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Program Details
Average starting salary is $68,750*
*Salary information provided by Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Program Overview
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (DMS) use ultrasound to produce images and data that assist health care professionals in diagnosing various diseases. Physicians depend on the sonographer's assistance with interpretation of the images to evaluate anatomy and pathology. The diagnostic medical sonographer provides patient care while exercising individual thought, judgment and discretion in the performance of ultrasound examinations.
The DMS Program is conducted in cooperation with the local and regional hospitals and imaging centers. The Program combines classroom theory and laboratory experiences to provide a balance of interesting and informative courses, which sets the stage for the students' clinical competencies.
Accreditation:
The DMS Program offered by Santa Fe College is accredited by The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and adheres to the standards of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS). CAAHEP location and contact information: 25400 US Highway 19 North Suite 158, Clearwater, Florida 33763, 727-210-2350, caahep.org.
Licensure/Certification:
Successful completion of all degree requirements may provide you eligibility to take the multiple specialty sonography exams offered by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers. You may also qualify to take the exam specializing in Sonography offered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. If you are a student who resides outside of Florida, Santa Fe College has not made a determination that its degree program or curriculum meets educational requirements for professional licensure in your state. Please locate and contact the Licensure Board in your state in order to determine whether this degree program will meet their licensure requirements.
Requirements for Admission
The following prerequisite requirements must be completed in order to apply to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program:
- Possess a 2.50 or higher overall college GPA
- Complete the following coursework with a grade of 'C' or higher:
- BSC 2084/L: Human Anatomy and Physiology with lab (BSC 2085/L and BSC 2086/L may be substituted)
- ENC1101: College Composition
- PHY 1007: Physics with Medical Application or higher
- One Social/Behavioral Science course
- One Humanities/Fine Arts course
All transcripts and coursework must be evaluated and accepted by SF College prior to the application date in order to qualify for application.
Program Cost, Scholarships and Aid
All tuition and fees are estimated costs and subject to change without notice.
| Program Costs | |
| In-state tuition (77 credit hours) | $8,221.29 |
| Out-of-state tuition (77 credit hours) | $29,483.30 |
| Lab fees | $885.93 |
| Uniforms | $150.00 |
| Books | $150.00 |
| Health Physical and Immunizations | up to $450.00 |
| Flu Vaccination (2) | $40.00 |
| American Heart Association CPR Basic Life Support Certification | $55.00 |
| Level 2 and Expanded National Background Screening, Drug Test | $185.00 |
| National Board Exam Application Fee | $500.00 |
| ARDMS SPI Exam | $225.00 |
| Misc. Clinical Expenses | $80.00 |
| Total (In-state) | $10,942.22 |
| Total (Out-of-state) | $32,224.23 |
| Scholarships |
| There are many scholarships available for Santa Fe students to apply to. Please visit the Scholarships webpage for more information and how to apply. |
| Financial Aid |
| There are many options to finance your education. You may be eligible for Federal Grants, Work Study, State Grants, Federal Loans, and Institutional Scholarships. Please visit the Financial Aid webpage for more information and how to appy. |
Selection Criteria / Points System
Selection criteria and points system is subject to change. It is the applicant's responsibility to check with the Health Sciences Advisement Office for up-to-date requirements and information.
Prerequisite GPA Earned (courses required for application) Maximum Points = 20 | Points Allotted |
| 4.00 to 3.75 | 20 points |
| 3.74 to 3.50 | 16 points |
| 3.49 to 3.25 | 12 points |
| 3.24 to 3.00 | 8 points |
| 2.99 to 2.75 | 4 points |
| 2.74 to 2.50 | 0 points |
Additional Courses and Prior Degree or Certification Maximum Points = 23 Note: only 1 degree may be used for points purposes | A | B+ | B | C+ |
| MAC1105 College Algebra or higher level math | 7 | 5 | 4 | 2 |
| ENC1102 College Composition 2 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| Previous Degree B.A./B.S. or higher | 7 points | |||
| Previous Degree A.A./A.S. | 2 points | |||
| Current direct-patient care certification (CNA,EMT, Medical Assistant) | 2 points | |||
Military Experience Maximum Points = 5 |
Military Service - Five points will be awarded to US Armed Forces active duty and honorably discharged veterans. This includes recent Reservist and National Guard combat deployments. Part-time Reservist and National Guard service must be documented separately and equal 365 active duty days (i.e., weekend service, annual 2-week assignment and deployment). Service dates may be combined with proper documentation. Minimum of one-year service required. Must submit DD-214 or proof of current service. Veterans who receive a general discharge must be classified without misconduct. |
Program Goals and Outcomes
Student Learning Outcomes:
- Students will utilize written and oral communication skills effectively with classmates, instructors, patients, sonographers, and physicians.
- Students will exhibit critical thinking and problem-solving skills and sonographic practices.
- Students will demonstrate clinical competency in the practice of general sonography.
- Students will demonstrate professionalism.
Program Length, Format, and Curriculum
The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program spans five semesters with courses meeting in a variety of formats to include: on-campus, on-line, and virtually. In addition, students will conduct clinical internships at local and regional hospitals.
