Overview
The Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program has the following requirements for consideration for admission to the program:
- Meets all admission requirements general to the UAMS College of Health Professions
- A cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
- Successful completion of specific coursework
- Completion of the required amount of professional observation
- Meets specific technical standards
- A personal statement
Admission Factors
Criteria
Admission to the Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program is competitive and based on the following criteria:
- Academic performance
- Life experiences
- Performance during the interview
Competitive Attributes
A competitive applicant will possess the following attributes:
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- High level of professionalism
- Ability to work on a team and collaborate with others
Non-Discrimination Policy
Applicants are considered without regard to race, color, gender, age, sexual orientation, religion, national origin or disability status as a criterion in deciding against any individual in matters of admission, placement, transfer, hiring, dismissal, compensation, fringe benefits, training, tuition assistance and other personnel or educationally-related actions.
Required Coursework
The following 47 credits are required from an institutionally accredited post-secondary academic institution and must fulfill all college requirements regarding acceptance of transfer credit.
Fulfillment of the prerequisite courses for the Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program does not guarantee admission.
A final grade of C or better is required in each of the prerequisite courses.
Applicants may not have more than nine credits of remaining prerequisite courses that will be completed during the summer semester prior to enrollment in the fall. Documentation of successful completion of remaining courses is required by the date of registration for the first semester
Actual course titles may vary among institutions. If in doubt about the suitability of the following prerequisite courses, please contact the College of Health Professions Admissions Office.
General Education Coursework Requirements
| Typical Course Title | Area | Required Semester Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Two-semester Sequence of English Composition | English and Communication | 6 |
| Fundamentals of Speech or Speech Communication1 | English and Communication | 3 |
| College Algebra (or Higher-level Mathematics) | Mathematics | 3 |
| Fine Arts (Art, Music or Theatre) | Fine Arts and Humanities | 3 |
| Humanities (History, Humanities, Literature, Philosophy or Political Science) | Fine Arts and Humanities | 3 |
| History of the United States or National Government | Social Sciences | 3 |
| General Psychology | Social Sciences | 3 |
| Introduction to Sociology | Social Sciences | 3 |
| Total General Education Hours | 27 |
Program-Specific Coursework Requirements
| Typical Course Title | Area | Required Semester Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Two-semester Sequence of Human Anatomy and Physiology with Lab2 | Science | 8 |
| Physics3 | Science | 3-6 |
| Computer Concepts or Computer Fundamentals | Technology | 3 |
| Medical Terminology | Allied Health | 3 |
| Electives | General | 3 |
| Total Program-Specific Hours | 20-23 |
Summary of Coursework Requirements
| Courses | Hours |
|---|---|
| General Education Prerequisites | 27 |
| Program-Specific Prerequisites | 20-23 |
| Total Prerequisite Hours | 47-50 |
Credit by Examination
The Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program will not accept Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or College Level Examination Program credits to fulfill the required math and science coursework.
The program will accept AP, IB or CLEP credits awarded by other institutionally accredited post-secondary academic institutions to fulfill the other required coursework. To be considered for credit transfer, the official transcript from the awarding institution must reflect the AP, IB or CLEP credits.
Refer to the UAMS College of Health Professions Future Students website for details about credit by examination.
Notes
Applicants to the Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program must have completed or be currently enrolled in Introductory College Physics, College Algebra, and Anatomy and Physiology II before the March 15 application deadline.
1 Due to rules set forth by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, Speech Communication is a required prerequisite and cannot be substituted by an additional fine arts / humanities course.
2 Anatomy and Physiology I must be completed at the time of application to the Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program. College Algebra, Anatomy and Physiology II, and Physics must be either completed or in progress at the time of application to the program.
3 Physics course(s) must cover acoustics, wave motion, heat, electricity, force and energy. Two courses may be required to cover all topics. Contact the Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program to determine acceptable physics courses.
Professional Observation
Applicants to the Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program must complete a minimum of four hours of observation in the diagnostic sonography area of a hospital or busy clinic. This observation must be conducted under the supervision of a sonographer credentialed by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography or a physician.
During the observation, applicants should gain an understanding of the responsibilities and duties of a diagnostic medical sonographer. This includes experiencing the typical environment encountered by an entry-level sonographer, such as abdominal, obstetric and gynecologic cases. Observations of cardiac and vascular sonography examinations are also encouraged. Additionally, applicants are encouraged to discuss the profession with current sonographers in the field.
To fulfill the observation requirement, applicants must observe at least three of the following procedures:
- Abdominal
- Cardiac
- Gynecologic
- Obstetric
- Vascular
This observation time must be recorded on the Professional Observation Form. Once completed, the form should be submitted using our online Professional Observation Submission Form.
For more details about this requirement, please contact the program.
Personal Statement
Applicants to the Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography will be required to submit an original, typed personal statement addressing the following points:
- An explanation of the applicant’s interest in the diagnostic medical sonography profession
- Relevant experiences, such as health care, military service, community service, etc., that have prepared the applicant for a career in diagnostic medical sonography
- The applicant’s strengths
- The applicant’s weaknesses or areas in need of improvement
The personal statement must be limited to 750 words.
Technical Standards
In order to be admitted to the Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program, applicants must possess certain physical, cognitive and behavioral abilities necessary to complete the curriculum. These requirements exist to ensure that students are able to effectively acquire the knowledge and skills needed to become competent and successful sonographers. Please visit the Technical Standards page for details.