FAQ

The Dallas – Fort Worth area employers offer similar sonographer compensations to those listed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Take a look at the outlook provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Yes, a sonographer is involved in direct patient care which sometimes involves dealing with patient IV’s, catheters, drainage tubes, colostomy bags, etc. There are certain sonography procedures that require fluid aspirations, contrast injections, biopsies, and tube placements. Some patients may experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, voiding, fainting, and cardiac arrest during a procedure. The sonographer must be skilled in dealing with these conditions professionally when the patient is in the sonographer’s care.

Yes. Typically, we receive around 60-70 applications each year. We interview the top 35-40 (based on highest cumulative points), and then accept the top 20 students.

We would encourage you to call around to different facilities to see if you can “shadow” their sonographer for a day. This is a great way to experience what a sonographer does day in and day out. Before applying to the program, really research what a career in sonographer would look like.

Check out our Application Process where all the steps to apply are listed.

Applications for admission will be accepted beginning the first business day in December through the last business day of February each year.

The Weatherford College Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program is a 22-month curriculum comprised of classroom, laboratory, and clinical learning experience. A new cohort begins each August.

Working while enrolled in the program is difficult, but many of our students work throughout the program to support themselves.

• During the first semester, students will be on campus 3 days a week and will attend clinicals on Tuesday and Thursday from 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
• During the second semester, students will be on campus 2 days a week and will attend clinicals on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
• During the third semester (summer), students will be on campus 1 day a week and will attend clinicals Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. The student will have Fridays off during the summer!
• During the fourth semester, students will be on campus 2 days a week and will attend clinicals Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
• During the fifth semester, students will be on campus 1 day a week and will attend clinicals Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. The student will have Fridays off during their last semester.

No, the Sonography Program is a full-time program offered during weekday, daytime hours.

The diagnostic medical sonography program is only offered during daytime hours. If you are interested in evening courses, please read about our new 22 month Cardiovascular Sonography Program.

Yes, the Weatherford College Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography.

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
9355-113th St. N, # 7709
Seminole, FL 33775
P: (727) 210-2350  
www.caahep.org

Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS)
6201 University Boulevard, Suite 500
Ellicott City, MD 21043
P: 443-973-3251
www.jrcdms.org/

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS)
1866 Southern Lane
Decatur, GA 30033
P: 404-679-4500
sacscoc.org/

The twenty applications with the highest cumulative points will be accepted each Fall semester.  Alternates will be accepted on a stand-by basis. The number of selected applicants is subject to change depending on the availability of clinical sites for the program.

Currently, there is not an accelerated degree plan offered. You must meet all of the application criteria to be selected for the program, and attend the entire program as offered. We may, however, accept the physics courses for your program in lieu of our physics prerequisite. Please consult with the Program Director.

No, applicants are ranked within the pool for the year of application. If they do not get accepted and still wish to attend, they must reapply and meet all criteria the following year. They will however, receive points (with a cap) for reapplying. For further information, please contact the Program Director or Administrative Assistant.

No, letters of recommendation, resumes, etc. are not accepted.

Currently, you may still apply if you have completed all prerequisites or can provide proof that you are enrolled in the final prerequisite courses at the time of application; however, you may only be considered for alternate status. If you are accepted, it will be contingent on your completing the courses with a grade of “C” or higher. You will be assigned a grade of “C” for applicant ranking purposes. Please be aware that this policy may change in the future.

There is no way to predict this number, because the applicant pool is different each year.