Diagnostic Medical Sonography, A.S.

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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 Abdomen-Extended and Obstetrics & Gynecology DMS Program at Santa Fe College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Joint Review on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS) jrcdms.org.

CAAHEP location and contact information: 9355 113th Street N. #7709, Seminole, FL 33775. The phone number is 727-210-2350, caahep.org.

JRC-DMS location and contact information: 6021 University Blvd., Suite 500, Ellicott City, MD 21043. The phone number is 443-973-3251, jrcdms.org.

Licensure and 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, or plan to relocate outside of Florida, Santa Fe College has made the determination that this degree program or curriculum only meets educational requirements for professional licensure in the state of Florida. Please contact the Licensure Board in your state to determine whether this program or curriculum will meet any licensure requirements.

Requirements for Admission

Please note that program prerequisite courses have changed. Carefully review the following information to ensure your application to the Program satisfies the posted requirements.

The following prerequisite requirements must be completed in order to apply to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program that starts Spring 2023:

Possess a 2.50 or higher overall college GPA.
Complete the following prerequisite coursework with a grade of "C" or better:
- BSC2085/L Anatomy and Physiology I with lab
- BSC2086/L Anatomy and Physiology II with lab
- ENC1101 College Composition
- Choose one of the following Physics courses (PHY course substitutions are possible. Contact a Health Sciences advisor):
  - PHY1020
  - PHY2048
  - PHY1007
  - PHY2004
- Choose one of the following Math courses:
  - MAC1105 College Algebra
  - MGF1106 Topics in Math
  - MGF1107 Contemporary Math
  - STA2023 Statistics
- Choose one of the following Social/Behavioral Sciences courses:
  - AMH2020 US History Since 1877
  - POS2041 American National Government
- Choose one of the following Humanities/Fine Arts courses:
  - ARH1000 Art Appreciation
  - HUM2020 Introduction to Humanities
  - LIT1000 Literature Appreciation
  - MUL1010 Music Appreciation
  - PHI2010 Introduction to Philosophy
  - THE1000 Theater Appreciation

All transcripts and coursework must be evaluated and accepted by Santa Fe College prior to the application date in order to qualify for application.

See Application Dates and Deadlines and closely review other requirements Before You Apply.

Program Cost, Scholarships and Aid

All tuition and fees are estimated costs and subject to change without notice.

Program Costs Breakdown

Tuition for 80 Credit Hours

$8,541.60. Florida Residents
$30,632.00 Non-Florida Residents

Lab Fees: $1,133.46

Additional Expenses

$200.00 Uniforms/Shoes
$400.00 Required Textbooks
$550.00 Laptop computer with webcam
$880.00 Health Physical and Immunizations
$50.00 Flu Vaccinations (2)
$55.00 American Heart Association Basic Life Support CPR
$245.00 Level 2 and Expanded National Background Screening; drug test
$550.00 National Board Exam Application Fee
$250.00 ARDMS SPI Exam
$300.00 Miscellaneous Clinical Requirements: tracking software, database, parking
$135.00 Additional mid-program background checks, drug screen, physical update

Program Cost Totals

$13,290.06 Florida Residents
$35,380.46 Non-Florida Residents

Scholarships

There are many scholarships available for Santa Fe College 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 page for more information and how to apply.

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.

Prior Degree and/or Certification (Maximum Points = 9)

B.A./B.S. or higher (7 PTS)
A.A./A.S. (2 PTS)
Current Patient Care Certification (CNA, EMT, Medical Assistant, etc.) (2 PTS)

All-College GPA (Maximum Points = 20)

3.75 – 4.00 (20 PTS)
3.50 – 3.74 (15 PTS)
3.25 – 3.49 (10 PTS)
3.00 – 3.24 (5 PTS)
2.75 – 2.99 (3 PTS)
2.50 – 2.74 (1 PT)

Prerequisite Coursework GPA (Maximum Points = 20)

3.75 – 4.00 (20 PTS)
3.50 – 3.74 (15 PTS)
3.25 – 3.49 (10 PTS)
3.00 – 3.24 (5 PTS)
2.75 – 2.99 (3 PTS)
2.50 – 2.74 (1 PT)

Military Service (5 PTS)

Five points will be awarded to US Armed Forces active duty and honorably discharged veterans. Includes recent Reservist and National Guard combat deployments. DD-214 or proof of current service required. Minimum of 1 year active duty service required. Part-time Reservist or 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. Veterans who receive a general discharge must be classified without misconduct.

Program Goals and Outcomes

Program Goals Statement

To prepare competent entry-level sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains for the following concentration(s) it offers: Abdominal Sonography - Extended, Obstetrics and Gynecology Sonography.

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, online, and virtually. In addition, students will conduct clinical internships at hospitals throughout the state of Florida.

