Be Prepared to Enter the Field of Sonography

Sonographers are important members of the diagnostic medical imaging or surgical team. As a sonographer, you’ll work closely with radiologists, cardiologists and vascular or general surgeons, as well as other allied professionals. In this role, you’ll help diagnose, treat and prevent diseases and disabilities, improving the health care conditions of your community. Nova Southeastern University’s B.S. in Medical Sonography program integrates abdominal-extended, obstetrics and gynecology and vascular sonography concentrations into its curriculum, giving you a competitive advantage when it’s time to enter the workforce.

General sonography includes subspecialties in obstetrics and gynecology, and abdominal-extended which includes (small parts soft tissues and superficial glands), as well as neurosonology. Vascular sonography studies the anatomical and physiological characteristics of blood vessels (veins and arteries) in the human body. At NSU, you’ll gain hands-on experience in high-tech laboratories, and develop your skills through an intensive 12-month clinical externship.

Why Should You Major in Medical Sonography at NSU?

Increase Your Prospects for Secure Employment with a Sonography Degree

An aging Baby Boomer population is contributing to the growing need for medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians, including vascular technologists. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment in this field will grow at a much faster rate than the average for all other jobs, a 12 percent growth from 2019 to 2029. Your medical sonography degree from NSU prepares you for this in-demand profession.

Learn more about Career Preparation

Shark Destinations

You’ll find NSU medical sonography alumni at health care organizations like Baptist Health South Florida, Memorial Health, Broward Health, Tampa General Hospital, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Veterans Affairs Hospital, Broward Health and Seton Healthcare Family. * Some sonographers own their own independent laboratories and provide services to physicians and hospitals. Others can seek careers in the industry among the manufacturers of ultrasound equipment in sales or applications or plan a future in research or education.

*Data provided by NSU’s Office of Career Development

Train with Sonography Leaders

NSU’s Medical Sonography faculty are experts in their field with different educational and training backgrounds.

VISIT OUR FACULTY AND STAFF PAGE

Medical Sonography: Program Details

Prospective medical sonography students are selected by The Committee on Admissions (COA) through consideration of the overall qualities of the candidate. Individuals with diverse education, work, and life experience who have demonstrated the capacity to pursue the course of medical sonography will be admitted. Areas of consideration include application content, academic record, letters of evaluation and personal motivation. Upon receipt of the completed application, the COA will select applicants for interview. Applicants must be present for the interview (phone interviews are not acceptable) and expenses are the responsibility of the applicant.

It should be noted that many criteria, in addition to credentials, play a role in the admission process for the program. While the program allows the student to demonstrate academic capability, it does not ensure admission to any professional school. Admission to the medical sonography program will not guarantee admission to any other program of Nova Southeastern University.

Upon receipt of the completed application, fees, credentials, transcripts, the admissions officers and the College of Health Care Sciences will review all material for evidence of the proper education, training, and background to enter the medical sonography course of study. The university reserves the right to modify any requirement individual basis as deemed necessary by the Dean of the College of Health Care Sciences.

In order to be eligible for admission to the Bachelor of Science in Medical Sonography, a student must have completed the below mentioned 30 semester hours of prerequisite education coursework with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 grading scale.

Prerequisite Courses

*An evaluation of transfer credit will be completed prior to the first semester of enrollment, and applicable credit will be transferred based on all final official transcripts received. Students will be advised to take courses based on the official evaluation of their file.

Transfer students must provide final official transcripts from all their previous colleges. Their previous academic work will then be evaluated. The Bachelor of Science in Medical Sonography will transfer a maximum of 30 prerequisite semester hours (grades of C or better).

 

COURSE NAME CREDIT HOURS
Written Composition (at or above Comp 1500) 6
Social and Behavioral Sciences 6
Humanities 6
Human, Biological, and Physical Sciences (Anatomy & Physiology I is required, with or without lab) 3
Physics (with or without lab) 3
Math ** (at or above MATH 1040 - College Algebra) 6
Total: 30

Note: General education courses cannot be survey courses.

