Admission Information | Bismarck State College

Admission

Information

Application Window: March 1

– April 1

, 2022

Applications received outside of this window will not be accepted. Applications each spring are for a

following fall semester Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program start.

Professional Description:

A Diagnostic Medical Sonographer utilizes a transducer, which uses sound waves to obtain images of

various organs and tissues in the body. The profession includes abdominal sonography, breast

sonography, obstetrics and gynecology sonography, cardiac sonography, vascular sonography, and

various subspecialties. Sonographers are highly skilled healthcare professionals who utilize ultrasound

and related diagnostic procedures, working under the delegated authority of the licensed supervising

physician, to provide clinically relevant information to assist the physician with the diagnosis and

treatment of patients. Diagnostic medical sonographers use independent, ethical and professional

judgement, effective communication, and critical thinking to provide appropriate health care services.

Sonographers may be employed in hospitals, clinics, mobile services, private offices, education, and in

industry settings. Sonographers may be required to work various shifts to provide 24-hour coverage.

Some facilities will require staff to be on call to cover evening, weekend, overnight, and holiday staffing.

Sonographers are responsible to obtain and maintain the appropriate certification in the areas of clinical

practice as required by employers. The American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS)

and the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) are among several organizations that offer

credentialing for sonographers. Certain states also require state licensure.

DMS Program Mission:

The mission of the Bismarck State College Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) Program is to provide a

high-quality, learning-centered education in diagnostic medical sonography theory and practice that

maximizes student learning and makes students partners in their education.

DMS Program Goals:

To prepare competent entry-level general sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor

(skills) and affective (behavior) learning domains.

This includes equipping the diagnostic medical sonography student to:

1. Demonstrate the ability to obtain, review, and integrate relevant patient data to facilitate

diagnostic results.

2. Perform sonographic procedures and record anatomic, pathologic, and/or physiological data for

interpretation by a physician to assist with the diagnosis and treatment of patients.

3. Exhibit discretion, judgement and problem solving in the performance of sonographic

procedures.

4. Demonstrate effective communication skills with patients, members of the healthcare team and

the general public.

5. Understand the principles and practices of professional conduct and the significance of

continuing professional development.

DMS Program Description:

The DMS Program is four consecutive semesters, excluding the required program prerequisites, starting

every fall. Enrollment is dependent on acceptance into the DMS Program. The first two semesters include

classroom and scanning lab instruction on the Bismarck State College (BSC) campus in the state-of-the-art

Health Sciences building. The final two semesters of the program are a seven-month clinical ultrasound

internship where students get in-field experience, utilizing the skills gained from the synchronous theory

and scanning lab courses. Students will be prepared to perform abdominal, superficial, gynecological, and

obstetrical ultrasounds. Additional instruction in vascular sonography is provided concurrently to

broaden the knowledge and experience and prepare the students for a variety of ultrasound

examinations.

DMS Clinical Ultrasound Internship:

The clinical site is a third-party entity into which the students are placed. Clinical internship sites are

selected according to their ultrasound procedure volumes and site staffing. Some of the clinical affiliates

may not be within daily driving distance. Relocation outside of the Bismarck area or outside of North

Dakota may be necessary to provide adequate preceptorship experience for all students. The student is

responsible for all expenses (transportation, housing, meals, etc.) during the clinical experience.

Arrangement for clinical sites depend on the college’s ability to enter into formal agreement with a

proposed site and may vary year-to-year. BSC cannot guarantee that a clinical site will always be available.

All clinical site assignments will be arranged and confirmed by the DMS program. Consideration will be

given to the site’s needs and the student’s desires. The clinical affiliate will be involved in the selection of

the student assigned to their respective site. Students should not rely upon the availability of a clinical

site in a specific geographical location. Clinical sites may change or become unavailable for reasons

beyond the control of Bismarck State College up to, and including, the first day of the clinical internship.

Clinical internship hours are mandatory. A Clinical Instructor is designated at each affiliate and is

responsible for setting the student’s clinical schedule times. The clinical day is 8 hours, excluding lunch.

Students are to complete 34-40 hours of scanning each week.

Accreditation:

Bismarck State College is accredited through the Higher Learning Commission, a regional accreditation

agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Higher Learning Commission

230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500

Chicago, IL 60604

info@hlcommission.org

800.621.7440 | 312.263.0456

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program is brand new at BSC and is not currently accredited.

