Sonography Selection Criteria & Application Process
Annual Application Deadline: May 15th
To apply for the Diagnostic Medical Sonography A.S. degree program, first review the selection criteria below, which includes mandatory items and optional criteria that can earn points towards acceptance. Next, complete all steps in the application process.
It's recommended that all prospective students schedule a Health Sciences advising appointment, and our advisors can also answer questions by email at healthscience@easternflorida.edu or by phone: 321-433-7575. Current EFSC students can use the Navigate appointment scheduling system within the myEFSC portal to schedule health sciences advising.
Selection Criteria: Required & Optional Items
If completed by the application deadline, applicants can earn the following points for the courses below: An "A" is worth 5 points, a "B" is worth 3 points and a "C" is worth 1 point.
Sciences
- General Biology (with lab)
- Anatomy & Physiology I (with lab)
- Anatomy & Physiology II (with lab)
- Intro to the Principles of Physics (or higher)
General Education Prerequisite
College Algebra (or Higher)
Health Science Electives
One point will be given for the completion ("C" or better) of the following courses.
- Medical Terminology
- Introduction to Healthcare
Important Update: As of January, 4, 2024, BONUS points will no longer be awarded for extra classes which are not a part of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography required curriculum.
Please see a Health Science Advisor regarding any substitutions to the above requirements.
A typed, one-page essay on the topic of "Why I am Choosing Diagnostic Medical Sonography as a Career" will result in 2 points.
As an entrance requirement, all applicants must take the TEAS Test (Test of Essential Academic Skills) and will require a Reading Comprehension score of 65% and an Adjusted Individual Total (overall) score of 60% to be considered for program admission.
The TEAS test may be taken twice for application consideration into the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program by the application deadline. If the TEAS test is taken twice, the highest score from each section will be collated. Test scores are valid for 2 years.
No points will be awarded for the mandatory TEAS requirement. See the TEAS Test step in the application process accordion below for more details on taking the test.
Volunteering Experience
Interested students may earn 5 points by volunteering in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program as an ultrasound model for scanning by the Sonography majors and by exploring other opportunities that would jointly benefit the student and the program.
Requirements
- Completion of 20 hours of volunteering in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program.
- Students must purchase and wear program-specific scrubs (color: wine).
- Students must complete a project that is both beneficial for the students and the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program. The type of project to be completed is to be determined by both the student and the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program Manager prior to the start of the experience.
All interested students should contact Dr. Harry Holdorf at holdorfh@easternflorida.edu, 321-433-7130. Students who are interested in earning credit through the Service-Learning program should contact the Service-Learning team.
If an applicant applied, paid and submitted TEAS scores and had at least 30 points in their previous year's application, but was not accepted, they will be awarded 4 points toward the next year's application. Applicants must have requested that their folder be held over. Students are also encouraged to see a health science advisor to discuss how to improve their chances of getting in at the next year.
Eastern Florida State College is dedicated to providing a nondiscriminatory environment which promotes equal access, equal educational opportunity, and equal employment opportunity to all persons regardless of age, race, national origin, color, ethnicity, genetic information, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, disability, marital status, veteran status, ancestry, or political affiliation in its programs, activities, or employment.
EFSC recognizes the rights of students and applicants with disabilities, including those with hepatitis B, under the protections of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Application Procedure
The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program begins each fall and leads to an Associate in Science degree. Applicants are evaluated for admission based upon the Selection Criteria, listed above. For selection, you must satisfy program entrance requirements outlined in the Application Steps below. Program entry is once each academic year: Fall term (August), with the program then running 24 consecutive months.
APPLICATION FILES MUST BE COMPLETED BY MAY 15th EACH YEAR.
On the day following the application deadline, your file will be sent to the Sonography Admissions Committee for consideration. Once the file is sent to the committee, it will be closed to additional information. Incomplete files will not be considered for program admission. All applicants will be notified by mail of their status in the program.
