About Our Sonography Program

• Program: Diagnostic Medical Sonography
• Pathway: Health Science

Diagnostic Medical Sonography by the Numbers

• 2.5: minimum GPA to be eligible to apply
• 12: maximum number of applicants accepted each application period (based on clinical availability)
• 24: semester hours of prerequisite courses to be completed before starting the program
• 65: credit hours to earn the Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Diagnostic Medical Sonography
• 41: credit hours to earn a Level 2 Certificate
• $7,335: approximate cost of the A.A.S. program for a legal resident of Tarrant County

Our Mission

To graduate well-trained, compassionate, entry-level general and vascular sonographers who demonstrate the ability to think critically, communicate effectively and positively contribute to the care of others.

Our Goals

The program goals are: To prepare entry-level sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains for Abdominal sonography – Extended, Obstetrics and gynecology sonography, and Vascular sonography.

Our Learning Outcomes

After completing Diagnostic Medical Sonography, our students will be:

• Educationally prepared as an entry-level sonographer for professional practice
• Clinically competent as an entry-level sonographer for professional practice
• Prepared to demonstrate competency through certification by a nationally recognized credentialing organization for the abdomen, obstetrics and gynecology, and vascular examinations

How Our Program Works

Applicants

The number of applicants we accept is based upon clinical availability.

We currently accept 12 students each fall.

Time Commitment

The program is a full-time commitment.

Plan to spend 3 hours of study per 1 hour of lecture for didactic courses.

Associate of Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.)

You must be able to commit to 22 continuous months to complete 65 credit hours.

Level 2 Certificate

If you currently hold a registry with the ARRT in radiography, nuclear medicine or radiation therapy, you enter the program by applying for the Level 2 Certificate.

You must be able to commit to 22 continuous months to complete 41 credit hours.

For the Level 2 Certificate, you complete the 5 semesters of the program, but you do not have to take the prerequisite courses as long as you took them during your radiology training, and they are listed on your transcript.

If eligible for our Level 2 Certificate, you need to qualify for acceptance into our Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program and complete our 41-credit hour program.

Schedule

The Monday-through-Friday schedule consists of both didactic, classroom instruction and practicum coursework. 

The schedule of class days and practicum days varies each semester.

Practicum

The practicum schedule consists of 8-hour shifts that can start as early as 6 a.m. and end as late as 9 p.m.

You must be able to attend practicum hours:

• Two (2) 7-hour days per week during the first semester
• Three (3) 8-hour days per week every other semester

Grades

You are required to earn a minimum grade of 78 percent on all program-specific courses. The recognized minimum passing grade is 78 percent (or "C"). You must pass each course by earning a grade of 78 percent to progress to the next semester in the program.

If you do not meet this minimum requirement, it is your responsibility to drop or withdraw.

You will receive an "F" for any grade you earn that is below 78 percent.

Cost

Approximate cost of the A.A.S. program for a legal resident of Tarrant County: $7,335

See a detailed Cost Analysis of our Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program.

Contact

Updated July 15, 2024