FAQ: Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program | DMS Program

Q: For admission into the program, what are the requirements?
A: All applicants need to fill out an application, and pay the $75 application fee; All applicants need to have a Bachelor’s Degree (any major) or an Associate Degree (allied health majors only); All Applicants must pass an entrance exam and pass an interview.

Q: What are the educational requirements needed for admission into the program?
A: All applicants need to have a Bachelor’s Degree (any major) or an Associate Degree (allied health majors only).

Q: How do I know if my Associate Degree is considered to be “allied health”?
A: According to the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS), “a two year allied health education program that is patient care related is defined as (1) 24 full-time consecutive calendar months or (2) 60 semester credits or (3) 84 quarter credits (4) and requiring a clinical internship/externship to complete the program.”

Q: I have a foreign degree. Do I need to have my degree evaluated?
A: Yes. All prospective applicants with a foreign degree must have their degree evaluated prior to enrollment of the program.

Q: I have no previous experience in the health care industry. Will that affect my chances for admission into the program?
A: No. Our students come from diverse backgrounds that are not limited to the health care industry.

Q: When is the application deadline?
A: Our program reviews and accepts applications year-round. Once the program has reached its capacity for a specific start date, we enroll applicants into the next available program start date.

Q: How many program start dates are there per year?
A: There are 2 program start dates per year.

Q: How many students do you accept per start date?
A: We accept approximately 10 students per start date (twice a year).

Q: What does the entrance exam consist of?
A: The entrance exam consists of 50 questions in the areas of basic math and basic English.

Q: I have a medical degree. Am I still required to take the entrance exam?
A: Yes. All applicants regardless of degree or background must pass the entrance exam prior to admission into the program.

Q: What happens if I don’t pass the entrance exam?
A: You will be able to retake the exam after a period of one month and will be given a different version. Prospective students who are not able to pass the entrance exam are not granted admission into the program/prerequisite courses.

Q: What does the interview consist of and how long will it last?
A: The interview is the final stage in the selection criteria for admission. Candidates will be interviewed by the program or associate director. Interviews usually last between 20 and 30 minutes and are conducted in a relaxed and casual manner.

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Q: Are there any prerequisite classes I need to take before I start the ultrasound program?
A: Yes. The three prerequisite classes are: Anatomy and Physiology, Ultrasound Physics, and Cross-Sectional Anatomy. All three classes are offered at our San Mateo Campus.

Q: How often are the prerequisite courses offered?
A: Twice a year, prior to each program start date.

Q: If I have already taken anatomy and physiology, how can I bypass the requirement?
A: Official transcripts must be provided, along with passing an Anatomy and Physiology challenge exam.

Q: I’ve already taken Physics. Can I bypass that course requirement?
A: Probably not. The physics requirement is not a general physics course; it is an Ultrasound Physics course, and must be taken at Gurnick Academy.

Q: Do you offer a course in Medical Terminology?
A: Medical Terminology is incorporated into the Anatomy and Physiology course.

Q: What is the duration of each prerequisite course?
A: Anatomy and Physiology is 96 hours, 24 sessions. Ultrasound Physics is 48 hours, 12 sessions. Lastly, Cross-Sectional Anatomy is 32 hours, 8 sessions.

Q: Are the prerequisite classes everyday?
A: No. Prerequisite classes are taken one course at a time, usually twice a week. Please consult the DMS dept. for the most up-to-date course schedules.

Q: What happens if I fail a prerequisite course?
A: The failed course must be repeated before entering the program. All applicable fees for repeating a course will apply.

Q: Are prerequisites included in the program length?
A: No. Prerequisites are separate from the program and are not included in the program length.

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Q: What is the length of the program?
A: 18 months.

Q: Is the program accredited?
A: The program is actively pursuing its accreditation and currently does not hold accreditation.

Q: Will I be eligible to sit for the ARDMS board exam after I finish the program?
A: Yes. Because the program only accepts students with Bachelor degrees and those who have completed an Associates degree (allied health programs only), all students who have successfully completed the program will be eligible to sit for the ARDMS board exam. Students with Bachelor’s degree fall under the ARDMS prerequisite #3A, and students with an allied health Associates degree fall under ARDMS prerequisite #1. Please see www.ardms.org for more information about the ARDMS and its test requirements.

Q: Will the program prepare me to pass the ARDMS exam?
A: Yes. ARDMS test preparation is strongly emphasized throughout our students’ entire curriculum at Gurnick Academy. We also offer ARDMS “practice exams,” and review/preparation seminars focusing on the various test modalities.

Q: Do you offer online classes?
A: No. All coursework is hands-on consisting of Didactic lectures, Laboratories, and Clinical Internship.

Q: Are didactic courses and laboratories held on campus?
A: Yes.

