Sonography - DMIS.AS

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Sonography is a rapidly growing technology, used to locate, evaluate, and record pertinent anatomical, pathological, and functional data to aid the physician in the diagnosis of disease and injury. The graduate of this program may be employed in a wide variety of health care settings. The STCC program is a careful blend of didactic, laboratory, and hands-on clinical experiences that prepares the successful graduate for the specialties of abdominal and OB/GYN sonography.

The program is currently accredited for general ultrasound which means that upon successful completion of the program, students may apply to sit for the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (A.R.D.M.S.) credentialing exams in ultrasound physics and instrumentation as well as the specialty exams in both abdominal and OB/Gyn ultrasound.

Students will also have to have a physical examination, immunizations, and a recommendation from the examining physician that s/he is physically fit for the program and subsequent clinical affiliation.

Minimum Grade Requirement: The Sonography student must achieve a minimum grade of “C” (73%) in each Sonography course and in the health science and science courses required by the program. All health requirements must be maintained. Students not meeting program requirements will be withdrawn.

Programmatic Technical Standard (PDF)

Upon the successful completion of all requirements for this program, the degree of Associate in Science in Diagnostic Medical Imaging will be awarded.

Applying to this Program

All applications for consideration for acceptance into the program should be received by the Admissions Office no later than March 31 of the application year.

Applicants to this program must fulfill the following requirements:

Completion of a high-school or college-level chemistry course with a lab with a grade of C or better.
Completion of a college-level biology course with a lab with a grade of C or better.
Completion of a college-level general physics course with a grade of C or better.
Completion of a college-level (100 level or higher) math course with a grade of C or better.
Completion of a college-level (100 level or higher) English course with a grade of C or better.
Completion of a college-level Medical Terminology course.
A short essay stating why you want to be a sonographer.

The admissions process is competitive, with ten students being accepted every fall. Admissions standards can be viewed at: http://www.stcc.edu/academicaffairs/pdfs/Sonography2015,pdf .

This is a two-year (including summer semesters) full-time Associates Degree day program that must be completed in a sequential manner. There is no availability of part-time, evening, or weekend components. There are required clinical internships at area hospitals that may require driving as far as Hartford or Willimantic to the south and Northampton to the north.

Applying for Re-Admission to this Program

Students who leave this health program before completing it may apply for re-admission. Click here for information about the re-admission policy and process.

Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program Goals and Objectives

Provide technical and related offerings that will enable qualified individuals to become skilled entry-level Diagnostic Medical Sonographers.
- Objective: Provide instruction in medical ultrasound physics and instrumentation, ultrasound procedures and anatomic patterns, and hands-on clinical training that will enable graduates to successfully complete the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (A.R.D.M.S.) credentialing exams in abdominal ultrasound and obstetrical and gynecologic ultrasound.
Provide the technical and related background that will enable these entry-level sonographers to become skilled leaders in the field of Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
- Objective: Improve student’s critical thinking skills by challenging them in other areas of imaging and medicine that impact the provision of sonographic services beyond abdominal and OB/Gyn ultrasound. Topics include ultrasound department organization and management, regulatory oversight, computer-based medical imaging technologies, the integrated contribution of other imaging modalities to patient diagnosis, and instruction in selected vascular ultrasound exams.
Anticipate and meet the needs of the region, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the nation for competent and educated workers in Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
- Objective: Provide additional general college-level instruction such that students successfully completing the Program will earn an Associates in Science degree in Medical Imaging with a concentration in Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
- Objective: Respond to the needs of the local sonographic community with Continuing Education offerings that will allow them to bring increased knowledge and competency to the care of their patients.
- Objective: Become a continuing Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (S.D.M.S.) CME provider for clinical instruction.

Recognize the individual needs of a Program student.
- Objective: Provide ongoing counseling and academic review to all Program students to ensure that any student with special needs will be referred to the appropriate College support service. Special needs include but are not limited to academic tutoring, learning disabilities, study skills and test taking, and emotional support.

Program Outcomes

Consistent with CAAHEP Standard V.A.4, the following outcomes information is presented:

Graduating Class:	2014	2013	2012
Attrition Rate:	20%	10%	30%
Job Placement Rate:	88%	89%	88%
Credentialing Success Rate ARDMS (OB):	100%	100%	100%
Credentialing Success Rate ARDMS (AB):	100%	89%	100%