Diagnostic Medical Sonography Overview (6312) Limited Access
See the Addenda section of the catalog for action based on curriculum minutes dated January 27, 2022
Type of Award
CCC - College Credit Certificate
Program Website
www.pbsc.edu/careerpathways/pathway-health/default.aspx
Program Description
This college credit certificate program prepares students for a career as a sonographer, who 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.
General Admission Requirements to the College
- Complete an Application for Admission, located at www.pbsc.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 above General Admission requirements, student 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 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: 47. This is a four-semester curriculum that begins in Fall term each year. 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
Sonographers may choose to achieve advanced certification in specialized areas of sonography. After completion of the program, students are eligible to take the Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (RDMS) exam.
Credits earned in this program will transfer directly into the Associate in Science (A.S.) degree in sonography.
Career Center
www.pbsc.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:
Required Courses (Credit Hours: 47)
| SON 1004L | Sonographic Hospital Procedures (AS) | 2 Credits |
| SON 1311 | Sonography Cross Sectional Anatomy (AS) | 2 Credits |
| SON 1100L | Principles and Protocols of Sonography Lab (AS) | 3 Credits |
| SON 1614 | Medical Sonographic Physics 1 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| SON 1618 | Medical Sonographic Physics 2 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| SON 1111 | Abdominal Sonography 1 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| SON 1121 | Sonographic OB/Gyn 1 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| SON 1000 | Practical Aspects of Sonography 1 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| SON 1804L | Clinical Education 1 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| SON 1112 | Abdominal Sonography 2 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| SON 1122 | Sonographic OB/Gyn 2 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| SON 1814L | Clinical Education 2 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| SON 1171 | Vascular Sonography 1 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| SON 1001 | Practical Aspects of Sonography 2 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| SON 1175 | Vascular Sonography 2 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| SON 1824L | Clinical Education 3 (AS) | 4 Credits |
Total Credit Hours: 47
Course Sequence
Term One - Fall (Year One) (Credit Hours: 16)
| SON 1311 | Sonography Cross Sectional Anatomy (AS) | 2 Credits |
| SON 1100L | Principles and Protocols of Sonography Lab (AS) | 3 Credits |
| SON 1614 | Medical Sonographic Physics 1 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| SON 1111 | Abdominal Sonography 1 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| SON 1004L | Sonographic Hospital Procedures (AS) | 2 Credits |
| SON 1121 | Sonographic OB/Gyn 1 (AS) | 3 Credits |
Term Two - Spring (Year One) (Credit Hours: 15)
| SON 1000 | Practical Aspects of Sonography 1 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| SON 1804L | Clinical Education 1 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| SON 1618 | Medical Sonographic Physics 2 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| SON 1112 | Abdominal Sonography 2 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| SON 1171 | Vascular Sonography 1 (AS) | 3 Credits |
Term Three - Summer (Year One) (Credit Hours: 9)
| SON 1122 | Sonographic OB/Gyn 2 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| SON 1814L | Clinical Education 2 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| SON 1175 | Vascular Sonography 2 (AS) | 3 Credits |
Term One - Fall (Year Two) (Credit Hours: 7)
| SON 1824L | Clinical Education 3 (AS) | 4 Credits |
| SON 1001 | Practical Aspects of Sonography 2 (AS) | 3 Credits |
Total Credit Hours: 47