Diagnostic Medical Sonography Overview (2313) Limited Access
See the Addenda section of the catalog for action based on curriculum minutes dated March 23, 2023
Type of Award
AS - Associate in Science
Program Website
www.palmbeachstate.edu/career-pathways/pathway-health.aspx
Program Description
This degree program combines creativity and advanced technological equipment to produce images of the body. The diagnostic medical sonographer works with other health care practitioners in the management, control and care of patients referred for ultrasound studies. Sonographers use high frequency sound waves to demonstrate body parts and assist physicians in the diagnosis of medical abnormalities. The sonographer must have an exceptional understanding of human anatomy and an artistic, creative, self-directed approach for locating and demonstrating anatomy and pathology.
Program Accreditation
This program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) [Address: 9355 113th St. N., #7709, Seminole, FL 33775., Phone Number: (727) 210-2350] upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS). This peer review organization is nationally accepted for setting standards for education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
Program Learning Outcomes
For detailed information, visit: www.palmbeachstate.edu/learningoutcomes/Program-Learning-Outcomes
General Admission Requirements to the College
- Complete an Application for Admission, located at www.palmbeachstate.edu/admissions/Admissions-Applications.
- Submit an official high school or GED transcript and official college/university transcripts from each post-secondary institution attended. Refer to the Admission Procedures section of the college catalog for more information regarding transcripts.
Admission Requirements for Sonography
In addition to the General Admission requirements, students must meet the following eligibility criteria to be considered for selection to the program. (Meeting admission criteria does not guarantee acceptance into the program).
- Attend a mandatory Sonography open house information session;
- Have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher;
- *REQUIRED CLASSES for selection consideration – ENC1101 English Composition I or SPC1017 Fundamentals of Speech Communication, College Algebra (or higher course from Mathematics - Area III), Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab completed within the last 10 academic years, **& Applied Physics (students who have completed an accredited radiology program may use radiographic physics to fulfill the applied physics)
- Submit a completed Sonography program application, located on the program website, and pay the application fee by the deadline.
Completion Requirements
Students must complete all courses listed in the catalog for this program with a grade of C or higher.
For more details about graduation requirements please refer to the Graduation section of this catalog.
Program Length
Total program credits: 77. The program has a four-semester competency-based curriculum. The courses are sequential and involve practical experience in local hospitals and clinics. Full-time commitment begins in the fall term.
Location
The program is offered at the Palm Beach Gardens campus.
For More Information
Patty Braga, bragap@palmbeachstate.edu, (561) 207-5053
Employment Opportunities
Students who complete the program may find employment in areas such as hospitals, physicians’ offices, laboratories and commercial companies.
Career Path Notes
Courses from this program may transfer into Palm Beach State's Bachelor of Applied Science program in Supervision and Management. For more information, visit: www.palmbeachstate.edu/Bachelors
Sonographers may choose to achieve advanced certifications in specialized areas of sonography. After completion of the program, students are eligible to take the Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (RDMS) exam.
In addition, courses from this program may transfer to other colleges and universities that allow students to transfer into a four-year program. For more information, contact the college or university to which you wish to transfer.
