The document provides information about the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program at HGTC, including: 1) It is a 4 semester program that accepts 14 students per year who meet the weighted criteria of having completed prerequisite courses with a GPA of at least 2.5, healthcare experience, and HGTC residency. 2) Applicants must complete 10 prerequisite courses with a C or higher, have a minimum 2.5 GPA, and submit applications by May 15th for the following fall semester. 3) Acceptance is competitive based on scoring criteria including grades in prerequisite courses, healthcare experience, HGTC residency, and previous degrees. Having higher grades and certifications increases chances of acceptance.

1. Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Advanced Certificate
STRATEGIES TO ENHANCE PROGRAM SUCCESS

2. Overview
 4 semester program
 Admission is based on weighted criteria.
 Applications Due: May 15th each year to apply for a seat in the Fall
Semester (August start) class at the Grand Strand Campus. 14 top
qualified students will be accepted each year.
 Early, late, or incomplete applications will not be reviewed for
admission.

3. Application Requirements
 Must be admitted to the College and currently eligible for enrollment.
 Complete all 10 Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) Prerequisite Courses with a
minimum grade of “C” and a GPA of 2.50. All courses must be within the required
time limits. Further information about these courses is provided on the next slide.
 View the online Medical Imaging Departmental Information Session located on this
webpage or at www.hgtc.edu/healthscience. (2 year time limit).
 Sign and submit the Medical Technical Standards Form, which can be found in the
“Forms” box on the Libguides page, http://Libguides.hgtc.edu/healthscience/dms.

4. Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Prerequisite Courses
The following 10 courses must be completed with a grade of ‘C’ or higher, minimum GPA of 2.50 and
within the time limits, where indicated, in order to apply to the program:
1. English Composition I (ENG 101)
2. Either College Algebra or Probability and Statistics (MAT 110/120)
3. Anatomy & Physiology I (BIO 210 – has prerequisite of BIO 112 or BIO 101 or CHM 110)
4. Anatomy & Physiology II (BIO 211 – 5 year time limit)
5. Medical Imaging Science (PHY 118)
6. Public Speaking (SPC 205)
7. General Psychology (PSY 201)
8. Medical Terminology (AHS 102 – 10 year time limit)
9. Patient Care Procedures (AHS 110 – 10 year time limit, has prerequisite of BIO 210)
10. One Humanities course

5. Required Online
Departmental Information Session
 The Medical Imaging Sciences online information session provides
important information about classes, clinicals, fees, jobs, and other
information you need to know about working in the field of Diagnostic
Medical Sonography. Many of your questions will be answered by viewing
this required presentation.
 The required online session may be viewed on this Libguides page or
www.hgtc.edu/healthscience.

6. Weighted Criteria for Acceptance
 The scoring criteria on the next slide is used to determine which applicants will be accepted
into the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program. The 14 students with the highest number of
points are accepted to begin the program in the Fall Semester at the Grand Strand Campus.
 Acceptance depends on your points vs. the points of the other applicants at that time.
Therefore, points required for acceptance to the program will change with each review
period.
 Acceptance into the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is limited and competitive.
There is no guarantee of acceptance. Your grades are very important. Even though the
minimum GPA requirement is 2.50, you should strive for a much higher GPA.

7. Diagnostic
Medical
Sonography
Admission
Scoring Criteria
CRITERIA
POINT
SCALE
POINTS
AWARDED
Previous Allied Health Experience Involving Patient Care: Certification
Required
Must submit proof of Certification and/or letter from employer with
application.
 1 year or more of full-time work (32hrs/wk equivalency) in a
clinical/hospital setting requiring patient care within 2 years.
OR
Recent graduates of an AS degree or higher in Allied Health/Nursing
within 2 years.
 1 year of part time or volunteer work (10 minimum wk/ equivalency) in a
clinical/hospital setting requiring patient care.
OR
Recent graduates of certificates/diplomas in Allied Health/Nursing
within 2 years.
10 Points
7 points
Established HGTC student with at least 12 or more semester hours (excluding
developmental courses)
10 Points
Education and Academic Rigor: (maximum 50 points)
AHS102 _____ AHS110 _____ BIO210 _____ BIO 211 _____ ENG
101 _____ MAT120/110 _____ PHY 118 _____ PSY201 _____ SPC
205 _____ Humanities _____
A=5 points
B-3 points
C=1 point
Residency (as established by the College)
Horry-Georgetown County
In-State/Out-of-County
2 points
1 point
Previous College Performance
Master Degree
Bachelor Degree
Associate Degree
4 points
3 points
2 points
TOTAL Points

