DMS Admission Requirements

DMS Program Brochure

Openings are limited primarily due to limited available clinical education centers. As a result, a means of selecting those students with the greatest potential for success is necessary. Preference is given to Idaho residents. Students should access our website in early November to download the application.

In addition, please note that we do require official ISU transcripts and all other official college transcripts be sent to the mailing address below. Electronic copies of official transcripts may be sent from a university's Registrar office directly to alyssaholt@isu.edu . No electronic copies of transcripts submitted by applicants will be accepted. Completed applications and the nonrefundable application fee should be received by our office by February 1st. 

Have you ever (for ANY reason) been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor?

The American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) may prohibit you from taking the certification examination if you have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor. You must contact the ARDMS to establish your eligibility. This pre-application review must be completed by June 15th or your seat in the program will be forfeited. ARDMS, 1401 Rockville Pike, Suite 600, Rockville, MD 20852-1402, Phone: (800) 541-9754. Minor traffic violations do not need to be reported unless they involve a DUI.

Admission Criteria

Applicants must possess current ARRT RT(R) registration and certification (or be a student eligible to take the ARRT radiography exam). Verification of credentials required.

If you are not ARRT, RT (R) registered, you must satisfy prerequisites with one of the following options, as well as the prerequisite courses listed below:

• AAS, AS, or Bachelor of Science degree in a medically-related major, a minimum of 12-months patient care experience, as well as required prerequisite courses.

Applicants are ranked according to overall academic grade point average (GPA) from the 12 courses listed below. A minimum grade of "C-" is required in all prerequisites. Also, a minimum grade point average of 3.0 is required. The ranking of students is accomplished as follows:

1. Points are awarded for grades in each of the following courses:

*For those with ARRT RT(R) certification, this course is not required. 

A grade of A is worth 4 points, B's are 3 points, C's are 2 points, D's are 1 point, and F's are 0 points. Plus (+) and minus (-) grades are converted to whole letter grades for point assignments. The points are then multiplied times the credit hour weighting of the course to determine the total points for each course. Credits transferred to ISU that are considered as equivalent to the ISU course(s) listed above, will be weighted according to the credit hours from the original institution, but no greater than the ISU course weighting. For example, if a student completed a four (4) credit statistics course at XYZ University and it is considered equivalent to the ISU MATH 1153 course, the weighting would be three (3) credits and not four (4). Quarter credit hour credits will be converted to "semester" credits for the purpose of weighting. One (1) quarter credit hour shall be considered to be 2/3 of a semester credit hour.

If a student tests out of a course or is otherwise given credit for a course by the ISU Registrar, including military credit, then the grade used for calculation of points shall be an "A" unless a different letter grade is earned (i.e. B, C, D, or F). If a student tests out of a course or is otherwise given credit for a course by the ISU Registrar, including military credit, but takes the course anyway, then the grade used for calculation of points shall be the grade earned in the course.

A passing “P” or a “TS” grade will be counted as a “C” unless proven otherwise with official documentation.

2. Residency - Idaho residents shall be awarded 4 points.

3. Additional registries beyond RT(R) (e.g. CT, mammography, MRI, NM, etc.) 50 points per modality. Verification of credentials required.

4. The total points accumulated from the calculations in #1 through #3 above shall then be multiplied times the student's cumulative grade point average of the prerequisite courses, for a total point value.

5. Interview: The top 12 ranked applicants will be contacted by phone and an interview will be scheduled. Maximum of 100 points will be awarded for the interview process.

6. The students will be ranked according to the total points accumulated. The students with the highest accumulated points will be selected for program admission in accordance with the number of openings available. For example, if there are 6 vacancies then the top 6 students will be selected.

7. Alternates for admission will be selected on the basis of their ranking.

8. In the event of a tie during the selection process the following procedure will be initiated in the following order: a) additional ARRT certifications (e.g. CT, mammography, MRI, etc.) b) years of clinical experience, c) the student with the highest number of the prerequisite classes taken at ISU, d) random drawing of name.

Deadlines

The admission procedures must be completed and received by the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program by February 1st of the year the student is seeking admission. If the 1st falls on a weekend the application must be received by the Friday preceding the deadline date. Classes begin in the Fall semester. A completed application consists of six (6) items as follows: 1) Admission to Idaho State University. 2) Completed application form for the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program. 3) Official college transcripts of ALL college coursework completed up to the time of application. 4) Verification of imaging credentials or previous degree and patient care experience. 5) A non-refundable application fee, made payable to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program.

Notification of Acceptance

Students will be informed by the end of February of their admission status. Notification will be sooner if possible.

Clinical Assignments

Assignment to affiliated hospital sonography departments for clinical education is done by Radiographic Science and Diagnostic Medical Sonography Faculty. You may be assigned to any clinical affiliate associated with the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program.

Background Checks/Drug Testing

Students must pass a background check and drug testing prior to clinical attendance. If a student does not pass, their position will be forfeited in the program.