Sonographer performing ultrasound on patient

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.

Selection Criteria: Required & Optional Items

Grade Point Average
Applicants must have at least a 2.5 GPA by the application deadline to apply to the program. (Mandatory: No points)
Information Session
Each applicant will receive 5 points for completing this optional item. Details about the session's structure will be available soon. The information session is good for one application cycle. Repeat applicants must complete a new information session each year.
Health Science Advising Session
Applicants who have completed an advisement session with a Health Sciences Advisor, as evidenced by a signed advisement card, will receive 4 points. This card can only be obtained from a Health Science Student Advisor, and no duplicates will be issued. The card is only valid for 1 year after the issue date.
Observation Sessions
This is a mandatory requirement that earns no points, arranged through the program manager. More information regarding the Observation Sessions can be found in the Admissions steps below. Students who are repeat applicants must complete the Observation Sessions each deadline.
Specific College Course Work Bonus Points

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.

Essay

A typed, one-page essay on the topic of "Why I am Choosing Diagnostic Medical Sonography as a Career" will result in 2 points.

TEAS Test Scores

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. Please allow 30 days between TEAS attempts.

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 / Service-Learning
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.  

Repeat Applicants

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. Before the next deadline, students must complete two more Observation experiences, complete the Virtual Information Session, attend a Health Science Advising Appointment for a Point Sheet, and submit any forms or transcripts that need to be updated.

Equal Access Policy

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 requirement completed 
  • 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.

Meet with a Health Science Advisor

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 with myEFSC access should schedule Health Sciences Advising using the link in the Student Services Appointments section of myEFSC. Future Students with no EFSC login, use the guest appointment button.

Verify EFSC General Admissions Status (Current, New or Returning)

Students must be current students at Eastern Florida State College before they can apply to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program. 

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.

Apply and Submit Application Materials

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. 

Required College Courses (before program start/Fall term)

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:

TEAS Test

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. EFSC's testing policy requires at least 30 days between TEAS attempts.

Observation Requirement

Applicants are required to observe / shadow for eight hours in the EFSC Sonography Skills Lab. Prospective students should email the Program Manager Jaci Holderby 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.

Students who did not get accepted will be required to do the observation / shadowing experience again if they apply during the next year. 

Post-Acceptance Requirements

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.