Q: What type of ultrasound machines is your lab equipped with?
A: The scan laboratory is equipped with Toshiba Nemio, Ultrasonix, GE Logic 700, Acuson Aspen 7.0, Acuson Aspen 7.03, Acuson 128XP/10, Medison SA 4D Live ultrasound systems and MidSim Ultrasound Training Simulator and is used in instructional scanning sessions with students before entering the clinical setting.

Q: Is this a full time program?
A: Yes. The program is considered to be a full time program, even though students are not required to be on campus full time.

Q: Do you offer night classes?
A: Yes. The DMS program has both, a day program and an evening program.

Q: What are the class times?
A: The evening program is M-F, 6pm-10pm. The day program is Monday 10am-2pm, Wednesday 9:30am-6pm, and Thursday 9:30am-6pm.

Q: Can I take both night and day classes?
A: No, students are not able to switch back and forth between day and evening classes. Students can enroll only into the day schedule or night schedule (not both). However, special circumstances may be accommodated at the discretion of the instructor or program director.

Q: Will I be able to maintain my employment while in the program?
A: With careful time management, many students have been able to maintain part-time employment and have successfully completed the program.

Q: How many didactic modules are taught within the program?
A: The program consists of 4 modules: Abdominal and Small Parts, OB/GYN, Vascular, and Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation II.

Q: How long are each of the modules?
A: The modules are a total of 14 months; however, each module varies in length. Please contact the DMS Department for the most current module calendar.

Q: What happens if I fail a module? Will I be expelled from the program?
A: The student will be able to continue the program, but must repeat the failed module. All applicable fees will apply.

Q: Do your other campus offer the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program?
A: No, our San Mateo campus the only location that has the DMS program.

Q: Where can I find more information regarding Gurnick Academy’s ultrasound program?
A: More information can be provided through our DMS application package (available online), or by contacting the DMS department. Also, you may view the following press release for more information: http://www.medacademy.org/press-releases/newly-restructured-diagnostic-medical-sonography-program

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Q: How many hours of clinical training am I expected to perform?
A: 960 hours

Q: Do I have to find my own internship?
A: No, an internship will be provided for all of our students.

Q:  Where will the clinical training be conducted?
A: Your internship will be provided through our affiliated clinical facilities. These facilities consist of hospitals, outpatient imaging facilities and private doctors’ offices. It is the student’s responsibility to commute to the various internship sites.

Q: When do I begin my internship?
A: The internship start date varies from student to student; on average students begin internship during their 10th month in the program.

Q: Can I do my internship during the weekend or at night?
A: No; clinical training is available during weekday, workday hours.

Q: How many days per week will I be interning?
A: There are three rotations or stages of internship. Rotation 1 (R1) is twice a week. Rotation 2 (R2) is two to three days per week, and Rotation 3 (R3) is three to five days per week.

Q: Are the internships paid positions?
A: No, all internships are unpaid.

Q: Will I be clinically evaluated during my internship?
A: Yes, all students will be evaluated on a continual basis onsite by the program director/clinical coordinator, as well as the student’s clinical instructor. These evaluations will take place at the internship site. All interns will be notified in advance of their upcoming evaluations.

Q: Do I have the option of finding my own internship?
A: Yes. Although an internship will be provided for all students, it may be possible for students to establish an internship on their own. Please contact the DMS department for more information.

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Q: How much does the program cost?
A: Please view and/or download the payment plan option guide available online at http://www.medacademy.org/programs/diagnostic-medical-sonography-program

Q: Are prerequisites included in the program cost?
A: Prerequisites are billed separately from the program and are not included into the program cost.

Q: What does the program cost include?
A: Tuition, all textbooks, uniforms, and registration fees.

Q: Can I obtain financial aid?
A: Our institution does not provide financial aid, nor accepts grants. A student loan is obtainable for qualified students through Sallie Mae Financial.

Q: When do I start making payments towards my Sallie Mae loan?
A: Loan payments are paid directly to Sallie Mae immediately upon program start. Typically, students will pay $10 per month for the first 12 months. After 12 months, students will begin to make their regularly scheduled payments of approximately $200-$350 per month.

Q: Is their a prepayment penalty for Sallie Mae loan?
A: No, there is no prepayment penalty.

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Q: Once I graduate from the program will I be getting a degree or certificate?
A: The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is a certificate program.

Q: Once I graduate where am I eligible to work?
A: Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be able to obtain entry level Sonography positions in hospitals, outpatient centers, doctors’ offices, and other facilities that utilize ultrasound.

Q: Do you offer job placement?
A: Yes; we assist with job placements for all students who successfully complete the program. However, we cannot guarantee employment.

Q: Once I graduate will anyone help me apply to take the ARDMS exam?
A: Faculty and staff are available to assist all graduates in preparing their materials to apply for the ARDMS exam.

Q: Once I graduate am I able to return to the ultrasound lab to maintain my scanning skills?
A: Yes, graduates are more than welcome to utilize the ultrasound lab/equipment in maintaining their skills.

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