Academic Advising:

The Mystic Advising and Counseling Center (MACC) is open for face-to-face, virtual, or telephone

appointments (701.224.5752). Advisors in the MACC assist students with general advising questions,

degree planning, course registration, course withdrawal, transfer questions, and graduation applications.

Technical Standards*:

Technical standards and essential functions have been established to ensure that students have the

abilities required to participate and potentially be successful in all aspects of sonography. Students are

required to meet technical standards and essential functions for the Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Program outlined below with or without accommodations. If an applicant or student is unable to meet

all the outlined technical standards with or without accommodations, he/she may be withdrawn from the

program.

The following are essential functions an applicant or student must possess:

1. Ability to communicate effectively in English using verbal, non-verbal and written formats with

patients, families, and all members of the healthcare team.

2. Gross and fine motor skills for manipulation of equipment, computer usage and patient care.

3. Ability to stand or walk for prolonged periods of time.

4. Ability to bend, squat, or kneel to care for and position patients and adjust equipment.

5. Ability to assist with moving and lifting patients and equipment of up to 50 lbs or more, up to

50% of the time.

6. Ability to lift routinely.

7. Ability to push and pull routinely.

8. Must have full use of both shoulders, hands, and wrists.

9. Physical abilities to move from room to room and maneuver in small spaces.

10. Ability to actively listen; oral comprehension, to perceive and react to audible communication or

noise. Sufficient hearing to receive instruction, identify phones, alarms, beepers, and distress

calls from staff or patients.

11. Ability to visualize and distinguish specific anatomy on monitors. The ability to visualize settings

on medical equipment and to distinguish shades of gray and color.

12. Possess the emotional health and stability to be able to respond appropriately and efficiently

even under stress or amidst distractions. The ability to exert self-control when dealing with

patients, families, and all members of the healthcare team.

13. Ability to collect, interpret, and integrate information and make decisions.

14. Work independently to organize and accurately perform the individual steps in a sonographic

exam in the appropriate sequence.

15. Possess the ability to demonstrate professional behaviors, a strong work ethic, and adhere to a

high standard of medical ethics at all times.

*Source: local job descriptions, www.sdms.org, www.bls.gov

Accommodations for Equal Opportunity:

It is the policy of the DMS Program, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), to

provide reasonable accommodation to select qualified, disabled individuals so that they can perform the

essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation will be provided to such individuals unless it

imposes an undue hardship upon the DMS Program.

The student is responsible to initiate a request for accommodations by applying for Student Accessibility

(SA). An application can be requested either in person, by telephone (701-224-5671), or complete and

submit the BSC Student Accessibility Application.

DMS Degree Plan:

Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program 2021-2022 Catalog

Course

Title

Credits

Prerequisites

BIOL 220

Anatomy and Physiology I

3-4

BIOL 220L

Anatomy and Physiology I Lab

BIOL 221

Anatomy and Physiology II

3-4

BIOL 221L

Anatomy and Physiology II Lab

PHYS 100

Concepts of Physics

3-4

PHYS 100L

Concepts of Physics Lab

BOTE 172

Medical Terminology

DMS 101

Introduction to Diagnostic Medical Sonography

ENGL110

College Composition I

ENGL 120 or

ENGL 125 or

COMM 110

College Composition II or

Introduction to Professional Writing or

Fundamentals of Public Speaking

MATH 103 or

MATH 210

College Algebra or

Elementary Statistics

3-4

General Education Arts & Humanities/Social & Behavioral Sciences class

Prerequisite Total

13-15

AAS DMS Semester One - Fall

DMS 102

Ultrasound Cross-Sectional Anatomy I

DMS 104

Diagnostic Medical Sonography I

DMS 105

Ultrasound Physics I

DMS 106

Clinical Ultrasound Lab I

Semester Total

AAS DMS Semester Two - Spring

DMS 210

Ultrasound Cross-Sectional Anatomy II

DMS 211

Diagnostic Medical Sonography II

DMS 209

Professional Development and Growth in Sonography

DMS 212

Clinical Ultrasound Lab II

Semester Total

AAS DMS Semester Three - Summer

DMS 207

Sonography Capstone

DMS 215

Clinical Internship I

Semester Total

AAS DMS Semester Four - Fall

DMS 220

Clinical Ultrasound Internship II

Semester Total

AAS Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Total Credits

70-74

*** All program plans and curriculum may change without notice.

Grading:

The DMS Program uses a didactic and clinical grading scale of:

Students must receive a 75% or higher for each clinical and didactic course in order to continue in the

DMS Program.

