expense, often on a weekly basis. Additional PPE protocols may also be required.
In the event the exemption request is denied, the program may attempt to place the student at another clinical site, but this is dependent upon program clinical capacity requirements, the ability of the student to meet another clinical site’s COVID-19 policies, and provided no other students’ clinical experiences are impacted. If the program is unable to place a student, this may delay the student’s program completion. Students are advised that the inability to gain clinical education experiences can result in the inability to meet program objectives and outcomes. These circumstances may prevent final acceptance into and/or progression through the program, and ultimately result in dismissal from the program. (HSW COVID-19 Policy, v. 5, July 2022; p. 6)
What is Sonography?
Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) is a diagnostic procedure that uses high frequency sound waves to create detailed images of the human body. Sonographers use state-of-the-art technology to scan patients and obtain images of the abdomen, heart, blood vessels and fetus to aid in the diagnosis of a disease.
A diagnostic medical sonographer performs ultrasound exams while working closely with a qualified physician for aiding in the diagnosis of disease.
What will I learn?
Sonography students gain in-depth knowledge of physics, disease processes, human anatomy and sonographic technique. Students learn to operate the technology and create an ultrasound image. Physicians depend on the sonographer’s knowledge to evaluate normal and abnormal body parts. Sonography is a profession that requires a high degree of independence, judgment, knowledge, maturity and stamina.
Program Options:
The 24-month (six semesters) program is an intensive program designed for individuals new to patient care. After acceptance into the program, the first year (three semesters) is didactic on campus with hands-on learning in LCCC's state of the art sonography lab with highly qualified registered sonographers/instructors. The last three semesters of the program are primarily clinical experience, and students may be placed in various hospitals and clinics in Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, and Montana.
The program has limited enrollment and admits one class each summer. Prerequisite courses must be completed or in progress prior to application for program admission. Prospective students interested in the program may contact the program director for details about the program admission process and timeline.
Selection of new students will be completed by the end of March and based on:
- a student's prerequisite grade point average
- prerequisites completed or in-progress at time of application
- additional criteria as noted on program application materials
- an interview
Available at the Cheyenne main campus.
Apply to the Sonography Program
What can I do with this degree?
Sonographers typically work in hospitals, medical clinics and private medical offices.
Visit LCCC's Career Resources to find tools for selecting the right program for you and marketing yourself to future employers.
The LCCC DMS Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRCDMS). Acceptance into the program is dependent on the number of clinical sites
available each year. Nearly 100 percent of students are employed immediately upon
or prior to graduation from the program. The program begins a new class in the summer.
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
9355 113th St., N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
727.210.2350
All allied health students are required to submit a pre-clinical urine drug screen according to the policy of the Allied Health Programs at LCCC. The drug screen is completed at the student's expense and must be paid for at the time of conditional acceptance.
At their discretion, clinical sites may also require a drug screening and/or a criminal background check prior to allowing students into the clinical setting. (If required, any associated fees will be the responsibility of the student.) In addition, LCCC and the clinical sites may require random drug testing and/or drug testing for reasonable cause. Generally, the urine drug test screens for alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, or drugs that impair judgment while in the clinical agency. Testing positive on the screening or evidence of tampering with a specimen will disqualify a student from participation from clinical assignment or acceptance into the Sonography program.
In addition to drug screening, for the safety of patients and health care workers, allied health workers must also undergo a background check performed at the student's expense. The student's acceptance will not be final until LCCC has received background check information from the reporting agencies, and the background check is clear of disqualifying offenses. For more information, please see the complete Health Sciences and Wellness Division Policy (pdf) for allied health students. Certain criminal activities, as evidenced by a criminal background check, may also disqualify a student from clinical participation.
Students are advised that the inability to gain clinical education experiences can result in the inability to meet program objectives and outcomes. These circumstances may prevent acceptance into and/or progression through the program and ultimately result in dismissal from the program.
NOTE: 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 healthcare setting. Any student who cannot pass the background check and is not be eligible to attend clinicals will be dismissed from the program.
Full Accreditation
The sonography program is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) 19 North Suite 19, Clearwater, FL 33763, upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRCDMS). This guarantees that students enrolled in the program have instruction based on an up-to-date curriculum, the opportunity to train on state-of-the-art sonographic equipment, appropriate supervision levels, and that graduates have the ability to obtain a license in all U.S. states mandating this requirement.
National Certification Eligibility
Graduates of the program are eligible to take the national certifying examination of the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). The program's pass rate for this examination is very high; LCCC graduates have posted nearly 100 percent pass rate since 2010, in Sonography Principles and Instrumentation.
