Diagnostic Medical Sonography

The Collin College Abdomen-Extended and Obstetrics & Gynecology Track is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS).

 

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
9355 113th St N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
Phone: (727) 210-2350
Website: www.caahep.org

 

Joint Review Committee on Accreditation for Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography
6021 University Boulevard, Suite 500
Ellicott City, MD 21043
Phone: (443) 973-3251
Website: www.jrcdms.org

1.  Review the department website for program information and attend a Program Information Session. Attendance is not mandatory but strongly encouraged.  

 

2.  Complete the following prerequisite courses with a grade of “C” or better:

               BIOL        2401

               BIOL        2402 

               ENGL       1301

               MATH      1314 *

               PHYS       1405 *

               DMSO      1210

 

Prerequisite courses, excluding DMSO 1210, must be completed by the end of the summer semester of the application year. DMSO 1210 may be completed during the fall semester of the application year. 

   
3.  Schedule and complete the HESI A2 exam. The exam must be completed BEFORE the application deadline. Available examination dates are limited; applicants are encouraged to schedule and test early. 

 

4.  Submit a completed application to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Director at MLChambers@collin.edu between September 1st and November 1st of each year.  

 

*Or equivalent 

Acceptance into the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program is competitive, with an interview determining acceptance. Applicants are selected for an interview based on their application point total. The application point total is based on points accumulated from the following areas: I- Core Courses, II-HESI A2 Exam, and III-Grade Point Average IV- Bonus Points. Bonus points are available based on the completion of specific additional coursework, health-related work experience, and previously earned degrees. 

Attending an informational session or meeting with the program director is encouraged but does not carry points in the admission scoring process.  The following methods are used to award points in the process of evaluating your application. Please note that these criteria are subject to modification and may be changed without prior notice. In the event that it becomes necessary to modify the criteria, all applications will be subject to modification regardless of when the application was submitted. Changes in admission criteria will be published on the program website.

  

Total Points Possible: 39

 

I.                   AAS Core Courses (Maximum Points: 4)

 

PSYC      2301       General Psychology *                        2 Points

GEN ED                 Humanities / Fine Arts course            2 Points

 

*Or equivalent  

 

II.       HESI A2 Exam (Maximum Points Available: 15)

 

The HESI Admission Assessment (A2) Examination includes seven areas: Anatomy and Physiology (A&P), Biology, Grammar, Math, Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary and General Knowledge, and Critical Thinking. The admission scoring based on HESI results are as follows:

 

Anatomy and Physiology (A&P):

90-100%           2 Points

75-89%             1 Point

Less than 75%  0 Points

 

Biology:

90-100%           2 Points

75-89%             1 Point

Less than 75%  0 Points

 

Grammar:

90-100%           2 Points

75-89%             1 Point

Less than 75%  0 Points

 

Math:

90-100%           2 Points

75-89%             1 Point

Less than 75%  0 Points

 

Reading Comprehension:

90-100%           2 Points

75-89%             1 Point

Less than 75%  0 Points

 

Vocabulary and General Knowledge:

90-100%           2 Points

75-89%             1 Point

Less than 75%  0 Points

 

Critical Thinking (combined):

90-100%           3 Points

75-89%             1 Point

Less than 75%  0 Points

 

Only scores from the first attempt in a calendar year will be considered. HESI results from an exam completed outside of Collin are accepted, but no points will be given for subjects not tested. Reapplicants are not required to retest; the previous HESI scores can be used. If a reapplicant chooses to retest in the new application year, the scores from the most recent attempt will be used. 

 

III.                Grade Point Average (Maximum Points: 10)

 

Calculated GPA for completed prerequisite courses only (not including DMSO 1210). Points are awarded using the following scale:

 

3.76 - 4.00          10 Points

3.66 - 3.75           9 Points

3.51 – 3.65          8 Points

3.36 - 3.50           5 Points

3.25 – 3.35          2 Points

3.00 - 3.24           1 Points    

 

The highest grade recorded from the first two attempts of each course will be used.

 

IV.                  Bonus Points (Maximum Points: 10)

    

Completion of BIOL 1406 (with a grade of “C” or higher)                          1 Point

 

Completion of an HPRS (with a grade of “C” or higher)                             1 Point

 

Completion of HITT 1305 (with a grade of “C” or higher)                          1 Point 

 

Completion of DMSO 1210 (with a grade of “C” or higher)                       2 Points 

 

A Bachelor’s degree or higher

(from a regionally accredited US college or university)                              1 Point

 

Current healthcare certification

(CNA, CMA, EKG, Phlebotomy, PT, PTA, RN, RT, HIM/Coding, OT, OTA, etc.)