93-100%

85-92%

75-84%

68-74%

<68%

DMS Application Process:

• Admission to Bismarck State College.

• The following year one prerequisite courses are required to be complete, or in the process of

completion, with a grade of “C” or better to apply to the DMS Program:

Course

Title

Credits

BIOL 220

Anatomy and Physiology I

3-4

BIOL 220L

Anatomy and Physiology I Lab

BIOL 221

Anatomy and Physiology II

3-4

BIOL 221L

Anatomy and Physiology II Lab

PHYS 100

Concepts of Physics

3-4

PHYS 100L

Concepts of Physics Lab

BOTE 172

Medical Terminology

DMS 101

Introduction to Diagnostic Medical Sonography

ENGL 110

College Composition I

ENGL 120 or

ENGL 125 or

COMM 110

College Composition II or

Introduction to Professional Writing or

Fundamentals of Public Speaking

MATH 103 or

MATH 210

College Algebra or

Elementary Statistics

3-4

General Education Arts & Humanities/Social & Behavioral Sciences class

Total:

13-15

• Year one program required courses minimum GPA of 2.75 (GPA Calculator | Bismarck State

College).

• Overall cumulative minimum GPA of 2.0.

• Completion of ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) with scores ≥ 62 in Math and ≥ 73 in

Reading.

o Register for TEAS

o TEAS FAQs

• Complete application for Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program:

o Complete DMS Program application form (available online March 1

– April 1

o Review and sign technical standards included in DMS application form.

o Submit a copy of TEAS results.

o Obtain 2 recommendations utilizing forms available on DMS Program Application and

Requirements website. Recommendations should be a supervisor, employer, instructor,

or advisor. No relatives may be used. The sealed recommendation form and letter can

be submitted with the required application materials or mailed directly to:

Bismarck State College

Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program Director

PO Box 5587

Bismarck, ND 58506

• Complete interview process with the DMS admission committee.

o Interview will be scheduled once the program application is received and reviewed.

o Following a successful application and interview process, students will be offered

placement into the program as space allows.

o The DMS Program may not be able to accept all applicants that meet the minimum

admission standards due to the limited number of positions available.

• Upon acceptance into both BSC and the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program:

o Students will attend program orientation and registration (scheduled after acceptance

to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program). There is no registration for DMS

courses (excluding DMS 101) prior to this day.

o Complete physical examination form

• Following acceptance, students will need to successfully complete the CastleBranch Compliance

Tracker ($153 student expense) to ensure the following requirements are met:

o AHA BLS (Healthcare Provider) CPR – must be updated to remain current throughout

program.

o Background/Exclusions Check

i. No felony convictions. Misdemeanors will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

o Vaccinations:

i. MMR-2 vaccinations or titer (blood test).

ii. Varicella-2 vaccinations or positive titer (blood test). (We cannot accept a

statement or doctor note stating that you have had chickenpox or shingles.)

iii. Tuberculosis (TB) – 2 step TB skin test or QuantiFERON or T-SPOT.TB or negative

chest x-ray.

iv. Tetanus (Td-Tdap) – currently up to date (within 10 years).

v. Hepatitis B series – 3 doses of vaccine or titer (blood draw); recommended, not

required.

vi. Current year influenza vaccination.

o 12 Panel Drug Screen

i. Forms are available on from the Program Director

Transfer Credits:

Students who wish to attend Bismarck State College and have attended other colleges or universities must

provide the Admissions Office with all official and complete transcripts. Students need to request all

transcripts be officially sent (in a sealed envelope) from the schools to: Bismarck State College, Attn:

Admissions, PO Box 5587, Bismarck, ND 58506.

The Academic Records office will perform the official evaluation and results are posted in

CampusConnection. BSC accepts credits for college-level course work earned at any college, university,

or postsecondary institution which is accredited by any of the six regional post-secondary higher

education commissions in the United States.

Alternate Learning also referred to as Prior Learning Assessment or PLA, can help students earn college

credit for knowledge and competencies they’ve gained outside the college classroom. Students can be

granted credit through CLEP/DSST, Portfolio Development, and Credit for Industry Training. For more

information visit: Prior Learning | Bismarck State College.

