Sonography

Sonography Overview

Are you looking for a career field that is both in-demand and can help make a difference in a someone's life? You could earn an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Health Science Diagnostic Medical Sonography in 1.5 years through our year-round schedule.

• Employment of sonographers is expected to increase by about 18 percent through 2018 faster than the average for all occupations.1
• Additional job growth is expected as healthcare providers increasingly utilize ultrasound imaging as a safer and more cost-effective alternative to radiological procedures.¹
• There are several areas of specialization in the field of sonography which include Abdomen, Breast, Obstetrics/Gynecology, Cardiac, Vascular, and Neurosonography.
• Ultrasound imaging technology is expected to evolve rapidly and spawn many new sonography procedures, enabling sonographers to scan and image areas of the body where ultrasound has not traditionally been used.¹

Program Objectives Include:

• Prepare students for the challenging responsibilities of the profession and provide opportunity to acquire a working knowledge of the field.
• Provide a clinical educational experience that enables students to be capable of performing routine sonographic procedures and related functions specific to general sonography.
• Provide an education experience that promotes effective communication skills, critical thinking abilities and professionalism.
• Promote the development of core values and ethical standards necessary for the delivery of quality, patient-centered care.

¹Source: US Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition.

For more information about this program, please see the program description in the University Catalog. Sonography Program Description

What You Can Learn in Sonography

Through a blend of practical “hands on” clinical experience in hospital and/or outpatient centers and on-campus classroom and lab sessions, Sonography students can learn:

• Ultrasound principles, operation of equipment and quality control.
• Cross-sectional anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology.
• Sonographic principles of the abdomen, obstetrics and gynecology, breast and other superficial structures, invasive sonographic procedures, neonatal, trauma, and an introduction to vascular sonography.
• Production of diagnostic images and appropriate examination adjustment according to the patient condition and findings.
• Recording, analyzing and processing diagnostic data and other pertinent observations made during the procedure for presentation to the interpreting physician.
• Patient care and education including ethical and legal aspects, interpersonal communication, infection control, physical assistance and transfer, and medical emergencies.

Where You Can Go in Sonography

Sonographers are in demand across the United States in a variety of healthcare settings including:

• Hospitals and Medical Imaging Centers
• Outpatient Care Centers and Primary Care Clinics
• Government and Military
• Public Health facilities
• Women's Health Centers
• Mobile Imaging
• Laboratories
• Education and Industry

Career advancement opportunities exist in education, administration, research, and in commercial companies as education/application specialists, sales representatives, and technical advisors.²

² Source: Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography, 2745 Dallas Pkwy., Suite 350, Plano, TX 75093-8730. Internet: www.sdms.org

Degree Objectives

The program offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography designed to facilitate the development of each student to function in the professional medical community as competent, patient centered sonographers, to meet the needs the growing healthcare industry. Graduates will find job opportunities including but not limited to: hospital radiology departments, diagnostic imaging centers, clinics, private physicians’ offices, and women’s health centers.

Program Philosophy

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is built on a foundation of academic coursework, clinical performance, administrative techniques and general professionalism. Program faculty are strongly committed to providing all students with an exciting, stimulating, and comprehensive learning experience. The program prepares graduates to provide safe, effective, ethical, and legal care to persons of all ages and diverse backgrounds. The program develops the ability of the student to think independently, to understand fundamental theory, and to develop the skills necessary to become Diagnostic Medical Sonography practitioners who are enlightened decision makers.

Program Purpose

This program prepares students to meet the requirements for employment as a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. The program includes instruction in both clinical and administrative functions. Instruction includes on campus classroom and laboratory courses, and off campus clinical education where students will work with sonographers, physicians, and other health care professionals to learn, develop and apply the necessary skills to perform general ultrasound examinations in the work place.

Upon completion of the program, graduates are eligible to sit for the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) registry examinations in Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation (SPI), Abdomen (AB), Obstetrics/Gynecology (OB/GYN) and are employable as entry-level Diagnostic Medical Sonography.

Program objectives include:

1. Prepare students for the challenging responsibilities of the profession and provide opportunity to acquire a working knowledge of the field.
2. Provide a clinical educational experience that enables students to be capable of performing routine sonographic procedures and related functions specific to general diagnostic medical sonography.
3. Provide an education experience that promotes effective communication skills, critical thinking abilities and professionalism.
4. Promote the development of core values and ethical standards necessary for the delivery of quality, patient-centered care.

Program Requirements

Admissions requirements. The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program has a selective review process that consists of the following:

• Diagnostic Medical Sonography program applicants must have a standard high school diploma or a GED.
• Diagnostic Medical Sonography program applicants must successfully complete the entrance assessment.
• A personal information session with the Program Director or designee is required.
• Successful completion of the required Prerequisite courses.

Qualified applicants who rank highest on the admissions criteria and complete an information session with the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program Director or designee are considered for admission to the program. Students will be selected based on a point system. The following criteria will be evaluated:

Entrance Assessments: (70% weighted value)

• Reading: (20% of exam values)
• English: (20% of exam values)
• Math: (30% of exam values)
• Science: (30% of exam values)

Academic Courses: (College or High School)(15% weighted value)

The following courses are assigned 1 point each, per subject, one time:

• Anatomy & Physiology
• Physics
• Chemistry
• Biology
• Medical Terminology

View this program, Medical Sonography, in our ecatalog.

ADA Technical Standards for the Profession

Disclosure of the Physical Demand Requirements for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers can be found here.

Core Curriculum

¹The certifications listed in the "Potential Certifications" column are the actual certification exams that students may be prepared to take following achievement of student learning outcomes from a course or a set of courses. Some certifications may require additional outside preparation prior to taking the exams; and receipt of one or more certifications is not guaranteed. Students are strongly encouraged to take all appropriate certification examinations for their program of study. To facilitate student access to the certifications, ECPI offers its students access to the certification exams at a significant discount. Some programs may require the student to obtain one or more certifications as part of the curriculum.

Future Possible Careers For This Program

Success

Time frame: July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012 Award Year 2011-12

Q

How long will it take to complete this program?

A

The program is designed to take 19 months to complete.
--% of graduates from this program finish in this time.*
The median time for graduates to complete this program is -- months.*

*For the period June 2011 to June 2012, there were no graduates from this program.

Cost

Q

What is the total cost of this program for me?

A

At ECPI University, programs are competitively priced and are designed to help you achieve your goals. Through our year-round schedule, you could earn your Associate's degree in 1.5 years. That can give you the edge over students at other colleges who might still be attending class.

Foundation course requirements can result in additional costs and increase the time to graduation. Actual cost may vary depending on actual time to graduate, and subject to any necessary tuition increases. (for all programs and schools)

Financing

Time frame: July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012 Award Year 2011-12.

Q

What are my financing options to pay for the program?

A

In addition to any grant and scholarship aid for which they are eligible, graduates used loans to finance their education. The median debt for program graduates is:

*This is a newer program. No graduates reported for this period.