About Us
Sonography is a non-invasive medical procedure that uses the echoes of high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to construct an image (sonogram) of internal organs or body structures.
In sonography, a transmitting device (the transducer) sends out high-frequency ultrasound waves. Harmless sound waves, which contain no radiation, bounce off the surfaces of the object they hit. The reflected sound forms an echo that is visualized on the screen.
A diagnostic medical sonographer is a highly-skilled professional who uses specialized equipment to create images (sonograms) of structures inside the human body. Physicians interpret the images to make a medical diagnosis.
The professional responsibilities of a diagnostic medical sonographer include, but are not limited, to:
- Obtaining and recording an accurate patient history.
- Performing diagnostic procedures and obtaining diagnostic images.
- Analyzing technical information.
- Using independent judgment in recognizing the need to extend the scope of the procedure according to the diagnostic findings.
- Providing an oral or written summary of the technical findings to the physician for medical diagnosis.
- Providing quality patient care.
- Collaborating with physicians and other members of the healthcare team.
Because they are often dealing with people in physical and/or emotional pain, diagnostic medical sonographers must be sensitive to the needs of their patients. In addition, they must be detail-oriented team players and able to follow doctors’ directions explicitly. Documentation and maintenance of patients' records is also a requirement of the diagnostic medical sonography profession. Operating complicated equipment requires mechanical ability and manual dexterity, while long periods of standing and lifting patients requires physical stamina.
The field of sonography offers several areas of specialization, including:
- Abdomen (AB) – evaluation of all the soft tissues, blood vessels and organs of the abdominal cavities (for example, liver, spleen, urinary tract and pancreas).
- Breast (BR) – evaluation of breast abnormalities that are found with screening or diagnostic mammography.
- Musculoskeletal (MSK) – assess bones, muscles, tendons, ligament tears and nerve and soft tissue pathology. Assist with ultrasound-guided procedures.
- Pediatric Sonography (PS) – evaluation of the head, spine, chest, hips/joints, and the male and female genitourinary system of the pediatric patient.
- Obstetrics (OB)/Gynecology – evaluation of the female reproductive system.
- Vascular Technology (VT) – evaluation and analysis of the hemodynamics (blood flow) of peripheral and abdominal blood vessels.
Professional certification disclosure
Upon completion of an accredited program, a diagnostic medical sonographer is required to take the Sonographic Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) examination along with a specialty area examination (see list above) through the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). Cleveland Clinic requires a minimum of one certification from the ARDMS in (Abdominal (AB), Obstetrics (OB)/gynecology or Vascular (VT)) prior to hire, with all three specialties being required within the first year of hire.
Employers, insurers, accreditation organizations and professional organizations in the sonography community are increasingly seeking demonstration of competence through sonographer certification/credentialing in each specialty area in which the sonographer practices.
Please note: Taking the Sonographic Principles and Instrumentation examination after successful completion of the Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation course is required for graduation.
Accreditation
The program is accredited in both Abdomen-Extended and Obstetrics and Gynecology. The program operates in accordance with the accreditation standards set forth in the " Standards and Guidelines for the Accreditation of Educational Programs in Diagnostic Medical Sonography by CAAHEP. A copy of the "Standards" is available from the school upon request. A student who successfully completes the program is eligible to apply for the national registry examination offered by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).
The Beachwood Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
9355 113th Street N., #7709
Seminole, FL, 33775-7709
727-210-2350
State approval
The Beachwood Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program is approved and registered by the Ohio State Board of Career Colleges and Schools in accordance with Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3332 (School Registration No. 2165). For questions related to the State Board approval, please contact:
Cleveland Clinic School of Health Professions
9500 Euclid Ave./JJ21
Cleveland OH 44195
216.444.5678
Mission
To develop exceptional imaging professionals whose expertise will meet the needs of the community they serve, and whose academic education and clinical experience will provide a foundation for lifelong learning.
Program goal statement
To prepare competent entry-level sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains for the abdominal-extended and obstetrics and gynecology sonography concentrations.
Program goals & outcomes
Goal 1: The student/graduate will be clinically competent.
Outcomes:
- Student will provide appropriate patient care.