Immediate Employment
The majority of students are able to find employment in the field prior to or soon after graduation. Employment is expected to grow "faster than average" with an increase of 10% between 2021-2031 due to the aging population and increased demand for diagnostic imaging, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Fully Equipped Laboratory
The sonography program's laboratory includes state-of-the-art equipment, including 2 GE Logiq E 10, 1 GE Logiq E9, 2 Philip Epiq Elites. In addition, the lab is equipped with a Picture Archiving Communication System (PACS) Network System, which allows students to train in the proper manner that they are expected to complete paperwork in the clinical setting and workplace. Our SonoSim for Transvaginal simulation provides students with experience TV probe handling, acquiring quality images, recognizing pathology and testing for diagnostics. The lab is also equipped with a new state of the art, abdominal and obstetrical simulator, which will allow students to gain experience in abdominal and obstetrical scanning by experiencing a real scan and being tested on the quality of images, recognition of pathology and diagnostic skills.
| Effectiveness Measure | Annual Rate (Class of 2022) |
Four Year Rate (2018-2022) |
| Credentialing Examination Pass Rate - Abdomen (1st attempt) | 10/11 = 91% | 42/43=97.6% |
| Credentialing Examination Pass Rate – Obstetrics and Gynecology (1st attempt) | 8/8 = 100% | 37/38= 97.3% |
| Sonography Principle and Instrumentation Pass Rate (1st attempt) | 10/11 = 91% | 42/43 = 97.6% |
| Credentialing Examination Pass Rate - Vascular Technology (1st attempt) | 4/6 = 67% | 27/77 = 81.8% |
| Job Placement Rate (Graduates actively seeking employment within 12 months) as of May 2018 | 11/11 = 100% | 43/43= 100% |
| Program Attrition Rate | 11/12 = 91.7% | 40/52 = 76% |
Cost of Attendance
For general college expenses, students should view LCCC’s cost of attendance. Students in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program have additional estimated course fees expense of approximately $4,800.00.* This is an estimate and may change at any time. This estimate may vary due to differences the number and type of immunizations needed and uniform costs. LCCC Student Course Fees 2022-2023
The Echocardiography AAS Program is a medical imaging program offered as a specialization of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) Program. The Echocardiography Program is an intensive, three-semester program, not including prerequisite courses, and is designed for students who wish to specialize in medical imaging of the heart.
The program has limited enrollment and admits one class each summer. Prerequisite courses must be completed or in progress prior to application for program admission. Students interested in the program may contact the program director for details about the program admission process and timeline.
Selection of new students will be completed by the end of April and based on:
- a student’s prerequisite grade point average
- prerequisites completed or in-progress at time of application,
- additional criteria as noted on program application materials
- an interview
Available at the Cheyenne main campus.
What can I do with this degree?
Visit LCCC's Career Services to explore resources for selecting a program pathway and career/job data.
All allied health students are required to submit a pre-clinical urine drug screen according to the policy of the Allied Health Programs at LCCC. The drug screen is completed at the student's expense and must be paid for at the time of conditional acceptance.
At their discretion, clinical sites may also require a drug screening and/or a criminal background check prior to allowing students into the clinical setting. (If required, any associated fees will be the responsibility of the student.) In addition, LCCC and the clinical sites may require random drug testing and/or drug testing for reasonable cause. Generally, the urine drug test screens for alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, or drugs that impair judgment while in the clinical agency. Testing positive on the screening or evidence of tampering with a specimen will disqualify a student from participation from clinical assignment or acceptance into the Sonography program.
In addition to drug screening, for the safety of patients and health care workers, allied health workers must also undergo a background check performed at the student's expense. The student's acceptance will not be final until LCCC has received background check information from the reporting agencies, and the background check is clear of disqualifying offenses. For more information, please see the complete Health Sciences and Wellness Division Policy (pdf) for allied health students. Certain criminal activities, as evidenced by a criminal background check, may also disqualify a student from clinical participation.
Students are advised that the inability to gain clinical education experiences can result in the inability to meet program objectives and outcomes. These circumstances may prevent acceptance into and/or progression through the program and ultimately result in dismissal from the program.
NOTE: 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 healthcare setting. Any student who cannot pass the background check and is not be eligible to attend clinicals will be dismissed from the program.
National Certification Eligibility
Graduates of the Echocardiography program will be eligible to take the national certifying examinations of the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) for adult echo (AE) and Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) for cardiac sonography following graduation. The program is in the first year, pass rates will be made available after the graduation in May of 2024.
Immediate Employment
In 2022, there are more than 100 Echocardiographer job opportunities in a 100-mile radius of Cheyenne.
