Diagnostic Medical Sonography Overview (2313) Limited Access
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), 1361 Park Street Clearwater, FL 33756, (727) 210-2350.
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;
- Proof of completion of a two-year allied health education program from an accredited institution that is patient care related. Examples include but are not limited to: radiography, respiratory therapy, nursing, dental hygienist and paramedic with the "required classes for selection consideration" (see below);
OR
- Proof of completion of an allied health education program from an accredited institution that is patient care related but less than two years, including but not limited to: CNA and EMT with the "required classes for selection consideration" (see below);
OR
- Completion of a basic Nursing Assistant or Patient Care Assistant course from an accredited institution and the "required classes for selection consideration" (see below); (Program MUST have a documented clinical component);
- *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.
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: 23)
| BSC1010 | Principles of Biology 1 (AA) | 3 Credits |
| BSC1010L | Principles of Biology 1 Lab (AA) | 1 Credit |
| 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 |
| Any course from Humanities - Area II | 3 credits |
| SPC1017 | Fundamentals of Speech Communication (AA) | 3 Credits |
| PSY2012 | Introduction to Psychology (AA) | 3 Credits |
MAC1105: or higher course from Mathematics - Area III
Non-Technical Core Requirements (Credits: 7)
| BSC2086 | Anatomy and Physiology 2 (AA) | 3 Credits |
| BSC2086L | Anatomy and Physiology 2 Lab (AA) | 1 Credit |
| PHY1001 | Applied Physics (AA) | 3 Credits |
Technical Core Requirements* (Credits: 47)
| 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 Education 1 (AS) | 3 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 Education 2 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| SON1171 | Vascular Sonography 1 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| SON1001 | Practical Aspects of Sonography 2 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| SON1175 | Vascular Sonography 2 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| SON1824L | Clinical Education 3 (AS) | 4 Credits |
* Technical Core courses must be taken sequentially.
Total Credit Hours: 77
Course Sequence
Term One - Fall (Year One) (Credits: 16)
| 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 |
| Any course from Humanities - Area II | 3 credits |
| SPC1017 | Fundamentals of Speech Communication (AA) | 3 Credits |
MAC1105: or higher course from Mathematics - Area III
Term Two - Spring (Year One) (Credits: 14)
| PSY2012 | Introduction to Psychology (AA) | 3 Credits |
| BSC2086 | Anatomy and Physiology 2 (AA) | 3 Credits |
| BSC2086L | Anatomy and Physiology 2 Lab (AA) | 1 Credit |
| PHY1001 | Applied Physics (AA) | 3 Credits |
| BSC1010 | Principles of Biology 1 (AA) | 3 Credits |
| BSC1010L | Principles of Biology 1 Lab (AA) | 1 Credit |
Term One - Fall (Year Two) (Credits: 16)
| 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 |
| SON1004L | Sonographic Hospital Procedures (AS) | 2 Credits |
| SON1121 | Sonographic OB/Gyn 1 (AS) | 3 Credits |
Term Two - Spring (Year Two) (Credits: 15)
| SON1000 | Practical Aspects of Sonography 1 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| SON1804L | Clinical Education 1 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| SON1618 | Medical Sonographic Physics 2 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| SON1112 | Abdominal Sonography 2 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| SON1171 | Vascular Sonography 1 (AS) | 3 Credits |
Term Three - Summer (Year Two) (Credits: 9)
| SON1122 | Sonographic OB/Gyn 2 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| SON1814L | Clinical Education 2 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| SON1175 | Vascular Sonography 2 (AS) | 3 Credits |
Term One - Fall (Year Three) (Credits: 7)
| SON1824L | Clinical Education 3 (AS) | 4 Credits |
| SON1001 | Practical Aspects of Sonography 2 (AS) | 3 Credits |
Total Credit Hours: 77
* Technical Core courses must be taken sequentially.