The Sonography Program is a 5 semester, 21-month Associate of Applied Science program with a minimum of 1600 clinical hours. The program involves online didactic and on campus scan lab for Semester 1, then students are assigned clinical sites for their remaining semesters (i.e.: 2, 3, 4 & 5). For semesters 2-5, didactics continue online and the students are assigned to off campus clinical sites at medical facilities around the region, returning to campus for a one-weekend clinical conference near the end of each semester. This schedule accommodates working professionals and the use of the lab/classroom by the medical radiography students during the week (M-F).
After completing the program, students are eligible to sit for the national registry exams in Sonography offered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) and/or the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS).
Passage of the Sonography Principles and Instrumentation exam and any specialty exam (ABD) and/or (OB/GYN) qualifies the individual as a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS). You can contact the ARDMS at (301) 738-8401 or check their website at www.ardms.org to find out more about clinical and certification requirements.
Upon passing the American Registry of Radiologic technologists (ARRT) Sonography exam, the individual is qualified to use the RT (S), A.R.R.T credential after their name. Call the ARRT at (651) 687-0048 or check the website at www.arrt.org to find out more information about certification.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Integrate pertinent patient history and supporting clinical data to achieve an optimum diagnostic sonogram.
- Adapt ultrasound scanning and image acquisition skills to accommodate patient specific care.
- Operate different ultrasound machines and/or equipment.
- Provide basic patient care and comfort within the ethical and legal boundaries of the profession.
