DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL SONOGRAPHY

The Weatherford College Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program is a two-year curriculum comprised of classroom, laboratory, and clinical learning experiences. The course of study is comprised of 72 semester-credit hours and is designed to prepare individuals for careers as diagnostic sonographers. After obtaining an Associate in Applied Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, the graduate has the option of com-
pleting an additional 24 credit hours to obtain an advanced certificate in cardiac Sonography.

Diagnostic imaging embraces several procedures that aid in diagnosingmany ailments. Diagnostic medical sonographers use special equipment to direct nonionizing, high frequency sounds waves into areas of the patient’s body. Sonographers operate the equipment which collects reflected echoes and forms an image that may be video taped, transmitted, or photographed for interpretation and diagnosis by a physician.

ADMISSION TO DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL SONOGRAPHY:

Admission to Weatherford College does not guarantee selective admission to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program. The number of students admitted to this program is limited. Students admitted to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program are selected on the basis of admission to the college, reading, writing and math level, prior educational achievement and health status. For specific application information and deadlines, contact the Sonography program director or the academic counselor.


PROGRAM GOALS:

Clinical Competency, Problem-Solving/Critical Thinking Skills, Communication, Professionalism, and Knowledge

ACCREDITATION STATUS:

The Weatherford College Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography.

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
1361 Park Street  •  Clearwater, FL 33756  •  727-210-2350
www.caahep.org

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program begins every year in August and is a two-year continuous program which requires all day attendance Monday through Friday. All prospective students are required to meet the admission criteria. In addition, all applicants should be free of illegal drug use, have no felony convictions, and be clear of any misdemeanor convictions other than minor traffic violations. For more information about the application procedures please call (817) 598-6217. Applications for admission will be accepted beginning the first Monday in December through the last business day of February each year for the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program. Applications may be downloaded from our program web page.

Application requirements include the following:

• Submit Weatherford College application and official transcripts to the Office of Student Affairs
  
  
• Evidence of successful completion of the TASP/THEA/ACCUPLACER/COMPASS or evidence of being exempt
  
  
• Submit Allied Health application with official transcripts from all colleges attended and TEAS test scores to the Allied Health Office, Office C

• Completion of the TEAS entrance exam with a minimum score of 70% each on the reading comprehension and math sections.
  
  
• Only completed applications along with official transcripts and TEAS test scores will be accepted
  
  
• Completion of all prerequisite courses with a "C" or better
  
  
• Science courses must have been taken within five years prior to admission
  
  
• Certificates and resume must be submitted if requesting credit for prior medical work experience
  
  
• Proof of or Dept. of State Health Services waiver for Hepatitis B vaccine (three dose series) for more information, please refer to Immunization and Criminal History Procedure at www.wc.edu -> Prospective Students -> Academic/Programs -> Health Professions.

After submission of application and transcripts as a candidate for the program, the student must begin their Hepatitis B series and submit proof of the first shot or a positive titer to the Allied Health Office by the last business day in February. This is a 4 - 6 month process and must be completed prior to the fall semester. (See Hepatitis B information sheet) Failure to meet application requirements will result in denial of application.

Weatherford College is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. Applicants are considered on the basis of qualifications without regard to gender, age, race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, veteran status, or the presence of a non-job-related disability or any other legally protected status.

TEAS ENTRANCE EXAM:

The TEAS test is given in the Testing Center at Weatherford College, located upstairs of Student Services. Please contact the Testing Center at 817-594-5471, ext. 488 to schedule an appointment for your test. You are allowed to take the test twice within a six-month period. The cost of the test is $35.00. TEAS Test will be offered September through July of each year for Sonography and Nursing Applicants.

The TEAS Study Manual is available from our college bookstore or you may purchase it direct from the publisher at www.atitesting.com/onlinestore


TUTORIALS / WORKSHOPS:

Weatherford College has tutorials for the TEAS in the Success Connection Office on campus. Please check for workshop dates at www.wc.edu -> Instructional Support -> Success Connection -> COMPASS / NET / TEAS PREP


WEB SITES:

   www.math.com -> Pre-algebra & Algebra
   www.purplemath.com
   www.atitesting.com


A free practice test may be found at the following web site:
www.testprepreview.com/nursing_practice.htm


ONCE SELECTED FOR ADMISSION TO THE PROGRAM, THE STUDENT MUST COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING PRIOR TO THE CLINICAL PORTION OF THE PROGRAM:

• Complete a criminal background check
  

• Obtain a TB screen test, a 10-panel urine drug screen, various titers and immunizations, completion of Hepatitis B series, and a back/spine screen

• Submit proof of major medical health insurance

• Obtain current AHA Health Care Provider CPR - valid through 2 years.

Information and specifics on obtaining the above criteria will be available to the student upon acceptance to the program. Start-up costs for immunizations, titers, urine drug screen, CPR, back/spine screen, and health insurance varies but could run as much as $400. Criminal history/background check is $20.00.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES:

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, "employment of diagnostic medical sonographers is expected to increase by about 19% through 2016".


ENGLISH PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS:

Before being accepted into the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program an applicant who's native language* is not English must submit an acceptable score on the Test of Spoken English (TSE) with application. Additional information may be obtained from the Allied Health Department. *A native language is a language that is acquired naturally during childhood & is usually spoken at home, as opposed to a language that is learned later in life, for example, as a part of a person's formal education.

Selection into the program is base on the following scoring methods:

1. Prerequisite Courses Anatomy and Physiology I and II, College Algebra, College Physics (1402), English Composition I, Introduction to Psychology, and Humanities or Fine Arts Elective. Science courses (BIOL 2401 and BIOL 2402) must have been taken within 5 years prior to admission. If BIOL 2401, 2402 courses are older than 5 years but proof of working medical experience can be provided, a waiver may be granted by the Program Director on a case-by-case basis (points awarded for each course completed).
       A = 4 points, B = 3 points, C = 2 points

2. Points awarded for a previous degree: Master's - 8 points, Bachelor's - 6 points, Associate's -
   4 points

3. Points awarded for prior applications: 2 points per prior application: maximum of 6 points allowed

4. Points for prior medical work experience: Certificate and resume required for proof/
   5 points per year of experience:15 point maximum

5. TEAS Assessment test scores: Reading, Math, Science, and English (points awarded
   based on scores in each section).90-100 = 4 points, 80-89 = 3 points, 70-79 = 2 points

6. Personal Interview Only the top 25* applicants will be selected for an interview. Interviews will be
   scored. *Number selected is subject to change.

Final Ranking process Interviewed students will be re-ranked as follows: personal interview score, 40%, total of items 1-4 from above, 40%, TEAS scores 20%.

The twelve applications with the highest cumulative points will be accepted each spring semester. Four alternates will be accepted on a stand-by basis.

*The number of selected applicants is subject to change.