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Diagnostic Medical Sonography Workshop Handout

DEPARTMENT OF DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL SONOGRAPHY

STUDENT SELECTION PROCEDURES

Students seeking admission to the Cypress College Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program are advised to attend an information workshop. Information about these workshops can be found at careers.cypresscollege.edu/programs/diagnostic-medical-sonography (click on the link for “Workshop Handout”). The following is a summary of the Cypress College Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program student selection procedures. Because selection criteria may change, it is recommended that you contact the Health Science Diagnostic Medical Sonography Counselor periodically and/or visit our website for current information.

Initial application may be made after completion of the following prerequisite courses and general education requirements are completed with a “C” or better.

Program Prerequisites

RADT 142C (4.0 units) – Radiologic Electronics (or any introduction or general physics course)
RADT 153C (3.0 units) – Radiography Patient Care
HS or RT 145C (3.0 units) – Medical Terminology
HS or RT 147C (3.0 units) – Survey of Disease
BIOL 210C (5.0 units) – Anatomy & Physiology (combined or separate with a lab component)
ENGL C1000 or C1000E OR ESL 110C or COMM C1000 (4.0 units) – English Composition or Oral Communication
CIS 111C (3.0 units) – Computer Information Systems
MATH (3.0-4.0 units) – Any Math meeting GE requirements

General Education Requirements

* May be waived based on completion of an associate degree or higher at an accredited institution in the U.S.
^ Individuals with Cypress College catalog rights prior to Fall 2025, please see a Health Science Counselor.
Arts * (3.0 units)
Humanities * (3.0 units)
Social Science *^ (3.0 units)
Ethnic Studies *^ (3.0 units)
Physical Activity and Health * (1.0 units)

ULTRASOUND STUDENT ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENT

An Ultrasound Student Assessment (USA), of 2 or higher in both the Physics and the Clinical portion, is required to apply to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program. A copy of a passing score will be required to be uploaded to the on-line application. The Ultrasound Student Assessment (USA) is an aptitude test designed to evaluate the inherent skills crucial for success in the sonography profession. It assesses skills like hand-eye coordination, spatial reasoning, visualization, and problem-solving abilities, which are fundamental to mastering ultrasound techniques. The USA exam is not a traditional knowledge-based test but rather an assessment of innate capabilities. For more information on the USA, go to: https://pegasuslectures.com/usa.php.

RANK ORDER LIST:

Ranking will be based on a 100-point system in accord with the procedures listed below in Section I-III. The Rank Order List will contain the names of all currently eligible applicants ranked by points from highest to lowest. In the event of applicants with identical points, rank order will be determined by assigning priority based on grade point average (GPA) of all program prerequisite courses. When ties still occur, rank is then determined by date and time of submission of the program application. A candidate will be able to advance the position on the Rank Order List once a year by reapplying and editing their application (during the application period) and submitting evidence for additional points in the categories that follow.  Approximately 85% of the accepted cohort roster will come from the Rank List.

LOTTERY LIST:

Approximately fifteen percent (15%) of the cohort will be selected randomly from the Lottery List. The Lottery List will contain the names of all currently eligible applicants with the following:

  1. 3.0 pre-requisite GPA or higher
  2. Hospital patient care experience (200 hours) or a score 6 or higher on the Ultrasound Student Assessment
  3. Attended college full-time for four consecutive semesters
  4. Customer service experience (200 hours)

I. Ultrasound Student Assessment Points (10-50 points, 50 points maximum)
Points will be awarded for Physics portion and the Clinical portion individually for the USA exam results.

Score  10 – 10+  8-9  6-7  4-5  2-3 
Physics  25  20  15  10  5 
Clinical  25  20  15  10  5 

II. Prerequisite Program Course Points (50 points maximum)
Points will be awarded for overall GPA of the prerequisite program courses. A minimum passing grade of “C” must be achieved. Once a passing grade has been achieved, courses cannot be repeated for a better grade.