Highly recommended but not required courses:

Anatomy and Physiology II (with our without lab)

Basic Medical Terminology 

***Concurrent Master of Health Science option

****Students matriculated into the Master of Health Science option may petition for transfer of credits to the program. Up to, but not exceeding, 6 semester hours of graduate work may be considered for transfer from a regionally accredited institution. The courses considered for transfer must meet the goals and objectives of the M.H.Sc. course in question, and cannot be previously applied toward another awarded degree in or outside of NSU. The 27 open elective semester hours of transfer credit from the previously received bachelor's degree will be applied to the B.S. – Medical Sonography degree leading to the completion of the courses required for the M.H.Sc. degree.

The application deadline is April 1 for both the B.S in Medical Sonography and the combined B.S in Medical Sonography and Master of Health Science.

Applicants for admission must submit or be responsible for submission of

  1. A completed application along with a $50, nonrefundable application fee.
  2. Two letters of evaluation from individuals (other than relatives) such as academic advisors, professors, clinical or non-clinical supervisors, or community associates.
  3. Official college transcripts, certificates, and/or diploma-based transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended, sent directly from the institution to the Enrollment Processing Services (EPS).
  4. Copies of national and/or state professional certification, licensure, or registration, if applicable.
  5. TOEFL or IELTS scores (if applicable), sent directly to NSU’s EPS.
  6. A current curriculum vitae (CV).
  7. Evaluation of coursework taken at a foreign institution for US institutional equivalence (if applicable).

Foreign coursework must be evaluated by one of the following services:

Josef Silny & Associates, Inc.
International Education Consultants
7101 SW 102nd Avenue
Miami, FL 33173
Phone: (305) 273-1616
Fax: (305) 273-1338

E-mail: info@jsilny.org
www.jsilny.com

World Education Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 745
Old Chelsea Station
New York, NY 10113-0745
(212) 966-6311
www.wes.org

Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.
P.O. Box 415070
Milwaukee, WI 53203
(414) 289-3400
www.ece.org

A student-prepared learning portfolio requesting assessment of prior experiences for academic credit (only for graduates from programs other than those from regionally accredited colleges or universities)

All admissions information should be sent to:

NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
Enrollment Processing Services (EPS)
Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences
Medical Sonography Admissions
3301 College Avenue
P.O. Box 299000
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33329-9905
Phone: (954) 262-1101 * Fax: (954) 262-2282

The Medical Sonography program is a 27 month program; some courses are offered online: Ethics, Epidemiology, Principles of Leadership, Health Policy, Conflict Resolution, Research Design in Health Care, Cultural Competency, Academic and Professional Writing, Health Care and Aging. All didactic sonography courses are delivered on campus, and Clinical Externship the last 12 months of the program may require travel.

Clinical Externship

Medical sonography majors enjoy exclusive internships at organizations like the Veterans Affairs Hospital, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Broward Health, Baptist Health South Florida, Shands Teaching Hospital & Clinic, Hope Women's Center, and many others across the country. View our Clinical Site Locations Packet.

