Where are the admission courses offered?
Most of the core admission courses are offered every semester at Tri-C. Many have both daytime and evening offerings every semester; a few offer Web classes. DMS-specific courses are only offered on campus at the Western Campus location in Parma.
Can I take the admission courses closer to my home/work?
Many, but not all, of the admission courses can be taken at other campuses. If the location is not a Tri-C campus, check with a counselor or online to see if the course transfers equally for the one you intend it to replace. Due to the limited number of Sonography programs, very few colleges offer courses that are equivalent to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography-specific admission classes.
Where is the Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) Program located?
The DMS Program is offered at the Western Campus in Parma. Due to of the expense of the equipment and space requirements, all of the DMS courses are only offered at this campus.
What specialty areas of sonography does the Program offer?
There are several areas of specialization in the field of sonography; individuals interested must choose an area to specialize in when applying to the program. Tri-C is CAAHEP-accredited for the following specialty options offered:
- Vascular: sonographic evaluation and analysis of the blood flow of peripheral, cerebral, and abdominal blood vessels (i.e. carotid arteries, deep leg veins, and renal arteries)
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Which specialty should I choose?
This is really a matter of personal and interest. Some students pursue a specialty because of their interest in that particular organ/body system. Others select their field because they became aware of it due to a friend or family member having health issues with that body system.
Applicants are expected to do their own research on employment opportunities and trends. The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics is an excellent resource as are human resources department at area hospitals.
Applicants unsure of what specialty option they would like to pursue are encouraged to contact the ultrasound lab, the echo lab, and the vascular lab at a hospital and arrange to ‘shadow’ a sonographer in each specialty to gain insight as to how each differ. Remember to bring your 'shadowing' form with you. Directions, tips and the form for ‘shadowing’ can be found in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program application packet.
What is the typical salary for a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer?
Typical starting range for a new graduate in Sonography in the Greater Akron/Cleveland area ranges from $24.00 to $26.00 per hour. Often, sonographers take call and work overtime hours; annual earnings reflect this as an increase in their income.
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How soon can I begin the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program?
The DMS program starts once a year each Fall semester. The number of students accepted into the program is determined by the availability of space in the program’s hospital/clinical affiliates. Annual accepted class size varies from 40 to 50 students.
Limited enrollment capacity of the DMS program means that not all who apply can be accepted to immediately start the Program. Qualified candidates not immediately accommodated will be placed on a delayed entry list (commonly known as the ‘wait’ list) for the next program offering. This list is dynamic; candidates are notified and moved up as vacancies occur.
A criminal background check with finger printing is required prior to final acceptance into the program. The Program Manager informs the students as to when to get this completed. Only background check reports performed during the specific time frame and from the College selected vendor are accepted. Students can also expect the clinical site to request drug testing.
After acceptance into the Program and before clinical assignment in the second semester, applicants must submit evidence of good health by fulfilling health requirements of the DMS Program and verification of current CPR certification for Health Care Providers. Students will be dropped from the program if significant limiting health conditions are present which prevent the student from performing the normal functions of a sonographer and/or constitute a hazard to the health or safety of patients.
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What other courses should I take while waiting for my Fall program start date?
It is wise to complete all of the other non-DMS coursework required in the curriculum sequence. Once those are completed, the following coursework may be taken:
PSY 1060, DMS 235A, DMS 235B, DMS 1381 and DMS 2330
In addition, you should consider continuing your studies in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree. Tri-C has several degree transfer options for Health Career students. Some of these involve considerable cost savings by taking courses at Tri-C that are accepted by the 4-year institution towards meeting your degree. Your counselor can provide you information as to available institutions and their contact information.
When do I find out that I am accepted?
Only applicants with complete files (proof of all graded coursework and shadowing form) will receive an acceptance letter. Acceptance letters are typically sent out the beginning of February, July and mid-September (approximately 6 weeks after the final grades are entered). At that time, information is sent regarding further correspondence.
Applicants are asked not to contact the Health Career Enrollment Center or Program Manager about their acceptance status until after these time frames. The Program's Home page will be updated indicating when letters have been sent.
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What clinical sites are available?
The DMS Program has affiliation agreements with nearly every hospital in Cuyahoga and Summit counties. We extend as far east as Lake Health and south to Canton’s Mercy and Aultman Hospitals. A listing can be found here.
Throughout the Program, you will most likely have 3-4 different clinical site rotations. Your site is selected for you based on location, educational needs, and accreditation-required experience.
How much does the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program cost?
The table below is provided for estimates. Expenses are ‘a la carte’ style – payment is due at the time of course registration or purchase (as in texts). A Campus Security and Maintenance Fee is charged based on the number of credit hours registered for that semester; this fee replaces the parking fee. Every student’s situation is different. Costs can vary depending on the following:
• Number of pertinent transferred courses • Placement test scores
• Number of credit hours that semester • New, used or rented texts
• County of residence
Estimate of Program Expenses (assumes all courses taken at Tri-C Fall 2013)
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Associate Degree Estimated Expenses
|
|
|
In-County
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Out-of-County
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Out-of State
|
|
Tuition
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$6,069-7,048
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$ 7,757-9,008
|
$15020-17,443
|
|
Lab Fees
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$180
|
$180
|
$180
|
|
Texts & Supplies
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$1,500
|
$1,500
|
$1,500
|
|
Uniforms
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$150
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$150
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$150
|
|
Liability Insurance
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$13
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$13
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$13
|
|
Background Check
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$85
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$85
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$94
|
|
SPI Registry Fee
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$200
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$200
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$200
|
|
Total Estimate
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$8,197 - $9,176
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$9,885 - $11,136
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$17,148 - $19,571
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Is financial aid available?
Students may qualify for federal or state programs and some Health Career- specific grants or scholarships once you are admitted to the program. For more information, contact the Financial Aid Department at (216) 987-5100 or go online for information on these resources.
Additional sources can be obtained from the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (www.sdms.org), the American Society of Echocardiography (www.ASEcho.org), and the Society for Vascular Ultrasound (www.svunet.org).
What kind of course schedule can I expect and prepare for?
The DMS associate degree program is cohort-style and five semesters in length from the Program start date in Fall semester. Courses must be taken in a specific order and completed in five consecutive semesters. There is no opportunity to accelerate through the curriculum in less than the required semesters even with previous coursework and experience; nor can a student register for courses to fit their personal schedule as they would for other college degrees. The Program is a full-time commitment and cannot be completed on a part-time basis.
Applicants are encouraged to attend a “What You Should Know before Starting the DMS Program” session offered a couple of times each year. At these sessions, current program students volunteer to tell their story about their life and time in the Program and offer their advice as to what worked best for them in juggling the demands of school, family and friends.
Due to the level of difficulty and the required amount of studies, the Program requires a full-time commitment. Clinical hours and on-campus class hours consist of 36-40 hours per week. Clinical hours (Field Experience courses) are scheduled during the day at the hospitals and on-campus lectures are offered in the daytime, however, some required courses are offered in the evening.
To see the DMS Program recommended course sequence time schedule, please download the Print Version of Frequently Asked Questions. Changes to this schedule may be made to meet the Program needs or to adjust to new scheduling blocks.
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program Requirements
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