GPA 4.0 = 50 points
GPA 3.5-3.9 = 40 points
GPA 3.0-3.4 = 30 points
GPA 2.5-2.9 = 20 points

III. Experience Points (45 points maximum)

  1. Patient Care Experience (20 points)
    1. Work Must include 200 or more documented hours of direct patient care hospital experience completed within the past 5 years.
    2. Letter from current/former employer verifying employment. The letter must be on organization letterhead with an original signature and must include the applicant’s name, (must match name on application), start date and end date (if applicable), employment status (full-time/part-time), number of hours per week (or total hours worked to date), job title, department if applicable, and example of duties including patient interaction.
  2. Full-time college status for four consecutive semesters (10 points)
    1. Have attended college full-time (12 semester/quarter hours) for four consecutive semesters or 6 consecutive quarters.
  3. Completed DMS 160 with a grade of ‘B’ or better (10 points)
  4. Customer Service Experience (5 points)
    1. Customer service Experience- Work Must include 200 or more documented hours customer service experience completed within the past 5 years
    2. Letter from current/former employer verifying employment. The letter must be on organization letterhead with an original signature and must include the applicant’s name, (must match name on application), start date and end date (if applicable), employment status (full-time/part-time), number of hours per week (or total hours worked to date), job title, department if applicable, and example of duties including customer service experience.

IV. Additional Criteria (each item on this page can earn one point, 5 points maximum)

ACADEMIC DEGREE, DIPLOMAS, OR CERTIFICATES RELATED TO PATIENT CARE: Each eligible item is worth 1 point.

If you have received a degree, diploma or certificate related to patient care, official transcripts from an accredited United States colleges or universities with degree posted, or verification of certification are required. Examples: CNA License or Diploma, LVN License, EMT License or Degree, Phlebotomy Certification, etc.

PROFICIENCY OR ADVANCED LEVEL OF COURSEWORK IN A LANGUAGE OTHER THAN

ENGLISH Each eligible second language is worth 1 point.

  • Official transcript from a United States an accredited college or university verifying two (2) years or (4) semesters of foreign language
  • Languages identified by California Community College Chancellor’s Office will be accepted:  American Sign Language, Arabic, Chinese (including dialect), Farsi, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, Languages of India or Southeast Asia. Languages not listed will not be accepted.
  • If you consider yourself a native speaker, in English describe your level of proficiency and the language you speak in a paragraph.

LIFE EXPERIENCES OR SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES Each eligible item is worth 1 point.

  • Disabilities – Documented disability from college learning disability program or Disabled Student Services (DSS).
  • Low family income – Proof of eligibility or proof of receipt of financial aid e.g. Promise Grant, Cal Grant, Pell Grant or another federal grant, CalWORKs.  Do not send financial aid proof of application.
  • First generation to attend college – Submit a paragraph which describes how you meet this criteria.
  • Need to work – One paycheck stub during period of time enrolled in prerequisite courses or letter from employer (must be on organization letterhead) verifying employment was at least part time while completing courses. Do not send W-2 or tax documents.
  • Disadvantaged social or educational environment – Participation or eligibility for Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS); submit a letter explaining your situation and circumstances.
  • Refugee Status – Documentation or letter from USCIS
  • Veteran Status – Copy of DD-214.
  • Spouse of a deceased, disabled or MIA veteran – copy of marriage certificate and official document(s) from the Veteran Affairs Office.

STUDENT SUCCESS COURSEWORK WITH TRANSCRIPT** Each eligible course is worth 1 point.

Documentation of student success course work listed below from any college or university. Courses not listed below will not be considered.

**Do NOT list courses already used in your Diagnostic Medical Sonography program application (from Section I or Section II) to were used to fulfill the prerequisites or general education requirements. **

  • Math (beyond intermediate algebra)
  • Study Skills courses
  • Career Exploration
  • Stress and Anxiety Management course
  • Interpersonal Communications
  • Analytical Thinking course (see Cypress College Local GE Pattern)

Total Points 150 maximum:  ________________________