If caring is your calling, the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program at the Baptist School of Health Professions provides the education and training for registered Radiologic Technologists, Registered Nurses, Medical Doctors or undergraduates with a degree in Biology or a health related science to be a part of this exciting and dynamic specialist field. Upon completion, graduates are eligible to sit for the credentialing exams for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT) sonography examination, and the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) physics, obstetrics and gynecology, and abdomen specialty exams. Graduates are required to complete registration and successfully pass credentialing examinations within one year of employment.
A sonographer is a highly skilled professional who uses specialized equipment to create images of structures inside the human body that are used by physicians to make a medical diagnosis. Sonographers develop close relationships with ordering physicians and radiologists and have extensive direct patient contact. Diagnostic medical sonography is a multi-specialty field. Sonographers may specialize in abdominal, obstetrics and gynecology, neurologic or vascular imaging. Sonographers may go on to earn credentials in Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography and Vascular Technology. Other opportunities exist in education, administration, research, and in commercial companies as education/application specialists, sales representatives, or technical advisors. Job opportunities will vary by geographic area. Sonographers willing to relocate or have multiple specialties will also have good prospects (2010-2011, Occupational Outlook Handbook, US Department of Labor). The average salary in San Antonio is $64,274 (CBSalary.com 2010). Actual salaries and employment opportunities may vary depending upon geographic location, market employment trends by local area, employer size, employee experience, and employee credentials. Prospective students should research the local employment opportunities as a part of their decision-making processes.
Prerequisites
Applicants must have met one of the following criteria:
Graduation from an accredited Radiography Program
Graduation from an accredited Nursing Program (RN)
Medical Doctorate
B.S./B.A. in Biology
Consistent with the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) revised curriculum requirements the following 15 semester credits of general education prerequisites are now required:
Anatomy & Physiology 6-8 semester credits (3 credits count towards the 15)
Math (mathematical/logical reasoning), 3 semester credits (mandatory math credit)
English (written/oral communication), 3 semester credits (mandatory English credit)
Applicants must also have 6 elective semester credits representing a variety of areas in Arts/Humanities or Information Systems or Behavioral Sciences/and or Natural Science.
Length: 1 year
SOC: 29-2032 Bureau of Labor Statistics Standard Occupational Classification
O*Net crosswalk: 29.2034.02 (www.onetonline.org)
Tuition & Fees: $13,910.00
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| Program | Completion % |
| Sonography | 93.5% |
Retention, Graduation, Licensure and Employment rate (July 1 through June 30 annually) 2009-2010.
| Delivery Method | Beginning Enrollment including externs and students on approved leave | Re-entries | New Starts since July 1 | Ending Enrollment including externs and students on approved leave | Grads | Retention Rate |
| Residential | 16 | 0 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 94 |
Placement statistics for the period of July 1, 2009, to June 30, 2010.
| Delivery Method | Number of Grads | Number Placed in Field | Number Placed in Related Field | Number Not Placed or Placed Out of Field | Unavailable | Placement Rate |
| Residential | 16 | 11 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 79 |
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| Loan Program | Median Cumulative Loan Debt |
| Federal student loan debt | $11269 |
| Private loan debt | $0 |
| Institutional finance debt | $0 |
NOTE: Median loan data are for period 07/01/2009 thru 06/30/2010