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BS IN MEDICAL IMAGING AND RADIATION SCIENCES - SONOGRAPHY

B.S. in Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences - Sonography

The sonography profession uses equipment that generates high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the human body. The sonographer acquires images and data for the interpreting physician to diagnose disease and pathology in patients. This profession includes abdominal sonography, neurosonography, echocardiography, obstetrical and pelvic sonography, and vascular technology.  In each of these areas, the sonographer must be knowledgeable of expected pathology, application instrumentation, and exam results.

The OUHSC sonography program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs in Abdominal Extended, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Adult Cardiac, and Vascular sonography, and requires each student to obtain competencies in all these specialty areas. Students who graduate from this program are eligible to take the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography credentialing exams associated with each of these specialty areas 60 days prior to graduation. 


The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center College of Allied Health ensures that program expectations, learning objectives, and educational outcomes offered at the Oklahoma City and Tulsa campuses are consistent.   Program outcomes between the Oklahoma campus and Tulsa campuses are evaluated yearly by course directors and reported to the Department Chairman and the Dean of the College of Allied Health. 

The Department of Medical Imaging & Radiation Sciences offers a four-year baccalaureate degree with programs in Radiography, Nuclear Medicine, Radiation Therapy, and Sonography. The Sonography program is offered in both Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Students may apply to the professional phase of the program after completing 64 hours of general education, inclusive of the prerequisite courses.

Each of the four professional programs begins in the summer of every year and consists of 68 semester hours of sequenced and integrated didactic and clinical courses. Students will complete clinical assignments in selected hospital and clinic facilities located throughout the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. Program faculty determine student assignments to clinical rotation sites based upon each student’s abilities and clinical education needs.

Why should you choose a bachelor's degree program? Click here to learn more.  The four-year program culminates in the baccalaureate degree in Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences (B.S.M.I.R.S.) in the specific discipline of study. Upon successfully completing the chosen educational program, the student is eligible to apply to the appropriate credentialing agency to sit for the certification examination in the respective profession.

In 1970, the department established a baccalaureate degree program in Radiography. Baccalaureate programs in Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Therapy were instituted in 1975. In 1978, the fourth program in Sonography was approved. The offering of baccalaureate degrees in all four disciplines within one academic department is unique in the country.

None of the four professions is a prerequisite to one another or subordinate to another. Each degree program can be entered directly after completing prerequisite courses and selection by the Admissions Committee through a competitive application process.

If you would like to explore sonography further, view the following YouTube videos:

Helpful Resources:

Course numbers are those of the University of Oklahoma.  Approved prerequisite courses are offered at many institutions.  It is extremely important that you look up every course you have taken, plan to take, and/or are currently enrolled in to verify that they are equivalent courses. The responsibility is yours to enroll in equivalent courses and we provide the tools to make sure you do.  Check the Transfer Equivalencies Database or with your school advisor regarding equivalent courses.  There are instructions on that page on how to request a transcript evaluation for particular courses if your courses are not listed in the database. 

Click on this link to use the prerequisite worksheet to keep track of your prerequisite classes.

All prerequisites are required unless noted in the footnotes.  Please read the footnote descriptions located directly underneath the table.

(^) 2024 Applicants:  Applicants applying in 2024 will be required to complete 1 of the 3 “First Year Experience” courses for graduation. A “First Year Experience” course may be taken prior to applying to OUHSC or a “First Year Experience” course will be offered after admission to OUHSC for those who still need to complete this requirement. The MIRS Department recommends completing this requirement prior to admission to OUHSC. The courses are part of the General Education offered through OU-Norman or may be an equivalent course approved by OU-Norman.

Please note:  varies = there are multiple courses that are equivalent for these prerequisites.  If you are attending OU in Norman for these courses, click here for equivalent courses; if attending another institution, please check the Transfer Equivalency Database link below. 

**Starting in 2022, APPLICANTS MAY BEGIN THE OUHSC PROGRAM WITH 61 COLLEGE CREDIT HOURS OF ELECTIVES IF THEY HAVE NOT TAKEN THE First-Year Experience COURSE. ADMITTED STUDENTS WILL STILL TAKE THE First-Year Experience COURSE BUT IT WILL BE DURING THE OUHSC PROGRAM.  The MIRS Department recommends taking this prerequisite course prior to admission to OUHSC if possible. 

