Diagnostic Medical Sonography (AAS.DMS)

Mission
The Rowan College at Burlington county Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program is dedicated to providing quality education for its students in order to promote excellence in the art and science of sonography. Guided by the RCBC mission and CAAHEP standards, the DMS Program strives to provide academic and clinical experiences that produce competent and compassionate entry-level sonographers with a commitment to performance of quality imaging while providing excellent patient care and dedication to the pursuit of lifelong learning.

Goals
The RCBC DMS Program's goal is to prepare competent entry-level sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains within the abdominal-extended and ob/gyn concentrations. Graduates of the RCBC DMS Program will be able to perform, at a minimum, the following objectives: 

Perform ultrasound examinations in the abdominal-extended and ob/gyn concentrations.

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Students will apply cognitive, psychomotor, and affective techniques to produce quality sonographic images.
• Students will recall and complete appropriate sonographic scanning protocols.
• Students will demonstrate critical thinking skills necessary to analyze and process diagnostic data.
• Students will perform sonographic examinations while accurately recording anatomic, physiologic, and pathologic findings for interpretation by a radiologist.

Demonstrate effective skills while operating ultrasound equipment.

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Students will modify patient positioning, scanning windows, and exam protocols, due to patient conditions and/or limitations.
• Students will utilize appropriate knobology when scanning to produce optimal images.
• Students will establish a safe work environment through the use of appropriate ergonomics and standard infection control procedures.
• Students will practice ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) standards including the use of appropriate time management skills.

Apply professional, legal, ethical, and patient-centered considerations in outpatient and/or hospital settings.

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Students will identify and interpret appropriate patient history with understanding of HIPAA law.
• Students will employ professionalism while following ethical and legal healthcare standards.
• Students will demonstrate understanding of cultural diversity and the ability to work with others.
• Students will utilize critical thinking skills and adaptability to modify protocols and/or sonographic techniques due to patient conditions or limitations.

Relate sonographic findings and communicate effectively in the healthcare environment.

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Students will document and present complete and accurate sonographic findings to a radiologist and/or clinical instructor in order to facilitate patient diagnosis.
• Students will demonstrate oral communication skills necessary to communicate with patients and health care professionals.
• Students will demonstrate written communication skills necessary to communicate with patients and health care professionals.
• Students will recognize professional ultrasound organizations and ARDMS credentialing requirements including the value of life-long learning.

Required prerequisites for the Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) Program

**Note:

• All of the following prerequisite courses must be completed with a “C” or better with course completion grades on file within your RCBC student self-service account prior to the DMS Program application deadline (January 31st) in order to be eligible for admission.
• The Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) program has a competitive admission process, therefore, meeting all admission requirements Does Not guarantee admission into the DMS program.

***Or assessment and completion of all required developmental reading or concurrent enrollment in REA 095

Additional Prerequisite Information

• Prerequisite course failures (C-, D, F, ST) that are more than 8 years old will not be recorded on the DMS admission rubric
• BIO 110 Anatomy and Physiology I and BIO 114 Anatomy and Physiology II (Lecture Courses) must be less than 8 years old
  • If the BIO 110/BIO 114 courses are more than 8 years old, the course(s) will need to be repeated for a grade (cannot audit) prior to the DMS program application deadline
  • The grade earned for the repeated BIO 110/BIO 114 course(s) taken within the last 8 years will be included on the admission rubric (if applicable)
• All required prerequisite courses listed above will be reviewed utilizing a Point Scale within a rubric model
  • See the Applying to the Program menu below for an example of the admission rubric
• Students with the highest points (without any failures/repeats of the prerequisite courses or prior DMS courses) will be admitted first
  • Students with non-repeated prerequisite course failures will not be admissible
  • Students with more than 2 failures in total of any required prerequisite course or prior DMS course will not be admissible
• Achievement of a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.0 or greater in all college coursework is required to apply.
  • All official transcripts from previously attended institutions must be submitted.
  • Cumulative GPA calculated based on credits taken and the cumulative GPA from previous transcripts (if applicable)

Sample Student Cumulative GPA Calculation:

The following recommended course sequence curriculum was developed to help guide students on their course selection to promote timely graduation.

All students admitted to the Rowan College at Burlington County Diagnostic Medical Sonography program must meet technical standards and maintain satisfactory demonstration of these standards throughout the program. It is the student’s responsibility to notify the DMS Program Director of any changes in their ability to meet the technical standards.