- Student will demonstrate clinical competency appropriate to their level of experience.
- Student will perform exams safely.
- Student will produce quality diagnostic images.
Goal 2: The student/graduate will demonstrate professionalism.
Outcomes:
- Student will demonstrate an understanding of the importance of professionalism.
- Student will demonstrate professional behavior.
- Student will demonstrate an understanding of patient confidentiality (HIPAA).
Goal 3: The student/graduate will demonstrate effective critical thinking.
Outcomes:
- Student will be able to modify routine procedures for non-routine patients.
- Student will effectively critique images to determine if corrective action is required.
- Student will acquire critical thinking skills and problem-solving abilities that enhance their clinical experience.
Goal 4: The student/graduate will demonstrate effective communication.
Outcomes:
- Student will demonstrate effective written communication.
- Student will develop professional verbal communication in the healthcare environment.
Contact information
Angela Perry, BSAS, RDMS, RVT, RMSKs
Program Director
25900 Science Park Dr.
Beachwood, OH 44122
BeachwoodDMSProgram@ccf.org
Admissions
Admissions requirements & disclosures
In addition to program-specific admissions requirements and procedures, applicants are encouraged to review requirements and disclosures outlined on the School of Health Professions’ Admissions page.
School of Health Professions catalog
Additional information can be found in the School Catalog, including school-wide policies and procedures, program-specific information, and course descriptions.
Technical standards
- Candidates must have good eyesight either naturally or through correction. They must be able to see the printed words in a Sonographic textbook and be able to read and accurately interpret the numbers on a Sonographic technique chart.
- Candidates must have the ability to hear instructions and be able to respond to verbal requests by patients/customers.
- Candidates must be able to lift a minimum of thirty (30) pounds and possess the ability to support up to 175 pounds. Sonographers must assist, support and move patients from wheelchairs and carts onto Sonographic examination tables which requires the use of their backs and muscles.
- Sonographers work while standing, sometimes for hours. Candidates must be able to move around and stand for long periods of time.
- Sonographers must verbally instruct patients and be able to express concern and empathy for them. Candidates must possess good verbal and nonverbal communications skills as evidenced from the application and interview process. Sonographers must perform data entry with dexterity and accuracy.
- Candidates must be physically and mentally capable of fulfilling the objectives of the Beachwood Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program. The program will make reasonable accommodations to assist a student with a disability to advance through the program. Candidates must have sensory function adequate for patient assessment and care. They must possess the physical status needed to provide all aspects of care in a safe manner.
Requirements
Individuals applying to the Beachwood Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program must meet the following requirements:
- Possess a high school diploma or earned a certificate of equivalent education recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
- Satisfied the following college-level coursework requirements:
- All courses must be college credit courses with a “C” grade or higher while maintaining a minimum GPA of 2.5. These courses must be from a regionally accredited college and have a traditional letter grade. The Beachwood Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program does not accept the pass/no pass grading option.
- Courses that need be completed:
- Anatomy & Physiology I & II (To have been completed within the last 5 years)
- Medical Terminology
- College level algebra
- Physics for Allied Sciences (or College physics)
- Interpersonal Communications (or English equivalent)
Please note: If you have completed Anatomy & Physiology I and are registered for Anatomy & Physiology II for the current semester for which you are applying, you may still apply to the program to be interviewed, but you must then complete the Anatomy & Physiology II successfully in that semester to be eligible for acceptance into the program. If you are applying to the program and are currently completing any of the prerequisites, you may still apply to the program to be interviewed. Eligibility of acceptance into the program will be based on the interview and the contingency of successfully passing the current prerequisite(s).
If a student has completed high school in another country the student must submit an official translated transcript. Foreign transcripts must be evaluated by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).
The Beachwood Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program does not accept advanced placement, transfer students or transfer credits from any college or sonography program.
All previously completed courses must have a traditional letter grade. Candidates who meet most of the requirements may be considered if there is evidence that they will meet the requirements prior to the beginning of the program. The Beachwood Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program does not accept the pass/no pass grading option. Credit(s) earned at other institutions or programs will be evaluated by the Admissions Committee using transfer.org to determine if they meet the program requirements.
