How to Become a Medical Sonographer in Georgia in 2024
Sonographers play a vital role in providing physicians with imaging of the internal body that is used to diagnose and treat patients in hospitals and clinics. The career of diagnostic medical sonography is rapidly growing in part because of the potential for a high salary, relatively short education and training period, and high job availability in Georgia and nationwide.
- Choose an Accredited School. It’s important to research the programmatic accreditation of the school you’re applying to. If possible, choose one that has been accredited by the CAAHEP; there are 11 across the state that have received this recognition. Entrance is competitive, so be sure you meet the prerequisites needed to apply.
- Get Your Degree. The minimum that is required of sonographers is an Associate of Science degree. There are also certificate programs for those who qualify, as well as Bachelor’s Degrees.
- Pass the Certification Exam. While Georgia’s Board of Health may not require certification, your potential employer will. Graduating from a CAAHEP accredited program will qualify you to sit for the ARDMS exam.
Why Choose a CAAHEP Accredited Diagnostic Sonography Program?
For a program or school to be accredited means that have undergone rigorous review from a reputable outside agency. This ensures that the quality of education the schools provides meets the identified standards. The primary accreditation agency for sonography is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
The successful completion of one of these accredited Georgia ultrasound schools is the most comprehensive and direct way students can earn eligibility to sit for the ARDMS Sonography Principles & Instrumentation exam, as well as a specialty exam. Passing both of their exams will allow you to receive professional certification in diagnostic medical sonography.
If you’re currently enrolled in or have been accepted to a CAAHEP accredited program, you’re also eligible to apply for the UltrasoundSchoolsInfo $1,000 scholarship. Click here to learn more.
Accredited Sonography Schools in Georgia in 2024
Each of the colleges below have program-level accreditation by CAAHEP as of September 2023 and offer certificates or degrees in diagnostic medical sonography.
| School | Programs | Prerequisites | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany State University 2400 Gillionville Rd Albany, GA 31707 |
Associates Degree – Diagnostic Medical Sonography – Abdominal-Extended as well as an Obstetrics and Gynecology program track. | Prerequisite coursework as well as observational hours form, verifying a minimum of 30 observational hours in a Diagnostic Medical Sonography setting. | Submit the completed DMS application by the June 1st deadline. |
| Augusta Technical College 3200 Augusta Tech Drive EMS Building, Office 111 Augusta, GA 30906 |
Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Associate of Applied Science Degree | Prerequisite courses (ENGL 1101, Humanities/Fine Arts Area IV [refer to options] , PSYC 1101, MATH 1111, MATH 1127, PHYS 1110, PHYS 1110L, BIOL 2113, BIOL 2113L, BIOL 2114, and BIOL 2114L) must be completed with a minimum GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale by the designated deadline to be evaluated for program admission. | For additional information regarding this process, please contact the Augusta Technical College Admissions Office at (706) 771-4028. |
| Cambridge College of Healthcare & Technology – Atlanta 5669 Peachtree Dunwoody Road NE Suite 100 Atlanta, GA 30342 |
Associate of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography – 98 credits with 6 Semesters. | Each of the healthcare programs offered by Cambridge College have their own unique admission requirements. Contact the DMS department for full details. | Learn more about Cambridge’s Admissions Process |
| Columbus Technical College 928 Manchester Expressway Columbus, GA 31904 |
Associate Degree in Medical Sonography, with concentrations in ObGyn or Abdominal-Extended | Prerequisite courses must be completed with a GPA of 2.5 or above and completion of HESI A2 prior to application. | Applications must be received by September 15th. Learn more here. |
| Georgia Northwestern Technical College-Rome 1 Maurice Culberson Dr Rome, GA 30161 |
AAS degree in sonography with specialty tracks available in Adult Echocardiography, General DMS, and Vascular Sonography | Prerequisite courses must be complete prior to application; attendance at a mandatory sonography program information meeting. | Learn more about the application process by downloading the pdf. |
| Georgia Southern University-Armstrong Campus 11935 Abercorn Street Savannah, GA 31419 |
Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Science with a concentration in Sonography | 50 semester hours of core degree requirements, including lab science courses. Complete the TEAS exam. | Applications must be received by March 1st. |
| Grady Health System 80 Jesse Hill Jr Drive SE PO Box 26189 Atlanta, GA 30303-3050 |
18-month certificate program in Abdominal-Extended or ObGyn Sonography | Completion of prerequisite courses with a grade of “C” or better, minimum SAT or ACT sores required. | Begin the application process here. |
| Gwinnett Technical College 5150 Sugarloaf Parkway Lawrenceville, GA 30043 |
AAS degree with specialty tracks in Abdomen-Extended and ObGyn sonography | Prerequisite courses and TEAS exam must be completed prior to application. Applicants are given bonus points for volunteer hours in an ultrasound clinic. | Application packets must be submitted by June 8th of each year. |
| Oconee Fall Line Technical College
560 Pinehill Road
Dublin, GA 31021
|
AAS degree with specialty tracks in Abdomen-Extended and ObGyn sonography | Submit high school transcripts and take entrance exam. | Apply online. |
| Ogeechee Technical College One Joseph E Kennedy Blvd Statesboro, GA 30458 |
Associate of Science degree in Adult Cardiac, ObGyn, or Abdominal-Extended Sonography | Complete prerequisite courses with a “C” or better, attend mandatory Competitive Admission Workshop, complete TEAS exam. | Visit the Competitive Admissions information packet for more information. |
| South College-Atlanta 2600 Century Parkway NE Atlanta, GA 30345 |
Bachelor of Science in Health Science with a Concentration in Diagnostic Medical Sonography | Prerequisite courses with a GPA of 2.5 or better. | Learn more about the application process here. |
Ask an Expert – Yonella Demars, PhD, RDMS (Ab, Ob/Gyn, PS) RVT
One of the best ways to learn about a career and find out if it matches your skills and interests is to talk to someone who is currently working as a sonographer.