Curriculum Structure

Course Number Course Title Credits
BHS 3110 Health Care Ethics
This course is designed to introduce ethical thinking and concepts regarding health care to prepare the student with the essential vocabulary and thought processes to understand, evaluate and participate in ethical decision making.
3
BHS 3120 Introduction to Epidemiology
The purpose of this course is to introduce the history and development of epidemiology in relation to public health and disease. Communicable, epidemic and endemic as well as social disease will be discussed.
3
BHS 3130 Research Design in Health Care
This course is designed as an introduction to critical analysis of research and medical literature as well as basic research methods. The course includes an introduction to descriptive and inferential statistics and research design. Statistical and research concepts and procedures are combined with an emphasis on practical health care applications.
3
BHS 3150 Principles in Leadership
This course will provide an overview of numerous leadership theories to prepare the student for a leadership role in Health Care. The course will critically analyze the differences between leadership and management
3
BHS 3155 Conflict Resolution in Health Care
The purpose of this course is to develop an understanding of the conflict and effective methods and strategies for reducing the incidence of workplace conflict including employee-employee conflict, supervisor subordinate conflict, patient-patient conflict and patient/client provider conflict.
3
BHS 3160 Health Policy
This course provides the student with a broad understanding of policy, how health care is organized, dispensed and how the practitioner can better work in the system. Topics of discussion include cost control, long term care, quality control, ethical issues and insurance.
3
BHS 4000 Cultural Competency in Health Care
The purpose of this course is to develop competency and better understanding when confronted with issues related to culture, diversity and ethnically based customs, rituals, alternative health care choices, folk medicine, cultural structure and viewpoints and the practitioner's delivery of health care.
3
BHS 4100 Academic and Professional Writing
The purpose of this course is to strengthen the skills and thought processes students require for successful academic and professional writing. Proper sentence and paragraph structure, grammar, punctuation usage, formatting and bibliographic referencing will be discussed. Students will learn the five chapter model utilized in scholarly writing and be introduced to the fundamentals of APA formatting.
3
BHS 4110 Health Care and Aging
This course examines the psychosocial and cultural variations associated with maturing and aging. Topics covered will be an overview of life choices, living wills, and treatment, as well as cultural implications of senior care.
3
BHS 5105 Basic Life Support/CPR
An American Heart Association course that includes both didactic materials, including methods of reducing cardiovascular risk, and instruction in the psychomotor skills necessary for the initial resuscitation of the cardiac arrest patient.
1
BMS 3130 Ultrasound Physics I
This course is designed to help the student acquire knowledge of all the fundamental principles and concepts necessary to understand the properties of sound and ultrasound as used in diagnostic imaging. These principles and concepts will span from basic properties of sound in soft tissue to advanced techniques such as Doppler, spectral analysis, M-Mode, etc. as they pertain to evaluation for abdominal, ob-gyn, small parts, vascular and cardiac ultrasound imaging. The students will also learn about artifacts, safety, and the concepts of bioeffects, as well as quality assurance and image storage.
3
BMS 3120 Ultrasound Cross Sectional Anatomy
This course is designed to expand upon a student's present knowledge and understanding of normal anatomy through developing spatial relationships of organs, vessels, bones, muscles, and connective tissues.
4
BMS 3230 Ultrasound Physics II/SPI Exam
This course is designed to review the principles and concepts learned in Ultrasound Physics I through quizzes and exams. It will help to prepare students for the Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) exam administered by the ARDMS. Students will take the exam after the completion of the course.
1
BMS 3110 Introduction to Diagnostic Medical Sonography
This course is designed to introduce students to the equipment used in diagnostic ultrasound. The course will be primarily taught in the ultrasound training laboratory in small groups. The focus of the course will be to lead students toward proficiency and competency in using the tools available on the ultrasound equipment for the production of quality images, as well as proper ergonomics and scanning techniques. This course is the foundation for all the following core courses.
3
BMS 3270 Cerebrovascular Testing/Lab
This course will focus on hemodynamic principles and the use of ultrasound for the evaluation of the extracranial and intracranial cerebrovascular circulation. This course will have a strong hands-on component with students spending several hours per week in the ultrasound training laboratory. Lectures will focus on anatomy, pathologies, treatment options, and analysis of data obtained by ultrasound, as well as some other imaging techniques.
