Curriculum
Our Mission
The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Degree Program of Baptist College of Health Sciences will provide an excellent educational program in a strength based environment to prepare students to enter the dynamic field of diagnostic medical sonography.
Our Educational Goals
Upon Completion of their course of study in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program, graduates will:
- Function as a knowledgeable entry-level sonographer
- Demonstrate clinical proficiency of sonographic procedures
- Exhibit behavior skils that reflect professionalism, effective communication, and time management skills
Our Accreditation
Diagnostic Medical Sonography education has been offered through the Baptist Health Care Corporation since 1986. The major is accredited by the Commision on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) on recommendation by the Joint Review Committee on Education Programs in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS). Our major is accredited in general and vascular concentrations.
Degree Program
Students completing all degree requirements will receive a Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHS) with a major in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. Upon successful completion of required courses students can become candidates to receive credentials as RDMS, RDCS, and RVT as given by the ARDMS.
ARDMS specialty examinations for the credentials include:
- Abdomen
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Neurosonography
- Vascular Technology
- Adult Echocardiography
- Sonography Principles and Instrumentation
Degree Requirements/Course Descriptions
The diagnostic medical sonography curriculum includes a strong science foundation with courses specific to the practice of diagnostic medical sonography. A total of 127 credit hours are needed to complete the degree requirements. Courses specific to the practice of sonography include general, vascular, and cardiac learning concentrations. Students are required to complete all concentrations to fulfill the requirements of the degree.
- A complete listing of courses and course descriptions required for the degree can be found in the college catalog.
- Students are encouraged to follow a curriculum plan to ensure progressive learning throughout the degree. Specific courses are requried to be completed in sequential order to enhance the student's learning and sucess within the program.
Courses
DMS course experience is geared to preparing the student's knowledge base to perform sonographic examinations as an entry level sonographer. Students enrolled in DMS courses will experience a variety of learning opportunities such as:
- Small group learning, instructor-led learning, power point demonstrations. creating models, and hands-on experience with sonography equipment and simulators.
- Classroom teaching is typically scheduled for 2 days a week.
- Hands-on laboratory activities 2 days a week for 5 trimesters and 1 day per week in their final trimester.
- Students are required to complete 6 trimesters of clinical coursework.
- Clinical experience requires to student to be in an assigned medical setting 16-32 hours per week.
- Clinical experience includes performing cardiac, abdomen, obstetrics, gynecology, pediatrics, vascular and general sonographic examinations.
- Clinical experiences exist in a variety of hospitals and private practice facilities including many Baptist Memorial Health Care locations.