REMEDIAL COURSES DO NOT COUNT TOWARD THE TRANSCRIPTED CREDIT HOURS.

If you are planning to attend the University of Oklahoma Norman campus to fulfill your Western Culture, World Culture (or Non-Western Culture), Artistic Forms, and/or Upper-Level General Education prerequisite, please click here to review acceptable courses offered in these categories on the University of Oklahoma Norman campus.  Please remember to review footnote #1 above for instructions on the Upper-Level General Education Course.

To be considered for admission, an applicant must:

  1. have successfully completed, or be in the process of completing a minimum of sixty-four (64) semester hours of coursework (which includes 1 of 3 "First-Year Experience" courses from the OU-Norman or an equivalent course from an accredited college or university prior to admittance to the program; OR 
    have successfully completed, or be in the process of completing a minimum of sixty-one (61) semester hours of coursework (excluding the OU-Norman "First-Year Experience" or equivalent course from an accredited college or university).  Applicants should understand that if admitted in this scenario, the student will be enrolled in a ‘First Year Experience’ course while enrolled in the OUHSC program; 
  2. complete all prerequisites with a grade of C or better prior to the beginning of the program. Prerequisite courses taken during the spring 2020 semester may have a “P” for passing or “S” for satisfactory due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We suggest students be enrolled in no more than two prerequisite science courses in their final semester prior to their intended start date.
  3. be in good standing with the college or university last or currently attending;
  4. have a minimum grade point average of 2.50 on a 4.0 scale for all college work attempted. The College of Allied Health does not recognize academic forgiveness nor reprieve policies. All attempts of a course are included in the calculation of GPA;
  5. earn a minimum score of 600 (paper-based) or 100 (internet-based) within two years prior to application on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) if English is the second language.  TOEFL’s web address is toefl.org;
  6. all international/Non US Citizen applicants are required to have all transcripts/mark sheets from foreign institutions evaluated by World Education Services (WES) or Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE);
  7. submit official transcripts from all colleges and/or universities attended and non-refundable application fees, and
  8. submit a completed online application. The application deadline is March 1 for Summer admission. All official, sealed transcripts and TOEFL scores (if applicable) must be received by the application deadline. Late transcripts and test scores may result in an automatic denial.

Note: If you plan on applying to the program this year, submit an official, sealed transcript from every institution attended AS SOON AS POSSIBLE to ensure that we receive the transcripts by the application deadline. Transcripts take time to process from one institution to the other; therefore, order your transcripts ASAP! Once your fall grades have been posted, please mail us an updated transcript. Click on the following link for the address to mail your transcripts.

  1. Review and follow the instructions for application to the College of Allied Health.
  2.  Application Review:  Applicants who have fulfilled the admission requirements will be scheduled for an interview with the Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences Committee. Applicants are accepted into the program based on scores derived from these areas: Cumulative GPA, Science GPA, and written interview.
  3. Notification of Acceptance:  The applicant must accept or decline the position through their online application within 14 days of the application decision. Alternates may be admitted up to the first class for the summer semester if all positions have not been filled. If notification is not received by the third week of May, contact the department.
  4. Students accepted for admission are required to confirm their intention to enroll and attend by paying a non-refundable deposit on enrollment. The deposit is applied toward tuition and fees during the first term.

We urge you to review your information on the application status page to verify all of your application information is complete.  The application status page can be found by logging into your application at https://apps.ouhsc.edu/admissions/.

Please verify ALL of your previous and/or current schools, courses, and grades on your application status. It is critical that you send transcripts from EVERY institution you have attended, even if you only took a single course at that institution. It is also very important that you include your high school transcript for verification of foreign language requirements. If any transcripts with grades through Fall 2023 are listed as “Needed”, you have until March 1st to provide the missing transcript(s) to the Office of Admissions and Records, P.O. Box 26901, LIB 121, Oklahoma City, OK 73126-0901 (https://alliedhealth.ouhsc.edu/Prospective-Students/Applying-to-a-Program/Transcripts). If the missing materials have not been received by March 1st, your application will be considered incomplete and you will not be considered for admission into the program. If you are currently enrolled in classes for the spring semester and we have received a transcript with all current grades from that school for you, the “Needed” on that transcript on your application status is regarding your spring grades; therefore, another transcript is not needed until you receive your final spring grades.