4
BMS 3170 Venous Testing/Lab
This course will focus on the use of ultrasound for the evaluation of the venous circulation of the upper and lower extremities. This course will have a strong hands-on component with students spending several hours per week in the ultrasound training laboratory. Lectures will focus on anatomy, pathologies, treatment options, and analysis of data obtained by ultrasound, as well as some other imaging techniques.
4
BMS 3190 Peripheral Arterial Testing/Lab
This course will focus on the use of ultrasound for the evaluation of the arterial circulation of the upper and lower extremities. This course will have a strong hands-on component with students spending several hours per week in the ultrasound training laboratory. Lectures will focus on anatomy, pathologies, treatment options, and analysis of data obtained by ultrasound and other technologies specific to vascular laboratories, as well as some other imaging techniques.
4
BMS 3160 Abdominal Sonography I/Lab
This course will review the abdominal anatomy and physiology with a focus on cross-sectional anatomy. It will have a strong hands-on component with students spending several hours per week in the ultrasound training laboratory learning to recognize normal sonographic anatomy. Lectures will focus on the above mentioned aspects, as well as on how to collect patient information relevant to the different ultrasound studies and other imaging techniques. This course provides a foundation that will help students understand the clinical exam and the elements contributing to their role and the scope of practice as general sonographers.
4
BMS 3260 Abdominal Sonography II/Lab
This course will review abnormal abdominal anatomy and physiology with a focus on clinical correlations. It will have a strong hands-on component with students spending several hours per week in the ultrasound training laboratory strengthening the skills learned from Abdominal Sonography I. Lab assignments will incorporate case studies, clinical correlations, and other imaging modalities (e.g.,MRIs, nuclear medicine, CTs, etc.). Lectures will focus on the above mentioned aspects, as well as on how to collect patient information relevant to the different ultrasound studies and pathologies. This course provides a foundation that will help students understand the clinical exam and the elements contributing to their role and the scope of practice as general sonographers.
4
BMS 3150 Obstetrics and Gynecology Ultrasound I/Lab
This course will focus on the use of ultrasound for the evaluation of the organs contained in the human female pelvic cavity in both, normal and abnormal, gravid and non-gravid anatomy and physiology. This course will have a strong hands-on component with students spending several hours per week in the ultrasound training laboratory. The lectures will focus on the aspects previously mentioned as well as on fetal abnormalities and abnormal conditions of the ferns. The course will explore infertility and assisted reproductive technologies.
4
BMS 3250 Obstetrics and Gynecology Ultrasound II/Lab
This course is a continuation of Obstetrics and Gynecology Ultrasound I. It is a further comprehensive approach to in-depth studies of the organs contained within the human female pelvic cavity in both, normal and abnormal, gravid and non-gravid anatomy and physiology. The course will focus on fetal abnormalities and abnormal conditions of the fetus.
4
BMS 3140 Small Parts Sonography/Lab
This course will focus on the use of ultrasound for the evaluation of superficial structures such as the thyroid and parathyroid glands, breast, male reproductive system, superficial soft tissue structures, shoulder, hand and wrist; as well as the neonatal brain, pediatric spine, pediatric hip/pelvis, and pediatric abdomen. The students will have a have a strong hands-on component spending several hours in the laboratory. Lectures will focus in relevant normal and abnormal anatomical and physiological aspects as well as on clinical findings, signs and symptoms of disease related to these areas.
4
BMS 3280 Clinical Preparation and Review
This course will provide and reinforce the nontechnical aspects of the profession of diagnostic medical Sonography. This will include, but it is not limited to, patient care, professionalism, and clinical rationale. This course will also prepare students for the clinical experience that follows in the second year.
4
BMS 4500 Clinical Externship I
This course will mainly be provided through immersion in a clinical setting assigned by the end of the first year. Students will be a daily integral part of the operations of the Diagnostic Ultrasound Department they have been assigned to for the length of the term. Students will report to the clinical coordinator or to the assigned professor of the program at NSU.
6
BMS 4600 Clinical Externship II
This course is a continuation of the Clinical Externship I
7
BMS 4700 Clinical Externship III
This course is a continuation of the Clinical Externship II
8

