Additional Program Information
The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program at St. Philip’s College is nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS). The program prepares student to work as sonographers. Diagnostic Medical Sonography involves the use of high frequency sound waves to provide anatomical and pathological images for interpretation by a physician. Among a sonographer’s duties are obtaining and reviewing a patient’s medical history and clinical data, recording and processing sonographic images, providing patient education related to medical ultrasound and promoting the principles of good health. As such, a Sonographer works in a variety of medical settings, including hospitals, offices, clinics. As such, a Sonographer, is responsible for appropriate and quality patient care. At all times, a Sonographer displays and maintains all work ethics in accordance with the standards established by the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers.
Student must apply and be selected prior to be admitted to the program. Evaluation for admission to the program includes, but not limited to, successfully completing program prerequisites, cumulative GPA, Ultrasound Student Assessment exam (USA exam), and admission interview. Students accepted to the program are required to provide evidence of meeting immunization requirements, drug and background screenings and evidence of personal health insurance as described on the Health Sciences Webpage. The program includes lecture and laboratory courses in diagnostic medical sonography science and procedures and clinical education courses conducted in settings where diagnostic medical sonography is provided. This program’s emphasis will be on a General Track which includes the following learning concentrations Abdominal Extended, and Obstetrical and Gynecological.
The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program leads to an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree and the program is completed within 21 months of acceptance into the program.
The program requires the following:
- Assignment to a cohort of approximately 20-24 students every Fall semester with full time attendance throughout the program to include summer enrollment.
- Content and clinical practice experiences are designed to sequentially develop, apply, critically analyze, integrate, synthesize and evaluate concepts and theories in the performance of sonographic procedures. Through structured, sequential, competency-based clinical assignments, concepts of team practice, patient-centered clinical practice and professional development are discussed, examined and evaluated.
- All students must be able to meet the clinical and classroom schedules.
- Classes must be completed in sequence. All students must be able to meet the clinical and classroom demand and schedules, with or without accommodations.
Special Tuition Fee of $148 per credit hour for every DMS course taken in the fall, spring, and summer semesters of the program, with the exception of DMSO 2405 and DSVT 1200 courses. For example, for the DMSO 1441 course, a $444 special tuition fee will be applied.
Upon completion of this program, the graduates are expected to complete the Abdomen Extended and/or OB/GYN certification exam/s through American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS), or certification exam through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists with a specialty in Sonography; ARRT (S) to work as a Sonographer.
For more details about the program, visit our webpage at: http://alamo.edu/spc/sonography/
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