                                                                                                                     2 Points

 

One or more years of paid direct patient care experience                           2 Points

 

 V. A select number of interviews will be held for applicants with the highest application point totals. Invitations to interview will be extended shortly after the application deadline.  

 

VI. Applicants with the highest application and interview total will be offered acceptance into the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program.

 

The program director will send a letter of acceptance to the selected applicants via regular mail or electronic mail as soon as the decision is made. The selected applicants must then notify the program of their intent to join. Students are notified of additional required documents and deadlines in their acceptance letters.

The HESI Admission Assessment (A2) Examination includes seven areas: Anatomy and Physiology (A&P), Biology, Grammar, Math, Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary and General Knowledge, and Critical Thinking.

 

Only one attempt of the HESI A2 exam is allowed per calendar year. 

 

Appointment availability varies per Collin testing center and will be updated periodically with additional dates. Applicants must complete HESI attempts before November 1st. To schedule, please use the below link:

 

https://www.collin.edu/studentresources/testing/availabletesting/hesi_assessment.html

 

This exam does not have a time limit; however, the estimated exam completion time is 3-5 hours. 

 

Recommended Study Materials:

 

HESI Admission Assessment Exam Review ISBN: 0323582265

 

The McKinney and Plano campus libraries have copies available.

Abdomen-Extended and Obstetrics & Gynecology Application

Effective January 1, 2022, most of the Collin College clinical affiliates now require the COVID-19 vaccine.  If you apply to our program and are not vaccinated and do not plan on becoming vaccinated, we cannot guarantee program completion. You may also be requested to provide a positive immunization titer, showing it is still effective. Please understand this is not a policy of Collin College. This is a requirement of our clinical affiliates.  

 

After acceptance and before entering clinical, students will be required to provide acceptable immunization records. Due to the time needed to complete certain vaccination series, please verify records at the time of application. If not completed previously, it is recommended that the Hepatitis B series be started at the time of application. No vaccination record or CPR certification is needed when submitting a program application. 

 

The Texas Administrative Code (TAC) and the Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council Foundation Community Standards require that all students in health programs complete required immunizations. Accepted students are required to provide documentation that they have completed all immunization requirements. Immunizations for students are based on the current Centers for Disease Control recommendations for health professionals.

 

1. Mumps, Measles, Rubella: 2 vaccinations or titer showing immunity

 

2. Varicella (chickenpox): Vaccination or titer showing immunity

 

3. Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis (within the past ten years)

 

4. Hepatitis B vaccination is required: vaccination consists of a three-dose series over a seven-month period. A titer showing immunity is also acceptable.  *Accelerated dosing schedules are available, but it is the student’s responsibility to seek facilities with this option. 

 

5. Meningitis Vaccine: Exempt if over the age of 22. If you do not meet the exemptions or exceptions listed below, you will need to provide one of the following at least 10 days prior to the first semester. Please submit to the Admissions and Records Office (hand delivery, fax 972-548-6702, or scan and email to admissions@collin.edu.) Include full name, DOB, and CWID. A physician-signed or stamped form that shows the month, day, and year the vaccination dose or booster was administered (student must have been vaccinated during the five-year period immediately preceding and at least ten days prior to the first day of class) is required to be on record. 

 

6. Influenza: one dose annually during flu season. Exceptions are made for medical and religious reasons but must adhere to hospital policies. *To be completed after acceptance.

 

7. Negative Tuberculin (TB) Test: Annual requirement- can be either QFT and/or negative CXR. If there is a history of positive PPD test or having had TB, one must provide documentation of negative CXR or completed treatment. Students with expired TB tests will not be allowed to attend clinicals and will receive unexcused absences until results are submitted. (Students must be aware of the attendance policy for clinicals.) *To be completed after acceptance.

 

The costs of these tests and immunizations are the student’s responsibility. Select clinical sites may request additional immunization requirements.

 

Information on immunizations can be accessed at the following website: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5515a1.htm.

Students are required to carry personal health insurance while in the clinical portion of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program. Proof of insurance must be made available to the director before clinical rotations.

Students should be aware that eligibility for health insurance on their parent or guardian’s health insurance may require them to be a full-time enrolled student. The number of semester credit hours in which a student must be registered to be considered full-time is defined by Collin College. Students should check with the college registrar’s office to see if they qualify as a full-time student.

