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Prospective students may begin applying now for fall 2016 admission into ��Ӱֱ�� State’s new two-year diagnostic medical sonography program.

This Associate in Applied Science major will prepare qualified students to become health care professionals who use high-frequency sound waves to produce anatomical images for diagnostic purposes. The program coordinates on-campus didactic and laboratory classes and clinical experiences at area hospitals, to which students are responsible for their own transportation.

Clinical education is assigned to provide experiences consistent with each student's level of achievement in different hospital and outpatient environments. Through clinical assignments, students have opportunities to work with the most modern and specialized equipment available, and knowledgeable staff with a wealth of experience in imaging.

Bridgett Mayorga, program director and assistant professor of Physical and Life Sciences, said, “Diagnostic medical sonography, or as it’s better known ‘ultrasound,’ is an ever-expanding career field that includes abdominal, obstetric, vascular, and cardiac imaging. We are very excited to be able to offer this opportunity at ��Ӱֱ�� State.”

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians, including vascular technologists, is projected to grow 24 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. Occupational opportunities include hospital sonography department staff technologist, sonography department management, and private physician offices.

Students within the program must be able to demonstrate technical standards and pass clinical competencies as described by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS), the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRCDMS), and the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), recognized by the United States Department of Education as the national accreditation agency of programs for sonography.

Upon graduation, students are prepared to take the ARDMS SPI and Content Specialty Exams.

Dr. Skip Sullivan, president of ��Ӱֱ�� State, said, “We are excited to add diagnostic medical sonography to our health-care related academic offerings, particularly given the projected job growth of this field in the coming years. I thank the faculty and staff who worked to bring this program to fruition.”

Dr. Kristin Poppo, provost, said ��Ӱֱ�� State recognizes that careers in health care provide excellent opportunities locally, regionally and nationally.

“Diagnostic sonography, a SUNY-designated high-need area, further expands opportunities at ��Ӱֱ�� State in the health professions,” Poppo said. “This program option will be of huge benefit to our students.”