Tuition & Fees
| Program tuition & fees | $15,750 |
| Semester payment | $3,150 |
There is a $300 non-refundable acceptance tuition deposit which is applicable toward first semester tuition. The tuition and fees are subject to change upon due notice to the student.
Please note: If you pay with a check your payment is presented electronically and the transaction will present as an ACH transaction – not a check.
| Estimated additional expenses: | |
|---|---|
| Textbooks | $1,100 |
| Uniforms (shoes, lab jacket, scrubs) | $200 |
| ARDMS SPI Examination fee | $250 |
| The following are post-graduation fees: | |
| ARDMS examination fee *per specialty exam | $275 |
*There is no charge for parking, liability/malpractice insurance, or background screening.
The tuition and fee schedule is subject to change by the action of the Administration and Program Director of the Beachwood Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program.
Tuition refund policy
The Beachwood Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program issues refunds for tuition and other fees for eligible applicants and students as outlined in the School of Health Professions’ Tuition Refund Policy.
Cost of attendance
The cost of attendance for the Beachwood Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program is a budget comprised of direct and indirect costs. Tuition is a direct cost charged by the program. All others are indirect costs that a student may incur during the course of the program and is not paid to the program. These costs are subject to change.
|
Tuition |
$15,750 |
|
Books & supplies |
$2,000 |
|
App fee |
$20 |
|
Food & housing |
$28,566 |
|
Transportation |
$4,095 |
|
Personal |
$4,032 |
|
Total |
$54,463 |
Tuition assistance opportunities
- Cleveland Foundation Scholarships
- College Now Greater Cleveland
- Navient Student Loan Service
- Sallie Mae
Cleveland Clinic School of Health Professions also has scholarship opportunities available to students.
Net price calculator
In accordance with the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, the Beachwood Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program has posted a net price calculator to provide estimated net price information to prospective students based on a student's individual circumstances. Click on the link below to access the net price calculator.
Graduation Requirements
All students must meet the following criteria for graduation. Students graduate with a certificate in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program after completing 5 semesters of education.
- Satisfactory completion of all program courses.
- All competencies must be completed as outlined in the Competency Examination Policy.
- All required JRC-DMS mandatory & elective competencies must be completed.
- All required JRC-DMS general patient care procedures must be completed.
- All regular and make-up hours must be completed.
- Tuition payment and fees must be paid in full.
- All reference books or other material must be returned, including any resources from the CC Library.
- ID badge must be returned. A fee will be charged for missing ID badge. All fees must be paid prior to graduation.
- Graduation survey must be completed.
- Employer release form must be signed.
- Satisfactorily complete capstone project.
- Students must sit for the ARDMS Sonography Principles & Instrumentation Exam prior to graduation.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
The student’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) toward graduation will be evaluated after the completion of each term of the program. Failure to maintain SAP may result in the student being dismissed from the program.
Program Outcomes
The performance of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program is reflected through program effectiveness data as defined by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRCDMS).
This data includes the program's completion rate, credentialing examination pass rate and job placement rate. The explanation of these measures and program data that corresponds with the annual report will be posted on the website after completion of the first cohort.
The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program's annual report to the JRCDMS will reflect the following:
Program completion rate
This is an annual measurement of the number of students that began the program divided by the number of students that completed the program.
Credentialing examination first time pass rate
This is the number of students that pass the American Registry for Diagnostic Medial Sonography (ARDMS) certification examination on the first attempt within six months of graduation from the program. The figure reflects an average over five years.
Job placement rate
This is the number of students who become employed in diagnostic medical sonography within 12 months of graduation versus the number that graduate and are actively seeking employment. The figure reflects an average over five years.
All of the above information and more can be found in our Program Policy & Procedure Manual, which is made available to all prospective and current students, and on the program website. This information is also available in hard copy upon request. To obtain a copy, please contact our financial aid office at 216.448.3110.
The School of Health Professions assesses program outcomes following the completion of each academic year (july 1st through june 30th) to include the following:
Retention rate
The percentage of students that remain or graduate the program within the specified academic year.
Exam participation rate
Calculates the percentage of program graduates that participate in credentialing or licensure examinations.
Exam pass rate
The percentage of credentialing exam participants that pass the exam.