All students will require a criminal background check before entering the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program. Please be aware that acceptance to the program and placement at a practicum site does not guarantee the applicant will be allowed to become a registered sonographer. For more information, please contact the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Director, ARRT, or ARDMS.

1.  Review the Program Information Application Packet and attend a Program Information Session. Attendance is not mandatory but strongly encouraged.  

 

2.  Complete the following prerequisite courses with a grade of “C” or better:

 

               BIOL        2401 

               BIOL        2402 

               ENGL       1301

               MATH      1314** 

               PHYS       1405** 

               DMSO      1210*

 

Prerequisite courses must be completed by the end of the spring semester of the application year.

 

3.  Schedule and complete the HESI A2 exam. The exam must be completed BEFORE the application deadline. Available examination dates are limited; applicants are encouraged to schedule and test early. 

 

4.  Submit a completed application to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Director at MLChambers@collin.edu between March 1st and May 1st.

  

**Or equivalent 

Acceptance into the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program is competitive, with an interview determining acceptance. Applicants are selected for an interview based on their application point total. The application point total is based on points accumulated from the following areas: I- Core Courses, II-HESI A2 Exam, and III-Grade Point Average IV- Bonus Points. Bonus points are available based on the completion of specific additional coursework, health-related work experience, and previously earned degrees. 

Attending an informational session or meeting with the program director is encouraged but does not carry points in the admission scoring process.  The following methods are used to award points in the process of evaluating your application. Please note that these criteria are subject to modification and may be changed without prior notice. In the event that it becomes necessary to modify the criteria, all applications will be subject to modification regardless of when the application was submitted. Changes in admission criteria will be published on the program website.
 

Total Points Possible: 39

 

I.                   AAS Core Courses (Maximum Points: 4)

 

PSYC      2301       General Psychology *                                   2 Points

GEN ED                 Humanities / Fine Arts course                      2 Points

 

*Or equivalent  

 

II.       HESI A2 Exam (Maximum Points Available: 15)

 

The HESI Admission Assessment (A2) Examination includes seven areas: Anatomy and Physiology (A&P), Biology, Grammar, Math, Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary and General Knowledge, and Critical Thinking.  The admission scoring based on HESI results are as follows:

 

Anatomy and Physiology (A&P):

90-100%           2 Points

75-89%             1 Point

Less than 75%  0 Points

 

Biology:

90-100%           2 Points

75-89%             1 Point

Less than 75%  0 Points

 

Grammar:

90-100%           2 Points

75-89%             1 Point

Less than 75%  0 Points

 

Math:

90-100%           2 Points

75-89%             1 Point

Less than 75%  0 Points

 

Reading Comprehension:

90-100%           2 Points

75-89%             1 Point

Less than 75%  0 Points

 

Vocabulary and General Knowledge:

90-100%           2 Points

75-89%             1 Point

Less than 75%  0 Points

 

Critical Thinking (combined):

90-100%           3 Points

75-89%             1 Point

Less than 75%  0 Points

 

Only scores from the first attempt in a calendar year will be considered. HESI results from an exam completed outside of Collin are accepted, but no points will be given for subjects not tested. Reapplicants are not required to retest; the previous HESI scores can be used. If a reapplicant chooses to retest in the new application year, the scores from the most recent attempt will be used. 

 

III.                Grade Point Average (Maximum Points: 10)

 

Calculated GPA for completed prerequisite courses only (not including DMSO 1210). Points awarded using the following scale:

 

3.76 - 4.00          10 Points

3.66 - 3.75           9 Points

3.51 – 3.65          8 Points

3.36 - 3.50           5 Points

3.25 – 3.35          2 Points

3.00 - 3.24           1 Points

   

The highest grade recorded from the first two attempts of each course will be used.

 

IV.                  Bonus Points (Maximum Points: 10)

    

Completion of DMSO 1210 (with a grade of “C” or higher)                       2 Points 

 

Completion of BIOL 1406 (with a grade of “C” or higher)                          1 Point

 

Completion of an HPRS course (with a grade of “C” or higher)                  1 Point

 

Completion of HITT 1305 (with a grade of “C” or higher)                          1 Point 

 

A Bachelor’s degree or higher

(from a regionally accredited US college or university)                               1 Point

 

Current healthcare certification                                                    

(CNA, CMA, EKG, Phlebotomy, PT, PTA, RN, RT, HIM/Coding, OT, OTA, etc.)