Tuition & Fees

Visit the Tuition and Fees page for more information.

Registration & Acceptance Fees

  • Acceptance Fee - $500: This fee is required to reserve the accepted applicant's place in the entering first-year class, but is not refundable in the event of a withdrawal. It is payable within two weeks of an applicant's acceptance.
  • Deposit - $250: This is due within four weeks of an applicant's acceptance and the same terms apply as the Acceptance Fee.
  • Pre-registration Fee - $250: This is due within six weeks of an applicant's acceptance and the same terms apply as the Acceptance Fee.
  • University Technology Fee: This fee is not to exceed $100 when implemented.

The first semester's tuition and fees, less the $1,000 previously paid, are due on or before registration day. Tuition for each subsequent semester is due on or before the appropriate registration day. Students will not be admitted until their financial obligations have been met.

Financial Aid

The primary financial responsibility for the student's education rests with the student and his or her family, but economic circumstances for some families may make it necessary for the student to obtain assistance from other sources.

For more information, please visit NSU's Office of Student Financial Assistance.

Each student is required to carry adequate personal medical and hospital insurance. Students may avail themselves of the hospitalization insurance plan obtainable through the university.

 

Concurrent Bachelor of Science in Medical Sonography with Master of Health Science option

Visit the Tuition and Fees page for more information. In addition, there will be a $200 fee for the Sonography Physics and Instrumentation (SPI) examination. A Health Profession Division general access fee is required each year. An NSU student service fee of $1,500 is also required annually. Tuition and fees are subject to change without notice.

  • Acceptance Fee - $500: This fee is required to reserve the accepted applicant's place in the entering first-year class, but is not refundable in the event of a withdrawal. It is payable within two weeks of an applicant's acceptance.
  • Deposit - $250: This is due within four weeks of an applicant's acceptance and the same terms apply as the Acceptance Fee.
  • Pre-registration Fee - $250: This is due within six weeks of an applicant's acceptance and the same terms apply as the Acceptance Fee.
  • University Technology Fee: This fee is not to exceed $100 when implemented.

The first semester's tuition and fees, less the $1,000 previously paid, are due on or before registration day. Tuition for each subsequent semester is due on or before the appropriate registration day. Students will not be admitted until their financial obligations have been met.

 

Please see the the program effectiveness data by clicking here.

Mission Statement

The Bachelor of Science in Medical Sonography’s mission is to educate and train students to achieve excellence in clinical practice, research, and education for the patients they care for and the community they serve, in alignment with the NSU core values of integrity, academic excellence, leadership, and community service through engaged students, faculty, and staff.

Program Objectives

 Minimum Expectations:

  1. To prepare competent entry-level sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains for the following concentrations:
    1. Abdominal sonography – Extended
    2. Obstetrics and gynecology sonography
    3. Vascular sonography

The NSU Florida Diagnostic Medical Sonography – Abdomen-Extended program – is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org). Upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, the program has been granted continuing accreditation until the year 2026.

The NSU Florida Diagnostic Medical Sonography – Obstetrics and Gynecology program – is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org). Upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, the program has been granted continuing accreditation until the year 2026.

The NSU Florida Diagnostic Medical Sonography – Vascular program – is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org). Upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, the program has been granted continuing accreditation until the year 2026.

CAAHEP
9355 - 113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
Phone: 844-927-3191
Fax: 844-547-0946
www.caahep.org

Professional Licensure Disclosure Statement
Bachelor of Science in Medical Sonography Program

Degree Title

Level

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Medical Sonography

Professional

BSMS

Professional Licensure Disclosure Statement:  Nova Southeastern University, Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences, Bachelor of Science in Medical Sonography program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).  At this time, we have determined the Bachelor of Science in Medical Sonography program of the Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences meets the educational degree completion requirements for licensure in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the US protectorates, as defined in 34 CFR §600.2.   

It is nonetheless strongly encouraged that students determine any additional requirements for licensure in the following states: New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, and Oregon which have licensing laws. For further detailed information, please visit https://www.sdms.org/advocacy/state-licensure

If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact Mrs. Deidra Love Ross, at 954-262-1964 or at dloveross@nova.edu.