If you have any questions regarding items on your application status such as the entry of your grades, receipt of transcripts, etc., please contact the appropriate student advisor listed on your application status. If your question is about your additional college materials (i.e. verification of education, career goal statement, or list of references), please contact the college by telephone at (405) 271-6588 or by email at alliedhealth-info@ouhsc.edu.

To expedite the application process, all applicants are required to attend the MIRS Orientation/Interview session scheduled for Thursday, March 7, 2024, at 5:30 pm. The session will conclude at approximately 7:30 pm. This session will be held in person on the OKLAHOMA CITY Campus.

For the MIRS Orientation/Interview Session you will need the following:

  • Laptop computer
  • Ability to connect to WiFi
  • A current Photo ID

Expectations during the MIRS Virtual Orientation/Interview Session:

  • Applicants will provide their Photo ID during the Interview/Orientation session. Your photo ID will be matched to you during the Written Interview.
  • A break will be given before the writing portion begins. 
  • During the Written Interview, applicants are expected to display professionalism and not refer to any resources while composing answers (i.e. no phone a friend/family, dictionary, internet search, etc.). The expectation is that your answer is truly a reflection of you.
  • Applicants still working at the end of the Written Interview will be given a time warning to finish their responses. When final time is called, applicants MUST stop and submit their responses—no extra time will be allowed.
  • For any applicant displaying unprofessional behavior during the orientation and/or interview, points will be deducted from their Written Interview Score. (Not meeting the expectations outlined above as well as any other questionable behavior will be considered an example of unprofessional behavior.) 

If you have applied to more than one program, you will be interviewed only once and the Admissions Committee will expect you to prioritize your preferences and discuss the reasons for your application to multiple majors.

The interview is an integral component of the admissions process for all applicants. It will begin with a group meeting/orientation to introduce the details of the admissions process and conclude with a written interview period. During this time, you will be monitored and your ID will be checked.

If you have extenuating circumstances and cannot attend the Thursday, March 7th session, please call the department and speak to Ms. Leslee Smith as soon as possible at (405) 271-6477. We look forward to meeting you soon.

Students should expect additional costs that include, but are not limited to, a laptop computer, textbooks, lab fees, insurance, and supplies. Students are also required to assume financial responsibilities for expenses associated with clinical requirements. For financial aid information, contact the Financial Aid Office at (405) 271-2118.

Additional cost information:
Other Requirements for Students Admitted to MIRS Program
Bursar's Office Tuition and Fees
Student Financial Aid

 

 

The high school early admission option for the nuclear medicine, radiation therapy, radiography, and sonography program at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center was created to offer outstanding prospective students the opportunity to secure a position in one of the Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences programs prior to graduating from high school.  


Admission Requirements - High School Early Admission:

To be considered for admission, an applicant must:

  • be in good standing with the high school currently attending;
  • have a minimum grade point average of 3.75 on a 4.0 scale for all high school work attempted;
  • have completed at least three high school science credits with grades of B or better;
  • complete and document an interview of a Supervisor in a hospital in the area of interest;
  • have scored at least a 24 on the American Collegiate Testing (ACT) or equivalent SAT-I score of 1090; and
  • complete a minimum of 24 hours of volunteer experience in a health care setting no later than August 1 of the following year. (It is recommended to complete the volunteer experience before the application deadline if possible but not required.)  

Application Procedure: 

  1. Applicants must submit the following by December 1 of their senior year:
    • a completed University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center online application for Admission 
    • official transcripts from all high schools attended;
    • completed interview of a Supervisor in a hospital in the area of interest;
    • ACT/SAT-I Scores; and
    • a $50 non-refundable application fee. 
  2. The applicant will receive an acceptance or denial letter by mid-January of the applicant's senior year in high school.
  3. The applicant must accept the position in writing by March 1st of their senior year in high school. 

Requirement if Conditionally Admitted: 

Applicant must complete the following after acceptance into the program:

  1. documentation of a minimum of 24 hours of volunteer experience in the health care setting by August 1st after high school graduation; and
  2. attend the College of Allied Health Open House in November and have attendance verified by a Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences Faculty member. 