                                                                                                                      2 Points

 

One or more years of paid direct patient care experience                            2 Points

 

 V. A select number of interviews will be held in June for applicants with the highest application point totals. Invitations to interview will be extended shortly after the application deadline.  

 

VI. Applicants with the highest application and interview total will be offered acceptance into the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program.

 

The program director will send a letter of acceptance to the selected applicants via regular mail or electronic mail as soon as the decision is made. The selected applicants must then notify the program of their intent to join. Students are notified of additional required documents and deadlines in their acceptance letters.

The HESI Admission Assessment (A2) Examination includes seven areas: Anatomy and Physiology (A&P), Biology, Grammar, Math, Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary and General Knowledge, and Critical Thinking. 

 

Only one attempt of the HESI A2 exam is allowed per calendar year. 

 

Appointment availability varies per Collin testing center and will be updated periodically with additional dates. Applicants must complete HESI attempts before May 1st for the Spring application cycle. To schedule, please use the below link:

 

https://www.collin.edu/studentresources/testing/availabletesting/hesi_assessment.html 

 

This exam does not have a time limit; however, the estimated exam completion time is 3-5 hours. 

 

Recommended Study Materials:

 

HESI Admission Assessment Exam Review ISBN: 0323582265

 

The McKinney and Plano campus libraries have copies available.

Effective January 1, 2022, most of the Collin College clinical affiliates now require the COVID-19 vaccine.  If you apply to our program and are not vaccinated and do not plan on becoming vaccinated, we cannot guarantee program completion. You may also be requested to provide a positive immunization titer, showing it is still effective. Please understand this is not a policy of Collin College. This is a requirement of our clinical affiliates.  

 

After acceptance and before entering clinical, students will be required to provide acceptable immunization records. Due to the time needed to complete certain vaccination series, please verify records at the time of application. If not completed previously, it is recommended that the Hepatitis B series be started at the time of application. No vaccination record or CPR certification is needed when submitting a program application. 

 

The Texas Administrative Code (TAC) and the Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council Foundation Community Standards require that all students in health programs complete required immunizations. Accepted students are required to provide documentation that they have completed all immunization requirements. Immunizations for students are based on the current Centers for Disease Control recommendations for health professionals.

 

1. Mumps, Measles, Rubella: 2 vaccinations or titer showing immunity

 

2. Varicella (chickenpox): Vaccination or titer showing immunity

 

3. Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis (within the past ten years)

 

4. Hepatitis B vaccination is required: vaccination consists of a three-dose series over a seven-month period. A titer showing immunity is also acceptable.  *Accelerated dosing schedules are available, but it is the student’s responsibility to seek facilities with this option. 

 

5. Meningitis Vaccine: Exempt if over the age of 22. If you do not meet the exemptions or exceptions listed below, you will need to provide one of the following at least 10 days prior to the first semester. Please submit to the Admissions and Records Office (hand delivery, fax 972-548-6702, or scan and email to admissions@collin.edu.) Include full name, DOB, and CWID. A physician-signed or stamped form that shows the month, day, and year the vaccination dose or booster was administered (student must have been vaccinated during the five-year period immediately preceding and at least ten days prior to the first day of class) is required to be on record. 

 

6. Influenza: one dose annually during flu season. Exceptions are made for medical and religious reasons but must adhere to hospital policies. *To be completed after acceptance.

 

7. Negative Tuberculin (TB) Test: Annual requirement- can be either QFT and/or negative CXR. If there is a history of positive PPD test or having had TB, one must provide documentation of negative CXR or completed treatment. Students with expired TB tests will not be allowed to attend clinicals and will receive unexcused absences until results are submitted. (Students must be aware of the attendance policy for clinicals.) *To be completed after acceptance.

 

The costs of these tests and immunizations are the student’s responsibility. Select clinical sites may request additional immunization requirements.

 

Information on immunizations can be accessed at the following website: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5515a1.htm.

Students are required to carry personal health insurance while in the clinical portion of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program. Proof of insurance must be made available to the director before clinical rotations.

Students should be aware that eligibility for health insurance on their parent or guardian’s health insurance may require them to be a full-time enrolled student. The number of semester credit hours in which a student must be registered to be considered full-time is defined by Collin College. Students should check with the college registrar’s office to see if they qualify as a full-time student.

All students will require a criminal background check before entering the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program. Please be aware that acceptance to the program and placement at a practicum site does not guarantee the applicant will be allowed to become a registered sonographer. For more information, please contact the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Director, ARRT, or ARDMS.