8. Be the BEST Applicant you can be!
Applying with the highest number of points you can obtain is important! Consider these options to
increase your points:
 Apply with the best grades possible: The grades in your prerequisite and core courses play a large part in DMS
acceptance. Strive for A’s to keep your GPA high. If you make C’s in some of your courses, consider retaking the
course(s) to get a higher grade. *Always check with financial aid before retaking courses as it may affect your
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) if you retake too many or already have W’s, F’s or D’s in other courses.
 Apply for and obtain residency status: If you are not coded as an “In-County resident”, go to
http://www.hgtc.edu/admissions/residency.html to complete a Residency Application. Obtaining a South Carolina
driver’s license and car registration (if the car is in your name) are normally an important part of this process. Read
the application and instructions carefully.
 Take 12 or more credit hours (excluding developmental courses) at HGTC.
 Obtain certification in a patient care field. This is a great way to increase your points and gain skills for a job. Working
full time in the health care field with your certification increases your points even more. Popular certifications in the
health care field include Phlebotomy and CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant).

9. Requirements AFTER Acceptance
If you are accepted into the program, your acceptance letter will provide detailed instructions and deadlines for completing
the following items. DO NOT complete them before you are instructed. This information is being provided so that you can
plan ahead to cover the costs of these items.
1. Submit a $500.00 tuition deposit to reserve your seat. This is an out-of-pocket expense and not covered by financial aid.
2. Pass Certified Background Check and Drug Screening. The current cost for this is $112.00. The return of an unfavorable CBS and/or UDS
may result in a student being removed from the desired program. Clinical sites/facilities determine applicant’s eligibility to participate in
clinical studies based on their policies. If you complete the background check before being instructed to do so you will have to redo it
and pay the $112 again. The Background Check, drug screening, and payment of $112 will be required each semester while in the
program.
3. Complete a Health Physical and submit proof of required immunizations. (Physical and immunizations costs are your responsibility, so
plan ahead financially.)
4. Show proof of current Health Care Providers CPR. You may take a class through HGTC’s Continuing Education/Workforce Development
Department. You may register online for the course on the HGTC Continuing Education/Workforce Development website. This course
costs approximately $105.00.

10. Program Expenses
 You may view a comprehensive list of program expenses that a student can expect to
incur during enrollment in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography curriculum here.
 Please keep in mind that these figures are approximations and are based on current
costs. Many of these expenses are payable to third parties and subject to change
without notice.
 Tuition is subject to change.
 Supplies and fees: Students will be responsible for items above and beyond tuition,
such as uniforms, clinical supplies, and items needed for projects.

11. DMS Program
Schedule
 Diagnostic Medical Sonography is a
4 semester program. Once
accepted you will attend year
round, including summer. Please
plan ahead financially as you may
not receive financial aid for the
summer. Clinicals will vary by
semester but may require 1-2 days
a week. Students may have to
travel up to a 50 mile radius to
fulfill clinical requirements.
First Semester (Fall) Third Semester (Summer)
DMS 112 OB/GYN Sonography I 3 DMS 120 Sonographic Instrumentation II 3
DMS 114 DMS Cross Sectional Anatomy 3 DMS 166 Advanced Clinical Education 7
DMS 164 Introduction to Clinical
Education
2 DMS 122 Abdominal Sonography 1
TOTAL 8 TOTAL 11
Second Semester (Spring) Fourth Semester (Fall)
DMS 101 Ultrasound Physics and
Instrumentation I
2 DMS 126 Advanced Sonographic Topics 2
DMS 124 OB/GYN Sonography II 2 DMS 167 Imaging Practicum 8
DMS 150 Clinical Applications I 7 TOTAL 10
TOTAL 11

12. You have completed the
Diagnostic Medical Sonography
STEPS Session!
 HGTC reserves the right to change the program admission
requirements at any time. You must meet the admission requirements
that are in effect at the time you submit your application.
 Please review the checklist located below this STEPS Session on the
Libguides page and enter the information requested below the
checklist to receive credit for viewing this session.