School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography Admissions Requirements

New Application Deadline: Jan. 30

The Sonography Program’s diverse applicant pool attracts college or Allied Health School graduates, professionals seeking a career change, and health professionals with a desire to advance their health care education.

All coursework and degrees must be obtained from an approved institution of the Higher Learning Commission and/or an approved Regional Accrediting Agency.

Admissions Requirements

All applicants must have the following pre-requisite courses:

  • College algebra, statistics, or higher college math course
  • College physics or radiographic physics
  • Human anatomy 
  • Human physiology
  • Oral or written communications
  • Medical terminology
  • CPR certification
  • 16-hour sonography observation 

In addition to the required college pre-requisites, all prospective students must meet one of the following criteria:

  1. Be a graduate of a 24-month accredited allied health program:
    1. Radiologic technology (www.jrcert.org) 
    2. Respiratory therapy (www.coarc.com) 
    3. Physical therapy (www.capteonline.org)
    4. Nursing (www.aacnnursing.org/ccne-accreditation, www.acenursing.org)
    5. Other approved allied health programs (www.caahep.org) 
  2. Have a 4-year Bachelor’s degree from a regionally/nationally accredited institution
  3. Be a part of our 2+2 affiliation program with Northwest Missouri State University (NWMSU). In this program, students apply at NWMSU and complete their first two years of education at their Maryville, MO, campus. After declaring sonography as their major, they can apply to our sonography programs here at Saint Luke’s. If accepted, they then complete their last two years of education with Saint Luke’s. At graduation, they are granted a Certificate from Saint Luke’s and a bachelor’s degree from NWMSU. Information on this option can be found on NWMSU's website. 

Additional program requirements

  • All prerequisites must be completed with a “C” grade or above, prior to the application deadline. Degree or certificate completion must be accomplished prior to the program start date.
  • A cumulative 3.0 GPA, of all post-secondary education, is required for acceptance.

Observation

All applicants must complete an 16-hour observation in sonography. The applicant must obtain documentation on letterhead from the institution where the observation is completed that is signed by the chief technologist or instructor. This documentation should include your name and the date and time you observed. 

Observation Reflection Paper

  • All applicants must submit a two-page, double spaced, typed job shadow reflection paper
  • At a minimum, the reflection paper must address the following:
    • Explain the exams observed during your job shadowing opportunities
    • What is the role of the sonographer?
    • What characteristics do you possess that you believe will make you successful as a student and a sonographer?

To request a job shadow at Saint Luke’s, please contact us at 816-932-2786 or gbrojerdinejad@saintlukeskc.org. Observations are available Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

All prospective (shadow) students must show evidence of COVID-19 vaccination and influenza vaccination.

References

All applicants must have two reference forms (PDF) submitted directly by the referrer. References should be from a professional of no relation to the applicant (for example, a supervisor, manager, instructor, or professor).

Skill standards

Students must meet the skill standards appropriate to ultrasonography. View the skill standards (PDF) to verify your qualifications.

International Students

International students should refer to the international student policy and application requirements.

Tobacco Usage Policy

Saint Luke’s Health System is a tobacco free organization and does not hire anyone who uses tobacco products.

Effective August 1, 2011, only non-tobacco users will be hired by Saint Luke’s Health System. This policy also includes students in all Saint Luke’s owned programs. Therefore, students cannot use any tobacco products.

This includes:

  • Cigarettes
  • Cigars
  • Pipes
  • Smokeless tobacco
  • “E-cigarettes” or any other vaping product
  • Smoking cessation products including nicotine gum or skin patches
  • Any other products which contain any amount of tobacco or nicotine

All individuals that have been offered a position within the Saint Luke’s Schools of Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Echocardiography or Radiologic Technology must comply with this policy.

All accepted students will be tested for nicotine during their post-offer, pre-program physical screening process. Offers of positions to prospective students of any program who test positive for nicotine will be rescinded. A positive test for nicotine due to the applicant’s use of nicotine replacement therapy will also result in the applicant’s offer being rescinded.

Students are also prohibited from using any tobacco products once they have entered any education program. Any student who uses tobacco is in violation of this policy and will face disciplinary action up to and including termination from the program. If a student is directly observed using tobacco products, they will be required to complete a nicotine test with the Employee Health Department. In the event this test is positive, they will face disciplinary action up to and including termination from the program.

Any student who gains employment with Saint Luke’s Health System during or after their educational program must retest for nicotine during their Employee Health pre-employment physical. If this results in a positive test, the offer of employment will be rescinded.

There are no exceptions to any segment of this policy.

COVID Vaccination Policy

All students in the Saint Luke’s School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography are required to have their full COVID vaccination series prior to beginning  the program.  Program policy will coincide with the Saint Luke’s Health System policy for COVID vaccination, including any future updates.  These updates may include the requirement for COVID booster vaccinations.

Application Process

Application deadline: January 30

Start date: September, annually

To apply:

  • Complete the online application. 
  • Pay the $25 application fee (please make check payable to the SLH School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography).
  • Send in all official high school and post-secondary education transcripts. All official transcripts must come directly from the honoring institution.
  • Complete the reference form (PDF) from two professional references—mailed by the referrer in a sealed envelope.
  • Submit observation/job shadow documentation—documentation from an outside facility must be on institution letterhead specifying date and time of observation along with applicant's name.
  • Sign and submit the skill standards (PDF) acknowledgment of required skills.
  • Prospective Student Information Guide (PDF)

Mail completed application to:

Saint Luke’s Health System
ATTN: School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography
901 E. 104th St., Mailstop 3000 South
Kansas City, MO, 64131

Applicant Selection

The school accepts up to five students annually. Each applicant is scored based on:

  • A cumulative GPA
  • Reference forms
  • Prior clinical experience/health care experience
  • Observation/job shadow
  • Interview scores

Approximately 15 of the top-scoring applicants will be selected for an interview with the selection committee. The interview will be conducted using the behavioral-based interview method. Final selections are based upon applicant scores and program leadership.

All applicants will receive written notification regarding their acceptance or denial of admission for the current program.

Applicants who accept a position in the program must pass a criminal background check, drug test, tobacco screening, and MMR test before final admission into the program.

Qualified applicants are not guaranteed a spot. Final decisions are made at the discretion of program leadership.