Program: Diagnostic Medical Sonography BS, (Post-Certification) - Misericordia University (2024)

Diagnostic Medical Sonography

College of Health Sciences and Education
Degree BS, Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Options: BS (entry level); BS (post-certification)
Department Chair Sheryl E. Goss, MS, RT (R) (S) (ARRT), RDMS, RDCS, RVT, RVS, FSDMS

Faculty and Staff

Sheryl Goss, Associate Professor of Diagnostic Medical Sonography, AAS, BS, MS College Misericordia

Karen Klimas, Assistant Professor of Diagnostic Medical Sonography, BS College Misericordia; MS Misericordia University

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) 9355 - 113th St. N, #7709 Seminole, FL 33775 upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS). The program is accredited in the Abdominal Sonography – Extended and the Obstetrics and Gynecology Sonography Concentrations.

Diagnostic Medical Sonography is a specialized healthcare field requiring well-educated individuals who must engage themselves with compassion for others, strive for excellence in examination acquisition, and exhibit confidence as a member of the healthcare team. This program supports the university’s mission reflecting the values and attitudes of mercy, service, justice, and hospitality. More specifically, the Diagnostic Medical Sonography faculty and staff believe and promote that each individual inherently possesses uniqueness and has a quest to stay abreast of current practices within the healthcare environment and their specialized practices to benefit themselves and the communities they serve.

Mission

Prepare sonographers to think critically, promote quality patient care, and stimulate curiosity for lifelong learning.

Philosophy

Diagnostic Medical Sonography is a specialized healthcare field requiring well-educated individuals who must engage themselves with compassion for others, strive for excellence in examination acquisition, and exhibit confidence as a member of the healthcare team. This program supports the university’s mission reflecting the values and attitudes of mercy, service, justice, and hospitality. The Bachelor’s degree provides a complimentary balance between professional education and liberal arts to enhance one’s own intellect, spirituality, creativity, and a global perspective on world culture supporting the Trinity of Learning. More specifically, the Diagnostic Medical Sonography faculty and staff believe and promote that each individual inherently possesses uniqueness and has a quest to stay abreast of current practices within the healthcare environment and their specialized practices to benefit themselves and the communities they serve.

Program Goals:

The goals of the BS program are designed to align with programmatic accreditation standards and the mission of the Department and the University.

1. To prepare competent entry level general sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychom*otor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.

2. Apply knowledge and skills to succeed on national credential examinations.
   1. Score a 74% or higher on the program’s mock registry examinations.
   2. Succeed the first time in the three ARDMS certification examinations or ARRT Sonography examination.
3. Participate in activities to prepare for lifelong learning.
   1. Complete and earn five continuing medical education credits.
   2. Volunteer for a University or community event.
4. Understand global trends and issues in healthcare that may have impact on sonography practices.
   1. Demonstrate ability to locate and synthesize research to stay abreast of current trends in healthcare sonography education and practices.
   2. Compare and contrast domestic and international education and practices.
5. Appreciate similarities and differences of individuals, professions, and cultures through a liberal arts curriculum.
   1. Discover the roles and responsibilities of various healthcare professions.
   2. Demonstrate respect for differences.
   3. Attend or participate in activities relating to the humanities, arts, science, and technology.

Admission to Diagnostic Medical Sonography Major (post-certification)

The post-certification baccalaureate degree is administered under the ARCH model in which RDMS or ARRT(S) credentialed sonographers can complete the degree in a time frame most suited for their personal schedules. All courses are offered in the on-line format with exception of Anatomy and Physiology I and II which would be required to be completed prior to admission or after admission at an accredited college or university approved by the department chair in conjunction with the Office of the Registrar.

Dependent on the number of credits the student needs to complete the degree and number of credits the individual desires to take per semester will determine the timeframe for completion of the degree.

Average time for completion is 24 -36 months.

For admission to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography baccalaureate degree program, the applicant must meet at least one of the following requirements:

• Possess the credential of Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonography (RDMS) awarded by the American Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) in at least one specialty (abdominal or obstetrics/gynecology).
• Possess the American Registry for Radiologic Technology Sonography credential (ARRT) (S).
• Enroll in the university’s DMS certificate program and during the last session, can request consideration to continue to complete the bachelor degree program. Admission would occur once the graduate earned the RDMS or ARRT(S) credential.

Applicant can complete an ARCH application for admission to the university through the Part-time Undergraduate and Graduate Admissions office by calling 570-674-6451 or can apply online at https://www.misericordia.edu/apply

Credit Evaluation

It is recognized sonographers possess diverse educational backgrounds to include on-the-job training, hospital-based programs, certificate programs, or associate degree programs. Thus, the design of the major is to evaluate each applicant on an individual basis and create a plan of study for them based upon current credentials possessed and previous post-secondary credits earned. A maximum of 43 credits may be awarded for professional credential credits (PCC) dependent on the possession of ARDMS credentialing specialties in abdominal or obstetrical sonography.

Transcript review of all previous college level courses for determination of credit equivalency will be assessed by the Office of the Registrar.

A minimum of 30 credits must be taken at Misericordia University to earn the baccalaureate degree.

Prior Learning Assessment

Education received through non-credit bearing mechanisms or success of a credentialing exam other than abdominal and/or obstetrics will be evaluated through the university’s Prior Learning Assessment policies administered through CACE. Applicants that desire to challenge a BS major course may request consideration through the PLA process for the course desired for consideration of demonstration of knowledge. There is a fee for each course assessed and accepted as successfully meeting the course objectives.

Tuition

ARCH tuition credit rate is applied for courses taken as part of the on-line ARCH course offerings or taken at one of the ARCH campuses. If a student chooses to enroll in a course offered on the main campus, the tuition is at the part-time undergraduate rate.

Retention

Students enrolled in the BS degree must maintain active national certification status and a minimum overall GPA of 2.5.

Graduation Requirements

The student must complete all degree requirements including fulfillment of a University Writing Seminar course (151), two writing intensive courses and technical competency requirements. Refer to the university catalog for general graduation requirements.