A file ready for Admissions Committee review must include:
- Health Sciences Application to the Sonography Program
- $25 application fee paid
- All unofficial college transcripts - from all colleges attended, including EFSC
- Proof of licensure/registry, in your field (if applicable)
- Proof of work experience form (if applicable)
- Essay
- Recommendation Letters
- TEAS scores
- Advising Card (if applicable)
- Observation/interview requirement completed
- Virtual Information Session attended (if applicable)
Important Note: The Applicant is responsible for providing all required information prior to the deadline date, including all photocopies, to the Health Sciences Admission Office.
See a Health Science Advisor to go over admission criteria, testing requirements, application materials needed and to set up a plan to complete prerequisite coursework.
Students must be current students at Eastern Florida State College before they can apply to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography progam.
NEW STUDENTS: For students new to EFSC, complete the EFSC online application for admission prior to the Sonography program application deadline. There is a $30 non-refundable application fee that must be paid before the application can be processed.
Please note that applications are processed in the order they were received and application processing time may take up to seven days. Check your email frequently for your acceptance letter.
In addition, new EFSC students need to
- Submit official High School Transcripts (or GED® scores) to General Admissions.
- Submit official transcripts from any and all colleges attended prior to EFSC (if applicable)
- Provide FL Residency documentation, complete the New Student Orientation, and finalize any other EFSC General Admissions requirements.
RETURNING STUDENTS: Returning/readmit students who have not completed a course in the past year must also re-apply online. There is no application fee for a readmit application. Readmit Students need to:
- Submit official transcripts from any and all colleges attended since their last enrollment at EFSC (if applicable).
- Provide FL Residency documentation, and complete any other EFSC General Admissions requirements.
CURRENT EFSC STUDENTS: Current Students may move on to the next step.
Complete the online Health Sciences Institute Application for Diagnostic Medical Sonography Technology. This application must be submitted by the application deadline, after you have become an EFSC student. There is a $25 fee for the application.
Applicants must submit:
- An UNOFFICIAL copy of each and every college transcript is required with the Diagnostic Medical Sonography application. Unofficial EFSC transcripts can be accessed from myGPS or at www.floridashines.org.
- A copy of your current licensure/registry in your health or nursing field (if applicable)
- Proof of Work experience in your field (if applicable)
- A typed one page essay should be submitted. The topic is: "Why I would like to become a Sonographer"
- Submit 2 Recommendation Letters
- TEAS scores
- Advising Card (if applicable)
The above must be submitted to the Health Science Admissions Office (Melbourne Campus, Building 15, Room 101) by the application deadline.
The following college level courses must be completed with a "C" or higher in order for the applicant to enter into the professional phase (program core classes):
- General Biology (with lab)
- Anatomy and Physiology I & II (with lab)
- College Algebra (or higher)
- Physics
- English Composition
- Medical Terminology
- Introduction to Healthcare
Other coursework required for graduation:
- Intermediate Algebra
- Civic Literacy/Social Science Requirement
- Humanities Requirement
- Exploring Digital Technology
The TEAS test is offered through the EFSC Assessment Centers and may be taken twice by the application deadline. If the TEAS test is taken twice, the highest score from each section will be collated. Test scores are valid for 2 years. Be sure to review the Selection Criteria above for details on the required scores.
Applicants are required to observe / shadow for eight hours in the EFSC Sonography
Skills Lab. Prospective students should email the program manager, Dr. Harry Holdorf, to arrange their observation / shadowing experience. This experience can be done
at any time during the application process; however, students are encouraged to complete
this activity early, as space is limited. Applicants must bring a resume to share
with the Program Manager.
Candidates who take part in the observation / shadowing experience will be interviewed immediately after they have completed their 8 hours of observation.
Students accepted into the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program will be required to undergo a background check and drug screening. Applicants must be drug-free and free of offenses that would disqualify them from the student clinical experience in a healthcare setting. Certain immunizations will also be required.
The background check will include Residence History, Nationwide Sexual Offenders Registry search and Florida Statewide Criminal Records search. The cost of the background check and drug screening is the responsibility of the student. The program coordinator will provide the necessary paperwork to begin the process, once the student has been accepted into the program. Explore other post-acceptance requirements.