Diagnostic Medical Sonography
College of Health Sciences and Education
Degree BS, Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Options: BS (entry level); BS (post-certification)
Department Chair Sheryl E. Goss, MS, RT (R) (S), RDMS, RDCS, RVT, RVS, FSDMS
Faculty and Staff
Sheryl Goss, Assistant Professor of Diagnostic Medical Sonography, AAS, BS, MS College Misericordia
Karen Klimas, Assistant Professor of Diagnostic Medical Sonography, BS College Misericordia; MS Misericordia University
The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) 25400 U.S. Highway 19 North, Suite 158, Clearwater, FL 33763 upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS).
Diagnostic Medical Sonography is a specialized healthcare field requiring well-educated individuals who must engage themselves with compassion for others, strive for excellence in examination acquisition, and exhibit confidence as a member of the healthcare team. This program supports the university’s mission reflecting the values and attitudes of mercy, service, justice, and hospitality. More specifically, the Diagnostic Medical Sonography faculty and staff believe and promote that each individual inherently possesses uniqueness and has a quest to stay abreast of current practices within the healthcare environment and their specialized practices to benefit themselves and the communities they serve.
Mission
Prepare sonographers to think critically, promote quality patient care, and stimulate curiosity for lifelong learning.
Philosophy
Diagnostic Medical Sonography is a specialized healthcare field requiring well-educated individuals who must engage themselves with compassion for others, strive for excellence in examination acquisition, and exhibit confidence as a member of the healthcare team. This program supports the university’s mission reflecting the values and attitudes of mercy, service, justice, and hospitality. The Bachelor’s degree provides a complimentary balance between professional education and liberal arts to enhance one’s own intellect, spirituality, creativity, and a global perspective on world culture supporting the Trinity of Learning. More specifically, the Diagnostic Medical Sonography faculty and staff believe and promote that each individual inherently possesses uniqueness and has a quest to stay abreast of current practices within the healthcare environment and their specialized practices to benefit themselves and the communities they serve.
Program Goals:
The goals of the BS program are designed to align with programmatic accreditation standards and the mission of the Department and the University.
- To prepare competent entry level general sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.
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Cognitive domain
- Demonstrate knowledge of anatomical structures and sonographic appearances.
- Differentiate normal from abnormal sonographic findings through knowledge of physiology and pathophysiology.
- Apply clinical history to sonographic examination and findings.
- Demonstrate application of ultrasound physics and instrumentation to optimize sonographic images.
- Utilize research to enhance learning.
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Psychomotor domain
- Possess the technical skills to produce accurate sonographic images.
- Evaluate images for quality.
- Synthesize sonographic findings and tailor examination to provide all necessary information to interpreting physician.
- Develop competency to independently perform sonographic examinations in the general concentration.
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Affective Domain
- Communicate in a holistic manner to provide patient comfort and respect for cultural differences.
- Demonstrate ability to work independently as well as a team member.
- Demonstrate professional behavior to all through integrity, ethical decision making, and communication.
- Demonstrate written and oral communication to educate self and others.
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- Apply knowledge and skills to succeed on national credential examinations.
- Score a 74% or higher on the program’s mock registry examinations.
- Succeed the first time in the three ARDMS certification examinations or ARRT Sonography examination.
- Participate in activities to prepare for lifelong learning.
- Complete and earn five continuing medical education credits.
- Volunteer for a University or community event.
- Understand global trends and issues in healthcare that may have impact on sonography practices.
- Demonstrate ability to locate and synthesize research to stay abreast of current trends in healthcare sonography education and practices.
- Compare and contrast domestic and international education and practices.
- Appreciate similarities and differences of individuals, professions, and cultures through a liberal arts curriculum.
- Discover the roles and responsibilities of various healthcare professions.
- Demonstrate respect for differences.
- Attend or participate in activities relating to the humanities, arts, science, and technology.
Admission to Diagnostic Medical Sonography Major (post-certification)
The post-certification baccalaureate degree is administered under the Expressway model in which RDMS or ARRT(S) credentialed sonographers can complete the degree in a time frame most suited for their personal schedules. All courses are offered in the on-line format with exception of Anatomy and Physiology I and II which would be required to be completed prior to admission or after admission at a regionally accredited college or university approved by the department chair in conjunction with the Office of the Registrar.
Dependent on the number of credits the student needs to complete the degree and number of credits the individual desires to take per semester will determine the timeframe for completion of the degree.
Average time for completion is 24 -36 months.
For admission to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography baccalaureate degree program, the applicant must meet at least one of the following requirements:
- Possess the credential of Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonography (RDMS) awarded by the American Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) in at least one specialty (abdominal or obstetrics/gynecology).
- Possess the American Registry for Radiologic Technology Sonography credential (ARRT) (S).
- Enroll in the university’s DMS certificate program and during the last session, can request consideration to continue to complete the bachelor degree program. Admission would occur once the graduate earned the RDMS or ARRT(S) credential.
Applicant can complete an Expressway application for admission to the university through the Part-time Undergraduate and Graduate Admissions office by calling 570-674-6451 or can apply online at https://www.misericordia.edu/apply
Sonographers interested in pursuing the BS/MSOM option must also complete and submit a formal on-line part-time & Graduate application for the Master of Science Degree in Organization Management. As required of the application for MS OM, a 500 word essay denoting personal & professional goals to be achieved through completion of dual graduate and undergraduate courses and degree must be submitted. To be enrolled in this track, the applicant must be awarded a provisional acceptance into the MS degree with formal admission occurring after completion of the undergraduate bachelor degree.
Credit Evaluation
It is recognized sonographers possess diverse educational backgrounds to include on-the-job training, hospital based programs, certificate programs, or associate degree programs. Thus, the design of the major is to evaluate each applicant on an individual basis and create a plan of study for them based upon current credentials possessed and previous post-secondary credits earned. A maximum of 43 credits may be awarded for professional credential credits (PCC) dependent on the possession of ARDMS credentialing specialties in abdominal or obstetrical sonography.
Transcript review of all previous college level courses for determination of credit equivalency will be assessed by the Office of the Registrar.
A minimum of 30 credits must be taken at Misericordia University to earn the baccalaureate degree.
Prior Learning Assessment
Education received through non-credit bearing mechanisms or success of a credentialing exam other than abdominal and/or obstetrics will be evaluated through the university’s Prior Learning Assessment policies administered through CACE. Applicants that desire to challenge a BS major course may request consideration through the PLA process for the course desired for consideration of demonstration of knowledge. There is a fee for each course assessed and accepted as successfully meeting the course objectives.
Tuition
Expressway tuition credit rate is applied for courses taken as part of the on-line Expressway course offerings or taken at one of the Expressway campuses. If a student chooses to enroll in a course offered on the main campus, the tuition is at the part-time undergraduate rate. For students enrolled in the dual BS/MS track, the 12 credits of OM graduate level course work will be charged at the part-time undergraduate rate. For students accepted into the graduate program, the 24 credits taken at the graduate level to earn the OM degree will be charged at the part-time graduate level credit rate.
Retention
Students enrolled in the BS degree must maintain active national certification status and a minimum overall GPA of 2.5. For students enrolled in the BS DMS/MS OM track a minimum GPA of 3.0 is required at time of completion of the bachelor degree.
Graduation Requirements
The student must complete all degree requirements including fulfillment of a University Writing Seminar course (151), two writing intensive courses and technical competency requirements. Refer to the university catalog for general graduation requirements.