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography student must be able to:

• Routinely lift more than 50 pounds.
• Work standing on their feet 80% of the time.
• Routinely push and pull.
• Routinely bend, squat, reach, kneel, balance, sit and stand for prolonged periods.
• Have full use of both hands, wrists and shoulders.
• Be able to routinely lift, turn, and transfer patients and equipment.
• Distinguish audible sounds
• Adequately view sonograms, including color distinctions.  Assistive technology, such as glasses, contact lenses and hearing aides are acceptable to enable the student to achieve functional use of the senses.
• Have physical ability to perform CPR.
• Attend clinical experiences without assistive devices such as canes, crutches, splints, casts, walking boots, etc.
• Be able to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing utilizing the English language.
• Interact positively with people from all levels of society including all ethnic and religious backgrounds.
• Adapt to changing environments and be able to prioritize tasks
• The student is able to meet all technical standards.

^{1 As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution, Rowan College at Burlington County affords equal opportunity to qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, handicap (as defined by Section 504), ancestry, place of birth, marital status or liability for military service in the operation of its programs and activities (including admissions, access to programs and course offerings, physical education, intercollegiate and intramural athletics, counseling, employment, use of facilities, and college-sponsored extracurricular activities). This is in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, and/or national origin), Title IX of the Education Amendment of 1972 (which prohibits sex discrimination), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended and the Americans with Disabilities Act/ADA (which prohibit discrimination against otherwise qualified handicapped people), and other applicable laws and regulations. Copies of the Dispute Resolution for Students with Disabilities is available from the College Catalog.}

^{2 The DMS Program or its affiliated clinical agencies may identify additional critical behaviors or abilities needed by students to meet program or clinical requirements.  The DMS Program reserves the right to amend this listing based on the identification of additional standards or criteria for DMS students.}

Please read the application process below carefully. All application requirements MUST be completed before submitting the online program application.

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) program has a competitive application with a limited number of seats, which is based on clinical placements. Therefore, meeting all application requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program.

The application for admission to the Fall 2025 Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) program opens on November 1, 2024 and closes on January 31, 2025. Admissions decisions will be sent by late April 2025.

Instructions for Applying to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program

• Step 1: Apply to become a Rowan College at Burlington County (RCBC) student by completing the RCBC admissions application, which can be completed by clicking here
  • The RCBC student application is free, and will provide you with an RCBC student ID number and RCBC email address, which you must have in order to complete the DMS program application
• Step 2: Attend a Diagnostic Medical Sonography program mandatory information session
  • See the Mandatory Hybrid Information Sessions (Attend In-Person or Virtually) menu on the DMS program website for upcoming session dates, times, and to register for one of the mandatory information sessions
• Step 3: Submit all official transcripts from previously attended colleges/universities outside of RCBC (if applicable)
  • Official transcripts must be sent to the Admissions Office of Rowan College at Burlington County
  • To be considered official, transcripts must be sent in a sealed envelope from the college or university 
  • Please note that the DMS program does not evaluate transcripts for course transferability, and all official transcripts must be sent to the Admissions Office as instructed above. Transcripts received by the DMS program will not be evaluated. For further information regarding transcripts, please click here
  • All official transcripts must be on file with RCBC prior to submitting the online DMS program application
• Step 4: Make sure all required prerequisite course have been completed prior to the application deadline of January 31st
  • Details can be found under the Required Prerequisites menu on the DMS program website
    • All required prerequisite courses must be completed with a final grade of “C” or better to be considered for admission
    • If courses were taken at an institution outside of RCBC, all official transcripts must be received by RCBC’s Admission Office by the DMS program application deadline of January 31st
  • Students must also have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above from all college coursework. Cumulative GPA calculation details can be found under the Required Prerequisites menu on the DMS program website
• Step 5: Fill out the Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) program online application during the open application cycle from November 1, 2024 through January 31, 2025 to be considered for the Fall 2025 program start
  • Note: Applicants must be at least 18 years of age by the start of the first DMS program course

Applications for the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program are evaluated based on the following:

• Admitted students will be selected according to the total points earned on the admission rubric, which evaluates the academic performance of each applicant within the prerequisite courses.
• Students who repeat prerequisite course(s) will have their score averaged across all graded attempts for that course. This applies to students:
  • Repeating failed prerequisite course(s)
  • Repeating passed course(s) to obtain a higher grade
  • Failed prerequisite courses (C-, D, F, ST) more than 8 years old and BIO 110 & BIO 114 courses more than 8 years old will not be included on the admission rubric

Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) Program Application Decisions

• The DMS program will relay application decisions to applicants RCBC email addresses only by late April each year

Conditionally Accepted Students

• Will be notified via their RCBC email of their conditional acceptance into the DMS program which will require the student to successfully complete additional steps within a given time frame, including but not limited to the following:
  • Review the electronic link in its entirety to complete the terms of conditional acceptance
  • Complete the DMS Admissions Acceptance Form – to accept or decline your seat
  • Complete the Mandatory DMS Orientation Form – to confirm mandatory attendance
  • Complete compliance requirements which include but are not limited to:
    • Proof of medical/health insurance
    • Completion of a physical exam/medical history, titers for proof of immunity and/or necessary vaccination records based on clinical agency requirements which are subject to change
    • Clear criminal history background check, fingerprinting, and PA child abuse clearance
    • Negative urine drug test based on clinical agency requirements
  • Please be aware that students are responsible for the expenses associated with completing the terms of their conditional acceptance above. Additional student expenses may include but are not limited to:
    • Reliable transportation and associated travel expenses to RCBC and clinical affiliates
    • Scrub sets from the RCBC bookstore (beyond what is included in the RCBC ACCESS program)
    • Appropriate approved footwear for lab/clinical courses
    • SentryMD/Adam Safeguard annual fee which must be active throughout the duration of the program for compliance tracking as well as the cost of additional drug screenings, background checks, etc. as required
• Please note that the DMS program is eligible for Part-Time financial aid, due to financial aid being determined by the number of course credits per semester and not contact hours per semester
  • The DMS program is rigorous and requires a Full-Time commitment

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) program offers information sessions throughout the year at various times. Registration for one of the mandatory information sessions is required, please see the link below to register. These information sessions are held in a hybrid format so prospective students are able to attend in person on the Mount Laurel campus or virtually through WebEx

Attendance to one of these mandatory information sessions in its entirety is required to apply to the DMS program. Applicants who leave the session early or arrive late will not receive credit for attending and will need to attend another session for that cycle.

• Please note that information session attendance expires annually on January 31st at the time of application closure, and applicants must attend a new session for the cycle they wish to apply

• For example: Sessions offered from February 1st – January 31st will count towards the current/upcoming application cycle

A confirmation of attendance will be sent to attendees’ email address that was provided on the registration form within 48-72 business hours upon completion of the session. Please check your junk/spam folder if you do not receive this email.

• The confirmation of attendance letter is required to be uploaded to the DMS program online application

DMS Program Information Sessions for the 2025 Application Cycle

*The dates/times below are subject to change, please click the link below for the most current dates/times and to register for one of the mandatory information sessions.

*If a date/time is changed and you have already registered via the registration link, an email will be sent to the email on the registration form to inform you of the change and that you need to register for a new information session

• Wednesday, March 27, 2024 from 3 – 4 pm, Virtual through WebEx or in person
• Wednesday, June 5, 2024 from 4 – 5 pm, Virtual through WebEx or in person
• Monday, September 1, 2024 from 9 – 10 am, Virtual through WebEx or in person
• Tuesday, December 17, 2024 from 6 – 7 pm, Virtual through WebEx or in person
• Tuesday, January 14, 2025 from 12 – 1 pm, Virtual through WebEx or in person

*The link to access the meeting through WebEX and/or the in-person room location will be provided within the registration form, via the link below, so, please make sure to keep this information

Register HERE for a Mandatory DMS Program Information Session

Please note: The registration link above will be unavailable approximately 30 minutes prior to the start of a scheduled information session

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program at Rowan College at Burlington County has employed the highest standards of education and training to help DMS students and graduates achieve their career and educational goals. The DMS program is committed to its students, and provides the necessary education and sonography skills in order to meet the requirements of an entry-level abdomen-extended and ob/gyn sonographer, that will be an asset to ultrasound departments nationwide.

To view the program effectiveness data for the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program at Rowan College at Burlington County, please click the link below.

Program Effectiveness Data

Download the Outcomes for the Past DMS Program Graduating 2022 (PDF)

Download the RCBC DMS Attrition and Job Placement Rates 2022 (PDF)