Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Allied Health & Sciences
Degree awarded: Associate in Applied Science
Specialized Diploma awarded
Essential Functions of a Sonographer
Virtual Career Shadowing Via the Internet
Program 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 or the Specialized Diploma in Diagnostic Medical Sonography 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
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.
Program 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 1360 hours of clinical education.
Program 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 BIOS 115
- Completion of 2 units of high school algebra with C or better OR MATH 022 and MATH 026 OR MATH 028 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
Specialized Diploma
This program is designed for the individual with an Allied Health background.
Program Features
The Specialized Diploma in Diagnostic Medical Sonography at NCC is a part-time 18-month competency-based program beginning in the spring semester of each year. 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 1360 hours of clinical education.
Program 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
- Allied Health background
- Submission of an application
- Submission of all official transcripts
- Minimum overall GPA of 3.0
- MATH 140 College Algebra
- DMSG 103 Introduction to Acoustical Physics
- DMSG 101 Fundamentals of Sonography
- Human Anatomy & Physiology I & II (BIOS 204 & BIOS 254)
- Communication skills: ENGL 101 English I and CMTH 102 Speech Communications
- CISC 101 Introduction to Computers or three, one credit courses through OE/OE (OFAD 141, 142, 143)
- 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
Program Outcomes
Quantitative Outcomes
To produce graduates who:
- have a broad knowledge base
- pass their certification examination
Measured through the following benchmarks: student retention rate, student attrition rate, course completion rate, program completion rate, graduation rate, credentialing examination pass rate, job placement and patterns of employment.
Qualitative outcomes:
To produce graduates who:
- are proficient entry-level general diagnostic medical sonographers.
- have good patient skills.
- protect themselves, peers and co-workers, and patients from communicable diseases.
- adapt to change.
- meet or exceed the needs of their employers.
Measured through the following benchmarks: clinical performance and clinical competency evaluation, problem solving and critical thinking skills, communication skills, professional development and growth, graduate satisfaction, and employer satisfaction.
Diagnostic Medical Sonography,Associate in Applied Science Degree
| Course Code | Course Title |
Credits
|
| Fall Semester | ||
| BIOS 204 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I |
4
|
| DMSG 101 | Fundamentals of Sonography |
2
|
| DMSG 103 | Introduction to Acoustical Physics |
2
|
| ENGL 101C | English I |
3
|
| MATH 140 | College Algebra |
3
|
| ------------ | Elective |
3
|
|
17
|
||
| Spring Semester | ||
| BIOS 254 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II |
4
|
| DMSG 105 | Acoustic Physics and Instrumentation I |
2
|
| DMSG 110 | Abdominal Sonography - Anatomy, Physiology, Imaging and Critique |
4
|
| DMSG 115 | Obstetrical and Gynecological Sonography - Anatomy, Physiology, Imaging, and Critique I |
4
|
| DMSG 120 | Clinical Practice I |
3
|
| DMSG 125 | Sectional Anatomy for Sectional Imagers |
1
|
|
18
|
||
| Summer Sessions | ||
| DMSG 170 | Clinical Practice II |
3
|
| Fall Semester | ||
| CMTH 102 | Speech Communication |
3
|
| DMSG 160 | Abdominal Sonography - Anatomy, Physiology, Imaging and Critique II |
4
|
| DMSG 155 | Acoustic Physics and Instrumentation II |
3
|
| DMSG 220 | Clinical Practice III |
3
|
| ENGL 151C | English II |
3
|
|
16
|
||
| Spring Semester | ||
| DMSG 165 | Obstetrical and Gynecological Sonography - Anatomy, Physiology, Imaging, and Critique II |
4
|
| DMSG 215G | Small Parts and Special Topics |
2
|
| DMSG 230 | Clinical Practice IV |
3
|
| PSYC 103 | Introduction to Psychology |
3
|
| ----------- | Social Science: Societies and Institutions over Time Elective (SIT) |
3
|
|
15
|
||
| Summer Sessions | ||
| DMSG 240 | Clinical Practice V |
5
|
| Total Credits |
74
|
- Human Anatomy and Physiology I is substituted for one of the Human Knowledge courses.
Specialized Diploma
| Course Code | Course Title |
Credits
|
| Spring Semester | ||
| DMSG 105 | Acoustic Physics and Instrumentation I |
2
|
| DMSG 110 | Abdominal Sonography - Anatomy, Physiology, Imaging and Critique I |
4
|
| DMSG 115 | Obstetrical and Gynecological Sonography - Anatomy, Physiology, Imaging, and Critique I |
4
|
| DMSG 120 | Clinical Practice I |
3
|
| DMSG 125 | Sectional Anatomy for Medical Imagers |
1
|
|
14
|
||
| Summer Sessions | ||
| DMSG 170 | Clinical Practice II |
3
|
| Fall Semester | ||
| DMSG 155 | Acoustic Physics and Instrumentation II |
3
|
| DMSG 160 | Abdominal Sonography Anatomy, Physiology, Imaging and Critique II |
4
|
| DMSG 220 | Clinical Practice III |
3
|
|
10
|
||
| Spring Semester | ||
| DMSG 165 | Obstetrical and Gynecological Sonography - Anatomy, Physiology, Imaging, and Critique II |
4
|
| DMSG 215G | Small Parts and Special Topics |
2
|
| DMSG 230 | Clinical Practice IV |
3
|
|
9
|
||
| Summer Sessions | ||
| DMSG 240 | Clinical Practice V |
5
|
| Total Credits |
41
|
|
Career Potential: Sonographer (RDMS), Echocardiographer (RDCS), Vascular Technologist (RVT)
Transfer Potential: Thomas Jefferson University, Misercordia University and Florida Hospital College of Health Science