Associate of Applied Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Program Type: Associate of Applied Science

Description: The College offers a cooperative program with area hospitals that is designed to provide understanding, proficiency, and skill in diagnostic medical sonography. Upon completion of the program, the successful student is awarded an Associate of Applied Science Degree and meets the requirements set by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) to apply for their certification examination. View job opportunities and salary information at https://www.angelina.edu/sonography/

Program Accreditation

Angelina College Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program is accredited through the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP 93551 13th St. N, #7709 Seminole, FL 33775, 727-210-2350, 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, 443-973-3251, www.jrcdms.org).

Mission and Philosophy

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program, in concert with the mission and philosophy of Angelina College, is committed to providing a quality and comprehensive education in diagnostic medical sonography for preparation in the profession. Through didactic information, educational resources, and a variety of clinical experiences, the program is designed to develop competent, responsible, and independent sonography professionals. The program’s mission is supported by a dedicated team of experienced faculty, sonographers, and physicians who encourage and model life-long learning in diagnostic medical sonography.

Goals

• To prepare competent entry-level sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains for the following concentration(s) it offers: abdominal sonography-extended and obstetrics and gynecology sonography.

• To produce graduates who meet the requirements set by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography certification examination upon completion of the program.

• To seek new community partnerships for clinical practice as needs are identified according to student growth and the addition of advanced modality certificate programs.

• To provide students with both academic and clinical instruction in the field of Diagnostic Medical Sonography in order to meet the employment needs of the graduate and of the medical communities.

• To foster and promote the pursuit of life-long learning and professional growth in each student.

Admission Criteria for the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program

• Application and acceptance to Angelina College.

• Annually attend an information session to obtain a program application and information.

• Submit a completed application for the sonography program, completed physical health form, proof of immunizations mandated by the Texas Department of State Health Services for healthcare workers, and provide proof of current 2-year American Heart Association CPR Healthcare Provider card no later than July 15 each year for August consideration. The program must receive all requested information for the application to be complete. The hepatitis B series (3 shots in 6 months) must be completed by the first clinical day of the fall semester.

• Submit official college transcript(s) indicating completion of prerequisite courses in the application.

Complete all prerequisite courses with a grade of “C” or better before the designated date:

• BIOL 2404 – Human A&P (General)

• ENGL 1301 – Composition

• PSYC 2301 – General Psychology

• MATH 1314 – College Algebra

• PHYS 1305 – Elementary Physics

• DMSO 1210 – Introduction to Sonography

Prerequisite courses may be taken only twice for selection consideration. If a prerequisite course is taken more than twice, only the second grade will be calculated in the cumulative GPA for prerequisite courses.

6.        “Conditional” acceptance into the diagnostic medical sonography program is limited. Applicants will be ranked and selected based on the following criteria:

1. Completion of ALL requirements by published deadlines.

2. Cumulative GPA in BIOL 2404, ENGL 1301, PSYC 2301, MATH 1314, PHYS 1305, and DMSO 1210. After completing the second summer semester, applicants are ranked according to the cumulative GPA of the prerequisite courses. Twenty (20) applicants with the highest GPA in the prerequisite courses are ranked using the point value system.

3. The point value system is posted on the Angelina College website Sonography Program page.

7.            Applicants are notified of “conditional” acceptance decisions via their student email account before fall registration.

8.            A background check and random drug screening are required upon “conditional” acceptance and are conducted at the student’s expense. These are completed with agencies designated by the program.

9.        The drug screening and background check must be successful/negative to receive “full” acceptance into the Sonography program.

Certification Requirements

Students considering this program are advised that any conviction of a felony or misdemeanor charge (other than a minor traffic violation/DWI is not a minor traffic violation) can make them ineligible for certification by the ARDMS. The ARDMS is the only agency that can address whether they will or will not allow an individual with a criminal record to write the examination. If in doubt, students should investigate the possibilities with the ARDMS at www.ardms.org or (301) 738-8401.

Recommended Course Sequence

*Prerequisites and corequisites required. See course descriptions. Courses must be taken in sequence.

Program Learning Outcomes

After completing the AAS in Diagnostic Medical Sonography degree, students will be able to:

PLO 1: Demonstrate entry-level competency for employment in the profession.

PLO 2: Utilize critical thinking skills as a basis for decision-making in the role of the sonographer.

PLO 3: Employ professional judgment and discretion while adhering to the professional code of ethics and standard of practice.

PLO 4: Utilize effective oral and written communication

PLO 5: Demonstrate awareness of the need for life-long learning and professional growth.