Rochester Institute of Technology
Department of Medical Sciences
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program
153 Lomb Memorial Drive
Rochester, New York 14623
(585) 475-2241
- Welcome to our Wave of the Future. Please feel free to browse.
Rochester Institute of Technology
Department of Medical Sciences
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program
153 Lomb Memorial Drive
Rochester, New York 14623
(585) 475-2241
- Welcome to our Wave of the Future. Please feel free to browse.
| "Our program is designed to meet the needs of a new and rapidly expanding allied health field"
Copyright
©2006, 2009 Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program Update in Progress September 23, 2009 |
Rochester Institute of Technology students currently prepare for abdominal and/or obstetric-gynecology sonography. An introduction to vascular sonography is also offered. Other specializations may be obtained through formal and/or continuing education after graduation.
Sonographers work in hospitals, clinics, private physician offices, and other medical facilities performing examinations in their areas of specialization. Some experienced sonographers work free lance (for themselves) or for mobile services. Opportunities also exist in industry as education specialists, sales representatives, administrators, and researchers.
The Diagnostic Medical Sonographer works directly with patients, physicians, and other medical personnel on a daily basis. To work successfully, the sonographer must be a sensitive, caring individual dedicated to helping others. After graduation, from an accredited program, the candidate sits for a national qualifying exam administered by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS). Passing this examination denotes entry into the field and allows sonograhers to work anywhere nationally and internationally. A very high percentage of RIT graduates pass the ARDMS examination on the first attempt. Continuing education is required of all sonographers to maintain registration.
The experienced, dedicated sonographer may have opportunities for advancement within a medical institution as well as other areas within the field of sonography. Recognition is usually related to formal education, qualification in multiple specializations, job experience, and continuing education.
Starting salaries for the sonographer vary greatly from one location to the next and is very competitive. Experience, position title, formal education, specializations and time on the job tend to increase the sonographer's income.
It is the intent of the RIT Sonography Program to prepare not only well-educated and well-rounded sonographers but also leaders in the field. Skills in administration and research are emphasized in addition to development of scanning and diagnostic abilities. Each student is treated as a professional and a future colleague in sonography.
All students serve an internship during their course of study. Candidates are placed in two or more medical facilities in New York State to gain practical skills and apply classroom theory. Each month, candidates return to RIT to continue the lecture and seminar series. A pinning ceremony is held in May to celebrate completion of the Program.
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In response to market demands, the program has developed different options which meet the needs of high school graduates, transfer students, and individuals who have been engaged in Allied Health for some time and are thinking of retraining for a second career.
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The Rochester Institute of Technology Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program, also known as Ultrasound Program, has several options available.
Earning your BS degree will require two or four years, including the clinical internship, depending on your prior education and experience. Associate degree graduates and registered or certified practitioners from a related allied health field can earn a BS degree by entering a two-year, upper-division curriculum including the clinical internship. High school graduates who meet science/mathematics requirements can enter a three-year academic curriculum providing students with training in basic science, general education, and specialized course work in ultrasound, followed by the one-year clinical internship.
Many students attending RIT have first completed coursework at other institutions. It is possible to complete at another university or college, all courses required at RIT for the first two years. All coursework must be pre-approved by RIT. Liberal arts courses must be pre-approved by the College of Liberal Arts and Science courses must be pre-approved by the Program Director.
Contact the Diagnostic Medical sonography Program Director BEFORE taking courses elsewhere to help ensure a smooth course credit transfer. Bachelor degree applicants are expected to visit at least one medical facility before acceptance into the program. This affords the student an opportunity to see a sonography department and to discuss the field with sonographers. There are often RIT graduates in regional facilities who are willing to discuss their experiences.
We make every attempt to transfer as much credit as possible no matter what your background.
Pre-Medical, Veterinary, Dental & Ph.D.
With the addition of a series of chemistry courses and without extending the student stay at RIT, the Sonography Program prepares the student for medical, dental, veterinary, and/or graduate school. A Pre-Med or Pre-Graduate committee assists the student to find and be accepted by the appropriate professional school. Approximately 85% of RIT graduates who participate in the Pre-Medical/Pre-Graduate programs are accepted to medical or graduate schools.
There are two (2) options available:
1. General Ultrasound (Abdomen, Small Parts, OB, GYN, and Introduction to Vascular)
2. Echocardiography (anticipated start 2007)
Earning your certificate requires one year of full-time study in the clinical internship, after completion of prerequisite courses. These options are available to associate and baccalaureate degree graduates, and those who are licensed or certified practitioners with two years of training or experience in a related allied health field. Depending on your background, you may or may not have to complete the four prerequisite courses before entering the certificate option. Please contact the Program Director to see if the certificate option is right for you.
The goal of the RIT Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program is to educate competent, responsible Diagnostic Medical Sonographers. The curriculum content has been formulated to meet and to exceed, when possible, the students needs and the course objectives sited in the "Essentials" for an Accredited Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program. Course objectives have been developed for each and every component of the curriculum. Major emphasis has been put on relevance to clinical practice.
Listed below is the description of the instructional curriculum for the B.S. Degree:
| Year One Year One | Year Two |
|---|---|
| General Biology (1 year) | College Physics with Labs (1 year) | General Biology Lab (1 year) | General & Analytical Chemistry (1 year) | Anatomy & Physiology (1 year) | General & Analytical Chemistry Lab (1 year) | Data Analysis I | First Year Enrichment | Medical Terminology | Calculus for Management Science | Computers in Medicine | College Algebra & Trigonometry* | Introduction to Diagnostic Medical Imaging | Liberal Arts | Liberal Arts |
(* Depends on Math Placement Test )
| Year Three Year Three | Year Four (Internship) |
|---|---|
| Ultrasound Instrumenattion I | Introduction to Obstetrical Ultrasound | Cross Sectional Anatomy | Advanced Obstetrical Ultrasound | Pathophysiology | General Vascular Evaluation | Ultrasound Instrumentation II | Gynecologic Ultrasound | Medical Genetics | Abdominal Ultrasound I | Liberal Arts (Concentration) | Abdominal Ultrasound II | Patient Care/Prog. Elective | Small Parts Ultrasound | Ultarsound Scanning Labs |
Seminar in Ultrasound I | |
Seminar in Ultrasound II | |
Clinical Ultrasound I | |
Clinical Ultrasound II | |
Clinical Ultrasound III |
In addition, the program requires that a transfer student has a cumulative average of 2.0 or above. The amount of transfer credit awarded to a student is determined by an evaluation of individual courses in which a grade of "C" or above was received. In order to facilitate the transfer, students are encouraged to parallel their two years at the alternative institution with the first two years of the program offered at RIT.
Students with a degree may transfer directly into the junior year of the program provided they have the necessary collateral and core requirements completed.
Students who are applying for the Certificate Programs must complete certain prerequisite courses before entering their internship year.
The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRCDMS) of the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.