The Medical Imaging and Radiation Science department offers an Associate degree in ultrasound that permits students to build upon that foundation to conclude study with both an Associate degree and Bachelors degree in Medical Imaging/Ultrasonography. All students entering into the four year track must successfully complete the Associate degree first. This is not a traditional four year program and the associate academic study must be completed first, but students may enroll as four year track students. Tranfer students with an Associate degree are reviewed for advanced standing. Through preparation for more advanced work in specialty areas such as computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MR), quality management and mammography (QM/M), and ultrasonography (US), graduates are able to meet the challenges posed by advancing technology in the current health care environment. The student-focused curriculum includes a strong emphasis on liberal arts studies and professional courses in the advanced imaging modalities with a structured competency-based clinical education.
   
Additionally, through their development in the liberal arts, students will learn to provide patient care that is oriented and responsive, by displaying the attributes of compassion, competence and effective communication in meeting the special needs of the patient. Graduates will also learn to exercise independent judgment in the technical performance of medical imaging procedures by adapting the technical parameters of the procedure to the condition of the patient.

New Technology Added to Medical Imaging Department

Prerequisite requirements for entering the baccalaureate degree program in Medical Imaging for both Radiography and Ultrasonography concentrations:

1. For acceptance at the Freshmen level:
   1. Complete work equal to standard high school course with satisfactory achievement (grade of "C" of better) in algebra and chemistry within the previous five years;
   2. **SAT score of 900 or above (or comparable ACT score);
   3. Incoming students are placed in Educational Enrichment courses based on their SAT or ACT scores;
   4. Complete all required Educational Enrichment courses with a minimum grade of "B" prior to program acceptance; and
   5. For entrance into the ultrasonography courses, students must first complete the first two years of course work in radiologic technology.
2. For acceptance at the Advanced level: Current Registered Radiologic Technologist with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists or; Completion of the Associate of Science Degree in Radiography at Mount Aloysius College.
   1. Provide documentation of certification through the American Registry of Radiologic Tehnologists (ARRT);
   2. Incoming students are placed in Educational Enrichment courses based on their SAT or ACT scores;
   3. Applicants with **SAT scores above 1000 or who possess an Associate of Science Degree in Radiography do not need to take the College Placement Test; and
   4. Complete all required Educational Enrichment courses with a "B" or better prior to program acceptance.
3. Complete all general education course work with a "C" or better.
4. Students are required to submit a completed health form including medical history, physical examination and immunization/immune status information. Students must comply with all health requirements as outlined on the form. Clinical experience will not be permitted without the completed health form. Health forms are obtained from the Health Services Department and returned to the Health Services Department where the results are kept confidential.
5. Urine drug screen and TB testing (PPD Mantoux).
6. Students are required to have a current American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR Certification (Adult, Child, Infant and AED).
7. Students in a Health Studies Division curriculum are assessed a one-time fee to cover incidental expenses connected with your program's clinical education. American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR Certification (Adult, Child, Infant and AED), urine drug screening and TB testing are included in this fee and will be available through Health Services at specified times only. One criminal background check, one child abuse clearance (if required) and one urine drug screen are included in the fee. If additional criminal background checks, child abuse clearances or urine drug screens are required, the student is responsible for any additional cost.
8. All students are required to have a current clear urine drug screen, submit to a criminal record, and have a child abuse history clearance.
9. Medical Imaging programs may require full-time summer clinical course work.
10. Graduating Ultrasound students in the Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences Department should sit for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) for Ultrasound no later than four weeks after their May graduation date. Students will be required to provide evidence they are registered to take the exam in one of their final DMS courses.

**SAT score is the combined total of only the verbal and math portions of the exam.

The practice of Diagnostic Medical Sonography requires a variety of physical, mental and emotional tasks. To ensure the safety of the patient and the success of the student, he/she must be able to perform the following:

• Push and pull routinely
• Bend and stoop routinely
• Lift more than 50 pounds routinely
• Have full use of both hands, wrists and shoulders
• Work with arms extended for prolonged periods of time
• Must have manual dexterity and the ability to engage in procedures involving grasping, holding, manipulating, extending and rotating.
• Assist, transport, move, lift, or transfer patients from a wheelchair or stretcher
• Work standing on your feet 80% of the time 
• Adequately distinguish colors such as shades of gray, black, white, red, blue, and green to properly assess sonographic images
• Possess sufficient verbal and written skills to effectively communicate with patients and healthcare providers
• Organize and accurately perform the individual steps in a sonographic procedure in the proper sequence
• Emotional and physical stability
• Distinguish audible sounds