Career Center
www.palmbeachstate.edu/Career
For more information about employment opportunities, including job outlook and salary information, visit: Occupational Outlook Handbook: www.bls.gov/ooh
O-Net Online: www.onetonline.org
Required courses:
General Education (Credits: 19)
| BSC2085 | Anatomy and Physiology 1 (AA) | 3 Credits |
| BSC2085L | Anatomy and Physiology 1 Lab (AA) | 1 Credit |
| MAC1105 | College Algebra (AA) | 3 Credits |
| ENC1101 | College Composition 1 (AA) | 3 Credits |
| PHY1020 | Fundamentals of Physics (AA) | 3 Credits |
| AMH2020 | United States History from 1865 to Present (AA) | 3 Credits |
| Choose Any Humanities Area ll, Tier 1 course | 3 Credits |
MAC1105: or higher course from Mathematics - Area III
PHY1020: or equivalent
Technical Core Requirements* (Credits: 58)
| HSC2531 | Medical Terminology (AA) | 3 Credits |
| SON1004L | Sonographic Hospital Procedures (AS) | 2 Credits |
| SON1311 | Sonography Cross-Sectional Anatomy (AS) | 2 Credits |
| SON1100L | Principles and Protocols of Sonography Lab (AS) | 3 Credits |
| SON1614 | Medical Sonographic Physics 1 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| SON1111 | Abdominal Sonography 1 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| SON1121 | Sonographic OB/Gyn 1 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| SON1000 | Practical Aspects of Sonography 1 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| SON1804L | Clinical Sonography 1 (AS) | 2 Credits |
| SON1618 | Medical Sonographic Physics 2 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| SON1112 | Abdominal Sonography 2 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| SON1122 | Sonographic OB/Gyn 2 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| SON1814L | Clinical Sonography 2 (AS) | 2 Credits |
| SON1171 | Vascular Sonography 1 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| SON1171L | Vascular Sonography Lab (AS) | 1 Credit |
| SON1001 | Practical Aspects of Sonography 2 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| SON1214L | Practical Aspects of Sonography Lab (AS) | 2 Credits |
| SON1175 | Vascular Sonography 2 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| SON1824L | Clinical Sonography 3 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| SON2834L | Clinical Sonography 4 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| SON2844L | Clinical Sonography 5 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| SON2061 | Seminar in Sonography (AS) | 2 Credits |
* Technical Core courses must be taken sequentially.
Total Credit Hours: 77
Course Sequence
Term One - Fall (Credits: 13)
| BSC2085 | Anatomy and Physiology 1 (AA) | 3 Credits |
| BSC2085L | Anatomy and Physiology 1 Lab (AA) | 1 Credit |
| MAC1105 | College Algebra (AA) | 3 Credits |
| ENC1101 | College Composition 1 (AA) | 3 Credits |
| PHY1020 | Fundamentals of Physics (AA) | 3 Credits |
MAC1105: or higher course from Mathematics - Area III
PHY1020: or equivalent
Term Two - Spring (Credits: 16)
| HSC2531 | Medical Terminology (AA) | 3 Credits |
| SON1111 | Abdominal Sonography 1 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| SON1614 | Medical Sonographic Physics 1 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| SON1100L | Principles and Protocols of Sonography Lab (AS) | 3 Credits |
| SON1004L | Sonographic Hospital Procedures (AS) | 2 Credits |
| SON1311 | Sonography Cross-Sectional Anatomy (AS) | 2 Credits |
Term Three - Summer (Credits: 5)
| SON1804L | Clinical Sonography 1 (AS) | 2 Credits |
| SON1618 | Medical Sonographic Physics 2 (AS) | 3 Credits |
Term Four - Fall (Credits: 14)
| SON1112 | Abdominal Sonography 2 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| SON1814L | Clinical Sonography 2 (AS) | 2 Credits |
| SON1000 | Practical Aspects of Sonography 1 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| SON1121 | Sonographic OB/Gyn 1 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| SON1171 | Vascular Sonography 1 (AS) | 3 Credits |
Term Five - Spring (Credits: 12)
| SON1824L | Clinical Sonography 3 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| SON1214L | Practical Aspects of Sonography Lab (AS) | 2 Credits |
| SON1122 | Sonographic OB/Gyn 2 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| SON1175 | Vascular Sonography 2 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| SON1171L | Vascular Sonography Lab (AS) | 1 Credit |
Term Six - Summer (Credits: 8)
| SON2834L | Clinical Sonography 4 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| SON2061 | Seminar in Sonography (AS) | 2 Credits |
| AMH2020 | United States History from 1865 to Present (AA) | 3 Credits |
Term Seven - Fall (Credits: 9)
| Choose Any Humanities Area ll, Tier 1 course | 3 Credits |
| SON2844L | Clinical Sonography 5 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| SON1001 | Practical Aspects of Sonography 2 (AS) | 3 Credits |
Total Credit Hours: 77
* Technical Core courses must be taken sequentially.