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Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Associate in Applied Science

Overview

Program Outcomes

Essential Functions of a Sonographer

Virtual Career Shadowing Via the Internet

Career Assessment Form

Schedule of DMS Classes

Narrative

With America's growing and aging population, the healthcare sector continues to offer growth in employment opportunities. Sonography is a key part of today's advanced medical practices, and qualified sonography graduates from Northampton find good-paying, flexible and rewarding positions throughout the country.

Completion of the program requirements of Northampton's Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree allows the graduate the opportunity to sit for the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographer's (ARDMS) examination.

NCC's sonography program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) in collaboration with the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS).

Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)

25400 U.S. Highway 19 North, Suite 158

Clearwater, FL 33763

Phone: (727) 210-2350

Fax: (727) 210-2354

www.caahep.org

Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography

6021 University Blvd, Suite 500

Ellicott, MD 21043

Phone: (443) 973-3251

Fax: (866) 738-3444

www.jrcdms.org

magat@jrcdms.org

Mission Statement

The mission of Northampton's Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program is to provide a quality and comprehensive education in general sonography in a learner-centered environment. The graduates will have the knowledge and skills needed to perform quality sonograms. The graduates will serve as integral members of the health care team by contributing to the diagnosis of the patient's illness. The program will instill in its graduates an understanding of diversity and cultural differences, empathy, and good communication skills. The graduates will be able to critically think and problem solve in order to meet the required examination protocol and technical needs on atypical patients. The graduates will embrace the concept that learning is a life-long experience in order to maintain currency in the dynamic field of sonography.

Program Goals

To produce graduates:

  • To prepare competent entry level general sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.
  • with a broad knowledge base that enables them to embrace life-long learning.
  • who are able to adapt to ever-changing technology in the health care industry.
  • who are competent to pass the certification examination.
  • who meet or exceed the needs of their employers.

Deadlines

To receive primary consideration, completed applications must be submitted by February 1. Applications received after this date will be reviewed on a space-available basis.

Contact the Admissions Office at 610-861-5500 for further information.

Upon Acceptance into the Sonography Program

The Admissions Office will mail to each student, accepted into the program, a form to be completed for criminal background clearance, and a health form for a complete physical examination. The program will ask for written verification that the essential functions/technical standards can be met.

Associate in Applied Science Degree

This program is designed for the individual without an Allied Health background.

Features

The Associate in Applied Science Degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography at NCC is a 24-month competency-based program beginning in the fall semester of each year. This program is designed for the individual without an Allied Health background. Practice in scanning and instrumentation is done in the lab facility on NCC's campus. The clinical education component of the program is conducted at various clinical affiliates in the Lehigh Valley, Poconos, Bucks County, and New Jersey. There are approximately 1560 hours of clinical education.

Career Potential: Sonographer (RDMS), Echocardiographer (RDCS), Vascular Technologist (RVT)

Transfer Potential: Thomas Jefferson University, Misercordia University and Adventist University of Health Sciences.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the program is on a competitive basis. The minimum admission requirements to the program include:

  • Completion of high school or GED equivalent
  • Completion of high school biology with a lab component with a grade of B or better OR BIOS115
  • Completion of 2 units of high school algebra with C or better OR MATH022 and MATH026 OR MATH028 with a C or better
  • Submission of an application
  • Submission of all official transcripts
  • Completion of a Career Assessment Form (CAF)
  • Minimum overall GPA of 3.0
  • Competitive applicants will be interviewed by the program admission committee

Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission into the Sonography Program. Primary consideration will be given to applicants who have completed:

  • College Algebra, Human Anatomy I & II with a B or better the first time a course is taken
  • The general education courses that apply to the program

Courses

Fall Semester

BIOS204Human Anatomy & Physiology I

4 credits

DMSG101Essentials of Patient Care

2 credits

DMSG102Intro to Diagnostic Medical Sono graphy

1 credits

DMSG103Intro to Acoustical Physics

2 credits

DMSG104Intro to Clinical Education

1 credits

DMSG125Sect Anatomy for Med Imagers

1 credits

ENGL101English I

3 credits

MATH140College Algebra

3 credits

Total Credit Hours:17

Spring Semester

BIOS254Human Anatomy & Physiology II

4 credits

DMSG105Acoustic Physics & Instrument I

2 credits

DMSG110Abdominal Sonography-A&P, I&C I

4 credits

DMSG115OB&GYN Sonography-A&P, I&C I

4 credits

DMSG124Clinical Education I

2 credits

Total Credit Hours:16

Summer Sessions

DMSG174Clinical Education II

2 credits

Elective

3 credits

Total Credit Hours:5

Fall Semester

CMTH102Speech Communication

3 credits

DMSG155Acoustic Physics & Instrument II

3 credits

DMSG160Abdominal Sonography-A&P, I&C II

4 credits

DMSG163Fundamentals of Fetal Scanning

1 credits

DMSG224Clinical Education III

2 credits

ENGL151LEnglish II

3 credits

Total Credit Hours:16

Spring Semester

DMSG165OB&GYN Sonography-A&P, I&C II

4 credits

DMSG215GSmall Parts and Special Topics

2 credits

DMSG234Clinical Education IV

3 credits

DMSG235Intro to Vascular Sonography

2 credits

PSYC103Introduction to Psychology

3 credits

Social Science: Societies and Institutions over Time Elective (SIT)

3 credits

Total Credit Hours:17

Summer Sessions

DMSG244Clinical Education V

3 credits

Total Credit Hours: 74

  • Human Anatomy and Physiology I is substituted for one of the Human Knowledge courses.
  • Computer competencies are included in various courses in this program. Thus, completing the program automatically satisfies the computing requirement for this program.