Admissions Inquiries
Application Procedures
Primary Requirements
Tuition and Expenses
Curriculum
Transportation and Parking 		 
  Admissions Inquires  
 


Successful completion of a clinically related two-year ANA recognized allied health occupation training program with a certificate or diploma. Examples: Radiologic Technology, Registered Nurse, or Medical Technology.

OR

Bachelor's degree. Candidates who have successfully completed a bachelor's degree are eligible to apply for program entry. These applicants are required to have completed coursework (minimum 3 credits) in each of the following areas with minimum 2.5 GPA:

•  Human Anatomy& Physiology
•  College Algebra/ Physics
•  Biology/ Micro biology
•  Pathophysiology
•  Communication Skills ( English-speech or composition)
•  Medical Ethics and Law

Other Suggested classes are:
•  Embryology
•  Chemistry
•  Medical Terminology
•  Cross-sectional Anatomy
•  Patient Care

This program will not sponsor applicants for immigrant or non-immigrant Visas. Applicants must be lawfully residing in the United States .

ALL CANDIDATES SEEKING ADMISSION UNDER THE BACCALAURATE DEGREE STATUS MUST HAVE RECENT, DOCUMENTABLE PATIENT CARE EXPERIENCE.

This experience should be dealing directly with patients either in a hospital or nursing home setting. A minimum of five hundred hours of direct patient contact is required.

This qualification may be achieved as a student, employee, volunteer or a certified nurses aid. Critical areas of consideration include exposure to patient transportation techniques, communication experiences and performance of patient care procedures.

In addition, it is strongly advised that all applicants have observed sonographic procedures in an ultrasound department. This is beneficial in order to acquaint candidates with the demands of the profession.

SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING :

  • A letter of verification from your supervisor
  • Number of hours completed
  • Type of involvement
  • Performance evaluation

Letter must be typed on official stationery and include phone number of contact person.

 
   
  Application Procedures  
 


Each application is evaluated individually and assigned point values in reference to academics, work experience, as well as the interview. All applicants must submit the following information:

  • A completed application form (please click here)
  • A 1 to 2-page essay describing why they are pursuing the career in ultrasound and what qualifications they feel they have to become a Sonographer
  • A copy of post secondary education transcripts ( including high school)

All transcripts must be original and forwarded to the school directly from the institutions you have attended.

Applicants submitting foreign transcripts must have them evaluated for equivalency in the United States . Due to the difficulty in evaluating foreign transcripts, applicants with no additional education obtained in the USA must provide proof of academic ability, such as official ACT or SAT results, dated within the last three years.

  • Two letters of post secondary academic references (usually submitted by instructors or professors)
  • One letter of reference, preferably from an employer, but may be a personal reference

Admission to the School of Diagnostic Sonography depends upon selection by an Admissions Committee. The decision of the committee is based upon information provided in your application together with a personal interview. Factors considered are:

  • Records of academic achievement
  • The nature of your experiences in the medical field
  • Acquaintance with diagnostic ultrasound
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Personal interview

Admission into the program will be offered based on space available, number of applications received, and compliance with all admission requirements.

All completed applications must be postmarked by March 1 to be eligible for an interview.

Address all correspondence to:
Columbia St. Mary's
School of Diagnostic Sonography
Program Director
2025 East Newport Avenue
Milwaukee , WI 53211

  
   
  Primary Requirements  
 
Physical Requirements*
  • Must be able to lift 50 pounds
  • Must be able to reach 72 inches from the floor
  • Physical stamina and the ability to endure long, continuous periods of duty without incapacitating fatigue and disability.
  • Hearing to receive communication from the patients and discern audible doppler signals.
  • Speech to give instructions to the patient.
  • Must have the visual acuity to adjust CRT monitor as well as visualize facial features under an indirect light situation (dark scanning room)

* U.S. Dept. of Labor, Employment, and Training Administration

CSM Organization Requirements

  • Investigation of applicant's criminal, civil, and ordinance record in accordance with Wisconsin State Law
  • Successful completion of a physical examination including a drug screen. The examination is performed free of charge by Occupational Health Services on the
  • Columbia St. Mary's Milwaukee Campus. Confidentiality is maintained.
  • Proof of vaccination as required by CSM. Vaccinations and boosters required will be offered free of charge to students. Immunity to certain diseases is required for the well being of the student and those patients with which the student may come in contact. Individual situations will be discussed as required.
  • Accepted applicants meeting all technical requirements will be accepted into the CSM School of Diagnostic Sonography.

