Diagnostic Medical Sonography
NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR FALL 2024
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
What is Diagnostic Medical Sonography?
Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ultrasound) is a medical technology using high-frequency sound waves to produce dynamic multi-dimensional visual images of organs, tissue, and blood flow.
- As a radiation-free medical imaging modality, Diagnostic Medical Sonography provides important clinical information for the diagnosis and treatment of patients.
- There are several areas of specialization in the field of sonography which include obstetrics/gynecology, abdomen, echocardiography, vascular, breast, and pediatric sonography.
- Sonographers are part of a medical team, which includes physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals who provide essential clinical information that is used to plan treatment and care for patients.
- This technically challenging, patient-focused field demands that sonographers demonstrate a high level of decision making, diagnostic responsibility, and critical thinking skills.
- Sonographers have extensive direct patient contact which may include performing invasive procedures. They are expected to be both technically competent and compassionate while effectively dealing with patients who may range from very healthy to critically ill.
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Accreditation & Licensure
ACCREDITATION
CAHE’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program is accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
Accreditation is granted only after recommendation by CAAHEP’s Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS) based on a programmatic review and site visit. Recognition by CAAHEP qualifies the program’s graduates for eligibility to apply for and take the certification exam for the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).
CAAHEP
COMMISSION ON ACCREDITATION OF
ALLIED HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMS9355 – 113th ST. N, #7709
SEMINOLE, FL 33775727-210-2350
WWW.CAAHEP.ORGJRC-DMS
THE JOINT REVIEW COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION IN DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL SONOGRAPHY6021 UNIVERSITY BOULEVARD, SUITE 500
ELLIOT CITY, MD 21043443-973-3251
WWW.JRCDMS.ORGARDMS
THE AMERICAN REGISTRY FOR
DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL SONOGRAPHY1401 ROCKVILLE PIKE, SUITE 600
ROCKVILLE, MD 20852-1402301-738-840
WWW.ARDMS.ORG
Program Highlights
IN THIRD QUARTER
TWO TRACKS AVAILABLE FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL SONOGRAPHY PROGRAM:
A 22-month Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program at Center for Allied Health Education (CAHE) is a comprehensive course of study. Combining didactic, hands-on, and clinical components, the CAHE sonography program prepares students to become highly trained professionals in the field of sonography.
Clinical rotations are guaranteed in the respective specialties for each of the above tracks. While our students receive extensive clinical training in their respective track, in-class and laboratory coursework provides exposure to all four specialties, making them well-rounded in the field of Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
Graduates who enter the program without a degree will be awarded an Associate’s degree from an affiliated college, as well as a certificate from Center for Allied Health Education. Students who enter the program having previously achieved an Associate’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution will earn a Certificate of Completion from Center for Allied Health Education’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program.
Upon successful completion of the program and by meeting all financial obligations, graduates are eligible to submit an application to sit for the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS): the national certification exam for the field. While the Diagnostic Medical program curriculum prepares students to sit for the ARDMS national registry exam, there are no licensure requirements to begin work in this field within the state(s) where students are currently located. Click here for licensure requirements for all other states.
STUDENTS MUST MEET ALL OF THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS IN ORDER TO GRADUATE FROM THE PROGRAM:
- Have met all academic requirements
- Have met all clinical requirements and attain all required competencies
- Have returned their swipe card, ID card, etc.
- Meet all financial obligations
CAHE sonography students who have not fulfilled their graduation requirements have forty-two weeks from their originally scheduled graduation date to complete all missing graduation requirements.
A “C” average – an index (GPA) of 2.0 – is required for graduation.
ACCREDITATION
Program Information
- Program Overview
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Accreditation
ACCREDITATION
CAHE’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program is accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
Accreditation is granted only after recommendation by CAAHEP’s Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS) based on a programmatic review and site visit. Recognition by CAAHEP qualifies the program’s graduates for eligibility to apply for and take the certification exam for the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).