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 80 credit hours, including pre-requisite requirements. Program core courses: 57 credit hours. Pre-requisite courses: 23 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 credit hour)
SON1113 Sonographic Cross-Sectional Anatomy (L) (2 credit hours)
SON2111 Abdominal Sonography 1 (3 credit hours)
SON2111L Abdominal Sonography 1 Lab (1 credit hour)
SON2121 Obstetrics/Gynecology Sonography 1 (3 credit hours)
SON2121L Obstetrics/Gynecology Sonography 1 Lab (1 credit hour)
SON2211C Medical Sonographic Physics (L) (3 credit hours)

Term 2 Summer (10 credit hours)

SON2006 Professional Aspects of Sonography (3 credit hours)
SON2150 Neurosonology and Superficial Structures (2 credit hours)
SON2150L Neurosonology and Superficial Structures Lab (1 credit hour)
SON2112 Abdominal Sonography II (3 credit hours)
SON2112L Abdominal Sonography II Lab (1 credit hour)

Term 3 Fall (13 credit hours)

SON2122 Obstetrics/Gynecology Sonography (3 credit hours)
SON2122L Obstetrics/Gynecology Sonography Lab (1 credit hour)
SON2171 Vascular Sonography (3 credit hours)
SON2171L Vascular Sonography Lab (1 credit hour)
SON2808 Clinical Education 1 (5 credit hours)

Term 4 Spring (12 credit hours)

SON2175 Vascular Sonography II (3 credit hours)
SON2175L Vascular Sonography II Lab (1 credit hour)
SON2818 Clinical Education II (5 credit hours)
SON2961 Abdominal Sonography Review (2 credit hours)
SON2962 Sonographic Physics and Instrumentation Review (1 credit hour)

Term 5 Summer (8 credit hours)

SON2828 Clinical Education III (6 credit hours)
SON2930 Special Topics/Seminars (2 credit hours)

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 Disabilities Resource Center. Determination of reasonable and appropriate accommodation will be made on an individual basis in consultation with the Disabilities 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.

Critical Thinking

Standard: 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.
Example: Handle multiple priorities and apply reasoning and evaluation skills.

Interpersonal

Standard: Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with individuals, families and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural and intellectual backgrounds.
Example: Display patience, empathy and concern for others. Deal with fear and hostility in a calm manner. Work with others in stressful situations.

Communication

Standard: 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.
Example: Communicate needs in a prompt, clear and concise manner. Accurately document pertinent information.

Mobility

Standard: 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.
Example: 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

Standard: Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to safely and effectively perform job tasks and respond to patient needs.
Example: Ability to grasp, hold, grip, seize, turn or otherwise manipulate equipment with hands.

Hearing

Standard: Auditory ability sufficient to monitor and assess health needs.
Example: Detect and evaluate the sounds of advanced monitors and alarms; monitor patients and communication verbally with patients and other health care providers.

Visual

Standard: Visual ability sufficient for observation and assessment necessary in DMS.
Example: 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

Program Effectiveness captures the quality of a program using qualitative data such as program completion, national exam pass rates and job placement.

Class of 2022
14 Students admitted
11 Students graduated; 78.6% completion rate
9 Graduates took credentialing exam
9 Graduates passed credentialing exam; 100% pass rate
10 Graduates employed in the field; 90.9% employment rate

Class of 2021

16 Students admitted
14 Students graduated; 87.5% completion rate
10 Graduates took credentialing exam
10 Graduates passed credentialing exam; 100% pass rate
12 Graduates employed in the field; 85.7% employment rate

Class of 2020

16 Students admitted
14 Students graduated; 88% completion rate
12 Graduates took credentialing exam
12 Graduates passed credentialing exam; 100% pass rate
12 Graduates employed in field of DMS; 86% employment rate

Class of 2019

16 Students admitted
15 Students graduated; 93.75% completion rate
13 Graduates took credentialing exam
13 Graduates passed credentialing exam; 100% pass rate
15 Graduates employed in field of DMS; 100% employment rate

Class of 2018

16 Students admitted
16 Students graduated; 100% completion rate
13 Graduates took credentialing exam
13 Graduates passed credentialing exam; 100% pass rate
16 Graduates employed in field of DMS; 100% employment rate

Cost of Attendance

Disclosure

The Cost of Attendance (COA) is not the bill that you will receive from Santa Fe College. It is an estimate of what it costs the typical student to attend Santa Fe College for one academic year including tuition, books, course materials, living expenses, transportation, and miscellaneous personal expenses.

Tuition and fees in the cost of attendance below are calculated for credit hour programs, assuming enrollment in 12 credit hours in the Fall and Spring semesters. Actual tuition and fees may vary by program. For a better understanding of your chosen program’s tuition and fees, see program costs above.

Undergraduate Lower Division Courses (A.A./A.S. Degree Courses)

	Off-Campus*	Off-Campus with Parent**
Tuition and Fees In-State: $106.77 per credit Out-Of-State: $382.90 per credit	In-State: $2,563 Out-Of-State: $9,190	In-State: $2,563 Out-Of-State: $9,190
Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment	$783	$783
Living Expenses (Food & Housing)	$9,679	$2,619
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses	$4,228	$4,228
Transportation	$1,976	$3,062
Total	In-State: $19,229 Out-Of-State: $25,856	In-State: $13,255 Out-Of-State: $19,882

Undergraduate Upper Division Courses (Bachelor Degree Courses)

	Off-Campus*	Off-Campus with Parent**
Tuition and Fees In-State: $126.33 per credit Out-Of-State: $428.83 per credit	In-State: $3,032 Out-Of-State: $10,292	In-State: $3,032 Out-Of-State: $10,292
Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment	$783	$783
Living Expenses (Food & Housing)	$9,679	$2,619
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses	$4,228	$4,228
Transportation	$1,976	$3,062
Total	In-State: $19,698 Out-Of-State: $26,958	In-State: $13,724 Out-Of-State: $20,984

*Off-Campus: you intend to live off campus, but not with your parent(s).

**Off-Campus with Parent: you intend to live with your parent(s).

Note: All costs and rates are subject to change for the upcoming year.

For more detailed information visit SF's Cost of Attendance page.

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Diagnostic Medical Sonography, A.S.

Program Overview