Admissions Requirements

All applicants must follow the University application process.

Misericordia University has announced that it will continue test-blind admission review for the first-year class entering in Fall 2023 and Fall 2024 in all academic programs. Students who have taken the SAT or ACT are not required to submit their scores. Test scores will not be used in determining admission or academic scholarship awards.

Applicants to the BS entry level are expected to have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (and/or class rank in top half of the high school graduating class) and a combined SAT score of 1020 (math and critical reading); or a minimum 23 ACT composite score. Applicants are expected to have taken minimum 3 years of high school math to include algebra and 2 years of high school science all with a minimum grade of “C”. High school physics is recommended.

Transfer applications to the BS entry level will follow the University's transfer policies and will be considered based on clinical placement availability. All transfer transcripts are expected to have a minimum GPA of 2.75, all prerequisite courses with a “C’ or higher, and no more than one course indicating grade replacement.

• Prerequisite courses are Anatomy & Physiology I & II; Physics; Ethics; Composition; and Algebra or Statistics (do not all have to be completed prior to entry into the program)

Misericordia University reviews individual applications carefully, and the above stated standards should be seen only as general guidelines. The Director of Admissions and individual department chairs reserve the right to exercise discretion in any admissions decision.

The sonography core classes (for both certificate and entry level BS students) are held every other weekend with 32 hours of clinical attendance occurring during the week during the last 4 semesters, including summer. Refer to catalog for BS entry level degree information.

For admission to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography accelerated baccalaureate degree program, the applicant must meet at least one of the following requirements:

1. Possess the credential of Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonography (RDMS) awarded by the American Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) in at least one specialty (abdominal or obstetrics/gynecology).
2. Possess the American Registry for Radiologic Technology Sonography credential (ARRT)(S).
3. Be enrolled in the University's DMS certificate program or a CAAHEP accredited sonography program and during the last session, can request consideration to continue to complete the bachelor degree program. Formal admission would occur once the graduate earned the RDMS or ARRT(S) credential.

Admissions Process

Application Requirements

• Complete the online application.
• Provide an official copy of all previous College or program transcripts to the Part-time Undergraduate Admissions Office.
• Provide a copy of ARDMS or ARRT(S) certification card to the Part-time Undergraduate Admissions Office.

Professional Credential Credits

• Up to 43 credits may be awarded for earning your ARDMS Abdominal and/or Obstetrics and Gynecology specialties examinations or possession of the ARRT (S) credential.

Credit evaluation

• Upon submission of your application, receipt of all official transcripts, and a copy of your ARDMS or ARRT card, the application will be evaluated by the Part-time Undergraduate Admissions office and the Chair of Sonography.
• All college earned credits will be evaluated for equivalence to Misericordia University offered courses for credit transfer.
• The Chair will contact the applicant to discuss the three tracks offered within the degree, number of credits eligible for transfer and number of credits required to complete the degree.
• A minimum of 30 credits must be taken at Misericordia University to earn the baccalaureate degree.

Prior Learning Assessment

• Education received through non-credit bearing mechanisms or success of a credentialing exam other than abdominal and/or obstetrics will be evaluated through the university's Prior Learning Assessment policies administered through CACE. Applicants that desire to challenge a BS major course may request consideration through the PLA process for the course desired for consideration of demonstration of knowledge. There is a fee for each course assessed and accepted as successfully meeting the course objectives. (For example, sonographers possessing additional credentials such as RVT or RVS or an additional specialty such as Breast.)

To be considered for entrance into the sonography certificate program, applicants must meet one of the following three pathways:

1. You must be a graduate of an accredited allied health program (minimum of two years) with completion of pre-requisites listed in Pathway #3 and a minimum grade of "C" OR,
2. A graduate of a Bachelor degree program, and completion of prerequisites listed in Pathway #3 with a minimum grade of "C" OR,
3. Have completed prerequisites at the college or post secondary level with a "C" or higher that include the following:
   • Human Anatomy and Physiology I & II
   • Physics
   • English (oral or written communications)
   • Medical Terminology
   • Ethics
   • Math or Algebra
   • Patient Care

Note:Sonography Patient Care and Medical Terminology can be taken as co-requisites in the first session of the program.

In addition, for those wishing to pursue a degree, the University offers a dual profession with a Bachelor of Science in Medical Imaging and a Certificate in Diagnostic Medical Sonography which can be completed in a little less than 5 academic years. A minimum of two seats are reserved for Medical Imaging students who desire to enter into the Sonography certificate program during their senior year of their Medical Imaging degree.

What if I do not have some or all of the prerequisites?
Misericordia University offers the pre-requisites in various formats to accommodate the variety of an individual's schedule. Courses can be taken in the traditional day-time format, evening, weekend, on-line or off campus through our Expressway offerings or a combination of times. Prerequisites can be completed in 1 year attending on a part-time basis. A sample of the schedule could be:

Fall Semester		Spring Semester		Summer Semester
Anatomy & Physiology I BIO 121 or BIO 211		Anatomy & Physiology II BIO 122 or BIO 212		General Physics PHY 117
Math MTH 120 or 115		Ethics PHL 200, 201, or 223
Communication ENG 103, ENG 151 or BUS 107

Medical Terminology (MI 106) is offered on-line each semester. It is recommended to be completed prior to start of program, but can be taken in first fall of program. DMS 112 Sonography Patient Care (DMS) is offered in a weekend format early in the fall semester.

Contact the Sheryl Goss, Chair of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Department, at (570)674-6790 or sgoss@misericordia.edu for more information on prerequisite courses and schedules to complete them.