Fully Equipped Laboratory
The sonography program's laboratory includes state-of-the-art equipment, including 2 GE Logiq E 10, 1 GE Logiq E9, 2 Philip Epiq Elites. In addition, the lab is equipped with a Picture Archiving Communication System (PACS) Network System, which allows students to train in the proper manner that they are expected to complete paperwork in the clinical setting and workplace. Our lab is equipped with standard sonography and echocardiography beds. Students are equipped with their own SonoSim simulation tool to practice scanning at home.
Cost of Attendance
For general college expenses, students should view LCCC’s cost of attendance. Students in the Echocardiography Program have additional estimated course fees expense of approximately $1,500.00. This is an estimate and may change at any time. This estimate may vary due to differences the number and type of immunizations needed and uniform costs. LCCC Student Course Fees 2022-2023
The Echocardiography Certificate of Completion Program is a medical imaging specialization program offered as an extension of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) program. Applicants must be a registered technologist or sonographer to apply. The program is an intensive, two to three-semester program, not including prerequisite courses, and is designed for students who wish to specialize in medical imaging of the heart.
Students interested in the program may contact the program director for details about the program admission process and timeline.
Selection of new students will be completed by the end of April and based on:
- a student’s prerequisite grade point average
- prerequisites completed or in-progress at time of application,
- personal statement
- reference form
- current credentials
- experience
- additional criteria as noted on program application materials
*Technologists may need to take summer courses after acceptance. Please work with the Program Director to determine which courses will be needed.
Available at the Cheyenne main campus.
Apply to the Echocardiography Certificate of Completion
What can I do with this degree?
Visit LCCC's Career Services to explore resources for selecting a program pathway and career/job data.
All allied health students are required to submit a pre-clinical urine drug screen according to the policy of the Allied Health Programs at LCCC. The drug screen is completed at the student's expense and must be paid for at the time of application.
At their discretion, clinical sites may also require a drug screening and/or a criminal background check prior to allowing students into the clinical setting. (If required, any associated fees will be the responsibility of the student.) In addition, LCCC and the clinical sites may require random drug testing and/or drug testing for reasonable cause. Generally, the urine drug test screens for alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, or drugs that impair judgment while in the clinical agency. Testing positive on the screening or evidence of tampering with a specimen will disqualify a student from participation from clinical assignment or acceptance into the Sonography program.
In addition to drug screening, for the safety of patients and health care workers, allied health workers must also undergo a background check performed at the student's expense. The student's acceptance will not be final until LCCC has received background check information from the reporting agencies, and the background check is clear of disqualifying offenses. For more information, please see the complete Health Sciences and Wellness Division Policy (pdf) for allied health students. Certain criminal activities, as evidenced by a criminal background check, may also disqualify a student from clinical participation.
Students are advised that the inability to gain clinical education experiences can result in the inability to meet program objectives and outcomes. These circumstances may prevent acceptance into and/or progression through the program and ultimately result in dismissal from the program.
NOTE: 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 healthcare setting. Any student who cannot pass the background check and is not be eligible to attend clinicals will be dismissed from the program.
National Certification Eligibility
Graduates of the echocardiography Program will be eligible to take the national certifying examinations of the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) for adult echo (AE) and Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) for cardiac sonography following graduation. The program is in the first year, pass rates will be made available after the graduation in May of 2023.
Immediate Employment
In 2022, there are more than 100 Echocardiographer job opportunities in a 100-mile radius of Cheyenne.
Fully Equipped Laboratory
The sonography program's laboratory includes state-of-the-art equipment, including 2 GE Logiq E 10, 1 GE Logiq E9, 2 Philip Epiq Elites, and GE Logiq E9. In addition, the lab is equipped with a Picture Archiving Communication System (PACS) Network System, which allows students to train in the proper manner that they are expected to complete paperwork in the clinical setting and workplace. Our ScanTrainer for Transvaginal simulation provides students with experience TV probe handling, acquiring quality images, recognizing pathology and testing for diagnostics. The lab is also equipped with a new state of the art, abdominal and obstetrical simulator, which will allow students to gain experience in abdominal and obstetrical scanning by experiencing a real scan and being tested on the quality of images, recognition of pathology and diagnostic skills.
Cost of Attendance
For general college expenses, students should view LCCC’s cost of attendance. Students in the Echocardiography Program have additional estimated course fees expense of approximately $1,500.00. This is an estimate and may change at any time. This estimate may vary due to differences the number and type of immunizations needed and uniform costs. LCCC Student Course Fees 2022-2023
