It is the goal of the BPCC Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program to sufficiently prepare entry-level Sonographers for safe and competent imaging practice utilizing the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective domains, and to meet the state and national expectations within the DMS profession.  

Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate will be able to:

• Collect, analyze and integrate pertinent patient history and supporting clinical data to facilitate optimum diagnostic results.
• Apply concepts to ensure optimal patient care and comfort.
• Record, analyze, and process diagnostic data and other pertinent observations made during the procedure for presentation to the interpreting physician.
• Demonstrate sound clinical judgement in the performance of sonographic and other diagnostic service.
• Exercises discretion and judgment in the performance of sonographic and/or related diagnostic services
• Demonstrate appropriate communication skills with patients, families and colleagues.
• Demonstrate professionalism and ethical behavior.
• Provide patient education related to medical ultrasound and other diagnostic procedures.

Specific Requirements for Program Progression and Completion:

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) curriculum is sequenced in two phases. The first phase consists of a minimum of 25 credit hours of general education curriculum (Prerequisite courses) that must be successfully completed with a GPA of 2.5 or higher to apply for the DMS program. Admission to the DMS program is selective and competitive, completion of the prerequisite courses does not guarantee admission.

The second phase consists of 23 credit hours of classroom instruction and laboratory activities and 8 credit hours of clinical fieldwork (1 credit is given per 50 hours in clinical). Additionally a Humanities elective as well as a Psychology Elective to meet the requirements of their A.A.S. degree and full time student hours for financial aid.

In order to complete the Associate of Applied Science in DMS, program students must pass all program classes with a “C” or better in each of their programmatic curriculum courses, pass all fieldwork requirements, and maintain a 2.50 or higher per semester GPA.

Required prerequisite courses for the Associate of Applied Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Prerequisite Courses: 25 Hours

• ENGL 101: COMP/RHET 1 (Credit Hours: 3)
• MATH 101 or 102: College Algebra (Credit Hours: 3)
• BLGY 230: Anat/Physiology I (Credit Hours: 3)
• BLGY 230L: Anat/Physiology I lab (Credit Hours: 1)
• BLGY 110: Medical Terminology (Credit Hours: 3)
• BLGY 231: Anat/Physiology II (Credit Hours: 3)
• BLGY 231L: Anat/Physiology II lab (Credit Hours: 1)
• PHSC 105: Elemental Physics (Credit Hours: 3)
• ALHT 109: Healthcare Systems and safety (Credit Hours: 2)
• Psychology elective (Credit Hours: 3)

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program at Bossier Parish Community College does not accept transfer credit for any course in the curriculum having an SONO prefix, nor does the program award credit for these courses based on experiential/work experiences.

Only applications from students who are currently enrolled at BPCC and have met all admission requirements will be considered. Objectives, assessment measures, and means of evaluation for admittance to BPCC based on the Ability to Benefit test are published in the BPCC General Catalog.

The selection process for the DMS program begins each spring. Application packets and detailed instructions on completing and submitting the packet are available available March 1- April 20. Students are selected in May and should be available to begin class in August (Fall session A). Students must meet program specific criteria in the areas outlined below to be eligible for an interview.

• Cumulative GPS must be 2.5 or higher in DMS prerequisite courses. Students must earn a “C” or better in all prerequisite courses.
• The Applicants must complete and submit an ATI TEAS test score; a minimum score of 65% is required.
• All prerequisite courses must be completed by the end of the spring semester in the application year. Student admission to the DMS program will be tentative upon completion of prerequisites with qualifying marks.
• Students must complete a total of 8 hours of observation or job shadowing with a register diagnostic medical sonographer. Applicants must submit a written summary of observation experiences with application packet. This should include specific narrative of the exams observed as well as the student’s personal interest in the DMS career. Observation summary will be kept on file by the DMS Program Director for two years and will be valid for two consecutive DMS application cycles.
• Program application packets must be received by April 20 to be considered. Partial/incomplete packets will not be considered.

Interview Process/Policy

A maximum of forty (40) of the highest scoring DMS applicants who have submitted a complete application packet will be invited by mail and/or email for an interview with the Program Admissions Committee. Interviews are conducted after the conclusion of the spring semester of each year. Applicants will be notified by mail and/or email of their selection status.

A maximum of fifteen (15) students per year are accepted into the DMS program. Selection is based on scores on Academic Rating Forms, observation narratives, TEAS test score, and interview. Specific criteria for selection are included above under Application Information.

Special Requirements and Considerations:

Students who are selected for the DMS program must be available for daytime, evening, and occasional weekend classes. In addition, based on clinical site availability, DMS students may be required to complete one or more clinical rotations (8 weeks in duration) at an out-of-town facility.

Students selected for the program classes must submit all required information for allied health programs and pay a clinical fee, in addition to regular tuition each semester with a fieldwork component. Once selected to the DMS program, students will be required to provide health information and meet all requirements for a program with a clinical component such as CPR certification, vaccinations, and an active health insurance policy.

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