Diagnostic Sonography in Adult Echocardiography AAS Degree and Enhanced Skills Certificate in Non-Invasive Vascular TechnologyAssociate of Applied Science

The Associate of Applied Science Degree in Diagnostic Sonography in Adult Echocardiography and the enhanced skills certificate in Non-Invasive Vascular Technology is designed to prepare students to use ultrasound as a medical procedure to view internal organs for diagnostic purposes. Ultrasound is radiation free; it uses high frequency sound waves to produce images of the internal organs. The program provides didactic, lab scanning and clinical instruction in cardiac anatomy, cardiac function and non-invasive vascular imaging.

Professionals performing these examinations are known as sonographers. Upon completion of this Lone Star College program, graduates may apply to take the credentialing exams.

Programs are designed to prepare graduates for employment in the healthcare industry in the sonography profession. Program admission is on a competitive basis. Accepted program students follow a predetermined semester class schedule.

Job opportunities

Please refer to http://www.lonestar.edu/5249.htm or see LoneStar.edu/Cluster-Health-Sciences under "Diagnostic Medical Sonography."

Program Policies

Accreditation Information

The Lone Star College-CyFair Diagnostic Medical Sonography Programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs ( CAAHEP, 9355 - 113th St. N, #7709 , Seminole, FL 33775, 727-210-2350 www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS, 6021 University Boulevard, Suite 500, Ellicott City, MD 21043, 443-973-3251, www.jrcdms.org).

Admission Information

Program Prerequisites

1. Students must complete all appropriate developmental coursework or retake the section of Texas Success Initiative Assessment (TSIA) and score high enough to place into college-level courses.

2. Students must complete the following courses with a "C" or better by the end of the regular spring semester and prior to submission of an application for the diagnostic medical sonography programs:

   1. ENGL 1301

   2. BIOL 2404

      1. must have been completed within the previous five years.

      2. If BIOL 2404 course is older than five years, contact the Diagnostic Medical Sonography department for options to repeat, and for details on score sheet calculation. If repeating, the course must be completed prior to application submission.

   3. MATH 1314

   4. PHYS 1410

      1. RADR 1313 and RADR 2305 may be substituted for the PHYS course requirement.

3. Interested students should visit the website, LoneStar.edu/Diagnostic-Medi-Sonography, for information regarding technical standards for the profession, applications, and admission criteria for the program.

Minimum age requirement

1. Refer to LoneStar.edu/Diagnostic-Medi-Sonography and LoneStar.edu/Student-Admissions.

Application process

1. Refer to LoneStar.edu/Diagnostic-Medi-Sonography

2. Completion of all program prerequisites.

3. Prospective students are required to attend an information session for the current application period and obtain an information session certificate.

4. Clinical space is limited, so students are admitted on a competitive basis. In addition to the general admission requirements of the LSC, the following requirements must be met in order to apply for admission to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography programs.

5. College entry-level ability in mathematics and English (reading/writing) as defined by LSC. For further information contact the student development office.

6. A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 in college.

7. Applicants must register for and take the PSB Health Occupations Aptitude Test. Test may be taken only one time per application period (available starting in January).

Technical (physical) standards & requirements

1. Refer to http://www.lonestar.edu/5249.htm

Admitted Student Requirements

1. Criminal Background Check

   1. required after initial/conditional acceptance; refer to LoneStar.edu/Diagnostic-Medi-Sonography

2. Immunizations &/or titers

   1. Required upon acceptance and by program deadline; refer to LoneStar.edu/Diagnostic-Medi-Sonography Note:may take up to 6 months or longer to complete; advance planning is necessary to meet deadline. Accepted students must provide written documentation of all immunizations or titers received. Refer to college-approved form found on the website.

3. Progression requirements

   1. Program students must maintain program determined minimum course grade average, meet all competencies and clinical requirements to progress to next semester.

4. Equipment/uniform requirements
   1. Program designated uniforms are required.
5. Health insurance is required per clinical sites.
6. CPR certification 
   1. American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) Healthcare Provider CPR.
7. Drug testing
   1. Required after initial/conditional acceptance.
8. Hospital requirements
   1. Vary per facility and can include additional immunizations and/or other stricter requirements.

Readmission Guidelines

Former Lone Star College-CyFair Diagnostic Medical Sonography students seeking readmission to the program will be considered upon submission of the following to the Readmission Committee at least two months in advance of the semester for which readmission is being sought. Former students may be allowed readmission on a "space available" basis. Students who qualify for readmission:

1. Student must have completed one successful semester of Sonography Program courses.

2. Student submitted a personal withdrawal statement to program.

3. Student encountered a life changing event that required him or her to be out of compliance with the attendance guidelines for classes and clinical (approval from Program Director).

Students who are asked to leave the program for violation(s) of the systems or the program's code of conduct, ethical standards, academic honesty, civil rights, or harassment policies are not eligible for readmission. Additionally, students who have earned a failing grade in one of the sonography courses are not eligible for readmission. Students who have failed a sonography course are eligible to apply for admission as a new student to the Sonography programs and must follow the application process for that designated year.

Readmission will be based upon the following:

1. Submission of a written request to the Program Director at least two months in advance of the semester that readmission is being sought.

2. Completion and submission of the program's Petition for Readmission form.

3. Submission of a one page, typed personal statement that describes why the student have a desire to be readmitted into the LSC program and become a part of the sonography profession. The statement must also include information regarding any past or perceived future barriers to your success, plans on how to successfully complete this program, and goals for the future beyond this program.

4. Submission of current college transcripts directly to LSC for evaluation purposes.

5. Satisfy current college admission requirements and provide evidence of maintaining an overall "C" (2.0) GPA at any previous college(s) attended.

6. All readmission correspondence, with the exception of official college transcripts, must be mailed directly to the DMS Program Director.

The following readmission policies will also apply:

1. A readmitted student is required to fulfill the graduation requirements that are in effect at the time of readmission.

2. Student may only be granted one (1) readmission.

3. Students gaining readmission to the Program may be required to audit course(s) that are offered in the same semester, &/or demonstrate skills or mastery of course content through final exam(s) or skills exam(s).

4. Students who have been out of the Program for one (1) or more years will be required to reapply as a new student.

Additionally, readmission is based upon:

1. Space available in the program.

2. Satisfaction of current college and program admission requirements.

Transfer Guidelines

An individual's request to transfer into any LSC sonography program will be reviewed on an individual basis by the program director, and only after meeting Lone Star College entrance requirements. Transfer students must meet all admission requirements of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program. It is recommended to allow a minimum of three months for processing. Class placement is based on previous achievement and space availability. Admission is considered only if prior program enrollment has been within one (1) year and the candidate is in good standing in a program or in previous program. All of the following steps must be completed for consideration.

1. Completion of official transfer application.

2. Written statement from the student describing his/her reasons for originally leaving the program.

3. Submit current official transcripts from any colleges or universities that the student has attended.

4. Submit three letters of his/her standing from the prior sonography program. One letter should be a "report of status" from the former program director.

5. Statement of licensure eligibility
   1. Refer to LoneStar.edu/Diagnostic-Medi-Sonography

Program Accreditation

The Lone Star College-CyFair Diagnostic Medical Sonography Programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP, 9355 - 113th St. N, #7709 , Seminole, FL 33775; 727.210.2350; http://www.caahep.org/) upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS, 6021 University Boulevard, Suite 500, Ellicott City, MD 21043; 443.973.3251; http://www.jrcdms.org/).

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program at LSC-CyFair is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

Accreditation is upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS).

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