FAQs

The following courses must be completed before the program begins:

• English — WRIT 1120
• Mathematics — MATH 1220, MATH 1150 or STAT 2000
• Medical terminology — AHS 3010 or AHTH 1100
• Human anatomy and physiology — BIOL 3310 and BIOL 3320 (preferred) or AHTH 1310
• Physics — RADT 1410 (rad tech students)

The diagnostic medical sonography program begins once each year in the fall semester.

The program is a 21-month associate degree program.

Clinical sites vary each year depending on hospital and clinic availability. Most clinical sites are located within approximately one to one and a half hours of BGSU Firelands.

Students must provide their own transportation to and from clinical sites. Clinical sites may be located within approximately 150 miles of the college.

Students attend their clinical site one day per week during the spring semester of their first year.

During the remaining semesters of the program, students attend clinical rotations three days per week (24 hours total). Clinical rotation days and times may vary.

Clinical sites are assigned by the clinical coordinator and are not selected by students.

1. Apply to BGSU Firelands.
2. Begin completing the prerequisite requirements.
3. If you have coursework from another institution, work with Admissions to determine which courses will transfer. Begin this process early to allow enough time for processing.
4. Complete the diagnostic medical sonography application before the deadline. Courses may be in progress but must be completed before the program begins in the fall. Preference is given to students who have completed all prerequisites.
5. Complete a four- to eight-hour job shadow in a sonography department. Fill out the clinical observation form (obtained from the program director) and submit it with your application.
6. Attend an on-campus or online program meeting available on the department webpage. Documentation of attendance is required.

Applications are accepted during the spring semester. Please see the application information webpage for the current deadline.

Admission to the program is highly competitive. Students are ranked based on the following criteria:

• Overall GPA
• Core course GPA
• Interview
• References
• Courses completed

The top-ranked students are invited for interviews in the spring. The final class is selected for the following fall.

Class size may vary each year based on the availability of clinical affiliations and program capacity.

Currently, eight students are selected each year.

Working while enrolled in the program may be difficult. The program is academically intensive, and students must dedicate significant time to coursework, clinical rotations and studying.

Students should plan ahead for their financial situation. The number of allowable absences is very limited, and reliable transportation to clinical sites is essential.

Cara M. Vickery, MSEd, RDMS, RT(R)(M)(CV)
Program director and instructor
Diagnostic Medical Sonography
cvicker@bgsu.edu
419-372-0884