The program is academically rigorous and requires students to be available Monday thru Friday 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
The program is a total of 77.0 credit hours, including pre-requisite requirements. Program core courses: 61.0 credit hours. Pre-requisite courses: 16.0 credit hours.
The Technical courses must be taken as a cohort in the order indicated below. The prerequisite requirements listed in "Requirements for Admission" may be taken in any order based on course offerings.
| TERM 1 Spring (14 credit hours) | ||
| SON1100 | Principles and Protocols of Imaging | 1.0 |
| SON1113 | Sonographic Cross-Sectional Anatomy (L) | 2.0 |
| SON2111 | Abdominal Sonography 1 | 3.0 |
| SON2111L | Adbominal Sonography 1 Lab | 1.0 |
| SON2121 | Obstetrics/Gynecology Sonography 1 | 3.0 |
| SON2121L | Obstetrics/Gynecology Sonography 1 Lab | 1.0 |
| SON2211 | Medical Sonographic Physics (L) | 3.0 |
| TERM 2 Summer (10 credit hours) | ||
| SON2006 | Professional Aspects of Sonography | 3.0 |
| SON2150 | Neurosonology and Superficial Structures | 2.0 |
| SON2150L | Neurosonology and Superficial Structures Lab | 1.0 |
| SON2112 | Abdominal Sonography II | 3.0 |
| SON2112L | Abdominal Sonograpy II Lab | 1.0 |
| TERM 3 Fall (14 credit hours) | ||
| SON2122 | Obstetrics/Gynecology Sonography | 3.0 |
| SON2122L | Obstetrics/Gynecology Sonography Lab | 1.0 |
| SON2171 | Vascular Sonography | 3.0 |
| SON2171L | Vascular Sonography Lab | 1.0 |
| SON2808 | Clinical Education 1 | 6.0 |
| TERM 4 Spring (13 credit hours) | ||
| SON2175 | Vascular Sonography II | 3.0 |
| SON2175L | Vascular Sonography II Lab | 1.0 |
| SON2818 | Clinical Education II | 6.0 |
| SON2961 | Abdominal Sonography Review | 2.0 |
| SON2962 | Sonographic Physics and Instrumentation Review | 1.0 |
| TERM 5 Summer (10 credit hours) | ||
| SON2828 | Clinical Education III | 8.0 |
| SON2930 | Special Topics/Seminars | 2.0 |
Performance Standards
The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program (DMS) is a practice discipline with cognitive, sensory, affective and psychomotor performance requirements. Based on these requirements, the following list of Program Performance Standards has been developed. Each standard has an example of activities which a student will be required to perform, with or without an accommodation, while enrolled in the DMS program. The Program Performance Standards should be used as a guide to assist applicants in determining whether or not accommodations or modifications are necessary in order to meet program participation requirements. Applicants who identify potential difficulties with meeting the Program Performance Standards should communicate their concerns to the Academic Chair for Allied Health Programs. If the concern is related to a documented disability, applicants are responsible for contacting the Disability Resource Center. Determination of reasonable and appropriate accommodation will be made on an individual basis in consultation with the Disability Resource Center. Additionally, applicants should assess their aptitude and ability to perform professional duties by reviewing the Program Performance Standards below and discussing them with their healthcare provider.
Issue | Standard | Examples |
Critical Thinking | Critical thinking sufficient for clinical judgment. Possess satisfactory intellectual and emotional functions to exercise independent judgment and discretion in the safe technical performance of medical imaging. | Handle multiple priorities and apply reasoning and evaluation skills. |
Interpersonal | Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with individuals, families and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural and intellectual backgrounds. | Display patience, empathy and concern for others. Deal with fear and hostility in a calm manner. Work with others in stressful situations. |
Communication | Communication abilities sufficient for interaction with others in prompt, coherent and concise manner. Must be able to follow spontaneous verbal and/or written instructions. Must understand and speak the language fluently enough to exchange ideas, follow directions and covey detailed instructions to others accurately, loudly and quickly. In the sterile role, communicate the identity of items such as drugs, implants and special instrumentation. Able to accurately document pertinent information. | Communicate needs in a prompt, clear and concise manner. Accurately document pertinent information. |
Mobility | Physical abilities sufficient to move independently from room to room and through hallways; maneuver in small places. Must be able to bend, crouch, squat, kneel, balance, reach above head, twist at waist. Must be able to sit and/or walk for extended periods of time. | Respond promptly to the patient's needs, manipulate equipment, lift a minimum of 30lbs, push/pull mobile equipment weighing up to 300lbs; participate as a team member of four in moving a 150 pound incapacitated patient; ensure patient safety. |
Tactile and Motor Skills | Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to safely and effectively perform job tasks and respond to patient needs. | Ability to grasp, hold, grip, seize, turn or otherwise manipulate equipment with hands. |
Hearing | Auditory ability sufficient to monitor and assess health needs. | Detect and evaluate the sounds of advanced monitors and alarms; monitor patients and communication verbally with patients and other health care providers. |
Visual | Visual ability sufficient for observation and assessment necessary in DMS. | Observe and monitor patients, manipulate equipment and evaluate recordings of sound waves and other metabolic graphic quality recordings in full and dimmed light. |
Program Effectiveness
To view the program's effectiveness data, please go to the Health Sciences Program Effectiveness page.
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