Program Description
The Department of Medical Imaging & Radiation Sciences offers a four-year baccalaureate degree with programs in Radiography, Nuclear Medicine, Radiation Therapy, and Sonography. 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.
Program Defined
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 University of Oklahoma Health Campus 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.
Cost
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.
It is the student’s responsibility to ensure they are enrolled in the prescribed courses and to pay tuition and fees at the time designated by the Bursar's Office. Details regarding tuition/fee charges and collection are available from the Bursar's Office.
Admission Requirements
To be eligible for admission to the Sonography program, applicants must have met the following requirements:
- Have successfully completed, or be in the process of completing, a minimum of 61-64 semester credit hours of coursework prior to the beginning of the program, including all prerequisite requirements with a ‘C’ or higher
- Maintain a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA in previous coursework. Note that the university does not recognize academic forgiveness nor reprieve policies. All attempts of a course are included in the calculation of GPAs
If after reviewing the qualifications for the program you are unsure of whether you meet them, please contact ahinfo@ouhsc.edu. We are here to help and support you as you pursue a career in the health sciences.
Application Procedure
- Complete the online OU Health application;
- Submit official, sealed transcripts from all colleges and/or universities attended directly to OU Health;
- If previous coursework is from colleges or universities outside of the US, please review information for Foreign Credential Evaluations;
- Complete the Kira Talent online asynchronous interview. A link is provided to applicants shortly after submitting their OU Health application;
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis beginning in October for applicants who have completed the above steps, with initial decisions anticipated to be communicated within 60 days of completing the application. Initial decisions may include admitted, waitlisted, or denied. We do not publish our waitlist and will continue to admit students until the class is filled.
Prerequisites for Applicants with No Degree, AAS, or AA/AS from Non-Oklahoma School
Applicants are required to complete 61-64 credit hours of coursework prior to the beginning of the program. The total credit hours should include all coursework listed below and any additional elective courses needed to reach the credit hour requirement.
Note: Applicants who have taken an OU First Year Experience course will need to complete 64 credit hours prior to beginning the program. Those who have not completed this course will take it during the program and will need to complete 61 credit hours prior to beginning the program.
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.
Remedial courses do not count towards the 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), Art 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.
Prerequisites for Applicants with AA/AS from Oklahoma School
Applicants are required to complete 64 credit hours of coursework prior to the beginning of the program. The total credit hours should include all coursework listed below and any additional elective courses needed to reach the credit hour requirement.
Prerequisites for Applicants with Bachelor's Degree
Program Goals
The goals for the Sonography program in the Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences are:
- To prepare competent entry-level abdominal sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.
- To prepare competent entry-level obstetric and gynecologic sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.
- To prepare competent entry-level adult echocardiographic sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.
- To prepare competent entry-level vascular sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.
- Provide an academic and clinical environment which leads to:
- Student demonstration of effective communication with other health care practitioners.
- Student application of effective critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Provide avenues for involvement in student governance, service to the University, the community, and profession.
- Provide opportunities for students to engage in research and scholarly activities.
