Diagnostic Medical Sonography

The Paris Junior College Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program is designed to prepare individuals to perform diagnostic examinations using high frequency sound waves to visualize soft tissue structures including the liver, gallbladder, kidneys, pregnant uterus, and other organs as requested by the physician. The DMS Program is five semesters in length, with graduates earning an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree. This program requires a full-time commitment, with classes held at the Paris campus and practicum hours completed at various hospitals and imaging centers in the surrounding areas.

Graduates of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program are eligible to take the Sonography credentialing exam given by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). Then graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for designated registry exams through the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) to obtain their Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer credential (RDMS) in Abdominal (AB), after successfully completing the ARRT exam or working one full year as a sonographer.

Admissions Procedures for Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program

Students may apply for admittance into the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program by completing the following steps:

Application and current admission to Paris Junior College.
Submission of complete application materials to the Health Occupations Office during the designated filing period, August 1st-Septemner 30th.
Completion of the 18 credit hours of Diagnostic Medical Sonography Prerequisite Courses with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00.
It is recommended that the applicant complete a minimum of 20 hours job shadowing with a sonographer to enhance their understanding of the responsibilities and requirements of the profession.

For more information about the application process, contact the Health Occupations staff at 903-782-0734. Visit the 2025-2026 Catalog for degree plan information.

Diagnostic Medical Sonography Student Handbook

Mission

The mission of the Paris Junior College Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program is to provide quality education and develop professional entry level skilled sonographers in the field of diagnostic medical sonography and assist them in understanding the importance of their role on the allied health care team as they contribute to total patient care.

Goals

To prepare competent diagnostic medical sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession for the following concentration(s) Abdominal Sonography-Extended.

Program Outcomes

Students will select appropriate technical factors.
Students will demonstrate effective oral communication skills with staff, preceptors & patients.
Students will demonstrate effective written communication skills.
Students will demonstrate professionalism in clinical situations.
Students will demonstrate exemplary customer service.
Students will evaluate sonographically images effectively.

Program Effectiveness Data

Institution Name: Paris Junior College
Program Type: Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Degree Type: Associate Degree

Student Retention:

In 2024, of the 12 students who were enrolled, 10 graduated, resulting in an 83% graduation rate.
In 2025, of the 17 students who were enrolled, 16 graduated, resulting in a 94% graduation rate.
In 2026, of the 16 students who were enrolled, 14 graduated, resulting in an 88% graduation rate.
The 3-Year Average Retention Rate is 88%.

Job Placement:

In 2024, of the 10 graduates, 10 were employed within 6 months of graduation, resulting in a 100% job placement rate.
In 2025, of the 16 graduates, 15 were employed within 6 months of graduation, resulting in a 94% job placement rate.
As this is a newly established program, only data from the first two graduating cohort is currently available.
The 3-Year Average Job Placement Rate N/A.

Test Takers Rate:

Of the 10 graduates, 10 took the RT(S), the ARRT credentialing exam for Sonography. The RT(S) exam includes material for abdomen and OB/GYN credentialing. This results in a 100% test taker rate.
Of the 10 graduates, 4 chose to take the ARDMS Abdomen exam, resulting in a 40% test taker rate.
Of the 10 graduates, 2 chose to take the ARDMS Obstetrics and Gynecology exam, resulting in a 20% test taker rate.
Of the 10 graduates, 1 chose to take the ARDMS Vascular exam, resulting in a 10% test taker rate.
Of the 16 graduates from 2025, 13 took the RT(S), the ARRT credentialing exam for Sonography. The RT(S) exam includes material for abdomen and OB/GYN credentialing. This results in an 81% test taker rate.
Of the 16 graduates from 2025, 6 chose to take the ARDMS Abdomen exam, resulting in a 38% test taker rate.
Of the 16 graduates from 2025, 4 chose to take the ARDMS Obstetrics and Gynecology exam, resulting in a 25% test taker rate.
Of the 16 graduates from 2025, 3 chose to take the ARDMS Vascular exam, resulting in a 19% test taker rate.

Credential Success Rate:

In 2024, of the 10 Abdomen-Extended test takers, 9 passed and successfully earned the RT(S) credential, resulting in a 90% success rate.
In 2025, of the 16 Abdomen-Extended test takers, 13 passed and successfully earned the RT(S) credential, resulting in a 81% success rate.
As this is a newly established program, only data from the first two graduating cohort is currently available.
The 3-Year Average Success Rate is NA.
In 2024, of the 4 Abdomen-Extended test takers, 4 passed and successfully earned the RDMS(AB) credential, resulting in a 100% success rate.
In 2025, of the 6 Abdomen-Extended test takers, 6 passed and successfully earned the RDMS(AB) credential, resulting in a 100% success rate.
As this is a newly established program, only data from the first two graduating cohort is currently available.
The 3-Year Average Success Rate is NA.
In 2024, of the 2 Abdomen-Extended test takers, 2 passed and successfully earned the RDMS(OB/GYN) credential, resulting in a 100% success rate.
In 2025, of the 4 Abdomen-Extended test takers, 4 passed and successfully earned the RDMS(OB/GYN) credential, resulting in a 100% success rate.
As this is a newly established program, only data from the first two graduating cohort is currently available.
The 3-Year Average Success Rate is NA.
In 2024, of the 1 Abdomen-Extended test taker, 1 passed and successfully earned the RVT(VT) or RVS credential, resulting in a 100% success rate.
In 2025, of the 3 Abdomen-Extended test takers, 3 passed and successfully earned the RVT(VT) or RVS credential, resulting in a 100% success rate.
As this is a newly established program, only data from the first two graduating cohort is currently available.
The 3-Year Average Success Rate is NA.

Diagnostic Medical Sonography - About