Diagnostic Sonography Curriculum
Each student must complete 40 hours per week to fulfill mandatory clinical and didactic requirements. These requirements include formal classroom instruction as well as supervised clinical practice in all phases of sonography. The 40-hour week is scheduled Monday through Friday on varying schedules. Generally, the days start no earlier than 7 a.m. and end no later than 5 p.m. Holidays, sick days, and vacation days are available to all students.
Complete course descriptions are found in the program policy manual. Lectures include, but are not limited to, the following topics:
- Patient Care
- Medical Ethics
- Professional Development
- Ultrasound/Medical Technology
- Ultrasound Physics
- Abdominal Ultrasound
- OB Ultrasound
- Superficial Parts
- Gynecologic Ultrasound
- Vascular Technology
- Vascular Physics
- Neurosonography
- Ultrasound Bioeffects
- Anatomy
- Quality Assurance
Course Completion / Registry Eligibility
To complete the program successfully, students must maintain an 80% average throughout all phases of didactic instruction and an 85% average throughout all phases of clinical education. Students must exhibit appropriate professional conduct and show a satisfactory aptitude for the care of the sick.
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are eligible to apply for the national certification examination of the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in the areas of Abdomen, Obstetrics and Gynecology, General Physics and Instrumentation, Vascular Physics and Instrumentation, and Vascular Technology. This is a pass/fail examination. Those who pass will receive certification as a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS) and Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT). This credential is the standard of excellence and acceptance of the profession and is required for most employment opportunities.
