OR

 b. Successful completion of post-secondary education with a degree (BS or BA) from an accredited college or university in a science or medically related field is preferred. A grade point average of 3.0 in one's major field and some hospital experience are preferred. This degree must also include a physics, biology and an algebra course, which must have been taken within the past seven years. If the applicant’s college degree was not obtained within the past seven years, college-level physics, biology and algebra courses must be complete at the time of application to the program.

2. a. The above degree specifications are mandatory minimum prerequisites as outlined by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) for candidates applying to one-year training programs. Many applicants have advanced degrees or coursework and the Admissions Committee views this as a strong qualification.

    b. Those applicants who have a Bachelor's degree as outlined in Part 1b above are required to have some patient-care experience. They must also demonstrate knowledge of basic patient care skills, such as proper patient lifting, familiarity with oxygen, IV equipment and CPR.

3.    If a degree program does not allow for a clinical rotation in ultrasound, applicants must have 40 hours of observation in an ultrasound department and submit a letter from the supervising sonographer documenting this experience.

4.   Courses that must be complete at the time of application for this program include: algebra, physics, human anatomy and physiology, biology, medical terminology and English composition.

5.         The Admissions Committee reviews many aspects of a candidate's application, including: academic and research background, communication skills and work-related background. Communication skills are demonstrated through a required personal essay written by each applicant. This essay should be no longer than 2 pages and should discuss the applicant’s personal and professional goals and interest in the field of sonography.

Longer training programs in ultrasound are available nationwide for those individuals who do not have the necessary background for a one-year program. At present, however, The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program of Denver at University of Colorado Hospital is the only accredited ultrasound training program in Colorado.