CAAHEP
COMMISSION ON ACCREDITATION OF
ALLIED HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMS9355 – 113th ST. N, #7709
SEMINOLE, FL 33775727-210-2350
WWW.CAAHEP.ORGJRC-DMS
THE JOINT REVIEW COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION IN DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL SONOGRAPHY6021 UNIVERSITY BOULEVARD, SUITE 500
ELLIOT CITY, MD 21043443-973-3251
WWW.JRCDMS.ORGARDMS
THE AMERICAN REGISTRY FOR
DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL SONOGRAPHY1401 ROCKVILLE PIKE, SUITE 600
ROCKVILLE, MD 20852-1402301-738-840
WWW.ARDMS.ORG - Mission & Goals
- Course Schedule
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Program Curriculum
Course Number Course Title Hours AHS 1110 Foundational Skills and Terminology for Healthcare Providers I 15 AHS 1210 Foundational Skills for Healthcare Providers II 10 BIO 1000 Anatomy and Physiology 60 BIO 1210 Cross-sectional Anatomy 30 ENG 1001 English 40 MAT 1001 Math 40 PHY 1001 Physics 40 DMS 1211 Abdominal Sonography I 20 DMS 1210L Abdominal Sonography I Lab 20 DMS 1221 Obstetric and Gynecologic Sonography I 20 DMS 1220L Obstetric and Gynecologic Sonography I Lab 20 DMS 1230 Sonographic Physics and Instrumentation I 65 ETH 1351 Ethics and Law in the Healthcare Professions 5 DMS 1310 Abdominal Sonography II 30 DMS 1310L Abdominal Sonography II Lab 20 DMS 1330 Sonographic Physics and Instrumentation II 65 DMS 1390 Clinical Education I 140 DMS 1421 Obstetric and Gynecologic Sonography II 30 DMS 1420L Obstetric and Gynecologic Sonography II Lab 20 DMS 1490 Clinical Education II 210 DMS 1440 Sonography of Superficial Structures (Elective) 20 DMS 1440L Sonography of Superficial Structure Lab (Elective) 20 DMS 1551 Quality Management and Operational Issues 5 DMS 1590 Clinical Education III 210 DMS 1570 Echocardiography I 20 DMS 1570L Echocardiography I Lab 20 DMS 1580 Vascular Ultrasound I 20 DMS 1580L Vascular Ultrasound I Lab 20 DMS 1690 Clinical Education IV 140 DMS 1751 Case Study Critiques 5 DMS 1770 Echocardiography II 30 DMS 1770L Echocardiography II Lab 20 DMS 1780 Vascular Ultrasound II 30 DMS 1780L Vascular Ultrasound II Lab 20 DMS 1801 Registry Review 5 -
Progression Policy
Progression Policy
A student must pass all courses in the program in order to graduate from the program.
A student must pass all courses in a quarter/quarter in order to progress to the next quarter/quarter in the program.
If a student fails one course in a quarter/quarter the following policy is in effect:
Progression Course: they face termination from the program. A progression course is defined as a course that is delineated as a pre-requisite course for a course in the following quarter/quarter. All required pre-requisite courses are listed in the Academic Policy as published in the Catalog Addendum.
Non-Progression Course: the course must be made up as per the Make-Up Policy published in the Institutional Catalog.
Diagnostic Medical Sonography program students are required to sit for the ARDMS Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) exam by the end of their fourth quarter in order to progress to their fifth quarter.
Comprehensive Exam:
A student who fails up to two didactic courses in a quarter may qualify for a comprehensive exam(s) for each of the failed courses. The results of the comprehensive exam(s) will determine the student’s requirements to meet the objectives of the failed course.Qualifying for a Comprehensive Exam
In order to qualify for a comprehensive exam a student’s course average must be a minimum grade of 65.Results of the Comprehensive Exam
90 to 100 – the student will be considered to have passed the course and will receive the minimum passing grade as their recorded score80 to 89 – the student will be required to complete an independent course of study that meets the objectives of the course. A learning contract will be signed by the student detailing the objective criteria they are required to complete. Once complete the minimum passing grade will be recorded as their score
79 or below – Progression Course: the student has failed the course. Non-Progression Course: the student will need to make-up the course as per the Make-Up Policy as published in the Institutional Catalog
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Grading Scale
Letter Grade Numerical Equivalent Quality Points Legend A 90-100 4.0 Excellent B+ 85-89 3.5 Very Good B 80-84 3.0 Very Good C+ 75-79 2.5 Satisfactory C 70-74 2.0 Satisfactory D 65-69 1.0 Unsatisfactory F 0-64 0 Failure P – – Pass TF – – Transfer Credits INC – 0 Incomplete W – – Official Withdrawal FW – 0 Failure due to Unofficial Withdrawal FT – 0 Failure due to Termination - Program Outcomes
- Alumni Spotlight
