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Career Information
The Diagnostic Medical Sonographer provides the supervising physician with diagnostic medical images and physiologic data by use of high frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to produce dynamic visual images of organs, tissues, or blood flow inside the body.
Sonographers have extensive, direct patient contact that may include performing some invasive procedures. They must be able to interact compassionately and effectively with people who range from healthy to critically ill. Sonographers must be able to communicate and collaborate with physicians and other members of the healthcare team to provide the highest quality patient care.
The Department of Biomedical and Radiologic Technologies offers a bachelor of science in radiologic sciences degree program with a major in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. College students with no previous healthcare credentials may transfer 60 semester hours of liberal arts courses (junior transfer) to complete pre-requisite coursework.
The diagnostic medical sonographer uses diagnostic high frequency sound waves to provide the supervising physician with medical images and information. The sonographer applies human anatomy and pathophysiology principles to assess the patient and provide diagnostic information and images for interpretation and treatment planning. Responsibilities may include image production through patient positioning and operation of clinical instrumentation, patient care, quality control, technical assistance with interventional procedures, image manipulation and processing, and providing preliminary technical assessment of sonographic images.
Graduates are eligible to sit for the certification exams of their disciplines up satisfactory completion of their program. The sonography physics and instrumentation, abdomen, and obstretrics and gynecology registries may be taken prior to full program completion.
Skills and Interests Suited to a Career in Diagnostic Medical Sonography
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This field requires technical and math/science proficiency, computer literacy, self-motivation, empathy, emotional stability, people skills and a strong work ethic. Graduates work directly with patients to obtain diagnostic information.
Employment opportunities are abundant and varied for qualified diagnostic medical sonographers. Increasing demand for sonographic services has provided many job opportunities in various service divisions of hospitals and medical clinics, physicians’ offices, public health institutions and research facilities.
Diagnostic medical sonographers earn mean entry-level salaries of $40,000- $49,000 with a baccalaureate degree.
Depending on responsibilities, location, and employer, the median salary for sonographers is $62,000 per year.
- Application Deadline: March 1 - Fall Entry
Applications and supporting materials received after the program deadline will be considered on a space‐available basis only.
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Minimum Coursework Requirements and Official Transcripts: Prior to enrollment, the applicant must have completed 60 semester hours of Course Prerequisites at another accredited college or university. An overall grade point average of at least 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) on all previous college work is required for consideration.
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Official transcripts: Official transcripts are required from all colleges ever attended. Transcripts should be mailed to GHSU’s OAA directly from the Registrar’s office of the institution. Applicants may also deliver or mail official transcripts to GHSU’s OAA if the transcript remains in the original, unopened, sealed and stamped/signed envelope from the Registrar’s office at the institution.
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Transcript/credential evaluation of foreign transcripts: An official, professional course‐by‐course evaluation is required for all foreign educational transcripts and documents from one of the following three credentials evaluation services: Josef Silny & Associates, Inc., World Education Services (WES), Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE).
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Two Letters of recommendation with Reference Form: A Reference form along with a letter of recommendation must be submitted from each referee. Referees should be individuals qualified to assess applicant’s prior academic, work, research and/or clinical experience as applicable.
Program Supplemental Form
- TOEFL exam scores: Minimum score of 550 paper‐based, 213 computer-based, or 79 Internet-based.
Official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) test scores are required for applicants whose first language is not English. The institution code for submission of TOEFL scores to GHSU is 5406. Please do not select a department code.
Program Specific Requirements
- Personal interview: The most qualified applicants will be invited for a personal interview with members of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Admissions Committee.
- Health Occupations Basic Entry Test (HOBET): During the scheduled interview, the applicant will complete the HOBET. If the student has taken the HOBET within 12 months prior to the interview date, those scores can be used if they are officially transferred to GHSU.
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Eight hours of professional job shadowing documented on facility letterhead are required before attending an interview and preferably before the admission deadline.
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Certifications: A current CPR and first aid certification are required before a student begins classes in the DMS program.
Admission Recommendation
- An overall grade point average and math/science grade point average of at least 2.8 (on a 4.0 scale) on all previous college work is recommended
In addition to demonstrating personal characteristics appropriate for a health professions career, students must satisfy general and specific technical standards. Visit www.georgiahealth.edu/sah/brt/dms/standards.html to review these requirements.
GHSU participates in all federal student aid programs as well as state and private programs. GHSU helps students fund their education through grants or scholarships, loans, a service commitment program and/or employment.
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
1361 Park Street
Clearwater, FL 33756
727-210-2350
Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography
6021 University Boulevard, Suite 500
Ellicott City, MD 21043
443-973-3251
For best chance of acceptance, apply during the fall preceding the fall in which admission is sought. ALL application materials should be in GHSU’s Office of Academic Admissions by March 1. Applications completed after this date are considered on a space-available basis. Complete applications include the application, references, official academic materials, documentation of shadowing hours and documentation of professional certifications, if applicable. If invited to interview the HOBET assessment will be completed during the scheduled interview. Documentation of current CPR and First Aid certification is required upon enrollment.
Apply online at www.georgiahealth.edu/Admissions, or contact:
Office of Academic Admissions
170 Kelly Building–Administration
Georgia Health Sciences University
Augusta, Georgia 30912
Telephone: 706-721-2725
800-519-3388
E-mail: Admissions@georgiahealth.edu
Courses to Take the First Two Years
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The courses required to graduate from GHSU comprise a core curriculum divided into six categories (A-F). Options for completing these prerequisites for transfer to GHSU:
| A. Essential Skills |
9 semester hours |
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| English Composition I |
3 hours |
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| English Composition II |
3 hours |
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| (literature-based) |
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College Algebra, Mathematical Modeling,
Trigonometry, Pre-calculus or Calculus |
3 hours |
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| B. Institutional Options** |
4-5 semester hours |
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Introduction to Computers
Critical Thinking
Creative Writing
Ethics
Health and Wellness
Statistics
Economics
Speech
Medical Terminology
Any approved guided elective from Area F |
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| C. Humanities and Fine Arts** |
6 semester hours |
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Ethics
Foreign Language
Speech, Oral Communications
Literature
Philosophy
Drama, Art or Music Appreciation
Logic
Electives in Humanities and Fine Arts
Religion |
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| D. Science, Mathematics and Technology |
10-11 semester hours |
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| One eight-hour laboratory course sequence in chemistry, biology or physics and an additional course in science, mathematics or technology |
| E. Social Science** |
12 semester hours |
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U.S. History
U.S. Government
Other History
Economics
Psychology
Sociology
Anthropology
Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups
Lower-division electives in Psychology and Sociology |
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| F. Courses Appropriate to the Major |
18 semester hours |
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| Anatomy and Physiology I and II w/labs |
8 hours |
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| Physics w/lab* |
4 hours |
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| Guided electives |
6-10 hours |
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| Math, Science, Computers, Business Management, Education, Health Professions, Speech, Statistics. |
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* If this is taken in another area of the core, the hours would be taken in additional guided electives
** If a student planning to transfer to GHSU from another school in the University System of Georgia has completed this area with courses taken there or at another institution from which GHSU accepts transfer credit, GHSU will accept the area as satisfied. A student planning to transfer from a school not in the University System of Georgia should choose from the list of courses.
Estimated Full-Time Academic Expenses
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For estimated tuition and fees, please see the Tuition and Fees section of this catalog.
