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Diagnostic Medical Sonography

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AAS Degree - Code #2560

Jennifer Updyke, Program Director
Email address: updykejs@alfredstate.edu

The Applied Associate of Science (AAS) degree equips students with the comprehensive knowledge and hands-on experience necessary to become a valuable asset in the healthcare workforce.  The 21-month, continuous 5-semester DMS program offers a dual concentration track in Abdominal/Small Parts and OB/GYN specialties.

The curriculum integrates on-campus didactic and laboratory coursework with clinical experiences at regional hospitals and healthcare facilities.  Students are responsible for arranging their transprotation to these clinical sites, fostering independence and practical experience in a professional healthcare setting.

Clinical education is facilitated by multiple clinical assignments, or rotations.  While working with knowledgeable staff in various healthcare settings, students have access to opportunities that develop required clinical competency skills.  Observation Clinical during semester 2 introduces students to valuable hands-on experience with real patients.  Clinical 2, during semester 4, and Clinical 3, during semester 5, are 16 hrs/wk for 15 weeks.

The program admits 20 students each year in the fall.  One student placement is reserved for an on-campus curriculum change, with the remaining 19 placements being filled by Admissions.

Advantages

  • Prepares the student for the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography registry exams.
  • Sonography and simulation laboratory on campus.
  • Low student-to-faculty ratio.
  • Gaining proficiency in the technical skills necessary for diagnostic medical sonography.
  • Extensive clinical experience in hospital setting.
  • Availability of on-campus housing and variety of campus activities.

Entrance Requirements/recommendations

Applicants for the diagnostic medical sonography program must possess a recognized high school diploma or its equivalent. A standardized test (SAT or ACT) is not required but recommended. Specific high school course requirements and recommendations are:

Required: Algebra, Geometry, Algebra 2, Biology, Physics, Interview with the academic department.

Recommended: Chemistry

Applicants with previous college experience must submit an official college transcript and their success at the college level will be an admissions consideration. Due to the technical and science rigor, entrance requirements are higher than those of the institution.

Application Deadlines

Students are encouraged to apply prior to Dec. 1 in order to be included in the priority review process.  Qualified applicants who meet the academic criteria will be invited to participate in an interview with the selection committee. Students will be notified of their decision by mid-January and will be required to submit their enrollment deposit by March 1.

Completed applications received after Dec. 1 will be included in the traditional rolling admissions process.

Technical Standards

To participate in the program, the applicant must possess specific non-academic skills. The technical standards described below are consistent with the duties of an entry-level radiographer in a professional position and are required in order to provide adequate patient care and produce a diagnostic image.

The applicant should have the:

  • Ability with reasonable accommodation, if necessary, to reach and position the patients on the exam table.
  • Ability with reasonable accommodation, if necessary, to move, adjust, and manipulate equipment to perform imaging procedures.
  • Ability to review and evaluate recorded images to determine the quality of the image with reasonable accommodation.
  • Ability to communicate effectively with patients, doctors, and other personnel so that the patient is not placed in an “at-risk” situation.
  • Ability to make proper decisions involving patient and co-worker safety.
  • Ability with reasonable accommodation, if necessary, to hear sounds that are necessary to assess patient’s health status.

Program Goals

The goals of the Alfred State Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program are:

  • To prepare competent entry-level sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains for Abdominal sonography- Extended and Obstetrics and Gynecology sonography concentrations.
  • To enhance the ability of sonography professionals to demonstrate effective oral and written communication within healthcare settings.
  • To develop sonography professionals who demonstrate critical thinking skills during the performance of sonographic procedures to produce quality diagnostic images.
  • To foster the development of  sonography professionals who conduct themselves ethically and professionally, upholding legal standards and providing compassionate patient care.
  • To develop sonography professionals dedicated to professionalism, professional development, and lifelong learning.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

  • Demonstrate appropriate technical and effective skills in the clinical setting.
  • Demonstrate patient-centered, age-specific skills.
  • Analyze images to determine diagnostic quality.
  • Demonstrate proper work ethics.
  • Examine the value of leadership, professional development, and growth.
  • Demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills in both the didactic and clinical setting.
  • Apply written communication skills to the construction of documents of record that are established professional guidelines.
  • Apply communication skills to the explanation of ideas and scientific terminology.
  • Using technological resources effectively and appropriately, synthesize theory and concepts from the liberal education domain and other professions into radiologic technology.
  • Explain cultural diversity and evaluate the role of cultural competency, values, and ethics in the patient care setting.

Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program Retention

 

2023 Graduates

2022 Graduates

2021 Graduates

#

% Retention

#

% Retention

#

% Retention

Enrolled

17

 

19

 

20

 

Graduated

14

82%

10

53%

14

70%

Credentialing Success

 

ARDMS EXAM

2023

2022

2021

#

%

#

%

#

%

SPI

# Pass

13

72%

6

67%

9

56%

# Fail

5

28%

3

33%

7

44%

Abdomen

# Pass

5

83%

9

90%

1

100%

# Fail

1

17%

1

10%

0

0%

OB/GYN

# Pass

4

80%

4

67%

1

50%

# Fail

1

20%

2

33%

1

50%

Employment Rate

2023

2022

2021

# Graduates

# Employed

%

# Graduates

# Employed

%

# Graduates

# Employed

%

14

14

100%

10

10

100%

14

11

79%

Continuing Education Opportunities

The program allows graduates to transfer to a four-year program in imaging science or healthcare management.

Direct Entry Into Baccalaureate Degree Program

Graduates may enter directly into either the healthcare management BTech, the interdisciplinary studies BTech, or technology management BBA degree program.

Grade of “C+” or better required for all SONO, BIOL and PHYS prefix courses.

Required Equipment

A tier 1 laptop computer is required for students entering this degree program. Laptop specifications are available at www.alfredstate.edu/required-laptops

Office of Accessibility Services

Students who believe they need a reasonable accommodation to properly participate in this program may contact Melanie Ryan in the Office of Accessibility Services. This office may be contacted by email at oas@alfredstate.edu  or by phone at 607-587-4506. Please keep in mind that some accommodations may take time to implement, so students seeking accommodations are encouraged to contact OAS as early as possible.

Diagnostic Medical Sonography - AAS Degree

TYPICAL FOUR-SEMESTER PROGRAM

First

SONO 1003 Fundamentals Sonogrphy/Pt Care 3
MATH xxx3   3
PHYS 1302 Phys: Gen Topics Allied Health 2
BIOL 1404 Anatomy & Physiology I 4
SONO 2003 Sectional Anatomy 3
      15

Second

SONO 2101 Sonography Observation 1
SONO 2013 US Physics and Instrument I 3
SONO 2021 Sonographic Procedures I Lab 1
BIOL 2504 Anatomy & Physiology II 4
SONO 2023 Sonographic Procedures I 3
COMP 1503 Writing Studies 3
      15

Summer

SONO 3023 Sonography Clinical I 3
      3

Third

SONO 3013 US Physics & Instrument II 3
SONO 3024 Sonography Clinical II 4
SONO 3033 Sonographic Procedures II 3
BIOL 4403 Pathophysiology 3
SONO 3031 Sonographic Procedures II Lab 1
      14

Fourth

SONO 4024 Sonography Clinical III 4
SONO  4031 Sonographic Procedures III Lab 1
SONO 4043 Sonographic Procedures III 3
SPCH 1083 Public Speaking 3
SONO 4053 Prof. in Sono & ARDMS Prep 3
GLST 2113 Global & Diverse Perspectives 3
      17

Be advised that a prior felony conviction may impede a student’s ability to participate in a required clinical experience. 

Graduation Requirements

The AAS degree in diagnostic medical sonography has finely prescribed courses reflective of accreditation standards for students to be prepared for admission to the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) Certification Examination. Specific graduation requirements are:

  • 64 total semester credit hours
  • Minimum of 20 credit hours of liberal arts and sciences from three of the 10 SUNY General Education categories
  • 2.0 cumulative GPA and a grade of “C+” or better in the core science courses (PHYS, SONO and BIOL prefixes)
  • Approval of department faculty