Diagnostic Medical Sonography, A.S.

Program Code: 3306

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (DMS) use ultrasound to produce images and data that assist health care professionals in diagnosing various diseases. Physicians depend on the sonographer’s assistance with interpretation of the images to evaluate anatomy and pathology. The diagnostic medical sonographer provides patient care while exercising individual thought, judgment and discretion in the performance of ultrasound examinations.

The DMS Program is conducted in cooperation with the local and regional hospitals and imaging centers. The Program combines classroom theory and laboratory experiences to provide a balance of interesting and informative courses, which sets the stage for the students’ clinical competencies.

Accreditation
The Abdomen-Extended and Obstetrics & Gynecology DMS Program at Santa Fe College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Joint Review on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS) jrcdms.org.

CAAHEP location and contact information: 9355 113th Street N. #7709, Seminole, FL 33775. The phone number is 727-210-2350, caahep.org.

JRC-DMS location and contact information: 6021 University Blvd., Suite 500, Ellicott City, MD 21043. The phone number is 443-973-3251, jrcdms.org.

Licensure and Certification
Successful completion of all degree requirements may provide you eligibility to take the multiple specialty sonography exams offered by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers. You may also qualify to take the exam specializing in Sonography offered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.

If you are a student who resides outside of Florida, or plan to relocate outside of Florida, Santa Fe College has made the determination that this degree program or curriculum only meets educational requirements for professional licensure in the state of Florida. Please contact the Licensure Board in your state to determine whether this program or curriculum will meet any licensure requirements.

Requirements for Admission
Please note that program prerequisite courses have changed. Carefully review the following information to ensure your application to the Program satisfies the posted requirements.

The following prerequisite requirements must be completed in order to apply to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program:

Possess a 3.0 or higher overall college GPA.
Complete the following prerequisite coursework with a grade of “C” or better:
- BSC2085/L Anatomy and Physiology I with lab
- BSC2086/L Anatomy and Physiology II with lab
- ENC1101 College Composition
Choose one of the following Physics courses (PHY course substitutions are possible. Contact a Health Sciences advisor):
- PHY1020
- PHY2048
- PHY1007
- PHY2004
- PHY2053
*Choose one of the following Math courses:
- MAC1105 College Algebra
- MGF1130 Mathematical Thinking
- STA2023 Statistics
Choose one of the following Social/Behavioral Sciences courses:
- AMH2020 US History Since 1877
- POS2041 American National Government
- AMH2010 US History To 1877
Choose one of the following Humanities/Fine Arts courses:
- ARH1000 Art Appreciation
- HUM2020 Introduction to Humanities
- LIT1000 Literature Appreciation
- MUL1010 Music Appreciation
- PHI2010 Introduction to Philosophy
- THE1000 Theater Appreciation

*Successful completion of MGF1106 and/or MGF1107 prior to the 2024-2025 academic year may be used to satisfy the mathematics core in lieu of MGF1130.

All transcripts and coursework must be evaluated and accepted by Santa Fe College prior to the application date in order to qualify for application.

To help protect patients and students, upon acceptance to a Health Science Program, all students must undergo state and federal background checks and show proof of certain immunizations and negative drug screenings as required by clinical affiliates. Students will be provided instructions to complete these tasks at the appropriate time. For more information regarding the application process, please visit the “Before You Apply” webpage.

For more information on program specific expectations and to view the Allied Health Student Handbook, please visit the “Prospective and Current Students” webpage.

See Application Dates and Deadlines and closely review other requirements Before You Apply.

Program Goals Statement
To prepare competent entry-level sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains for the following concentration(s) it offers: Abdominal Sonography - Extended, Obstetrics and Gynecology Sonography.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students will utilize written and oral communication skills effectively with classmates, instructors, patients, sonographers, and physicians.
Students will exhibit critical thinking and problem-solving skills and sonographic practices.
Students will demonstrate clinical competency in the practice of general sonography.
Students will demonstrate professionalism.

Performance Standards
The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program (DMS) is a practice discipline with cognitive, sensory, affective and psychomotor performance requirements. Based on these requirements, the following list of Program Performance Standards has been developed. Each standard has an example of activities which a student will be required to perform, with or without an accommodation, while enrolled in the DMS program. The Program Performance Standards should be used as a guide to assist applicants in determining whether or not accommodations or modifications are necessary in order to meet program participation requirements. Applicants who identify potential difficulties with meeting the Program Performance Standards should communicate their concerns to the Academic Chair for Allied Health Programs. If the concern is related to a documented disability, applicants are responsible for contacting the Disabilities Resource Center. Determination of reasonable and appropriate accommodation will be made on an individual basis in consultation with the Disabilities Resource Center. Additionally, applicants should assess their aptitude and ability to perform professional duties by reviewing the Program Performance Standards below and discussing them with their healthcare provider.

Critical Thinking
Standard: Critical thinking sufficient for clinical judgment. Possess satisfactory intellectual and emotional functions to exercise independent judgment and discretion in the safe technical performance of medical imaging.
Example: Handle multiple priorities and apply reasoning and evaluation skills.

Interpersonal
Standard: Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with individuals, families and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural and intellectual backgrounds.
Example: Display patience, empathy and concern for others. Deal with fear and hostility in a calm manner. Work with others in stressful situations.

Communication
Standard: Communication abilities sufficient for interaction with others in prompt, coherent and concise manner. Must be able to follow spontaneous verbal and/or written instructions. Must understand and speak the language fluently enough to exchange ideas, follow directions and covey detailed instructions to others accurately, loudly and quickly. In the sterile role, communicate the identity of items such as drugs, implants and special instrumentation. Able to accurately document pertinent information.
Example: Communicate needs in a prompt, clear and concise manner. Accurately document pertinent information.

Mobility
Standard: Physical abilities sufficient to move independently from room to room and through hallways; maneuver in small places. Must be able to bend, crouch, squat, kneel, balance, reach above head, twist at waist. Must be able to sit and/or walk for extended periods of time.
Example: Respond promptly to the patient’s needs, manipulate equipment, lift a minimum of 30lbs, push/pull mobile equipment weighing up to 300lbs; participate as a team member of four in moving a 150 pound incapacitated patient; ensure patient safety.

Tactile and Motor Skills
Standard: Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to safely and effectively perform job tasks and respond to patient needs.
Example: Ability to grasp, hold, grip, seize, turn or otherwise manipulate equipment with hands.

Hearing
Standard: Auditory ability sufficient to monitor and assess health needs.
Example: Detect and evaluate the sounds of advanced monitors and alarms; monitor patients and communication verbally with patients and other health care providers.

Visual
Standard: Visual ability sufficient for observation and assessment necessary in DMS.
Example: Observe and monitor patients, manipulate equipment and evaluate recordings of sound waves and other metabolic graphic quality recordings in full and dimmed light.

Program Length, Format, and Curriculum
The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program spans five semesters with courses meeting in a variety of formats to include: on-campus, online, and virtually. In addition, students will conduct clinical internships at hospitals throughout the state of Florida.

The program is academically rigorous and requires students to be available Monday thru Friday 8am - 4:30pm

The program is a total of 80 credit hours, including prerequisite requirements. Program core courses: 57 credit hours. Pre-requisite courses: 23 credit hours.

The Technical courses must be taken as a cohort in the order indicated below. The prerequisite requirements listed in “Requirements for Admission” may be taken in any order based on course offerings.

Term 1 Spring (14 credit hours)