Program Overview
Curriculum
The general education courses will be completed at Widener University. Some transfer courses will be allowed and the student should contact the advisor at Widener to determine the requirements. Advanced placement or credits for experiential learning are not options.
All courses relating to the DMS portion of the program will be conducted by Crozer-Chester Medical Center (Crozer). The program offers both didactic and clinical components and students must receive a "B" in all DMS courses, both didactic and clinical, or they will be released from the program with no recourse for re-entry. The didactic courses will be held at Crozer’s main campus and the clinical components will be distributed amongst CKHS and its clinical affiliates. Credits for Crozer courses will apply toward the bachelor degree or post-baccalaureate certificate.
Prerequisites
Prerequisite college courses specific to the DMS portion:
- Algebra, statistics, or higher math course
- English Composition
- General Physics or Radiographic Physics
- Human Anatomy & Physiology I
- Human Anatomy & Physiology II
- Medical Terminology
- Medical Ethics and Law
- Medical background in direct patient care
Note: Human Anatomy & Physiology must be taken within 5 years, if not actively working in direct patient care. The program director will determine whether this requirement is met. CPR/BLS certification is also mandatory, as well as background checks and technical standards requirements.
Curriculum Required for DMS Program
The curriculum will follow the guidelines of CAAHEP and include the following didactic and/or clinical training:
- Introduction to Ultrasound
- Patient Care
- Medical Ethics and Law
- Physics
- Abdomen
- OB/GYN
- Small Parts
- Neurosonography
- Interventional
- Vascular
- General pathophysiology
- Cross-sectional anatomy
Graduation
All students will be considered matriculating at Widener University, while enrolled in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) program. Students will receive either a bachelor degree or post-baccalaureate certificate from Widener or those enrolled in imaging degree programs from outside schools will transfer their DMS credits back to their home institution to receive their degree. A certificate from Crozer, the DMS sponsor, will also be awarded to the students.
Students will need to successfully complete all components of the program within the strictly scheduled five-semester time-period to graduate.
Students are also required to sit for the national registry boards in physics, abdomen, and OB/GYN, in order to graduate. This timeline will be provided by the program director, after completion of 12-months in the program.
Program Goals and Learning Outcomes
The Widener-Crozer Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program's goals and learning outcomes are divided among the following categories:
- Patient Care (Affective)
- Motivation (Behavioral)
- Clinical Ability (Cognitive)
- Professional Development (Behavioral)
At a minimum, the school will evaluate the students in the ABCs - affective, behavioral and cognitive skills - on a quarterly basis. This analysis will be cumulative, performed by the clinical staff and representative of all cohorts. A benchmark of 92 (A) will be expected for each semester, in each of the categories.
