Application and Interview Process
Download the Application
To apply the following materials must be received by the June 30th deadline:
- A completed UC San Diego Health Sonography Program application form which can be obtained through the link on this website.
- Official transcripts from high school and all college education.
- 3 recommendation letters completed by fellow employees, employers or instructors.
- Letter of intent or personal statement describing why you are interested in the ultrasound program and future goals.
The program does not have a waiting list. Classes begin in January. The deadline for submitting applications is June 30th, each year.
Applications are accepted year-round however, to be considered for the following year; the application must be accepted by the Program Director prior to the June 30th deadline. Due to large numbers of qualified applicants, late or incomplete applications will not be considered. Qualified applicants will be invited to an interview with our interview committee. Interviews will take approximately one hour in length. The interview will include a detailed description of the training program.
Qualified applicants are those that have achieved a grade point average of 3.0 or greater "C" grade or better in all prerequisite courses and a "good" rating from the three references.
Following the interviews, the committee will select up to six students and three alternates. All applicants will be notified in writing regarding their acceptance for the program in November.
A reply by the student is expected within two weeks of acceptance. Any student wishing to withdraw from the program after this time should notify the school immediately so an alternate can be given the opportunity to attend.
All students must meet the technical requirements listed on the website and successfully complete a general physical examination before the start of the program. A physical examination form will be emailed to the student with their letter of acceptance.
All students will be required to have a background check and drug screen. Failure of one or both of these will result in termination of acceptance into the program.
Students selected for the program will receive additional information detailing their orientation, clinical rotations and academic calendar for the upcoming 14 months on the first day of class.
Classes will begin on the first day after the New Year
Requirements
- Applicants must have a Bachelor's Degree in any area OR must be a graduate of a 2-year Radiologic Technology Program and passed the registry exam.
- In addition to your degree, the following prerequisite courses MUST be completed of at the post-secondary level, with a minimum grade of "C" or higher.
- Algebra or higher-level math
- Speech/Oral Communication
The courses listed below MUST have been completed in the last 5 years:
- General Physics
- Human Anatomy and Physiology
- General Pathophysiology
- Patient Care
- Medical Terminology
- Medical Ethics and Law
- In addition to the Patient Care Course requirement, applicants must also provide documentation of 40 hours of direct patient contact in a hospital or medical clinic. Volunteering at a hospital is acceptable and requires appropriate documentation.
- Students are required to complete BLS CPR offered by the American Heart Association (AHA) prior to starting the program and must maintain certification for the length of the program.
The grade point average must meet a minimum, cumulative GPA, of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in previous academic work. The mandatory prerequisite courses listed must be completed within 5 years of submitting the application, and must be completed prior to submitting the application.
Health Requirements
Physical and Immunizations
Admission to the program is conditional upon passing a physical examination completing and providing documentation of immunizations. Students must have all immunizations up to date including TB, Tdap, Flu and COVID-19 vaccination and booster.
Health Insurance
Students are responsible for their own health insurance and must provide a copy of their card or a copy of the policy at orientation for proof of insurance. This coverage must be maintained throughout the program.
Technical Capabilities
Applicants must all have the potential to meet the following technical standards for sonographers:
Additional Requirements
Applicants must meet one of the two program prerequisites and have completed all of the prerequisite courses listed. Courses listed under the time requirement must be completed within 5 years the application date. The Medical Ethics and Law prerequisite course must be completed within a US academic institution. All applicants who have academic credentials from foreign institutions must submit those credentials to either the World Education Services (WES) or the Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc (ECE) for a course-by-course evaluation. The evaluation will take approximately four weeks to complete and its cost is the responsibility of the applicant.
Applicants whose first language is not English must meet specific English proficiency requirements. To demonstrate English language proficiency, candidates must submit the results of either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with the Test of Written English (TWE) and the Test of Spoken English (TSE), test results from the Duolingo English Test (DET) or have completed a Speech/Oral Communications course within a US academic institution and received a letter grade of "B" or higher. The information may obtained for the TOEFL tests from the Educational Testing Services website located at https://www.ets.org/toefl.html and information for the Duolingo English Test at https://englishtest.duolingo.com/applicants. Test results must be less than two years old and must meet the minimum scores below for each test.
TOEFL minimum scores
- Internet-based: 83
- Paper-based: 550
DET minimum scores
- Minimum score of 115
Student Standards
- Students are expected to arrive on time and attend all scheduled classes and clinical rotations unless they have an approved absence.
- Students must conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times.
- Students must adhere to all policies regarding the program and all policies required by each hospital clinical affiliate.
- Students must maintain at least a "C" average at all times throughout the program.
- Lift more than 40 pounds routinely
- Ability to bend and stoop routinely
- Ability to push and pull routinely
- Full use of both arms, hands, wrists and shoulders
- Ability to distinguish audible sounds
- Ability to distinguish variations in colors used in color Doppler
- Ability to work standing greater than 60% of the time
- Assist patients by bracing and helping on and off tables
- Interact compassionately with the sick or injured
- Effectively communicate with patients, relatives and other healthcare professionals
Financial Information
Tuition
Tuition for the program is $15,000.00. A deposit is due at confirmation of acceptance into the program. The deposit will be applied towards tuition. The remainder is due in two installments.
Textbooks
Textbooks cost approximately $1,000.00.
Additional costs
The student will be required to purchase a professional medical liability insurance policy at a cost of $27.00. Upon acceptance into the program the student will be required to have a background check and a drug screen at a cost of approximately $100.00. The results of the background check and the drug screen will be kept in the students file and the student can review them at any time. A positive result for either will result in withdrawal of the students' acceptance into the program. Students are responsible for the ARDMS certification examination fees, all living expenses, and parking fees.
Financial aid
The program is operated by UC San Diego Health, it is not directly affiliated with University of California San Diego. Therefore, financial aid is not available through the University or the Program. All funding must be obtained through other sources. Students must acquire their own financing, they may apply for loans or grants through banks, private organizations or the SDMS educational foundation.
