PROGRAM ACCREDITATION

The TSC Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program 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).

9355 – 113th St. N, #7709, Seminole, FL 33775
Phone: 727-210-2350 Fax: 727-210-2354

There is an increasing demand for diagnostic medical sonographers in the Rio Grande Valley and across the nation. Accrediting agency standards limit the number of students that can be accepted into the program, based on the number of registered sonographers. Because selective admission to the program is competitive, requirements are rigid. Sonography courses for this program are open only to students officially admitted to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program.

Minimum criteria to be considered for admission in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program are:

• Admission to TSC — Contact the enrollment office for admission requirements (956) 295-3600
• Submission of completed Application for Admission to the DMS Program
• Submission of testing results that meet TSC testing requirements for admission
• Documentation of any certifications currently held
• Submission of two recommendation forms from physicians, employers, and/or instructors familiar with the applicant’s work
• A DMS Lab observation is required (scheduled with the Administrative Assistant)
• Unofficial TSC transcript showing all accepted transferred courses

Pre-program Courses (all grades must be posted on the TSC transcript by the application deadline):

Please use this form to help determine whether you meet the requirements to apply. The score at the bottom will be used to consider admission to this program.

The applicant’s grades in BIOL 2301, 2302, MATH 1314, PHYS 1305, ENGL 1301, and entrance exam test results are reviewed and recorded.  Certain applicants may be selected for an interview by the Admissions Committee.  The previously mentioned considerations, including an interview rating, are weighed, and a total point score is obtained.  Applicants with the highest score ratings will be accepted into the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program.

Prospective students should immediately begin a file in the DMS program even if the prerequisites have not yet been completed.

Application and ALL other criteria are due by 12:00 noon on the last working day of May. A criminal background check, physical exam, up-to-date immunizations, and CPR certification are required of all students prior to clinical assignments.

For more information, please contact our Administrative Assistant by calling (956) 295-3731.

Effective September 1, 2017, HB 1508, 85th Leg., R.S. (2017), amended Chapter 53 of the Texas Occupations Code to add Subchapter E relating to notice to applicants to and enrollees in certain educational programs regarding the consequences of a criminal conviction on eligibility for an occupational license.

Pursuant to Chapter 53, Subchapter E, of the Texas Occupations Code, please be advised that Texas Southmost College offers programs that lead to an occupational license as defined under Texas Occupations Code 58.001. Licensing authorities may have guidelines concerning prior criminal convictions that would make an individual ineligible for the issuance of a given license. If you are enrolled in a program that may prepare an individual for an occupational license and/or if you later decide to change to a program that prepares you for an occupational license as defined under Texas Occupations Code 58.001, in accordance with state law, please be advised of the following:

1. An individual who has been convicted of an offense may be ineligible for issuance of an occupational license upon completion of the educational program;
2. Each licensing authority that may issue an occupational license to an individual who completes an educational program must establish guidelines that state the reasons a particular crime is considered to relate to a particular license and any other criterion that affects the decisions of the licensing authority.
3. Local or county licensing authorities may issue additional guidelines related to criminal history. Applicants should contact their respective local or county licensing authority for more details.
4. A person may request a criminal history evaluation letter regarding personal eligibility for a license issued by a licensing authority under Texas Occupations Code 53.102.

Note that the provisions of Chapter 53 of the Texas Occupations Code relating to the consequences of criminal conviction do not apply to licenses granted by the Supreme Court of Texas, law enforcement officers (Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1701), emergency medical services personnel (Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 773), or persons licensed by the Texas Medical Board, the Texas State Board of Pharmacy, the State Board of Dental Examiners, or the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners that have been convicted of a felony under Chapter 481 or 483 or Section 485.003 of the Texas Health and Safety Code. If you are seeking one of these licenses, please be aware that other law provisions may apply to the consequences of a criminal conviction.

All applicants to and enrollees of Texas Southmost College are encouraged to review all applicable eligibility requirements for the respective occupational license. Questions related to eligibility requirements should be directed to the applicable licensing authority.

The technical standards (non-academic) established by the program are evidence of the essential functions that must be accomplished by students in the program. Essential functions require that the students be able to engage in educational and training activities in such a way that they will not be endangered, nor will they endanger other students, hospital staff, patients, or the public.

Essential Functions:

• Visual acuity to discern sonographic details and colors on a video monitor and film
• Ability to see and function in semi-dark settings
• Auditory acuity to hear low tones
• Ability to verbally communicate clearly and concisely
• Ability to communicate effectively and sensitively to assess non-verbal communication and adequately transmit information to the patient and to all members of the health care team
• Necessary skills to safely and accurately perform all diagnostic procedures and manipulate instruments and equipment
• Ability to move immobile and physically challenged patients
• Ability to sit or stand for long periods
• Emotional health required for full utilization of intellectual abilities
• Ability to recognize emergencies and take appropriate action

Frequently Asked Questions

May I substitute PHYS 1305 Elementary Physics I with general college physics?

No. PHYS 1305 Elementary Physics I must be completed by all applicants prior to application.

Will I have to travel to complete my clinical assignments?

Yes, the program uses clinical affiliates in cities ranging from Brownsville to Mission.

Do I have to complete an A.A.S. degree prior to applying for the program?

No, the student must only complete the prerequisites and is highly encouraged to seek advice from DMS faculty.

May I select the medical center I want to attend for my clinical experience?

The Clinical Coordinator will assign you to four rotations throughout the program. The student’s place of residency, technical level, and learning ability are considered prior to the assignment.

Do I have to complete all prerequisites prior to application?

Students are encouraged to begin a file as soon as possible and to seek advice from a DMS Program faculty member. However, if all prerequisites have not been completed by the application deadline, the student will not be considered a candidate, even if an application was submitted.