Tarrant County College Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program

TCC’s program is highly selective. Only 12 students are accepted each fall semester, and the number is based on available clinical placements. To even be considered, applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.5, complete all required prerequisite courses, and pass the Ultrasound Student Assessment (USA) exam. Attending a program information session is mandatory for all applicants.

If you’re applying with foreign college credits, you’ll need to work with the international admissions office to verify your transcript before applying.

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Before applying, you must complete the following 24 credit hours of prerequisites:

• MATH 1314 – College Algebra
• ENGL 1301 – Composition I
• BIOL 2401 & 2402 – Anatomy and Physiology I and II (with labs)
• One science course:
  • PHYS 1401 – College Physics I or
  • PHYS 1415 – Physical Science I
• PSYC 2301 – General Psychology
• One humanities course:
  • Any course in Creative Arts or Language, Culture, and Philosophy

Meeting with a Career and Technical Education (CTE) advisor is required during this process.

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This is a full-time program—you’ll be balancing lecture hours, lab time, and off-campus clinical rotations. Expect to spend 3 hours of study for every hour of lecture. The practicum schedule shifts as you move through the program, starting with two 7-hour days per week and later increasing to three 8-hour days per week.

The A.A.S. curriculum includes core sonography courses like:

• Introduction to Sonography
• Abdominopelvic and OB/GYN Sonography
• Vascular Technology
• Ultrasound Physics (Basic and Advanced)
• Superficial Structures
• Sonographic Pathophysiology
• Multiple Practicum Experiences

The final semester includes a capstone course and review to prepare students for credentialing exams.

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Tarrant County residents can expect to pay around $7,335 for the full A.A.S. degree, including tuition, books, memberships, testing fees, and clinical software. Here’s a breakdown by semester:

• Prerequisites: $1,721
• Semester 1 (Fall): $1,760
• Semester 2 (Spring): $971
• Semester 3 (Summer): $614
• Semester 4 (Fall): $836
• Semester 5 (Spring): $1,433

This estimate does not include personal expenses like uniforms, immunizations, CPR certifications, or travel costs for clinical rotations. For non-residents or out-of-county students, tuition will be higher.

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Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for national credentialing exams through the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). The curriculum prepares students for certifications in:

• Abdomen (RDMS-AB)
• Obstetrics/Gynecology (RDMS-OB/GYN)
• Vascular Sonography (RVT or RVS)

TCC boasts 100% credential exam pass rates in all three specialties over the past three years, which speaks to the strength of its instruction and clinical training.

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The program reports job placement rates of 100% within six months of graduation over a three-year average. The student retention rate is between 92–94%, which indicates strong program support and student success.

TCC graduates typically land entry-level roles in hospitals, imaging centers, or specialty practices. The demand for sonographers continues to grow, making this a solid career path for those seeking stability and advancement.

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The Level 2 Certificate is available for individuals who are already certified by ARRT. This option skips the prerequisite courses but still requires full participation in the five-semester clinical and classroom sequence (41 credit hours). It’s ideal for professionals who want to add sonography credentials to an existing radiologic background.

Although you can bypass prerequisites, taking the HESI A2 exam is recommended for a stronger application.

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Tarrant County College’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is fully accredited by CAAHEP, with recommendations from the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRCDMS). Accreditation ensures that students are eligible for national certification exams and that the program meets professional standards.

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• Attendance at an information session is mandatory before applying. This includes reviewing presentation slides and submitting proof of attendance.
• Students must complete a criminal background check and drug screening, along with having current immunizations, a TB test, and flu shots.
• You must maintain at least a 78% average (C grade) in all courses to remain in good standing.
• Students must also meet Texas Success Initiative (TSI) requirements before enrolling in any A.A.S. degree program.

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