Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Career Associate of Science

Associate of Science Career-Degree Programs

The mission of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program at Albany State University is to graduate competent, capable and adaptable entry-level sonographers who possess appropriate levels of skill, professionalism, and compassion with a commitment to the highest quality of patient care.

Accreditation

Date of Initial Accreditation: March, 2017

Accreditation Cycle: March, 2017 – March, 2022

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS). The JRC-DMS sets forth standards to guide the program towards high levels of quality education and patient safety. The JRC-DMS and CAAHEP Board of Directors recognize the program’s substantial compliance with the nationally established accreditation standards. 

CAAHEP
Address: 9355 - 113th St. N, #7709 
Seminole, FL 33775
Telephone: (727)-210-2350
Website: https://www.caahep.org

JRC-DMS
Address: 6021 University Boulevard, Suite 500
Ellicott City, MD 21043
Telephone: (443) 973-3251
Website: http://jrcdms.org/index.htm

Legal Limitations

Individuals who have a criminal record may not be eligible for licensure. Therefore, it is recommended that they contact the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) to verify eligibility for licensure. All students will be required to complete a national criminal background check prior to placement in clinical practicums. Clinical facilities also require a drug screen prior to placement. The clinical affiliate determines whether a student can participate in the clinical rotation based upon the results of the background check and drug screen. Should the student be denied clinical placement, they cannot progress through the program and will be dismissed. Careful consideration of any questionable record should be carefully scrutinized prior to application, as eligibility for licensure is at the discretion of the ARDMS.

ARDMS website: www.ardms.org

Clinical Obligations and Acceptance

If accepted, students will have a clinical component of the program to complete. Clinical placement is equally distributed among students. Although the majority of the clinical component is carried out during day time hours, less than 25% of the total clinical assignments will be during evening and/or weekend hours. Program clinical locations are mainly located outside the city limits, and all expenses associated with travel are the student’s responsibility. Additionally, clinical affiliates require drug screens (initial and random), criminal background checks, periodic tuberculosis skin tests and specific vaccinations. If the student is placed in a facility requiring any/all of these items, the cost will be the student’s responsibility. Documentation of all immunizations and vaccinations will be collected prior to the start of clinical observations. Failure to provide this documentation will prevent the student from being allowed to attend clinical settings. These absences will be unexcused and may lead to the student’s dismissal from the program.

Re-admission of Returning Students

If a final grade of lower than a 75 is made in any DMSP course, the student will be dismissed from the program, however, the student may apply for re-admission to the program in the fall and re-enter the program beginning with the first course offered (DMSP 1100), if the space is available. Availability is based on the number of clinical sites and qualified applicants.

If the student makes a final grade of lower than a 75 in the same DMSP course or another DMSP course after re-entering the program, the student will then be permanently dismissed from the program, without the option for re-admission.

Application Deadline

Completed application forms must be RECEIVED NO LATER THAN JUNE 1, of each year. The application is completed only when all the information requested is received. Students are responsible for making sure their application is complete.

Procedures and Requirements for Admission into the DMS Program

To be considered for admission into the Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) program, the applicant must:

1. Be admitted to Albany State University
   • You may apply on-line at https://www.asurams.edu/admissions/how-to-apply/
   • Please do not send the ASU application or fee to the DMS Program. The two application processes are separate, no additional fee is required when submitting the DMS Program application.
2. Submit the completed DMS application by the June 1 deadline
   The student must complete a Diagnostic Medical Sonography application by the June 1 deadline for fall admission. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure all application material has been completed by utilizing the checklist at the end of the application.
   • Must include an Observational Hours Form verifying a minimum of 30 observational hours in a Diagnostic Medical Sonography setting (located in application packet).
   • Must include at least one Recommendation Form (located in application packet).
   • Must include copies of all transcripts from previous colleges/universities or technical schools.
   • Must include documentation of previous work experience in an allied health field and any previous certificates or degrees (if applicable).
3. Must ensure the applicant meets the following minimum requirements
   1. Must complete a minimum of 30 observational hours of experience in one or more Diagnostic Medical Sonography settings. This excludes 3D/4D ultrasound facilities.
      • The hours must be documented and verified/signed by the Sonographer observing.
      • An Observational Hours Form is located within the application packet.
   2. At least one recommendation form must be completed by the Sonographer observing. The required Recommendation Form is located within the application packet and may be photocopied for additional recommendations.
   3. A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) (all previous coursework attempted) of 2.5 is required. Pre-requisite courses must be completed prior to the start of the program with a grade of “C” or better.

Please send Application & Document Submission to:

Health Sciences Division – ASU West Campus
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program
Attention: Application Coordinator
2400 Gillionville Rd.
Albany, GA 31707-3098

DMS Program Telephone: 229-500-2235.
Health Sciences office is located in building J, Office 210
Health Sciences Telephone: 229-500-2239

Selection Process

After the June 1 deadline, the DMS Selection Committee reviews and scores each application. Applications will be processed and all applicants will be contacted via email no later than June 15. The top 20 applicants will be sent an invitation via email for a personal interview. Scoring is based on the following criteria:

• prerequisite course completion,
• prerequisite and cumulative GPA,
• the number of hours observed in one or more diagnostic medical sonography settings,
• the personal interview, and
• appropriate recommendations received.

After completion of interviews, the top 16 applicants will be selected. Correspondence of acceptance or regret will be made through email and should be received no later than July 12. Selected students must confirm their intent to enroll in writing (via e-mail) within 10 days of their acceptance e-mail. A student that fails to respond in the appropriate time will forfeit their position. The Darton College of Health Professions DMS program does not utilize a waiting list and those denied acceptance must reapply the following year.

Consideration and additional points may be given to those students whom have:

1. Provided documentation of a degree in a Health Science Field, Science or Biology.
2. Provided documentation of a certificate in a health care area that is directly related to patient care.
3. Provided documentation of work experience in a health care environment that is directly related to patient care. Documentation of work experience:
   1. Must be on company letter head and signed by immediate supervisor.
   2. A minimum of 6 months’ work experience.
   3. Provide a description of job duties that demonstrate hands on patient experience.

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Humanities requirement may be met by taking any literature or appreciation course in the Humanities Area of the Core IMPACTS.

Depending on your enrollment status, you may be required to take ASU 1101, “First Year Experience.”