DMS Admission Process:

Upon receipt of all application materials, the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program staff will evaluate

the applicant’s file for completeness of program specific requirements. The interview will be scheduled

once the program application and recommendations are received and reviewed. Applicants are scored

based on past academic performance, TEAS results, recommendations, career statement responses,

previous experience, interview, and overall quality of application. The number of students accepted into

the DMS Program is determined by the number of clinical sites available and may vary from year to year.

The admission process is highly competitive due to the limited amount of positions available and the DMS

Program may not be able to accept all applicants that meet the minimum admission standards.

Applicants to the BSC Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program will be notified in writing whether they

have been conditionally accepted into the program or not. If accepted, the applicant is required to

confirm or decline acceptance by the date stated in their acceptance letter. Accepted applicants not

wishing to attend should notify the DMS Program immediately. Students accepted into the program will

receive additional information detailing their orientation and academic course schedules. Students will

need to successfully complete the CastleBranch compliance tracker and submit a completed physical

examination form prior to beginning DMS classes in the Fall.

Advanced Placement:

The BSC Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program does not offer early admission or advanced placement

for students. Candidates must apply each year and compete against the field of applicants for that year.

Nondiscriminatory Recruitment, Admission, Employment Practices:

Bismarck State College is an equal opportunity institution that does not discriminate on the basis of race,

color, sex, gender, gender identity, national origin, age, religion, sexual orientation, information protected

by the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), marital status, disability, veteran’s status or any

other status protected by law in its admissions, student aid, employment practices, education programs

or other related activities. Inquiries concerning Title VI, Title IX, and Section 504 may be referred to the

Chief Human Resource Officer, Bismarck State College, 1500 Edwards Ave., Bismarck, ND 59506, (701)

224-5427.

Accepted Applicant Requirements:

• Applicants accepted into the DMS Program will be notified of the date and time for the

mandatory DMS Program orientation and instructions for course registration.

• A completed physical examination form.

• Students must supply documentation of current American Heart Association – Basic Life

Support (Healthcare Provider) CPR certification by uploading a photocopy, front and back, of a

signed current CPR card to the CastleBranch compliance tracker by fall program start. DMS

students are required to maintain current CPR certification throughout the program.

• Acceptance in the DMS Program is provisional based on the student submitting to and passing a

background check, drug test, physical exam, and submitting the required immunization records

prior to the fall DMS Program start.

DMS Program Costs:

Please visit BSC Admissions & Cost for tuition and fee information. The BSC Financial Aid office assists

students in securing adequate funding for their educational related college expenses from a variety of

sources. Appointments can be made by stopping in (1

floor of Schafer Hall) or calling 701-224-5494.

Additional DMS Program specific approximate expenses include:

Textbooks

$ 800-1200

Uniforms / Shoes

$ 100-200

SDMS student membership

$ 45

Trajecsys

$ 75-100

TEAS

$ 82

CastleBranch tracker

$ 153

Health physical examination /

immunizations (prior to enrollment)

Variable

Internship

Varies greatly

Certification examinations

$ 200 – 250 per exam

ND State License (if applicable)

Application Fee $25 / License Fee $150

**all costs are subject to change without notice

Outside Employment:

Due to the demands of the full-time 40 hours per week clinical ultrasound internship, student employment

may be challenging while in the DMS Program. If a student deems it necessary to be employed outside of

the program it is expected that work schedules will be arranged to not impact negatively on the student’s

clinical training. Students will not be excused from class or clinical assignments for personal work

schedules.

Student Service Work:

Clinical ultrasound internships are a time for the student to learn, experience and develop skill and

confidence in their abilities, not to work as an employee. Students do not receive compensation for

services they perform during the clinical ultrasound internship. If at any time a student feels that they are

taking the place of an employee and that no learning is occurring, please document the experience and

discuss the situation with the Program Director or Clinical Coordinator.

Professional Behavior Code:

Students enrolled in the BSC DMS Program are expected to exhibit the highest standards of

professionalism in didactic and clinical settings at all times. They must abide by the general policies and

procedures that are provided in the Bismarck State College Student Handbook. The BSC Student Academic

Honor Code prohibits cheating, plagiarism, or collusion in class work, laboratory performance, or test

taking. Students are expected to follow the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography Code of Ethics in

their professional interactions with patients, medical personnel, and the general public. Any student

behavior in violation of the above policies are subject to disciplinary action, up to and/or including

dismissal.

DMS Application Checklist:

The following must be met or included to be considered a completed application:

➢ DMS Program applicant requirements:

 Admission to Bismarck State College.