Q: What suggestion would you give aspiring sonographers to best prepare for future trends?
A: Inherit best practices to scanning techniques, increase proper utilization of ergonomic equipment, attend conferences or subscribe to ultrasound journals that would keep them informed of current trends in sonography like fusion imaging, elastography, and ultrasound contrast imaging.
Georgia’s Sonography Student Scholarships and Awards
Below are some of the scholarships and awards available to students who qualify:
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility Requirements | How to Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sonography Student Scholarship | $1,000 | Aspiring sonographer currently enrolled in/ accepted to a CAAHEP accredited DMS program. | Ultrasound Schools Info Attn: Scholarship Committee PO Box 3026 Bellingham, WA 98227 scholarship@ultrasoundschoolsinfo.com |
| Georgia Hope Scholarship | Varies | Graduate from a Georgia high school with a 3.0 GPA and enroll in a public or private Georgia university. | Complete the FASFA and the GSFAPPS. |
| Georgia Hope Grant Program | Varies | For students working towards a BA who meet enrollment requirements and academic achievement standards. | Complete the FASFA and the GSFAPPS. |
| Georgia Association for Nursing Education (GANE) | Varies | Offers three nursing scholarships for students enrolled in Georgia’s nursing programs. These include the Lucy Willard Scholarship, the Sarah Helen Killgore Scholarship, and the Spillman-Bischoff Scholarship. | Complete an application. |
Is Atlanta a good place to study sonography? Attending one of Atlanta’s ultrasound training programs could lead to future employment in the area, as the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta region is among the country’s top ten metropolitan areas for employing diagnostic medical sonographers, according to the BLS.
How Much do Ultrasound Techs Make in Georgia?
Sonographers in Georgia earned a mean annual salary of $75,940 in 2022, or $36.51 per hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Conditions in your area may vary.
The amount of education you have can directly impact your salary and future earning power. An Associate of Science Degree is required for most entry-level sonography positions, while those with Bachelor’s Degree have more opportunities available. Similarly, those possessing ARDMS certification have higher earnings potential than those who do not. Visit our degree center to learn more about the various degrees and certificates available within DMS.
Job availability is expected to increase by 32% by 2030 (O*Net).
This table shows the median annual mean salaries for the major metropolitan areas of Georgia. Conditions in your area may vary.
| Metropolitan Area | 2022 Mean Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Athens-Clarke County | $75,030 |
| Augusta-Richmond County | $67,470 |
| Savannah | $71,950 |
| Albany | $58,080 |
| Middle Georgia | $72,310 |
Certification Requirements
Georgia does not currently require sonographers to obtain licensure or certification. Many states are considering mandating licensure, and it’s almost certain that any potential employer will require professional certification by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).
If you are getting your certificate or degree at a CAAHEP accredited institution, you are automatically qualified to sit for the exam. Your school will most likely coordinate the taking of the exam with the final quarters or semester of your program. If you did not graduate from a CAAHEP program, there are other ways to meet one of their prerequisites.
Additional Certification Information
Ultrasound Technician Schools in Greater Atlanta, Georgia
There are currently three accredited ultrasound schools in Atlanta. Cambridge College of Healthcare & Technology and Grady Health System both serve the greater Atlanta area.
Cambridge College of Healthcare & Technology is located in near-by Sandy Springs, Georgia, on the campus of Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital. This location is part of the larger Emory Healthcare system, which is home to more than 2,800 doctors, and boasts that it is “Atlanta’s longest-serving hospital”.
Grady Health System’s School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is part of Grady Memorial Hospital, one of the region’s largest healthcare systems. Grady is also home to one of the countries busiest Level I trauma centers.