Placement rate
The percentage of available graduates that are employed in a related field after program completion.
|
July 1, 2022-June 30, 2023 |
July 1, 2023-June 30, 2024 |
|
|---|---|---|
|
Retention Rate |
88% |
86% |
|
Exam Participation* Rate |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Exam Pass Rate * |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Placement Rate |
N/A |
100% |
*The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program accepted its first cohort in 2022. Graduates prior to March of 2025 were ineligible to participate in the credentialing exam.
Curriculum
Textbook information
All Beachwood Diagnostic Medical Sonography students must purchase the required textbooks listed on the program textbook list, which is available by contacting the Program Director, Angela Perry, at 216.769.2452.
Please note: Students must purchase the current edition of each textbook.
Grading scale
The following grading scale is used:
|
93 -100 |
A |
4.0 |
|
84 - 92 |
B |
3.0 |
|
75 - 83 |
C |
2.0 |
|
Below 75 |
F |
0.0 |
Academic grading policy
Students must maintain a 75% or better grade point average in each course of the program. Students not satisfying the minimal academic requirements will be counseled and may be subject to academic probation and/or dismissal from the program.
Attendance, semester breaks, personal time off and holidays
Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes. During clinical rotation, students are required to report on time for their assignment and complete their eight-hour clinical day. Students are allowed 24 hours of personal time off each semester. The program consists of five semesters, with a two-week break between each semester. Students have two additional break weeks each year, one in the spring semester and one in the fall semester. Students do not have class or clinicals on all Cleveland Clinic-recognized holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving (and the day after Thanksgiving), and Christmas Day.
Clinical obligation/experience
All clinical assignments and all academic courses and labs are held Monday through Friday; clinical hours are 8 - 4:30 and class hours are 8 - 4:30.
Students rotate to two Cleveland Clinic hospitals and at least one Cleveland Clinic family health center (FHC) throughout their clinical experience. All hospital assignments are chosen using a lottery system.
The following is the list of hospitals at which a student may be assigned:
- Akron General
- Avon Hospital
- Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
- Fairview Hospital
- Hillcrest Hospital
- Lutheran Hospital
- Medina Hospital
- Mentor Hospital
- South Pointe Hospital
- Marymount Hospital
The following is the list of outpatient centers at which a student may be assigned:
- Beachwood FHC
- Independence FHC
- Lorain FHC
- Middleburg Heights FHC
- Solon FHC
- Strongsville FHC
- Twinsburg FHC
- Westlake Medical Campus
- Willoughby Hills FHC
- Akron Health & Wellness Center – Bath
- Akron Health & Wellness Center – Stow
- Akron Health & Wellness Center – Tallmadge
- Akron Health & Wellness Center – Green
Additional Information
Frequently asked questions
How long is the program?
The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program is 21 months in length (five semesters).
When does the program begin?
The program begins in late August each year.
What are the program prerequisites?
The prerequisites are college credit: Medical Terminology, Anatomy & Physiology I & II (taken within the last 5 years), College-Level Algebra, College-Level Physics, Interpersonal Communications, and Medical Terminology.
How do you select the clinical sites a student will be attending?
The DMS Program Coordinator schedules students at hospitals based on location and examination competencies needed
Do students attend Family Health Centers for clinical rotations?
Students also rotate through Family Health Center outpatient imaging departments.
What is the deadline for application?
The program application, application fee and all college transcripts must be submitted by Feb. 1 of each year for the program beginning the following August.
What is the acceptance process?
Prospective students participate in a behavior-based interview used to assess communication and critical thinking skills. This interview is evaluated by a point system. Total points assigned to a student include points from the interview, high school and college GPA, and science and math courses taken with a grade of C or better. The students with the highest scores are accepted into the program.
Do I need a college degree to get accepted into the program?
No, you do not.
Do your classes transfer to other colleges for my degree?
No, they do not.
What is the time commitment for successful completion of the program?
Students should expect a full schedule, attending either class (8 a.m. -4:30 p.m.) or clinical experience (8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) Monday through Friday plus drive time.
Do you have a weekend or evening program?
No, we do not.
Resources
Library access