 Successful completion (or in the process of completion) of required year one program

prerequisites with a “C” or better.

 Year one program required courses minimum GPA of 2.75

 Overall cumulative minimum GPA of 2.0.

 Completion of ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) with scores ≥ 62 Math and ≥ 73 in

Reading.

➢ DMS Program application materials:

 Complete the DMS Program application for admission form (available March 1

– April 1

 Read and sign technical standards form included in DMS program application form.

 Submit a copy of TEAS results.

 Obtain 2 recommendations utilizing form located on DMS website. Evaluator completes

recommendation form and submits a separate letter of recommendation.

Recommendations should be a supervisor, employer, instructor, or advisor. No relative may

be used as a recommendation. The sealed recommendation form and letter can be

submitted with application materials or mailed directly to DMS Program Director.

➢ The required DMS Program application materials above should be submitted in one large

envelope addressed to: BSC Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program

PO Box 5587

Bismarck, ND 58506

➢ Required application materials will only be accepted on or after March 1

, and must be

received before or on April 1

, or postmarked April 1

. Applications received outside of this

window will be ineligible for consideration.

Questions:

For additional information or questions please contact the DMS Program Director:

Tara Wagner, BS, RDMS, RVT, RT(R)

701-224-2518

tara.wagner@bismarckstate.edu

BSC Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) Program FAQs

When does the DMS program start?

• The DMS Program is four consecutive semesters that begins each Fall semester.

When can I apply to the DMS Program?

• The DMS Program application window is open March 1

– April 1

, 2022.

How many students are accepted?

• The number of students accepted into the DMS Program is determined by the number of clinical

sites available and may vary from year to year.

What is the TEAS?

• The Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) administered by Assessment Technologies Institute

(ATI) is a standardized, timed, computer-based exam designed to assess the general academic

preparedness of students interested in applying to the BSC DMS Program. It measures

knowledge in basic essential skills in the academic content areas of Reading, Mathematics,

Science, and English.

Why is the TEAS test being used?

• The DMS Program is highly selective due to the limited amount of positions available. The TEAS

is being utilized to help evaluate the students’ academic readiness as part of the application

process. The DMS program requires the following TEAS scores: ≥ 62 in Math and ≥ 73 in

Reading. The Science and English components do not factor into the applicant requirements. It

is recommended students verify that all DMS application requirements are met before

attempting to take the TEAS exam.

• TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) FAQs

What can I do to increase my chances of being accepted into the DMS Program?

• Maximize your academic performance (overall and prerequisite GPA’s).

• Prior allied health degree (Associates, Bachelor’s Degree or higher).

• Complete Certified Nursing Assistant training (not required but recommended).

• Prior completion of Certified Nursing Assistant, EMT-Basic, Paramedic, Licensed Vocational

Nurse, Registered Nurse, Radiologic Technologist, Nuclear Medicine Technologist, Respiratory

Therapist, Surgical Technologist, or similar health training.

If I am accepted into the DMS Program, what other requirements are necessary?

• Acceptance in the DMS Program is provisional based on the student submitting to and passing a

background/exclusions check, drug test, physical exam, and submitting the required

immunization records prior to the Fall DMS Program start.

• All students must hold the American Heart Association – Basic Life Support (Healthcare

Provider) CPR certification prior to the Fall DMS Program start. The student must be re-certified

by taking and passing a refresher course if the certification expires while enrolled in the DMS

Program. Students are required to provide proof of current CPR certification through the

CastleBranch compliance tracker.

Can I attend part time?

• It is possible to complete prerequisite courses on a part-time schedule. The DMS Program is a

full-time program only. All Diagnostic Medical Sonography courses must be taken in sequence.

Is there a waiting list admission into the DMS Program?

• There is not a waiting list for the BSC DMS Program. The applicant pool is evaluated on an

annual basis. Any applicant who is not offered a position and wishes to be considered the

following year must reapply.

What if I have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony?

• It is the sole responsibility of the student to investigate how this will affect their ability to earn

certification credentials prior to and during the DMS Program.

• Eligibility to take national certification examinations administered by the American Registry for

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) and/or the American Registry of Radiologic

Technologists (ARRT) is determined by the credentialing body.

• Both the ARDMS and ARRT provide a pre-application review for individuals who wish to determine

the impact of a previous criminal matter or disciplinary matters on their eligibility to sit for

certification examinations.

Can I work while attending this program?