Admission Contingency: 

A student admitted to the program must satisfy all the admission requirements before beginning the program and must maintain at least a 3.25 cumulative grade point average and a 3.25 science grade point average on a 4.0 scale.  Sixty-four (64) semester hours to include the prerequisites must be completed within two years after high school graduation but no later than the end of May, the year the student enters the program.  Transcripts of all classes taken are required to be submitted at the end of each semester.  Contact the College of Allied Health Office of Academic and Student Services by email at alliedhealth-info@ouhsc.edu or (405) 271-6588 with advisement questions.  Should a student not fulfill the requirements, the early admission is forfeited and the student may apply through the regular admission process.

High School Early Admission Program Brochure

 

Conditionally accepted applicants to the College of Allied Health in the Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences will be required to obtain a Criminal History Background Check and a Drug Test.  Conditionally accepted applicants who have an adverse finding on a criminal background report and/or drug test may be denied full admission. Many clinical facilities require a background check, including a check of the sex offenders list.  The student’s responsibility is to have the background check completed prior to starting the clinical experience and as instructed by the clinical coordinator. The student’s responsibility is to maintain the background check for presentation to the clinical facility personnel. 
Drug screening is required of all OUHSC students in designated programs as many clinical facilities require students to pass a drug test.  The student’s responsibility is to comply with the necessary procedures and consent forms for the required drug screening.  Students who fail to adhere to the drug testing procedure established by the Department will be deferred for a year while documentation can be received for clearance. 
Any arrest, charge, or conviction for a felony or a misdemeanor may also affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the certification examination in their profession.  For a fee, many certification boards will conduct a pre-assessment based on the student’s prior offenses to determine if the student would be allowed to sit for the board examination.  

Students may contact the following certification board directly for further information:

Year 1

Summer Semester

Course Name Course Number Credit Hours
Clinical Anatomy AHS 3415 5
Medical/Professional Orientation MIRS 3111 1

Fall Semester

Course Name Course Number Credit Hours
Pathology AHS 4433 3
Medical Ethics and Law AHS 3451 1
Patient Care and Management MIRS 3152 2
Radiologic Physics & Radiation Protection MIRS 3193 3
Cardiac Sonography I MIRS 3843 3
Clinical Sonography MIRS 3860 2
Core V Gen Ed (if needed) option 1 UCOL XXXX (3)

Winter intersession 

Course Name Course Number Credit Hours
Core V Gen Ed (if needed) option 2 UCOL XXXX (3)

Spring Semester

Course Name Course Number Credit Hours
Human Embryology AHS 3302 2
Abdominal Sonography  MIRS 3873 3
Obstetric and Gynecologic Sonography  MIRS 3834 4
Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation I MIRS 3803 3
Vascular Sonography I  MIRS 3851 1
Clinical Sonography MIRS 3860 3

Spring Intersession 

Course Name Course Number Credit Hours
Core V Gen Ed (if needed) option 3 UCOL XXXX (3)

Year 2

Summer Semester

Course Name Course Number Credit Hours
Advanced Sonography I MIRS 3872 2
Advanced Obstetric Sonography MIRS 4831 1
Clinical Sonography MIRS 3860 3

Fall Semester

Course Name Course Number Credit Hours
Vascular Sonography II MIRS 4852 2
Cardiac Sonography II MIRS 4842 2
Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation II MIRS 4803 3
Sonography Imaging MIRS 4820 1
Advanced Clinical Sonography and Capstone MIRS 4860 5

Spring Semester

Course Name Course Number Credit Hours
Healthcare Management & Law AHS 4452 2
Cardiac Sonography III MIRS 4843 3
Advanced Sonography II MIRS 4872 2
Sonography Imaging 1 MIRS 4820 1
Advanced Clinical Sonography and Capstone MIRS 4860 5

Last reviewed: May 2022

Course Descriptions

Office of Academic and Student Affairs
Phone:  (405) 271-6588
Email the Office of Academic and Student Affairs

Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences
College of Allied Health
The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
1200 N Stonewall Avenue, Room 3021
Oklahoma City, OK  73117-1215

Click here to schedule a virtual, phone, or in-person prospective student appointment with one of our Advisors.

Click here to schedule a virtual or in-person recruitment event or presentation for your class, club, career fair, etc.

Prospective students are encouraged to visit the prospective student's page to utilize resources such as the transfer equivalency tables, admission statistics, job shadowing, gpa calculation, tuition cost, scholarships, student life, campus resources, etc.

To learn more about the physical and technical requirements to obtain a job in this profession CLICK HERE to find a summary of what a typical clinic would expect from their employees.