 

  
   
  Tuition and Expenses  
 

.

  • Tuition for the 18-month accredited CSM Sonography program is $3,000.
  • A deposit of $500 to be applied to the tuition must be made by the student upon acceptance into the program.
  • A second deposit of $500 is required August 1.
  • The remainder of the tuition is due on the first day of class.
  • Textbooks and education fees vary yearly. The cost is approximately $1,500. The books are purchased through the Hospital. The book fees are due on the first day of class.
  • Meals are available in the hospital cafeteria for nominal cost.
  • There is no charge for parking at either the Milwaukee or Ozaukee campus. Free parking is available off-site at the Columbia campus or there is shuttle service from the Milwaukee campus to the Columbia campus.
  • Health insurance is available to the student through CSM.
  • Uniforms are required and will need to be purchased by the student. The dress code is published in the Student Handbook. A copy of the handbook will be supplied to each applicant interviewed.
  • Housing is the responsibility of the student. Some dormitory housing is available through the Columbia College of Nursing at standard dormitory rates.
 
   
  Curriculum  
 


The program includes classroom activities as well as practical hands-on experience in the clinical setting. The program includes but is not limited to the following curriculum:

HOSPITAL ORIENTATION
A survey of hospital administrative procedures including safety, basic patient care procedures, medical terms, and ethics.

ULTRASOUND PHYSICS
An in-depth analysis of the physical properties of sound and ultrasound, including propagation and interaction in human tissues.

INSTRUMENTATION
Ultrasound wave detection and operational characteristics of equipment with emphasis on optimal image production; an introduction of data collection, reduction, enhancement, and application by computer methods.

MATHEMATICAL APPLICATION
Basic concepts of numerical relationships and formulas as applied to physics, instrumentation, and image production.ANATOMY
Coronal as well as transverse and longitudinal cross-sectional anatomy with emphasis on vascular relationships within the human body.

PHYSIOOGY
An in-depth analysis of the function of human organ systems with correlation of laboratory data.

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
Relating the concepts and relationships of anatomy and physiology as applied to patient conditions or disease states. Emphasis will be on the correlation of various patient conditions to obtained image results.

PHERIPHERAL VASCULAR LAB
An overview of the physics and instrumentation of Doppler and other peripheral vascular equipment with some related clinical experience.

CLINICAL PRACTICUM
The supervised performance of patient care procedures using ultrasound equipment in providing quality diagnostic imaging results.

INDEPENDENT STUDY
Independent projects under the direction and supervision of a member of the clinical staff.

 
   
  Transportation and Parking  
 


The CSM hospital system is always growing. Therefore, parking is not ample, and we must keep spots available for patients and their visitors. The following are lists are clinical rotations for students and parking restrictions for each site:

•  Columbia Hospital - NO PARKING is permitted in the structure. Off campus parking is challenging, as cars are monitored every two hours. The opportunity for students to leave the clinical site and move their car is not practical.

•  St. Mary's - NO PARKING is permitted in the structure. Off campus parking is challenging, as cars are monitored every two hours. The opportunity for students to leave the clinical site and move their car is not practical.

•  St. Mary's Ozaukee - parking is available on site in the BLUE LOT ONLY. This is the lot on the south side of the campus. Parking at St. Mary's Ozaukee is free.

•  Children's Hospital - parking in the structure or on the grounds is permitted.

CSM and the School of Radiology realize this poses a problem. Therefore, for students and employees alike, there is a shuttle service that runs from the Orthopedic Hospital on I43 and at the Summerfest grounds. Students may park at either location and shuttle to either the Columbia or St. Mary's campus. Shuttles run every 20 minutes at a well kept schedule. A shuttle schedule will be provided to all students prior to the first day of enrollment.

 
   
 

Last Updated January, 2007

2121 E. Newport Avenue | Milwaukee | WI | 53211-2952
Phone 414-961-3817 | Fax 414-961-4121