• Due to the demands of the full-time 40 hours per week clinical ultrasound internship, student

employment may be challenging while in the DMS Program. If a student deems it necessary to

be employed outside of the program it is expected that work schedules will be arranged to not

impact negatively on the student’s clinical training. Students will not be excused from class or

clinical assignments for personal work schedules.

Are any of the DMS courses offered online?

• Several of the prerequisite courses have online options.

• Introduction to Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS 101) is an 8-week online course offered

yearly during the spring semester to all BSC students. Students interested in applying to the

DMS Program must successfully complete this course with a grade of “C” or better to apply to

the DMS Program.

• Students will have the option of attending classroom lecture DMS courses (DMS 102, DMS 104,

DMS 105, DMS 210, DMS 211) on campus at BSC or via distance learning synchronously through

the interactive video network. Enrollment is dependent upon acceptance into the DMS

Program.

• Students are required to be on campus at BSC for Clinical Ultrasound Lab I (DMS 106) and

Clinical Ultrasound Lab II (DMS 212) hands-on scanning labs. Enrollment is dependent upon

acceptance into the DMS Program.

• The final two semesters of the DMS Program are a seven-month clinical ultrasound internship at

a third-party clinical affiliate requiring 40 hours a week full time in person attendance.

Enrollment is dependent upon acceptance into the DMS Program.

When are classes held?

• Classes and clinical ultrasound scanning lab for the DMS Program are held during daytime hours

(8:00 am – 4:00 pm). Students are either in class or clinical ultrasound scanning lab five days a

week (Monday through Friday).

• Clinical internship shifts are 8 hours, excluding lunch. The Clinical Instructor designated at each

affiliate is responsible for setting the student’s clinical schedule times. Students are to complete

34-40 hours of scanning each week.

Does the DMS Program go through the summer?

• Yes. The DMS Program is four consecutive semesters. The Clinical Ultrasound Internship begins

during the summer / third semester of the DMS Program.

What kind of degree will I be awarded when I graduate?

• You will earn an Associate in Applied Science degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography.

How do I earn an American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) credential?

• To earn the Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS) credential, you must pass the

Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI) examination and a corresponding specialty

examination within a five-year period. The BSC Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program

prepares students to take the following ARDMS examinations: Sonography Principles &

Instrumentation (SPI), Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN), and Abdomen (AB).

Is the BSC Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program accredited?

• The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program is brand new at BSC and is not currently

accredited. Bismarck State College is accredited through the Higher Learning Commission.

What does it mean to be a graduate of a non-accredited DMS program?

• Students can take the Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI) Examination through the

American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) upon completion of the

Ultrasound Physics (DMS 105) course.

• Students have the following options to become ARDMS board eligible to take the corresponding

specialty (ABD, OB/GYN) examination(s) to earn a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

(RDMS) credential:

1. Students must work full-time in the field for 12 months after graduation to gain clinical

ultrasound experience before they are ARDMS board eligible.

2. Students can take the American Registry of Radiologic Technology Sonography board.

This is an all-encompassing board (abdomen, obstetrics/gynecology, vascular, small

parts, and physics). Upon passing the ARRT Sonography examination, students can sit

for the ARDMS specialty examination(s) under Prerequisite 5 of the ARDMS General

Prerequisites.

• ARDMS candidates are required to pass both the SPI examination and a corresponding specialty

examination within five years of each other.

What is the salary range for a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer?

• According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the median pay for a Diagnostic Medical

Sonographer is $68,750 per year or $33.05 per hour and is dependent on geographic area,

experience, and specialty.

Is Diagnostic Medical Sonography a safe profession?

• Interactions with patients in a health care system involve inherent risks to both the patient and

the sonographer including, but not limited to, communicable diseases. Sonographers are

expected to implement standard precautions and appropriate barrier protections while

providing patient care. Part of the DMS Program training will include learning universal

precautions, such as how to protect yourself in a situation where contact with blood, or body

fluids, is probable.

• The Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography cites up to 90% of sonographers experience

symptoms of Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMSDs)*. WRMSDs can affect the

sonographer’s hands, wrists, arms, shoulders, necks, and back. The importance and

implementation of ergonomic best practices in the sonography profession is a core component

of the DMS Program curriculum.

* Evans K, Roll S, Baker J. Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMSD) Among Registered Diagnostic Medical

Sonographers and Vascular Technologists: A Representative Sample. Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography

2009;25(6):287-299. rev 7/2021