Semester Requirements

http://www.rit.edu/healthsciences/undergraduate-programs/diagnostic-medical-sono...

Program overview

Diagnostic medical sonography is a noninvasive, nontoxic diagnostic medical imaging modality in which high-frequency sound waves are used to produce images of many different areas of the human body. Ultrasound is readily used to image the heart, blood flow, and abdominal organs as well as the developing fetus and male/female reproductive organs. The profession has grown rapidly in the last 20 years and is expected to continue to grow over the next several decades. Evaluation of the job market and a survey of employers indicate a strong demand for well-trained sonographers.

The program prepares students to be leaders in the field of ultrasound. Skills in administration and research are emphasized in addition to the development of scanning and diagnostic abilities. Students apply their theoretical knowledge and practice their skills in our dedicated ultrasound laboratory before their clinical internship. Upon successful completion of the program requirements, students are eligible to take a national certifying examination for abdominal, small parts, obstetrical, and gynecological ultrasound. Each candidate is also introduced to vascular ultrasound.

Graduates are prepared to pursue a variety of career options, nationally and internationally, in medical, industrial, and educational settings. Our graduates can be found in a wide range of positions, including supervisory and administrative, in hospitals, clinics, private physicians’ offices, teaching, research, sales, and industry. Graduates also can choose to work as freelance sonographers or for mobile services.

Curriculum

The BS degree is typically a four-year program, including a clinical internship, unless the student has transfer credit from another institution. Those holding associate degrees may be able to complete the BS degree in two years; additional course work may be required. Contact the program director for further information on BS degree requirements.

Clinical internship

The clinical internship year (completed with a 20 percent tuition discount) provides hands-on experience at two or more approved medical facilities. (Students can complete their clinical internships in western New York or at any approved regional or national medical ultrasound facility.) All students begin the internship by attending an intensive five-week experience on campus. During this time, they learn how to perform complete sonographic examinations and to recognize anatomy and disease states using equipment in the ultrasound laboratory. Students also learn about hospital departmental and administrative operations. After completing the requirements, candidates are assigned to a medical training site for clinical experience. At the medical facility, students work side by side with sonographers, physicians, and other health care professionals to learn, develop, apply, and sharpen the necessary skills to perform general ultrasound examinations. The students’ clinical progress and performance are monitored by the program’s clinical coordinator and program director, who make periodic visits to the clinical internship sites. Additionally, students return to campus each month for three days of lectures, presentations, projects, and testing.

Accreditation

The program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography of the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.

Diagnostic medical sonography (general ultrasound), BS degree, typical course sequence (semesters), effective fall 2013

Please see New General Education Curriculum–Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) for more information.

(WI) Refers to a writing intensive course within the major.

* Please see Wellness Education Requirement for more information.