Diagnostic Medical Sonography

The Associate of Applied Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography is designed to provide students with the necessary knowledge, skills, values, and competencies for a career in diagnostic ultrasound. The curriculum is based on requirements of the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). Students completing the Abdominal-OB/GYN concentration will be eligible to take the ARDMS registry examinations in Obstetrics/Gynecology, Abdomen, and Ultrasound Physics/Sonography Principles and Instrumentation.

A selective admissions process is used to select candidates for enrollment in the program.

Admission Criteria

The following courses are prerequisites for admission to the Sonography program. Students must earn a grade of “C” or better in all of prerequisite courses listed.

In addition, to be eligible for entry into the Sonography program, students must:

• Have a calculated GPA of 2.75 or higher in the 30 credit hours of prerequisite courses only.
• Achieve a composite score of 65 or better on the sonography admission exam.

It is important to note that admission to the Sonography program is competitive: meeting the minimum requirements listed here does not guarantee admission.

Application Process
The application for admission to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program is available on the BRCC website once a year, during the fall semester. Detailed instructions for completing the admission application are included in the application packet. Completed and signed applications are due by the deadline indicated on the application. Late applications will not be accepted.

A selective admissions process is used to select candidates for enrollment in the program. Students admitted to sonography will receive additional instructions regarding program requirements that include but are not limited to: submission of personal health history, a physical examination, a TB skin test, various immunizations/vaccinations, a urine drug screen, and CPR certification. A positive urine drug screen or any attempt to tamper with a specimen may disqualify an applicant and/or result in dismissal from the Sonography program. Costs for all requirements are incurred by the student.

Criminal Background Check
Applicants to the Sonography program must submit to a criminal background check, with all costs borne by the student. Applicants who have been charged with, pled guilty or nolo contendere to, been convicted of, or committed a criminal offense that involves a crime of violence or distribution of drugs may be denied the right to take national certification exams offered by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).

Program Outcomes. Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate will be able to:

1. Integrate pertinent patient history and supporting clinical data prior to scanning to achieve optimum diagnostic results.
2. Explain the importance of patient care and comfort.
3. Integrate diagnostic data and other pertinent observations recorded and processed during the procedure for presentation to the interpreting physician.
4. Demonstrate sound clinical judgment in the performance of sonographic and other diagnostic services.
5. Demonstrate appropriate communication skills when conveying findings of sonographic exams to the interpreting physician.
6. Demonstrate safe application of ultrasound through implementation of the “As Low As Reasonably Achievable” (ALARA) principle.